Chrysler picks new design VP
Christine Tierney / The Detroit News
Ralph Gilles, the designer who conceived the striking Chrysler 300 sedan, has been promoted to vice president in charge of design at Chrysler LLC, replacing Trevor Creed who is retiring after 23 years with the company.
Chrysler said Monday that Creed, senior vice president, had announced his intention to step down at the end of the month.
"Trevor has led a distinguished automotive design career," Chrysler Chairman and CEO Robert Nardelli said in a statement. "He played a key leadership role in the design of award-winning vehicles," such as the iconic Dodge Viper, the Plymouth Prowler and the retro-styled PT Cruiser. Formerly at Ford Motor Co., Creed, 63, joined Chrysler in 1985 as director for interior design.
Gilles, 38, will head Chrysler's Design Office beginning Sept. 1. The Design Office will report to Frank Klegon, executive vice president for product development, as part of an effort to streamline the hierarchy and increase efficiency, Chrysler said.
Creed reported directly to Nardelli. But analysts say the new structure does not necessarily undercut the design team's influence, which was traditionally very powerful at Chrysler. "If it's done correctly, it has the potential to be a good thing," said Alexander Edwards, head of the automotive division of Strategic Vision, a consulting firm in San Diego.
"By having the two groups work together, it's more likely that the initial ideas of the designer can be fully realized," Edwards said.
Gilles, who joined Chrysler in 1992, most recently served as vice president of Jeep, truck and advance interior design. He was the lead designer of the new Dodge Ram pickup, coming out this fall. Gilles also led the design effort for the Chrysler 300, an imposing sedan with a high belt line that was a hit when it came out in 2004.
Chrysler also tapped Andreas Schell to be vice president for electrical and electronics engineering core, succeeding William Mattingly who left last month.
Schell joined Daimler-Benz as a research engineer in 1996, two years before the German automaker acquired Chrysler -- which it sold in 2007 to Cerberus Capital Management LP.
See what being a Viper owner will do for you.
Christine Tierney / The Detroit News
Ralph Gilles, the designer who conceived the striking Chrysler 300 sedan, has been promoted to vice president in charge of design at Chrysler LLC, replacing Trevor Creed who is retiring after 23 years with the company.
Chrysler said Monday that Creed, senior vice president, had announced his intention to step down at the end of the month.
"Trevor has led a distinguished automotive design career," Chrysler Chairman and CEO Robert Nardelli said in a statement. "He played a key leadership role in the design of award-winning vehicles," such as the iconic Dodge Viper, the Plymouth Prowler and the retro-styled PT Cruiser. Formerly at Ford Motor Co., Creed, 63, joined Chrysler in 1985 as director for interior design.
Gilles, 38, will head Chrysler's Design Office beginning Sept. 1. The Design Office will report to Frank Klegon, executive vice president for product development, as part of an effort to streamline the hierarchy and increase efficiency, Chrysler said.
Creed reported directly to Nardelli. But analysts say the new structure does not necessarily undercut the design team's influence, which was traditionally very powerful at Chrysler. "If it's done correctly, it has the potential to be a good thing," said Alexander Edwards, head of the automotive division of Strategic Vision, a consulting firm in San Diego.
"By having the two groups work together, it's more likely that the initial ideas of the designer can be fully realized," Edwards said.
Gilles, who joined Chrysler in 1992, most recently served as vice president of Jeep, truck and advance interior design. He was the lead designer of the new Dodge Ram pickup, coming out this fall. Gilles also led the design effort for the Chrysler 300, an imposing sedan with a high belt line that was a hit when it came out in 2004.
Chrysler also tapped Andreas Schell to be vice president for electrical and electronics engineering core, succeeding William Mattingly who left last month.
Schell joined Daimler-Benz as a research engineer in 1996, two years before the German automaker acquired Chrysler -- which it sold in 2007 to Cerberus Capital Management LP.
See what being a Viper owner will do for you.
