Chrysler has announced yet another new twist in its quest to get back on track. Senior Vice President of Design Trevor Creed has given notice that he will retire on August 31. Creed has been with Chrysler since 1985 when he came over from Ford as Director of Interior Design, and has been at his present post since July of 2000.
"Trevor has led a distinguished automotive design career," said Chrysler Chairman and CEO Robert Nardelli in a release. "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. We thank him for his contribution to the Company and wish him well in his retirement."
For now, the Chrysler Design Office will report to Executive Vice President of Product Development Frank Klegon, until Ralph Gilles takes over on September 1. Gilles (pictured at top) joined Chrysler in 1992 and is currently the Vice President of Jeep/Truck and Advance Interior Design. Gilles, who most recently led the redesign of the 2008 Dodge and Chrysler minivans and the new 2009 Dodge Ram, has become a visible presence over the past several years for Chrysler and the appointment makes sense from that standpoint.
In other executive shuffling news, Chrysler also announced that, effective immediately, Andreas Schell will take over as Vice President of Electrical/Electronics Engineering Core. Schell is taking over for William Mattingly, who left the company last month.
How do you think this bodes for the future of Chrysler design? Do current Jeep and Chrysler truck interiors give you good or bad vibes about where Chrysler design is headed under its new leadership? Drop a comment and let us know what you think.