Ralph Gilles Speaks

PDCjonny

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He is reluctant to even talk about the 2013 Viper in even the vaguest terms.
 

Bill Pemberton Woodhouse

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Must see Television for those of us on this Forum. Really insightful knowledge into where Chrysler Corp. is headed and confirmation that the company is not deviating from the performance image so many of us adhere to. Ralph's comment that we can have our cake and eat it too ( touting increases in fuel mileage while hp increases too ) , defines the concepts that Dodge understands our automobiles are not just conveyances to get from point A to point B for many of us. The simple word, " Passion," presents itself unspoken, and one will garner from the interview that we will take a different track, while accomplishing the goal in a manner enthusiasts understand.

Most of us own Chrysler products other than our Vipers, and this interview will give you a sense that there is even more exciting stuff to come. Personally , even though the Viper is on hiatus, 2011 is an extremely exciting year with customers coming in the doors and purchasing Chrysler , Dodge, Ram and Jeep products that may have not considered them in the past. Bluntly , the Sebring was a horrible car in my own personal estimation, and the change brought forth with the 200 is nothing short of shocking --- one will likely be in my garage in the future ( almost 30 mpg and 283 hp doesn't hurt either ).

With folks trading in Range Rovers, X5s, Mercedes, etc. for the new Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Dodge Durango Citadel, this alone is a phenomenon I have not ever seen in my 20+ years in the business. The new Charger is selling faster without rebates or sales incentives, than it did prior with tons of factory financial support.

Ralph really hits some high points on the accepted demands Dodge understands from the customer, and the changes are beyond dramatic. Vehicles that only a year or so back may have had interiors conceived from a Mattel vacuform , are now industry heads of the class and consumers are frankly shocked.

Shock and Awe is definitely no longer a military term, but a reaction we are seeing from the automotive buyer. Take the time to stop in your local Dodge, Chrysler , Ram , Jeep store and be prepared to be surprised. We , of course , would love to help you, but as a fellow Viper owner this is just a testament to tell you that what you are seeing now is an extreme indicator of how spectacular the next Viper will be. Hard to keep the enthusiasm down when you see what miraculous changes have happened in such a very short period of time.

Respectfully Submitted,
Bill Pemberton
Woodhouse
 

BlknBlu

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That was a great interview. They were putty in his hands. Ralph demands a lot of respect and is a great leader for the Dodge brand.

Bruce
 

Kevan

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GREAT interview.
Damn Ralph's good with the press/cameras. He doesn't flinch. At all.

I think the AMA thing is brilliant; not only do the fans of the sport need rigs to haul their stuff, but also daily drivers. BANG! 2 for 1. :)

It sounds like the relationship between Fiat and Dodge/Chrysler is working out well.
Keep up the great work, Ralph!
 
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kennyhemi

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Must see Television for those of us on this Forum. Really insightful knowledge into where Chrysler Corp. is headed and confirmation that the company is not deviating from the performance image so many of us adhere to. Ralph's comment that we can have our cake and eat it too ( touting increases in fuel mileage while hp increases too ) , defines the concepts that Dodge understands our automobiles are not just conveyances to get from point A to point B for many of us. The simple word, " Passion," presents itself unspoken, and one will garner from the interview that we will take a different track, while accomplishing the goal in a manner enthusiasts understand.

Most of us own Chrysler products other than our Vipers, and this interview will give you a sense that there is even more exciting stuff to come. Personally , even though the Viper is on hiatus, 2011 is an extremely exciting year with customers coming in the doors and purchasing Chrysler , Dodge, Ram and Jeep products that may have not considered them in the past. Bluntly , the Sebring was a horrible car in my own personal estimation, and the change brought forth with the 200 is nothing short of shocking --- one will likely be in my garage in the future ( almost 30 mpg and 283 hp doesn't hurt either ).

With folks trading in Range Rovers, X5s, Mercedes, etc. for the new Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Dodge Durango Citadel, this alone is a phenomenon I have not ever seen in my 20+ years in the business. The new Charger is selling faster without rebates or sales incentives, than it did prior with tons of factory financial support.

