Advertisement
Find a Car
Go!

Gilles New Head of Chrysler Design

By Marty Padgett
Marty Padgett Marty Padgett
Editorial Director BIO
Marty Padgett is High Gear Media's Editorial Director, overseeing the words that skim across High Gear Media's portfolio of automotive destinations... More

LATEST ARTICLE
30 Days Of 2013 Ram 1500: Gas Mileage, So Far
As we roll through our 30-day road test of the 2013 Ram 1500, we're ready to file our first report... Read More
  • #5LEADERBOARD RANK
  • 5170ARTICLES CONTRIBUTED
  • 111COMMENTS POSTED

5 1,035 views Aug 18, 2008
Follow Marty

Ralph Gilles

Ralph Gilles

Enlarge Photo
Ralph Gilles, the stylist credited with the blingy Chrysler 300 sedan, is the company's new head of design.

Gilles replaces Trevor Creed, a 23-year veteran of Chrysler design, who's retiring effective August 31.

"Trevor has led a distinguished automotive design career," said Chrysler LLC Chairman and CEO Robert L. Nardelli. "He played a key leadership role in the design of award-winning vehicles such as the new Dodge Challenger, Chrysler 300C, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Dodge Viper, Dodge Ram and the Plymouth Prowler. We thank him for his contribution to the
Company and wish him well in his retirement."

Gilles will report to Frank Klegon, who runs product development at the Auburn Hills-based automaker. With the title of Vice President-Design, Gilles will be responsible for running the design studios of the company for all brands, including Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep.

Posted in:
 
Contribute
Send us a tip Comment Contact the editor
Follow Us

People Who Read This Article Also Read

 

Have an opinion?

  • Posting indicates you have read this site's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • Notify me when there are more comments
Comments (5)

  1. HDFL Posted: 8/18/2008 10:19pm PDT

    Less bling, more substance, lower drag coefficients... The 300 might pack bling, but it's also loaded with numerous blunders of design: poor visibility, cramped interior, terrible aerodynamics, etc. It's high time they go back to cab-forward and revise it for a more stylish result than the jelly beans of the late 1990s.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  2. Ed Posted: 8/19/2008 4:22am PDT

    HDFL: exactly.
    "It's the MPG, Stupid!"
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  3. Frank Posted: 8/19/2008 10:14am PDT

    I'm not sure if HDFL has ever driven a 300, but I recently took the opportunity to rent 300's on 2 recent trips to FL.
    I rentened the secon time because I was very impressed with the 300. I found the interiors to be spacious and didn't have a problem with visibility. Maybe it's my 5' 11" average man height and build, but I thought the cars were fine, although the dashboard was a little plain.
    Mileage for both trips was exactly 25.
    I've not seen the interiors of more upscale 300's but I'd bet they are on par with Toyota and Honda.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  4. Ed Posted: 8/19/2008 11:25am PDT

    Sales of the 300 have plummeted in 2008. It's a large car, and heavy too. Windows are too small (a design thing).
    I have rented, for lack of a better choice, a Dodge Avenger (?), a Charger-300 clone, 7/8 version. And it is not that it did not have enough room, it also did, but it was really poor quality, cheapo materials, b lind spots and poor ergonomics all around. I would never pay $20,000 for such an excremental vehicle. (I'd not buy it even at $10k!)
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  5. BILL MASTERSON Posted: 8/19/2008 12:08pm PDT

    As an owner of a 2007 SRT8 I will say the car has some blind spots but what cars don't? Cramped interior, I don't get that, seems spacious to me. I bought this car for a lot of reasons, gangster car looks, E-class basic underpinning design, smooth and quiet monster engine plus a MB transmission for $45, 000. What a steal! Plus I get about 21MPG at 75MPH. Hurts a lil at the pumps buying 93 octane but the fun factor makes up for it. Ralph G needs to apply his styling expertise over the whole car line, that Sebring is sinful looking. Bill
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

 

Have an opinion?Join the conversation!

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

More From High Gear Media

 
 
The Car Connection
 
 
© 2013 The Car Connection. All Rights Reserved. The Car Connection is published by High Gear Media. Stock photography by Homestar, LLC. Send us feedback.