Stellantis picks Amazon Alexa executive as chief technology officer

Stellantis has filled a key remaining hole in its leadership since its creation as the world’s fourth-largest automaker in January.

Ned Curic, currently vice president of Alexa Automotive at Amazon, is slated to take over as chief technology officer for Stellantis on Aug. 30.

Stellantis, which formed from the merger of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Peugeot maker PSA Group, made the announcement Tuesday. The company said Curic will report to CEO Carlos Tavares and be responsible for all information technology resources for the group, which counts Jeep, Ram, Dodge, Chrysler, Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Peugeot, Citroen, Opel and Vauxhall among its 14 brands.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to work closely with Ned, who will play an integral and strategic role in setting the company’s strategic mobility direction, development and future growth for being at the forefront in the automotive industry. Ned joins us at the perfect time to shape Stellantis in the context of unprecedented shift of our industry,” Tavares said in a news release.

Earlier this month Stellantis laid out its electrification strategy, including plans for an electric Ram 1500 pickup and a Dodge muscle car. The selection of chief technology officer is a key hire for an automaker hoping to navigate through a period of intense transition in the industry.

More:Stellantis announces plans to build electric Ram 1500, Dodge muscle car in 2024

More:Ram powers Stellantis to big sales leap in second quarter

More:Dodge fans have eyes on mystery project in Italy; could it be a Hornet?

Curic is a “worldwide-recognized expert with proven success since 2017 at Amazon as Alexa Automotive” vice president, but he has also held positions with Microsoft and Toyota, including a stint as chief technology officer in North America for the Japanese automaker.

He has a Master of Business Administration degree from Pepperdine University in California, according to his LinkedIn profile, which indicates he’s based in Orange County.