One-On-One With Joe Dehner, Head of Dodge & Ram Design

While Ralph Gilles is well known in these pages as head of all Design activities at Chrysler LLC, there are , of course, a legion of other people behind him. Joe Dehner is one of those, being Head of Dodge & Ram Design. Dehner was interviewed recently by Ashley Fournier for the Chrysler blog.

Some interesting insights emerged from the time they spent together. Chrylser’s design studios, under the influence of Fiat management, have been seperated into brand-driven units so as to develop a unique look and feel to the individual product lines. While the change was announced many months back, it takes time for changes like this to become real.

It seems that this is an ongoing issue management philosophy and, for the moment, the pendulum is swinging to one side. Chrysler’s design activities were previously more integrated. There are probably some cost reasons for doing this, but as much as anything else, it is driven by a choice to have unique brand identities, or a corporate-wide design image.

Dehner gives some insight into those early days of Fiat’s presence, the decisions that were made and how they impacted everything from brand logos to the RAM’s crosshair grill. It’s an interesting read, but you have to take it slowly to absorb the significance of what Dehner is talking about. Further interviews in this series might prove to be equally insightful.

About the author

Don Roy

Don's background includes 14 years in the OEM and Tier2 domestic auto industry, as well as three years as Technical Editor of a muscle car enthusiast print magazine. He is a mechanical engineer by trade and completed his first project car when he was 16 years old - after rebuilding the engine in his bedroom. His hobbies include photography, film making and building the odd robot from time to time.
Read My Articles

Hot Rods and Muscle Cars in your inbox.

Build your own custom newsletter with the content you love from Street Muscle, directly to your inbox, absolutely FREE!

Free WordPress Themes
Street Muscle NEWSLETTER - SIGN UP FREE!

We will safeguard your e-mail and only send content you request.

Street Muscle - The Ultimate Muscle Car Magazine

streetmusclemag

We'll send you the most interesting Street Muscle articles, news, car features, and videos every week.

Street Muscle - The Ultimate Muscle Car Magazine

Street Muscle NEWSLETTER - SIGN UP FREE!

We will safeguard your e-mail and only send content you request.

Street Muscle - The Ultimate Muscle Car Magazine

streetmusclemag

Thank you for your subscription.

Subscribe to more FREE Online Magazines!

We think you might like...


fordmuscle
Classic Ford Performance
dragzine
Drag Racing
chevyhardcore
Classic Chevy Magazine

Street Muscle - The Ultimate Muscle Car Magazine

Thank you for your subscription.

Subscribe to more FREE Online Magazines!

We think you might like...

  • fordmuscle Classic Ford Performance
  • dragzine Drag Racing
  • chevyhardcore Classic Chevy Magazine

Street Muscle - The Ultimate Muscle Car Magazine

streetmusclemag

Thank you for your subscription.

Thank you for your subscription.

Street Muscle - The Ultimate Muscle Car Magazine

Thank you for your subscription.

Thank you for your subscription.

Loading