Ralph really hits some high points on the accepted demands Dodge understands from the customer, and the changes are beyond dramatic. Vehicles that only a year or so back may have had interiors conceived from a Mattel vacuform , are now industry heads of the class and consumers are frankly shocked.

Shock and Awe is definitely no longer a military term, but a reaction we are seeing from the automotive buyer. Take the time to stop in your local Dodge, Chrysler , Ram , Jeep store and be prepared to be surprised. We , of course , would love to help you, but as a fellow Viper owner this is just a testament to tell you that what you are seeing now is an extreme indicator of how spectacular the next Viper will be. Hard to keep the enthusiasm down when you see what miraculous changes have happened in such a very short period of time.

Respectfully Submitted,
Bill Pemberton
Woodhouse

Great write up, I for one been "ragged" and made fun of over the years of owning only "mopars" through the dark days of the 80's and then came the 90's the product had an uptick in public respect mainly due to the viper. Then came Dam-ler and **** the company dry and gave us crappy materials and bland interior design. Now I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and all the people that were telling me how bad the chrysler products was is now making plans to go in and take a look before stopping by euro and far east products dealers before they purchase. The surprising thing is how quickly the image is being turned around after so many years chrysler cars were known as sh*t by the casual non loyal consumer.
 

Kevan

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Another thing I noticed is how much Ralph knows about the individual vehicles. Not just sales figures, but fine details on suspension, drivetrain, shift points, interior components, etc.

Try that with another auto maker CEO.
Let me know how it works out.
 

AFL in NJ

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At VOI 11 during our sneak peek Ralph was surrounded pretty much the whole time I was in that room, however I had a pleasant conversation about the myriad of styling cues with Ralph's wife!! I explained how much I liked how shapes on the car drew from the different generations of previous Vipers and why those were important to me as an owner.....he may be the designer, but he must talk about work at home because she kept asking about the component styling parts of the new Viper that specifically cued from the GenII. (which I volunteered I owned)

Cool interview; I am excited about where Dodge and the Chrysler group is headed! Thanks for sharing.

Regards,
Aaron
 

vooodoo

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Re: Ralph talks about Dodge & Design on Autoline Detroit

Oops -- just saw that this was already posted!
 
F

FrgMstr

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Gotta love that new Durango. I owned a 2001 Durango RT that I really loved. The gen after that just plain sucked. The new Durango looks totally kickass on the road.
 

George Farris

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Re: Ralph talks about Dodge & Design on Autoline Detroit

Cannot have a better representative ...
 

Mopar Boy

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Re: Ralph talks about Dodge & Design on Autoline Detroit

NOOOO!!! We NEED a 2013 Viper!

Pipe down Johnny! :D

Thanks for the link Miss! :)

Maybe its just me, but Ralph always seems to comfortable in his interviews. Nice job as always Chief!
 

01sapphirebob

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Re: Ralph talks about Dodge & Design on Autoline Detroit

Great video. I just love to hear Ralph talk about the brand. I can't wait to see the finished Gen. V. Next summer is a long ways away...
 

Coloviper

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Re: Ralph talks about Dodge & Design on Autoline Detroit

Actually it is not that far away. It is just a short $7,500 per month savings period away. Ha! Ha! If only I had no expenses and made a bit more. :)
 

JohnnyViper

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Re: Ralph talks about Dodge & Design on Autoline Detroit

i blame that comment on Seinfeld and a sugar high....to be published front page of the NY Times "i officially retract my previous statement towards vooodoo" :D

Since I'm his wife, then it would be no 2013 Viper for him too! ;)

Which I don't think he'll go for!!

NOOOO!!! We NEED a 2013 Viper!

Pipe down Johnny! :D

Thanks for the link Miss! :)

Maybe its just me, but Ralph always seems to comfortable in his interviews. Nice job as always Chief!
 

vooodoo

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Re: Ralph talks about Dodge & Design on Autoline Detroit

i blame that comment on Seinfeld and a sugar high....to be published front page of the NY Times "i officially retract my previous statement towards vooodoo" :D


No worries!! :laugh::laugh:
 
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