Bernard Robertson has been named DaimlerChrysler senior vice president of engineering and technology.
The appointment fills the void created by the departure of Chris Theodore this month.
Robertson, 56, assumes responsibility for all platform engineering activities associated with the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Plymouth brands. The change was announced Tuesday, March 23.
Robertson will report to Tom Gale, the DaimlerChrysler board of management member in charge of product development and design of the former Chrysler Corp. products.
Robertson had been senior vice president of engineering technologies.
Theodore, 48, was senior vice president of platform engineering before he quit to join Ford Motor Co.
In his new role, Robertson takes on both jobs.
He also remains in charge of the Liberty and Technical Affairs Group, Scientific Labs and Proving Grounds, Technical Computer Center, Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles, Truck Operations and Technology Strategy Planning.
Robertson joined the former Chrysler Corp. in England in 1965 as a senior engineer and has held many positions in manufacturing and assembly, product planning and other areas.
In a recent interview with Automotive News, Tom Stallkamp, president of DaimlerChrysler Corp., said Theodore's resignation and other departures this year reveal the strength of the former Chrysler managers.
DaimlerChrysler Corp. is a North American unit of DaimlerChrysler AG
'It's tough to get these letters (of resignation), but in any organization, people come and go,' Stallkamp said. 'This is not a reflection on the merger. It is more about opportunities. It's a flattering thing.'
