Currently reading: Marchionne replaced as FCA Group boss due to ill health

Long-time boss of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles replaced after health worsens following surgery; Jeep boss Mike Manley named new CEO

Sergio Marchionne has been replaced as the boss of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles by Jeep boss Mike Manley, after suffering serious complications following surgery. 

The 66-year-old Italian-Canadian has been CEO of Fiat since 2004, and has headed up the FCA Group since Fiat and Chrysler’s merger in 2011. Marchionne had been due to step down as CEO next year. He has also been replaced as chairman and CEO of Ferrari.

Marchionne is understood to have undergone shoulder surgery recently, although no specifics of his condition have been released. An FCA Group statement said: “during the course of this week unexpected complications arose when Mr Marchionne was recovering from surgey and that these have worsened significantly in recent hours.

“As a consequence, Mr Marchionne will be unable to return to work.”

“The board of directors of FCA, meeting today [Saturday], firstly expressed its closeness to Sergio Marchionne and his family and underlined the extraordinary contribution, both human and professional, that he has made to the company in these years.”

Having overseen the merger of Fiat and Chrysler, Marchionne has overseen the firm's decision to focus on premium brands such as Jeep and Alfa Romeo ahead of Fiat and Chrysler themselves. With sales and profits growing, the Group is on course to clear its debt this year.

With Marchionne already due to step down next year, the board said it has “resolved to accelerate the CEO transition process” by naming Briton Manley as the Group’s new CEO. While the board had given Manley all the powers of CEO “with immediate effect”, the move will need to be approved by a meeting of shareholders.

Kent-born Manley joined DaimlerChrysler in 2000, taking over as boss of Jeep in 2009. He also heads Ram. Since taking over he has overseen the growth of Jeep in the USA and a big push into the European market.

The FCA Group recently unveiled its five-year business plan running until 2022, focusing on the Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Jeep and Ram brands.

In a separate statement, Ferrari paid tribute to “the extraordinary contribution” Marchionne had made to the firm. Ferrari’s board has named John Elkann as a new chairman, and will propose to shareholders that Louis C Camilleri be named CEO.

Elkann is the grandson of Gianni Agnelli, and serves as chairman and CEO of EXOR, the holding and investment company owned by the Agnelli and Elkann families.

Camilleri, 63, was born in Malta and was chairman of the Philip Morris tobacco firm, a long-time sponsor of Ferrari’s F1 team, until 2014. He already sits on the Ferrari board.

Read more

Back to top

James Attwood

James Attwood, digital editor
Title: Acting magazine editor

James is Autocar's acting magazine editor. Having served in that role since June 2023, he is in charge of the day-to-day running of the world's oldest car magazine, and regularly interviews some of the biggest names in the industry to secure news and features, such as his world exclusive look into production of Volkswagen currywurst. Really.

Before first joining Autocar in 2017, James spent more than a decade in motorsport journalist, working on Autosport, autosport.com, F1 Racing and Motorsport News, covering everything from club rallying to top-level international events. He also spent 18 months running Move Electric, Haymarket's e-mobility title, where he developed knowledge of the e-bike and e-scooter markets. 

Join the debate

Comments
5
Add a comment…
stokiesuzuki78 22 July 2018

FCA CEO

While wishing Sergio Marchionne a speedy recovery and a healthy future, it is time for a fresh approach for FCA and increased investments in competetive engines, platforms and new models. Probably time to knock on SAIC's door, and see if they want to share some costs and engineering with Roewe/ MG. What potential!

Jimbbobw1977 23 July 2018

stokiesuzuki78 wrote:

stokiesuzuki78 wrote:

While wishing Sergio Marchionne a speedy recovery and a healthy future, it is time for a fresh approach for FCA and increased investments in competetive engines, platforms and new models. Probably time to knock on SAIC's door, and see if they want to share some costs and engineering with Roewe/ MG. What potential!

 

Thought SAIC was already working GM....?? We know how disastrous the GM input into Fiat was... 

stanleyipkiss 21 July 2018

is he dead?

Something is bad. Really really bad. From shoulder surgery to almost dead?

Peter Cavellini 22 July 2018

stanleyipkiss wrote:

stanleyipkiss wrote:

Something is bad. Really really bad. From shoulder surgery to almost dead?

. Probably an infection that caused a temperature rise, who knows, let’s hope he recovers well.

Hughbl 21 July 2018

What a

tragic end to an outstanding career. I hope he recovers quickly and gets to enjoy his retirement - he has more than earned it.