Jeep maker Stellantis tapped a recent Hyundai executive to lead its U.S. sales operation.
Michael Orange, who moves from the role of Hyundai Motor America’s national sales head, replaces longtime Stellantis executive Jeff Kommor, who’s retiring after 40 years of service.
Stellantis, formed in 2021 from the merger of Fiat Chrysler and the French PSA Group, has been working to turn around its business and replaced its CEO last year with Antonio Filosa to work toward that end.
Orange will head U.S. sales and network performance, reporting to Filosa, the company said. His work will focus on “strengthening retail performance, enhancing dealer partnerships and driving market share growth.”
Kommor will help with the leadership transition.
“Over the course of 40 years, Jeff has made outstanding contributions to our organization, navigating significant periods of transformation across our enterprise,” Filosa said.
“He has been a trusted leader, respected by both his team and our dealer network. I thank him for his unbelievable energy, determination and passion, and wish him well in this next chapter.”
Orange has led national field operations, sales strategy and vehicle operations among seven regional Hyundai offices and the automaker’s U.S. dealer network.
He previously held leadership positions at Nissan North America and First Team Auto Mall, “bringing deep expertise in national sales operations, dealer performance, financing and retail management,” Stellantis said.
Filosa said he anticipates that Orange will leverage a track record of “building high-performing teams, aligning strategy with execution, improving dealer profitability, and enhancing both dealer and customer experience” to “continue building momentum in the U.S.”
A Reuters report citing anonymous sources said Stellantis plans to focus on its core brands, including Jeep and Ram, in a strategic plan Filosa is expected to announce in May.
