Fiat Taps Veteran Exec to Fix European Unit

Fiat SpA has appointed Alfredo Altavilla as chief operating officer of the company's unit for Europe, Africa and the Middle East. He succeeds Gianni Coda, who is retiring after 33 years at Fiat.

Altavilla will continue to serve as executive vice president for business development and a member of the Group Executive Council that oversees Fiat's day-to-day operations with affiliate Chrysler Group.

In his new job, he will be accountable for the unit's manufacturing, marketing and profitability. Fiat posted a €573 million pretax loss in the region from January through September.

Altavilla joined Fiat Auto in 1990. One of his many jobs was coordinator of Fiat's ill-fated alliance with General Motors Co. in the early 2000s.