Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Global Head of Design Ralph Giles Opens 2017 Chicago Auto Show Media Preview
MEDIA INFORMATION
Contact: Mark Bilek
Senior Director of Communications and Technology
Chicago Automobile Trade Association
Office: (630) 424-6082
Cell: (847) 652-0632
Email: mbilek@drivechicago.com
Contact: Jennifer Morand
Director of Public Relations and Social Media
Chicago Automobile Trade Association
Office: (630) 424-6084
Cell: (630) 391-1986
Email: jmorand@drivechicago.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FIAT CHRYSLER AUTOMOBILES GLOBAL HEAD OF DESIGN RALPH GILLES OPENS 2017 CHICAGO AUTO SHOW MEDIA PREVIEW
CHICAGO (Feb. 9, 2017) - The 2017 Chicago Auto Show Media Preview kicked off with a keynote address by Ralph Gilles, head of design for FCA - Global. Speaking to more than 400 media and manufacturer representatives, Giles was the keynote at the annual Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA) breakfast at McCormick Place.
Gilles, who also serves on the Group Executive Council (GEC) for FCA, discussed the future of automotive design, indicating that science fiction is no longer a fictional concept and that the industry's approach to design will continue to evolve to meet the social needs of consumers, especially Millennials.
"Advanced driver assistance systems will become more the norm," he said during his keynote address. "Our designers are thinking about the future, they're talking about how we can take all the technology and contraptions and design and put it into an attractive, sensible package."
Gilles, who has been with Chrysler since 1992, also discussed the Chrysler Portal concept, a forward-thinking vehicle designed by a group of Millennials within the FCA organization. "We put our Millennial team members in a room and asked them, 'What do you want the car of your future to look like?' This is what they came up with."
Portal is a single-motor vehicle running on a lithium-ion battery capable of delivering an estimated range of more than 250 miles. It contains a Level 3 autonomous system and includes radar, sonar and Lidar technology.
To watch complete coverage of the 2017 Chicago Auto Show Media Preview press conferences, please visit www.Facebook.com/ChicagoAutoShow. For more information about the 2017 Chicago Auto Show, please visit www.chicagoautoshow.com.
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About the Chicago Auto Show
The Chicago Auto Show is the largest auto show in North America, spanning more than 1 million square feet of production, concept, and exotic vehicle exhibit space. In addition to hosting multiple world and North American vehicle debuts, the Chicago Auto Show's First Look for Charity raises more than $2.5 million annually for 18 vital Chicago organizations in a single night. The 2017 public show will be Feb. 11-20. For more information, visit www.chicagoautoshow.com or www.Facebook.com/ChicagoAutoShow.
About the Chicago Automobile Trade Association
Founded in 1904, the Chicago Automobile Trade Association is one of the nation's largest metropolitan dealer organizations. It is comprised of more than 420 franchised new-car dealers and an additional 150 allied members. The group's dealer members employ about 20,000 people in the metropolitan area. The association has produced the world-famous Chicago Auto Show since 1935. For more information please visit www.CATA.info.
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