Stellantis names Bob Broderdorf new head of Jeep North America

Jeep will have a new leader in its key North American region, the latest in a series of executive changes at Stellantis as the automaker is being challenged by slumping sales and profits.

Bob Broderdorf has been tapped to lead the region for the automaker's iconic SUV brand, effective immediately, according to a company news release Tuesday. Broderdorf had been "senior vice president, Ram brand operations and, prior to that, he was head of Dodge sales operations, a position he held since 2021," the company said.

Broderdorf replaces Bill Peffer, who took over the Jeep post last year from Jim Morrison, who has since left the company. Peffer was previously CEO of the company's Maserati brand in the Americas . Peffer, effective Oct. 1, will shift to leading the company's North America network development "where he will be responsible for ensuring the company’s dealer network across the region operates at the highest possible level to generate optimal sales volumes for Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep and Ram vehicles, as well as Mopar products "

Peffer, who began his career at Ford, replaces Phil Langley, who has announced his decision to retire, the company said. Langley, whose tenure with Stellantis and its Chrysler-affiliated brands dates to the 1980s, had been head of network development in North America since 2019. The company list 2,600 dealerships in the United States.

"Today’s moves align with our focus on optimizing operations here in the region and preparing for our future,” Carlos Zarlenga, chief operating officer of Stellantis North America, said in the news release. “Bob’s diverse experiences in field sales, brand management, marketing strategy and product development will be critical as the Jeep brand launches its electrified portfolio over the next several years. And with his exceptional combination of retail automotive experience and leadership roles at both domestic and import (automakers), Bill will help us raise the bar as we work together with our dealer network to write the next chapter in our transformation."

Zarlenga thanked Langley, who will stay on until the end of the year, "for his 40-plus years with the company, all of which have been in providing outstanding leadership and the highest level of dedication and service to the company and our dealers across the country."

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Stellantis has seen numerous executive changes since last year. Last month, it named Tim Fallon, who led EV manufacturing operations at Rivian, as the automaker's head of manufacturing in North America.

The company is in the midst of a challenging 2024 in its key North American region. In its latest U.S. sales release, the company reported a 21% decline compared with the same period in 2023. The company's net profit also fell 48% in the first half of the year.

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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Stellantis names Bob Broderdorf new head of Jeep North America