FCA picks Gardner to lead Maserati in North America

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has handed control of Maserati in North America to the head of its dealer network in the region, Al Gardner, while making management changes in Europe to the luxury brand.

Gardner, 54, will report to Jean-Philippe Leloup, who joins Maserati from Ferrari to lead a new organization called Maserati Commercial. The announcement was made Monday in Europe by Harald Wester, who was made Maserati's COO on Oct. 1 in a global reorganization of FCA's management team by new CEO Mike Manley.

Previously, Tim Kuniskis had been responsible for Maserati, both globally and in North America, but Kuniskis was handed the reins to the Jeep brand in the same Oct. 1 reorganization.

Gardner has been head of FCA's North American dealer network since 2015, and will remain in the position. He previously served as head of the Chrysler brand, and helped launch the 2015 Chrysler 200.

Gardner will be part of team of regional leaders reporting to Leloup. Among them is Alberto Pantanelli, newly named interim chief of sales operations.