The former General Motors Research Laboratory on 460 W. Baltimore, in known as the Argonaut Building, designed by legendary architect Albert Kahn. It was here that GM established its designers as company leaders, making the shape of the car, outside and in, forever interesting. The College of Creative Studies, an art school that is also one of the preeminent schools for car design in the world, has claimed the building along with a $145 million-dollar refurbishment, as home for it’s transportation design program.
Design is indeed back in fashion.
Chrysler unveiled it’s long-term plans today and the first presentation established the definitive tone — it starts with the way things look and feel, so eloquently put as “soul by design.”
Well it’s not widely-touted, most cars feature similar technology, differentiated by function, space and performance demands. With the race to build leaner cars as a global mandate, car companies are joining together to work with universities and research institutions to make cleaner cars — that’s in everyone’s best interest. The point of differentiation, personality and style left to the consumer comes down to the outline — car design. Hello car, welcome to the era of car design. [click to continue…]
My mother drives a silvery Chrysler300C sedan. She was all too happy to hear that once upon a time, so did Barack Obama. The 2005 Chrysler 300c is loaded with a V-8, GPS and leather seats. Obama rode for 19,000 miles before he green-graded to a Ford Escape Hybrid, according to reports. I don’t think moms will be bidding on almost President Obama’s former ride that starts out at $150,000 on ebay and has been rumored to draw bids in the $1 million dollar range. A Chicago restaurant manager purchased the 300c from Park Plaza Dodge in Forest Park, Ill.
“I bought the car and everything and after the fact when I was leaving the showroom, the salesman that was in there said, ‘You better hang on to that car,’ ” Tim O’Boyle said. “I said, ‘Why is that?’ He said, ‘It used to belong to Obama.’ ” “I couldn’t believe it,” said O’Boyle, who paid about $24,000 for the car. “It was immaculate. It was like brand new.”
I wonder if Obama has his eye on the hot-new Chrysler 200C EV, a more sensible solution for our-soon to be top ranking executive? Obama should consider Ralph Gilles’s latest ride for his motorcade. Gilles created the 300C, effectively transforming Chrysler’s entire lineup and now heads up design for Chrysler.
Ralph Gilles is changing the way people look at contemporary car design — and car designers. The rising star in the design community becomes Vice President Design for Chrysler September 1. The popular 38-year old designer first drew attention with his vision of the Chrysler 300C, a historic and memorable design that debuted in the 2005 model year.
Haitian-born, Gilles grew up in Canada and graduated from Detroit’s College for Creative Studies. He joined Chrysler in 1992 directly from college Most recently he was Vice President of Jeep, Truck and Advance Interior Design.
I’ve hung out with Gilles at various car events including SEMA and Chrysler’s annual “What’s New” program. His discerning eye, steady gaze and penchant for defining cool makes him the kind of leader that people want to be around, and the sort of fellow who seems to have excellent taste.
“Like most designers, he dresses the part. On a recent morning at Chrysler headquarters in Auburn Hills, Mich., he ticked off his clothing brands for a reporter: Nautica watch, dark shirt and pants from Banana Republic, shoes by Skechers.”The tie is from France,” he said, looking for the label. “I love it because it looks like carbon fiber. So does the jacket, which is by some Italian guy.”
Gilles takes over from Trevor Creed who retire after 23 years at the end of August. I profiled Creed for Clear Magazine in 2004. The British-born Creed loves to discuss art and architecture. Perhaps he will pursue these interests in retirment. Bob Nardelli, Chrysler’s Chairman and CEO byway of Cerberus expounded on Creed’s attributes. “Trevor has led a distinguished automotive design career,” Nardelli said. “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.”
Gilles has his work cut out as Chrysler is in serious need of more sexy cars that are practical, too. Of course, what the designer intends isn’t always what makes it to production, but it never hurts to have a vision to start off the product planners.
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