Fiat-Chrysler appoints a female CEO
Ms Johns, 42, who started at Chrysler in 1999, will be in charge of five brands: Fiat, Chrysler, Jeep, Alfa Romeo and Dodge.
Women have previously been in charge of car brands in Australia - the first at Chrysler from 2000 to 2003 and more recently at Volkswagen - although all have been brought in from overseas.
Ms Johns said her gender had not held her back in the industry. "There is [additional pressure] when you start in it ... it certainly toughens you up a bit. When I first started in the region, I hit 10 days of motor shows and thought, 'Oh my god, how am I going to survive?'
"Dealers are great, they'll work with you and are very supportive but they are tough in the same instance, so it's been a great learning experience."
Outgoing chief executive Clyde Campbell recommended Ms Johns as his successor, but said there had been pressure from the US head office to appoint an American. "... sanity prevailed; they realised Veronica was the best person."
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
Veronica Johns, aged 42, has been appointed chief executive of Fiat‑Chrysler Australia. She started at Chrysler in 1999 and is the first Australian‑born woman to head a large car distributor locally.
As CEO she will be in charge of five brands: Fiat, Chrysler, Jeep, Alfa Romeo and Dodge, according to the article.
The article notes she is the first Australian‑born woman to lead a large local car distributor. Previous women in charge of car brands in Australia were brought in from overseas, including an earlier Chrysler leader (2000–2003) and a more recent Volkswagen appointment.
Johns has been with Chrysler since 1999, giving her long tenure in the company and regional experience. The outgoing CEO, Clyde Campbell, recommended her as his successor.
The article says there had been pressure from the US head office to appoint an American, but Campbell said 'sanity prevailed' and they realised Veronica Johns was the best person for the role.
Johns said her gender hadn't held her back. She acknowledged extra pressure early on — describing tough stretches like 10‑day motor shows — and said dealers have been supportive but also demanding, which she called a great learning experience.
Outgoing chief executive Clyde Campbell recommended Veronica Johns as his successor and noted there had been outside pressure to pick an American, but he said the decision-makers realised Johns was the best person for the job.
The article focuses on the appointment itself—Johns's background, the brands she will manage, and the diversity milestone. It does not discuss financial impacts. Everyday investors may want to note the leadership continuity (an internal appointment) and watch for any future announcements about strategy or performance across the five brands.
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