New head for Fiat brand in North America

Timothy Kuniskis has been named the new head of the Fiat brand in North America after Laura Soave leaves less than two years after taking the position.

Soave had worked from Chrysler since early 2010, making the move from an executive position with Volkswagen. Chrysler did not reveal the reason for her departure.

In his new role, Kuniskis will be responsible for the Fiat brand in North America, which includes leadership for Fiat brand sales, marketing, dealer network and service.

“Tim brings broad expertise and leadership in dealer operations and marketing where he has been already working with the team to shape the direction of the Fiat brand,” Sergio Marchionne, chairman and CEO, Chrysler Group LLC, said in a statement yesterday.

Kuniskis joined Chrysler in 1992 and has held a number of positions in the company’s business center operations and marketing organization. Top among his early priorities will be the continued introduction of Fiat’s latest vehicle for North America, the 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth.

Despite strong sales in Canada (4,869 units sold through to the end of October), reports indicate the subcompact has been falling short of expectations in the U.S.