Guest Ralph Gilles Conversation

Hard Parking with Jhae Pfenning

EP234

Ralph Gilles like you've never heard before on the city of Detroit, vehicle designs he worked on that are rarely mentioned, and diversity with growth. This coffee shop style conversation is one to remember. In car news, Hyundai has Gameboy problems.

Ralph Bio from Stellantis.com

Ralph Gilles was appointed chief design officer for the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep®, Ram, Maserati and Fiat (Latin America) brands in January 2021. He is also a member of Stellantis’ Top Executive Team. He is responsible for shaping and directing design across the brand’s portfolio as it moves toward electrification.
He is extremely active inside and outside of the company. Gilles serves as the executive sponsor of the Stellantis African Ancestry Network Diaspora (STAAND) in addition to playing a supporting role with the Stellantis Global Diversity Council. At his alma mater, College for Creative Studies (CCS) in Detroit, Gilles serves as a member of the CCS board of trustees.
An avid car enthusiast who enjoys spending time at the track, go-karting and watching Formula 1 auto racing, Gilles has participated in the Targa Newfoundland Rally, the Car and Driver One Lap of America and the SRT Viper Cup Series. In addition, he frequently serves as a judge at various Concours d’Elegance events across the country, including Pebble Beach and Amelia Island, as well as the EyesOn Design car show.
Gilles has earned numerous academic and industry awards, including the Michigan State University Eli Broad Graduate School of Management Young Alumni Achievement Award, Automotive Hall of Fame Young Leadership & Excellence Award, NV Magazine Innovation Award, Black Engineer of the Year President’s Award and N’Digo Foundation N’Design Award.
Since first joining the company in 1992 as a designer, Gilles has put his extensive academic background in industrial design and business administration to use, holding various positions within the company, including:

• 2021, Chief Design Officer, Stellantis
• 2015, Head of Design, GEC, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V.
• 2011, President and CEO – Dodge/SRT and Motorsports, FCA US LLC
• 2009, President and CEO – Dodge Brand
• 2009, Senior Vice President – Product Design, FCA – North America
• 2008, Vice President – Design, Chrysler LLC
• 2006, Vice President – Jeep/Truck, Color and Trim Studios, and Specialty Vehicles, Chrysler LLC, DaimlerChrysler
• 2005, Director – Truck Exterior/Interior Design Studio
• 2001, Director – Design Office, Large Car Studio, Family Vehicles
• 1999, Senior Manager – Design Office, Studio 3
• 1998, Manager – Design Office, Jeep Interiors, Chrysler Corporation
• 1992, Designer – Design Office

Gilles holds a Master of Business Administration from Michigan State University (2002) and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in industrial design from the College for Creative Studies in Detroit (1992).

Car News:

https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/lawsuit-accuses-hyundai-faking-us-sales-data-electric-cars-2024-07-08/

https://insideevs.com/news/724328/hyundai-kia-ioniq-5-gameboy/amp/ Contact Hard Parking with Jhae Pfenning:

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