Following Fiat S.p.A.’s acquisition of majority ownership of Chrysler Group LLC, a range of strategic organisational moves, all designed to create sustainable long-term success, have been announced.
The latest of these has seen Saad Chehab named as Chief Executive Officer for the Chrysler/Lancia brands and appointed as a member of a new Group Executive Council (GEC) that has been formed in-line with the objective of enhancing operational integration of the two companies.
Born in Beirut, Lebanon, Saad graduated from the University of Detroit Mercy as an architect and has enjoyed great success during his career in the U.S. automotive industry, with numerous notable achievements to his name.
After many years with Ford Motor Company, he joined Chrysler Group LLC to head its sales and advertising functions. Due to the focused efforts of Saad and other key Chrysler Group LLC leaders, the company has increased sales on a consistent basis, paid back loans from the U.S. and Canadian governments six years ahead of schedule and consistently delivered quarterly profits.
Saad, whose hard work and accomplishments in the U.S. are a source of pride to his countrymen and the entire Middle East region, takes up his new position on September 1, 2011 and will split his time equally between Italy and the U.S.
The highest executive decision making body within Fiat S.p.A. outside of the Board of Directors, the GEC is responsible for reviewing the operating performance of the businesses, setting performance targets, making key strategic decisions and investments for the Group and sharing best practices, including the development and deployment of key human resources.
Fiat S.p.A. and Chrysler Group LLC are proud to have Saad as a key member of the team that will take the Chrysler/Lancia brands to the next levels of their development and are confident that he will earn a prominent place among the future leaders of the global automotive industry.
Chrysler Group LLC recently reported U.S. sales of 112,026 for July 2011 – a 20% increase compared with sales in July 2010 (93,313 units) – the best July sales since 2007. The sales growth achieved is double that of any other US automobile manufacturer.