New Chrysler Design Boss Ralph Gilles is not a fan of the awkward-looking Jeep Compass.
He says: " There won't be any more cars like this. The guy who designed it is no longer with us.'
Either that's a coy publicity statement or razor internal politics at work.
Whatever it is, if that's what he says, then Chrysler is in bad hands , me thinks.
Because in my great big opinion, the Jeep Compass is one hella successful interpretation of an Iconic brand moving into the new millennium .
If Mr Gilles expected a staunch follow-up with tradition, he is missing the point. Woefully antediluvian even. Archaic.
Be reminded that the Compass was conceived because Jeep is in search of a new market niche and clientele; in a world less forgiving to SUV producers due to rising fuel prices, labour and raw materials cost.
In a world falling into deep economic recession, people don't want to splurge on high car ownership costs . So SUV makers, like Jeep, is in for a not-so-rosy 'good' time.
Anyway, back to the gist, me thinks the Compass is a perfect example of a Maverick Beauty.
Its avangarde quirks mixed with street credo chic, whilst retaining the macho flair which its tradition endowed it with, makes it a wonderous piece of automotive master piece.
This is a car for the man who is successful but at the same time, trying to prove that he got to that lofty position of his, by being a steadfast but non-conformist individual.
Blame the parts people who couldn't get the QC right.
Don't scapegoat the designer (or the design) just to prove to people you can.
Mr Gilles had better deliver.
Or the next design boss is gonna say the same"he'll no longer be with us".
Q .... haha.... maybe the next model could be called the Jeep Karma. ^^
