Showing posts with label chrysler 300. Show all posts
Showing posts with label chrysler 300. Show all posts
Monday, July 25, 2022
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Car Designer Ralph Gilles Talks Race, Inspiration And Legacy (Part Two) --- Rewind Interview
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| Designer Ralph Gilles and Actor Terrence Howard |
Here's part two of our interview with the current vice president of design for the Chrysler Group, Ralph Gilles, as he talks about race, inspiration and legacy. This interview was conducted with him in 2006, shortly after the gangster-like Chrysler 300 hit the scene. To view part-one of our interview click here.
J. What are you current vehicle projects? Are there any projects forthcoming with your sister division, Mercedes?
RG: I was recently promoted to vice president of the
Jeep, truck and components studio, meaning I work with the design teams that
create those vehicles, as well as the components (radios, vents, AC) that are
in those and others. I can’t discuss future projects in any of those areas for
competitive reasons, but I can say it’s very exciting to work in areas that
have been so critical historically with our company’s success. Jeep is an icon;
the Ram trucks, Durangos and Nitros are part of a change in how trucks are used
and perceived. It’s a very exciting time. As to Mercedes, we throw ideals
between brands back and forth, but we are very aware that brands must stay
separated and pure. My primary work is always the Chrysler Group – Jeep, Dodge
and Chrysler products.
J: Is there anything in particular that helps to
influence you when you’re in the design studio: culture, music, video games,
politics or sports?
RG: To a designer, you are a sponge of influence. You
absorb everything from buildings to furniture to fashion to products. I’m a huge
reader of all types of magazines, and you look at the ads, the products and use
that – whether you do it knowing you are doing it or not! -- to apply it to your work. We are constantly
learning and constantly improving.
J: Like Tiger Woods has done for golf, you have exposed
minorities to another field in the automotive industry. With that said, what would you suggest to minorities
that are interested in designing vehicles for a major automaker?
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Rewind Interview: The Brother That Put Chrysler Back in the Black (Part One of Two)
Our one-on-one interview with Ralph Gilles, the brother behind Chrysler's 300, first ran on
Tom Joyner’s website, BlackAmericaweb.com, on June 25, 2006. In case you missed it, here's an opportunity to see what was on the mind of Chrysler's current Group vice president of design.
When every auto critic questioned whether American
consumers would buy the bold, in-your-face, rear-wheel-drive Chrysler 300,
especially in snowy climates such as the Midwest and the Northeast, Chrysler
executives ignored the critics and continued on their path to build such a
vehicle.
Fortunately for Ralph Gilles, the 36-year-old, one-time
college dropout and lead designer of the ultra-popular 300 for the Chrysler
Group, the American buying public stood in line to snatch-up all of the
vehicles that were available and ignored the critics too. Prior to the launch
of this vehicle, Chrysler was bleeding red, with a $637 million loss in 2003.
Gilles’ design influence helped put the company back in the black. The company posted
a $1.9 billion profit in 2004 while many of their domestic competitors have
been struggling since to improve their designs and profitability.
Friday, February 8, 2013
The Chrysler Group Updates Its Fullsize Hotrods
Three SRT8 models (Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger) from the Chrysler Group will be hitting the streets this summer, packing new colors, a few exterior modifications and a lower price tag. In fact, consumers should expect to save upwards of $5,000, when compared to the 2012 models.
New exterior colors for the Challenger SRT8 “Core” lineup include HEMI® Orange Pearl Coat and Plum Crazy Pearl Coat, in addition to the existing color options, which include Billet Silver Metallic Clear Coat, Bright White Clear Coat, Granite Crystal Metallic Pearl Coat, Jazz Blue Pearl Coat, Pitch Black and TorRed Clear Coat.
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Chrysler Group Recalls 119,000 Popular Family Sedans For Electrical Issues
Vehicle Make / Model:
Model Year(s):
- CHRYSLER / 3002011-2012
- DODGE / CHARGER2011-2012
Manufacturer:
CHRYSLER GROUP LLCMfr's Report Date:
MAY 01, 2012NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number:
12V197000NHTSA Action Number:
N/A
Component:
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERSPotential Number of Units Affected:
119,072
Summary:
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 AND 2012 300 AND DODGE- CHARGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY LOSE ABS/ESC SYSTEM FUNCTION
- DUE TO AN OVERHEATED POWER DISTRIBUTION CENTER.
Consequence:
THIS COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy:
CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL RELOCATE THE ABS/ESC- SYSTEM FUSE, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN
- DURING MAY 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Notes:
CHRYSLER’S RECALL NUMBER IS M10. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE- NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S VEHICLE SAFETY
- HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO
- TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.
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