Bigland pushes Chrysler to new heights
Don’t take your eyes off Fiat Chrysler’s Reid Bigland. The auto executive is Wheels’ One to Watch in 2015.
Bigland, 47, has been president and CEO of Chrysler Canada for the past eight years, but he moved higher up the ladder in 2011 when he took on the additional position of head of U.S. sales for all of Chrysler Group.
Chrysler’s been on a roll ever since. Monthly sales in Canada have increased for 60 consecutive months now, which is a five-year streak, and in the U.S., for 56 consecutive months. November’s sales in the U.S. were the strongest since 2001, and up 20 per cent from November 2013.
It’s not all because of improved product and a better economy, and Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne knows it. That’s why he gave Bigland the additional responsibility this summer of managing Alfa Romeo in North America — a critical brand for the automaker.
“Reid has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills in managing Chrysler’s consistent rise in sales and market share in both Canada and the U.S.,” said Marchionne.
“Much more is expected from this brand in the next few years . . . and Reid’s seniority and experience are ideal for the significant task that is now getting underway.”
Bigland is originally from Kamloops, B.C., but attended school in Toronto and even played hockey for a while with the Thornhill Thunderbirds, of the Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League. He went on to graduate from the University of British Columbia before working as a manager with Canadian Airlines International, and then Western Star Trucks.
He’s a joint Canadian-U.S. citizen, but North America may not be enough for him. He’s already being tapped as a potential successor to the top job at Fiat Chrysler when Marchionne plans to retire in 2018.
For more automotive coverage, go to thestar.com/autos. To reach Wheels editor Norris McDonald: nmcdonald@thestar.ca