FCA appoints new Australian boss

FIAT Chrysler Automobiles has announced the appointment of American executive Patrick Dougherty as the new CEO and president of its Australian operation, following the sudden resignation of Veronica Johns earlier this week.

Mr Dougherty joined the company in 1983 and is currently vice president of Mopar – FCA’s parts and service division. Prior to this he was the head of Fiat sales, network and operations and looked after fleet sales for the North American market.

FCA corporate vice-president John Kett said Mr Dougherty’s vast sales and after-sales experience would help ensure growth for the Australian wing of the company.

“Mr Dougherty is one of FCA’s most experienced executives, and will take over this role to secure the growth of the business for this strategically important market,” said Mr Kett.

“We need to continue our focus on sustainable growth across all of our brands and imperative to this will be the further development of our after-sales business to ensure that FCA is one of the most customer-focussed automotive companies in the market.”

Mr Dougherty will start in the new position on December 1, with Ms Johns finishing on December 31.

Ms Johns started with the company 16 years ago as the personal assistant to the finance director and rose through the ranks to become the first Australian woman to head a car manufacturing business in this country when she was announced as the new CEO last year.

During her short tenure at the top she oversaw enormous growth with Jeep leading the sales ahead of FCA’s other brands Fiat, Chrysler, Alfa Romeo and Dodge.

Her resignation was announced this week with FCA confirming on Wednesday that Ms Johns was leaving for personal reasons, resolving she couldn’t fulfill the CEO role in the capacity it deserves.

Ms Johns' resignation followed the shock announcement on Tuesday that Holden managing director Gerry Dorizas was leaving the company after just seven months in the role.