Looks like Cerberus is getting the Chrysler band back together. Automotive News reports (sub. required) that the latest former Chrysler exec to come back is Tom Gale. You probably remember Gale as the force behind Chrysler's design revival in the 90s. Motor Trend recently called Gale "The man who helped Motown find its Mojo," which is hard to argue with when Gale is credited with bringing to life the Viper, Prowler, PT Cruiser and 300M.
This should be big news for anyone doubting the buyout by Cerberus. Gale is no bean counter brought in to cut the company to the bone. Gale is one of us. He's a car guy and hot rodder who started at Chrysler in 1968 as an engineer then moved into design. This is a very good sign for the new Chrysler and points to the possibility of amazing products in its future.
In fact, in Motor Trend's article (which is definitely worth a read, btw), Gale has a seemingly prescient quote.
"When you get the opportunity to be head of design, you should always try to get your company to the point where you're being proactive and the others have to react to what you're doing. That gets you design leadership. It's not something you can just proclaim; it's something you have to earn."
Welcome back, Tom. We can't wait to see what's up your sleeve.
[Sources: Automotive News, Motor Trend]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
jgp @ Jun 18th 2007 8:13PM
Finally! The last truly awesome-looking Chryslers were the LX cars, which is a damn long period of stagnation.
I remember when Chrysler was one of the design leaders of the automotive world, largely thanks to Mr. Gale, and it's sad that their last great-looking car came out three years ago.
ZeGerman @ Jun 18th 2007 8:44PM
Really? These days, I see most LX platform cars belching out blue smoke on their way to a ghetto-auction...
They may have been better than what came before, but they are totally forgetable otherwise.
I'm not terribly excited about this, since none of the cars he was credited for were true shining stars. Case in point: The Prowler was a mistake, even for a "halo" car; the Viper was, and has always been long-in-the-tooth; the PT Cruiser... No comment; And the 300M was a bloated FWD land-yacht with awkward proportions.
ZeGerman @ Jun 18th 2007 8:44PM
Really? These days, I see most LX platform cars belching out blue smoke on their way to a ghetto-auction...
They may have been better than what came before, but they are totally forgetable otherwise.
I'm not terribly excited about this, since none of the cars he was credited for were true shining stars. Case in point: The Prowler was a mistake, even for a "halo" car; the Viper was, and has always been long-in-the-tooth; the PT Cruiser... No comment; And the 300M was a bloated FWD land-yacht with awkward proportions.
Frank @ Jun 18th 2007 9:24PM
ZeGerman, huh? Well that explains everything. Deutchland uber alles, right? You wouldn't know a good mass market car design if it bit you in the ass. At the time the 300M was introduced it would smoke a lot of Mercedes except the top of theline models and the AMG's. And Gales follow on design the 300N was drop dead gorgeous, RWD, and Hemi powered. But "Ze Germans" took over and forced the old E class parts on Chrysler, delaying the car by TWO years. I'd take a Viper over an SLR any day. Too bad Chrylser wasn't allowed to make the ME412, but we can't embarrass Stuttgart now can we?
goat @ Jun 18th 2007 11:31PM
Did you mean LH cars? LX is the current RWD platform.
Matt @ Jun 19th 2007 12:07AM
Hahaha, ironic you should mention that... I saw an early 2000's Intrepid on the off ramp of the interstate on my way to work today, BILLOWING smoke. :)
And, ugh, I HATED the 300M. I also hated the Concorde, so perhaps there's a correlation. ;)
Tyo @ Jun 19th 2007 9:25AM
Plymouth Prowler Story:
I once owned a 1995 3100 V6 Chevrolet Beretta that had lots of body damage, multicolored hood/fender, it had over 155,000 on it at the time but ran great, the car seemed to get faster the closer it got death. Anyway, I see an older guy in a purple Prowler, and we pull up to a stoplight, both revving our automatic v6 beasts lol. This guy is definately trying, so the light turns green and its not even close, i was a nose ahead shifting into second and pulled a full lengh away by third, the guy looked really embarassed, but Prowlers were exactly that, a big embarassment.
