The Science of Looking Good
Car designs do more than make vehicles look good. They help establish a brand’s identity and can even attract buyers. Stellantis wants to shed light on automotive design with a new podcast in which Chief Design Officer Ralph Gilles will explore the design and creative processes behind vehicles through conversations with designers, engineers, executives, and creators.
Gilles joined the company as a designer in 1992 and has held various positions since, including president and CEO of the Dodge brand. He notably led the design of the Chrysler 300, which gave the automaker a luxurious-looking sedan and earned it the nickname “poor man’s Bentley.” The podcast is recorded at the former Conner Avenue Assembly Plant in Detroit, where Dodge previously manufactured the Viper, another iconic design known for its low-slung silhouette and long hood housing a large-displacement V10 engine.
Turning Sketches Into Stories
Dubbed “Car Concepts with Ralph Gilles,” the podcast aims to cater to different audiences, including car enthusiasts, students, design enthusiasts, and business leaders. Based on the press release, the podcast is intended to explore the human side of automotive development rather than serve as a platform for announcing new models.
For the first season, the guest list includes former Chrysler executive Bob Lutz, automotive personality Cristy Lee, content creator Garrett Reed, and Stellantis designers Scott Krugger and Gilles Vidal. The latter recently presented six concept cars ahead of the Paris Motor Show, including the quirky-looking Fiat Multiplay, which combines elements of a pickup, SUV, and MPV.
Retired Mercedes-Benz design chief Gorden Wagener will also be among the guests, potentially offering insights into luxury-car design, which involves different priorities than designing mass-market vehicles. His participation is particularly interesting given Chrysler’s traditional focus on mainstream buyers, while Maserati serves as Stellantis’ primary luxury brand.
Chrysler
The Weekly Design Pit Stop
“Car Concepts with Ralph Gilles” is available in video format on the Stellantis North America YouTube channel, with heritage and new vehicles providing the backdrop for each conversation. Audio versions are also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, YouTube, and Audible. The nine-episode first season kicked off on October 29, with new episodes released every Thursday.
For reference, Stellantis owns 14 automotive brands, including Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroën, Dodge, DS Automobiles, Fiat, Jeep, Lancia, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, Ram, and Vauxhall. With such a diverse portfolio, the podcast has plenty of potential topics to explore. This variety could also help attract a broader audience of automotive enthusiasts.
Dodge
