This Guy Killed The Hemi And Nobody Liked Him—Allegedly

Carlos Tavares' recent departure from Stellantis has revealed a series of missteps that left the automaker reeling.

By far the hottest of all takes is the allegations surrounding Tavares' role in killing the Hemi V8 engine. CNBC sources reveal Tavares' obsessive focus on cost-cutting and a warp-speed pivot towards electrification drove the decision to phase out the ever-popular powerplant. It's claimed the decision was made with little regard for the desires of American consumers despite the protests and pleas from numerous Dodge, Jeep, Ram, and Chrysler executives.

The Hemi decision is allegedly symbolic of Tavares' management style. His focus on bureaucratic processes, micromanagement, and tight budgets is said to have clashed with how the American brands were allowed to operate under Sergio Marchionne. This reportedly led to frustration and resentment among American executives, particularly when it came to product decisions impacting the US market.

Ultimately, Tavares' missteps in America cost him his job—his resignation was negotiated after the board decided to remove him from his role. Why buy cash cows like Dodge, Jeep, and Ram if you're just going to completely decimate the very products and programs that made them cash cows to begin with?

There's a glimmer of hope for the future, however. The return of Tim Kuniskis, a vocal advocate for the Hemi and architect of the Hellcat lineup, as CEO of Ram could shift priorities. Kuniskis showed up yesterday during a Ram backgrounder event where he acknowledged the brand was getting "its ass kicked" but more importantly he also affirmed he came back "to call some audibles."

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