Stellantis’ former CEO Carlos Tavares is being blamed for the death of the iconic Hemi V-8 engine, according to a report by CNBC. The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, claims that “everybody wanted to keep” the Hemi but Tavares pushed for its removal.
The Hemi V-8 is still available as a crate engine and in certain high-performance vehicles like the Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat and full-size pickups, but not in passenger cars. The decision to drop the engine from Stellantis’ lineup has sparked concerns about Tavares’ leadership style.
Insiders describe Tavares as having a “reluctance, if not unwillingness, to listen” to US executives about the American market. This led to the removal of the Hemi from passenger-car models and ultimately contributed to his departure as CEO. The company’s electric vehicle growth is slow, with Tavares’ push for rapid electrification in North America also failing to gain traction.
With Tavares gone, the future of Stellantis is uncertain. Tim Kuniskis, former Dodge and Ram CEO, has returned to lead the company’s Ram brand, but it’s unclear if the Hemi V-8 will make a comeback. Despite this, the engine remains available as a crate engine and in certain high-performance vehicles.
Source: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a63149586/stellantis-insiders-blame-death-of-hemi-on-former-ceo-carlos-tavares