FCA Announces Head of Ram and FCA Canada, Reid Bigland’s Departure:

Yesterday, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) announced that Reid Bigland, Head of Ram Brand, U.S. Sales, and FCA Canada was stepping down from his position at the company effective April 3rd, 2020, to pursue interests outside of FCA. Bigland’s departure comes after he filed a federal whistleblower lawsuit against FCA in June of last year, where he claimed that the company had cut his pay by 90%, costing him around $1.8 million.

As head of U.S. sales, Bigland was the center of an agreement that FCA agreed to pay the federal government a sum of $40 million after the government accused the company of misleading its investors by falsely reporting the new number of new vehicles sold between 2012 and 2016. FCA continues to deny the findings, while Bigland has said that he inherited the practice.

Bigland’s automotive career has been impressive. He started at Western Star Trucks Inc., which was acquired by then DaimlerChrysler in 2000. Before joining the Chrysler Group, he also served as President of Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation (which continues to be under the Daimler AG ownership).  Prior to his current roles,  Reid was Head of the Alfa Romeo and Maserati brands, Head of Alfa Romeo North America – in which he is given credit to help bring the Italian brand back to North America, President and CEO of the Ram brand, as well as President and CEO of the Dodge brand.

Mr. Bigland has served as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of FCA Canada since July 2006 as well as been the Head of U.S. Sales since June 2011, where he has been responsible for sales strategy, dealer relations and operations, order facilitation, incentives and fleet, and field operations. Bigland has also held a position on the company’s Group Executive Council (GEC) since September 2011. He was appointed Head of the Ram brand in October 2018, after Mike Manley’s departure to become the company’s new CEO after the unexpected passing of former CEO Sergio Marchionne, a position that both Manley and Bigland were in the running for prior to Marchionne’s passing.

Manley stated in a press release yesterday about Bigland’s departure, “I would like to thank Reid for his years of tireless leadership and many valued contributions to the company. We all wish him every success in his future endeavors.”

FCA has announced three new management appointments effective immediately, all of whom will report to Mark Stewart, Chief Operating Officer, FCA North America. Those new management roles are…

• Jeff Kommor, Head of U.S. Sales
• David Buckingham, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of FCA Canada
• Mike Koval, Ad Interim Head of Ram Brand, North America