Greg @ Jun 18th 2007 8:16PM
I just bought a 2004 Chrysler Pacifica AWD 3 days ago.
Incredible vehicle, big... roomy.... I am 6ft 2in and heavier than I should be and I fit in this car and am far from feeling cramped.
Even in the second row seating.... with my drivers seat positioned all the way back and reclined... I can sit without ANY PART OF THE CAR rubbing against me.
Behind the passenger seat.... my baby's car seat fits, and leaves enough room for the front passenger seat to be positioned all the way back and reclined! -
I couldn't do neither in a a Ford Expedition, a Chevy Suburban!
It is an amazing vehicle, I put on 300 miles this weekend driving my family around, and it is the ULTIMATE FAMILY CAR.
What puzzles me.. is that I have not seen 1 TV commercial for it, and actually have heard rumors that Chrysler may be discontinuing it... too bad... maybe with some advertising and touting the roominess compared to Suburbans and Expeditions and pointing out that it gets 22 on the Highway.... it actually might be a hotter seller.
But what do I read hear... Chrysler, in the midst of dumping - divorcing from Mercedes.... is going to have a hot-rodder join the board.... if you ask me, they need more people like the ones who designed the Pacifica on the board and advertise it more. I must have seen 100 commercials for the Dodge Nitro which is a cute kids car, but that's about it in my opinion.
Matt @ Jun 19th 2007 12:15AM
Honestly, I think the Pacifica is awesome. There is no other mini-van I'd buy if I HAD to buy one. :)
Jim Pease @ Jun 19th 2007 9:51AM
The Pacifica is a great car. We have one and it has been problem free as well as comfortable.
dakota @ Jun 18th 2007 8:27PM
Allpar reported this quite some time ago.
http://www.allpar.com/news/index.php?action=fullnews&id=876
geo.stewart @ Jun 18th 2007 8:42PM
saddle up your horses Ford and GM, Chrysler is going to charge out of the gates once it gets everything aligned again.
Lutz is great but he's not the team being assembled.
Ford has some great players but they are strung out in different parts of the world. IF they pulled together the right group,...
pd @ Jun 18th 2007 8:52PM
I sent you a tip on this this story weeks ago and your now just posting it,better late than never!
Frank @ Jun 18th 2007 9:25PM
Gale = best CEO Chrysler never had.
Val @ Jun 18th 2007 9:34PM
Well, now that there is no Zhermans to stop them, they might as well build the F*ing ME412...
HotRodzNKustoms @ Jun 18th 2007 9:37PM
At least Cerberus is smart enough to know they know nothing about running a car company and are hiring the best from Chrysler's past to advise them for the future.
rc @ Jun 18th 2007 9:45PM
While its cool hes a car guy and hes back in the game, the pt cruiser along with the 300c are dead in the water designs imo. How much can you changed either of those cars? The pt cruiser has changed little. Now you see 300c all over the place, the design was exciting, but now is boring. The prowler looks cool, but only a V6? no thanks. The Viper is alright. The last Chrysler i really enjoyed was the 300m.
The new sebring and caliber are both failures
good luck cerberus, youre going to need it.
V?or Rubiera @ Jun 18th 2007 9:51PM
Very much the truth, there´re other designers like Walter Da Silva who in Alfa Romeo did an excellent job. For the actual design the Chryslers 300, PT and others they are right. Mr Gilles has a big hit with the Chrysler 300.
LiteWerk @ Jun 18th 2007 10:52PM
I agree with HotRodzNKustoms. This is very exciting news for all us MOPAR guys. I admire Tom Gale and have confidence in his leadership abilities. This portends well of Chryslers future with Cerberus.
Mark Tisch, Salt Lake City @ Jun 18th 2007 11:29PM
Not everyone likes Hale's designs, but they ALL created excitement. They are all pretty much love-it-or-hate-it designs, which is what it takes in the ultra competitive auto industry these days. And it also shows a serious commitment, and savvy on Cerberus's part. This is great news for Chrysler, and for the U.S. auto industry.