FCA Names Gilles Head of Global Design

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV has promoted Ralph Gilles, the head of design for its North American operations since 2009, to oversee design for the company worldwide. He succeeds Lorenz Ramaciotti, who is retiring.

Gilles, 45, also will join FCA's Group Executive Council, the company's highest management-level decision-making body.

FCA didn't indicate whether Gilles' old job would be filled. He formerly was CEO of Chrysler Group motorsports, head of Chrysler's SRT performance brand and CEO of the Dodge brand.

Gilles holds a bachelor of fine arts in industrial design degree from the College for Creative Studies in Detroit and an MBA from Michigan State University.