Ralph Gilles

Following FCA's merger with PSA Group forming the Stellantis group in 2021, he was appointed the Chief Design Officer of the newly merged company.

• Name — Ralph Victor Gilles • Born — 14 January 1970 • Birthplace — New York City, U.S. • Education — Michigan State University M.B.A • Occupation — Automotive Designer • Years Active — 1992-Current • Employer — Stellantis N.V • Predecessor — Trevor Creed

Born in New York City to Haitian immigrants, Gilles was raised in Montreal, Quebec. Gilles is said to have been drawing concept vehicles at the age of eight. When he was fourteen years old, his aunt Gisele Mouscardy sent one of his sketches to then Chrysler chairman Lee Iacocca. Gilles states that a reply came from K. Neil Walling, Chrysler's design chief at the time, suggesting he attend one of three design schools.

Gilles studied at Vanier College in Montreal. He attended the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, Michigan, and in 2002 received an Executive MBA from Michigan State University.

In 1992, Gilles joined the design office at Chrysler. During his initial years, he worked in the Design office, and in 2001 was promoted to Director in the design office, responsible for the large cars and family vehicles. In August 2008, he replaced the retiring Trevor Creed as Senior Vice President of Design. In October 2009, Gilles was promoted to president and CEO of the Dodge car brand. He was replaced as Dodge's CEO in June 2011, remaining Senior Vice President of Design and becoming CEO of Chrysler's Street and Racing Technology division. After four years as the CEO of the SRT and motorsports division, he was promoted to the head of design for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. In 2021, the merger of French-based PSA Group with Fiat Chrysler automotive led to the creation of Stellantis N.V., where Gilles became the chief design officer. During his career as an automotive designer, Gilles has been accredited for many designs. While beginning his career, he led the interior design of the Viper GTS/R, Dodge ESX2 Concept, Jeep Jeepster Prototypes. His designs would eventually reach production, the first being the 2002 Jeep Liberty, followed by the 2003 Dodge Viper. After his time doing interior design, the 2005 Chrysler 300c represented the first car whose design Gilles was responsible for. Currently, as Chief Design Officer at Stellantis, he has oversight of all the design operations for the multi-national car company.

Ralph Gilles is recorded as entrepreneur, designer and engineer.