Fiat taps into Stateside know-how with ex-Chrysler man as managing director

Story: MATT MORTON

Fiat in the UK is turning American.

The Italian company has appointed Steve Zanlunghi to the role of Managing Director of Fiat Group Automobiles UK.

Steve Zanlunghi (39) was most recently Director, Chrysler Group Mid-Atlantic Regional Business Center, responsible for all sales, marketing, network development, service and parts operations.

Of course, Chrysler, along with Jeep, is now part of the Fiat empire, which also includes Alfa Romeo, and Fiat Professional in the UK.

However, he’s been learning the ways of Italy working in Sales and Commercial Operations, Western Europe, Fiat SpA, Turin before taking up his new UK position – which will be on 01 August, 2012.

Steve, who is married with a son and recently born daughter, holds a BSc in Business Management with a minor in both International Business and Finance from Providence College, Rhode Island, and describes himself as “a competitive individual with American, Australian and Italian roots”.

“Every market I’ve worked in has been unique,” commented Steve. “I’m looking forward to the challenges ahead and further growing our business in the UK market.”