Chrysler Creates Vehicle Challenge with Tins and Block and Foam, Oh My
12 Août 2004 - 8:33PM
PR Newswire (US)
Chrysler Creates Vehicle Challenge with Tins and Block and Foam, Oh
My Ralph Gilles, Director of Exterior/Interior Product Design and
Specialty Vehicles for the Chrysler Group shares Chrysler 300C
design secrets WASHINGTON, Aug. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- A mix
of fun, creativity and design tips from one of Chrysler Group's top
designers, Ralph Gilles, helped the Asian American Journalists
Association (AAJA) win a Chrysler 300C during Chrysler 300C
"Playground of Vehicle Inspiration" design challenge at the UNITY
conference held in Washington D.C. on Friday, August 6. The "Dragon
Fly" vehicle design triumphed against the stiff competition and
took home the grand prize. The winning design, which was judged on
innovation, style and overall design, included Styrofoam, tin,
paper clips, wheels and a host of other materials. "The Chrysler
300C 'Playground of Inspiration' vehicle design tapped into
everyone's childhood days of creativity with building blocks and
other tools, and created an afternoon of inspiration," said Ralph
Gilles, Director of Exterior/Interior Product Design and Specialty
Vehicles for the Chrysler Group. "As a Chrysler Group designer, I
see passion translate into vehicle innovations." In a competition
with the National Association of Black Journalists and the Native
American Journalists organizations, Rene Astudillo, executive
director of AAJA guided their team to victory and the winner of the
Chrysler 300C prize. In a presentation prior to creating the
designs, Gilles revealed the various stages of development of the
Chrysler 300C. Sketches, clay models, concept designs and a few
design tips from the expert helped to spark the journalists'
creative juices. Each organization was then challenged to develop
vehicle names and create model vehicles out of tin pie pans,
Styrofoam noodles, paper clips, building blocks and other unlikely
items. The teams were allowed to create up to 10 designs and select
the best design to be judged by an independent panel of media
judges. An independent panel of judges included Anqoinette Crosby,
reporter at Motorweek Cable TV; Randi Payton, president and chief
operating officer of On Wheels, Inc. magazine and Brian Armstead,
reporter for AutoSense magazine. In addition to the Chrysler 300C
prize, each of the organizations were presented with a scholarship
check for $7,000 by DaimlerChrysler Corporate Fund President, Frank
Fountain who also serves as DaimlerChrysler Senior Vice President
of Public Policy and External Affairs (Auburn Hills). The Chrysler
300C "Playground of Vehicle Inspiration" was created to celebrate
the design of one of the Chrysler Group's newest and most
successful vehicles, the Chrysler 300C. With its entry into the
rear-wheel drive market, the Chrysler 300C reflects a new design
philosophy and an entirely new look. From the front, a Chrysler
300C cannot be mistaken for any other automobile on the road. This
grille design, featuring the elegant Chrysler winged emblem, is the
"master mould" for all future Chrysler brand vehicles, providing a
proud and instantly recognizable design cue. The Chrysler 300C's
crisp, clean lines continue to the rear, with subtle yet elegant
detail found in the taillamps and the winged emblem. Chromed dual
exhaust pipes announce the long-awaited return of HEMI V-8 power
and performance after more than 30 years for a Chrysler brand car.
DATASOURCE: Chrysler Group CONTACT: Angela Ford, +1-248-512-2986,
or David Elshoff, +1-248-512-2690, both of Chrysler Group Web site:
http://www.media.daimlerchrysler.com/
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