Stellantis names Rivian exec as North America manufacturing manager

Stellantis NV has hired an executive from electric-car maker Rivian Automotive Inc. to oversee the company’s manufacturing operations in North America, the transatlantic automaker said Tuesday.

Tim Fallon has served as vice president of manufacturing at Rivian since early 2022 and previously spent more than 16 years at Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. in several plant management positions.

He replaces Mike Resha, head of North American manufacturing since 2020, who is taking on a global leadership role for Stellantis’ injection and stamping operations. The change is effective Sept. 2.

Fallon will oversee 34 manufacturing facilities across the United States, Canada and Mexico. These include assembly plants that produce Jeep, Ram, Chrysler and Dodge vehicles, as well as various facilities that produce engines, transmissions, machine tools, stamping and other products.

Fallon arrives at a difficult time for the company, including at its North American plants, as executives try to manage production rates amid sluggish sales and a bloated vehicle inventory. CEO Carlos Tavares recently raised concerns about U.S. production issues, including quality problems at the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant that builds the Ram pickups, where it is set to arrive Friday.

The United Auto Workers union is concerned about moving more production to Mexico and this week criticized the company for delaying the promised reopening of a large plant in Belvidere, Illinois.

“Tim brings his relentless commitment to operational excellence and strong manufacturing experience, including electric vehicles, to Stellantis as we enter this critical phase of our transformation,” Carlos Zarlenga, Stellantis’ North America COO, said in a statement. He noted that the company is launching its “electric vehicle offensive” this year, with vehicles including the electric Ram 1500 REV and electric Dodge Charger Daytona coming soon.

Zarlenga also thanked Resha, who he said helped the company survive the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting chip shortage that crippled the auto industry.

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