Tag: ralph

Report: Ralph Gilles responds to Dodge rumors, says brand is ‘here to stay’

Filed under: Dodge

This is why we love Ralph Gilles. While in Italy hanging out with a group of Viper Club members in Europe, the SRT boss took the time to respond to a question directed at him on Instagram in regards to the future of Dodge.

Recent reports have painted a bleak picture for Dodge, but Gilles defended Chrysler’s full-line brand by stating that the rumors are, “all rumors, Dodge is here to stay! It may get more focused going forward but not killed!” The idea of a “more focused” Dodge brand could lend some credibility to reports that the Grand Caravan and Durango are on their way out, which would leave Dodge solely as a car, or car-based, automaker.

Ralph Gilles responds to Dodge rumors, says brand is ‘here to stay’ originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Jul 2013 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Ralph Gilles teaches Jay Leno about burnouts in 2011 Dodge Charger R/T

Filed under: Classics, Sedan, Performance, Videos, Dodge

Ralph Gilles does a burnout in a 2011 Dodge Charger R/T

Ralph Gilles does a burnout in a 2011 Dodge Charger R/T – Click above to watch video after the jump

Jay Leno recently got the chance to spend a little time with the 2011 Dodge Charger R/T and Dodge CEO Ralph Gilles stopped by to answer the funny man’s questions. If ever there was a guy who could accurately compare the Charger to its predecessors, Leno would be it. The man knows a thing or two about Mopar history and exactly what has made the original models so sought after to begin with. He’s also an unabashed Chrysler fan through and through, so it’s interesting to see his take on the newest iteration of the Charger legacy.

While we always enjoy the chance to listen to Gilles talk shop and Leno crack jokes, the best part of the clip is watching the Dodge CEO himself educate the comedian on how to properly execute a burnout with Hemi power at one’s command. Is there anything more enjoyable than a CEO behaving badly?

Probably not.

If you listen closely, you might even hear Gilles say that Chrysler is investigating whether or not to bolt a manual transmission into the Charger due to high interest. We like the sound of that action. Hit the jump to watch the video.

[Source: Jay Leno’s Garage]

Continue reading Video: Ralph Gilles teaches Jay Leno about burnouts in 2011 Dodge Charger R/T

Video: Ralph Gilles teaches Jay Leno about burnouts in 2011 Dodge Charger R/T originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ralph Lauren car collection going on exhibit in Paris

Filed under: Classics, Etc., Bentley, Bugatti, Jaguar, Ferrari, Alfa Romeo

1955 Jaguar XKD

1955 Jaguar XKD – Click above for high-res image gallery

The public is getting a chance to slather its eyeballs all over a few choice gems from fashion designer Ralph Lauren’s personal automotive collection. The Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris is planning to exhibit some of the more shining examples of automotive history and design from the Lauren collection from April 28 to August 28, and the crew over at Luxist have managed to get a sneak peek at what exactly will be on display. Visitors to the museum can look forward to seeing a quartet of luscious metal that includes a 1964 Ferrari 250 LM, a 1960 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta Scaglietti, a 1956/1958 Jaguar XKS and a 1931 Alfa Romeo Monza 8C 2300.

Deep breath.

In addition to those lovely ladies, a total of 13 other Lauren vehicles will be on display as a part of the exhibit, titled The Art of the Automobile: Masterpieces from the Ralph Lauren Collection. Those include two of the world’s most expensive vehicles: a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO and a 1938 Bugatti 57 SC Atlantic Coupe. Both of those pieces are worth an estimated $30-$40 million each.

Gallery: Ralph Lauren Collection

[Source: Luxist]

Ralph Lauren car collection going on exhibit in Paris originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ralph Nader calls out Toyota on R&D spending

Filed under: Safety, Videos, Toyota, Earnings/Financials

Toyota Camry

Ralph Nader challenges Toyota’s R&D spending claim – Click above to watch commercial after the jump

Ralph Nader isn’t finished. The man whose fame has long outlasted the first car he took to task is now gnawing at Toyota over claims the company makes in its print advertising: “That’s why we’re spending a million dollars an hour on research and development.” In a letter Nader wrote to the U.S. sales chief Toyota, Jim Lentz, he states that an $8.7 billion investment in R&D is “astonishing,” and he’d like to know precisely how that amount is spent.

The larger issue, however, might be Nader coming so late to the game. After all, Toyota released a commercial in June in which the narrator says, “At Toyota, we care about your safety. That’s why we’re investing one million dollars every hour to improve our technology and your safety.” Everyone, including the New York Times, wanted to know how Toyota could be spending a million an hour on safety.

A Toyota rep responded to the NYT by saying “The $1,000,000 an hour claim represents all Toyota R&D spending globally, much of that allocated to new quality and safety technologies.” True, that doesn’t exactly answer Nader’s question since he moves the discussion from spending on safety to spending on R&D, but the claim relies on how Toyota defines R&D. Even though Nader says the term “has a specific meaning,” it’s amorphous enough that we’re sure Toyota can defend it… if that’s even necessary. Lentz says he’ll respond to Nader directly.

[Source: USA Today]

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Ralph Nader calls out Toyota on R&D spending originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 17 Oct 2010 14:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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