A few months back, Dodge dropped off a Challenger SRT8 392 to our office. I had to walk to the garage for something, saw the car and saw a young bald dude on his knees cleaning the wheels. I thought we just had the world's most detailed delivery guy until he stood up, dusted off and grabbed a sport coat. It was Ralph Gilles, president and CEO of Dodge Brand and Senior vice president of Product Design for Chrysler Group.
I've said it before, but I really like this guy; he's cool and he gets cars. And now the Chrysler Group has recognized him further by appointing him President/CEO of the just-announced Street and Racing Technology brand. In the new role, Gilles will manage the "cross-brand performance unit and the company's motorsports activities" and will continue as design VP.
Taking over as President and CEO of Dodge is Reid Bigland who continues as President and CEO of Chrysler Canada.
bodyblue says:
01:47 PM, 06/ 7/11
I have read and seen some interviews with him, he is just the coolest cat that loves cars and Dodge. Good for him!
cjasis says:
01:56 PM, 06/ 7/11
Agree 100% with bodyblue.
saynotogm says:
02:33 PM, 06/ 7/11
I'm no fan of Dodge but this guy is cool. He takes pride in what he's doing.
ptcdawg says:
03:09 PM, 06/ 7/11
Good to have a car guy in charge.
nospd927 says:
11:45 PM, 06/ 7/11
He kind of looks like Derek Fisher in this pic. But to the point good job Ralph.
e90_m3 says:
05:05 AM, 06/ 8/11
"I'm no fan of Dodge but this guy is cool. He takes pride in what he's doing."
My sentiments exactly.
stress83 says:
07:14 AM, 06/ 8/11
Agreed with all above. This means nothing but great things for Chrysler and its performance image.
roadburner says:
08:14 AM, 06/ 8/11
Oh no! A car guy in charge of the high performance division...
What is Chrysler thinking?
Too bad they couldn't lure Dan Akerson away from GM.
half_ton says:
08:40 AM, 06/ 8/11
Good to see well deserved people get promoted. Much sucess to him.
LASHAWN says:
08:50 AM, 06/ 8/11
That is a sexy car. I would take it over any other ponycar/muscle car purely because, to me, has more of a street presence if you get my meaning. Whenever I see one, I can't help but stare for awhile. When it comes to the other cars, I just glance and keep going. I saw a military guy in a black 392 the other day and man was it sweet.
blueprint1 says:
09:25 AM, 06/ 8/11
For a car guy, this is a promo, no question: you get to lead the skunkworks. However, you leave behind the CEO role for a whole division. If the paycheck's the same and you only keep the fun part of the previous job, then he wins. If not...
Gotta love the guy ... handling a delivery himself and cleaning the wheels ... that's comitment!
deagle13 says:
09:54 AM, 06/ 8/11
Ralph Gilles has had my admiration for a while now. If he puts a manual tranny in the Charger R/T and/or SRT8 he will also get my money...
cr_driver says:
12:12 PM, 06/ 8/11
Agreed about looking like Derek Fisher and good to have him at the top of the SRT brand.
powell_jr says:
08:29 PM, 06/ 8/11
Thats great, but this seems like a demotion, he was downgraded from head of the brand to head of a branch. Can someone explain?