The 300C debuted on the 2004 Detroit auto present, a number of months earlier than its spring gross sales launch.
It had a excessive beltline, quick home windows and a entrance finish impressed by the Chrysler Chronos idea proven in 1998.
“What we like to do as designers is create something that will look good forever, and a lot of that’s good proportions,” Gilles mentioned. “We cut a really good deal with engineering to give us a really good stance on the vehicle. Once a vehicle has good stance, it should always look pretty good forever.”
The new 300 elevated the Chrysler model from the Concorde, LHS and 300M. Perugi mentioned it was one of many first fashions to make use of components from Daimler autos.
The sedan was so standard at first that Chrysler was backed up with orders for about 5 months. Perugi mentioned Chrysler’s share of Black customers doubled inside the first 12 months. Among the early prospects had been rapper Snoop Dogg and then-Sen. Barack Obama.
U.S. gross sales of the automotive almost reached 113,000 in 2004 and topped 140,000 in every of the following two years. Chrysler CEO Christine Feuell mentioned the model has offered greater than 1.2 million 300s because the launch.
Gilles mentioned one of many secrets and techniques to the 300’s longevity is that it got here to be seen as a canvas for self-expression.
“Sometimes you can buy a vehicle ready-made with his expression all said and done, and there are certain vehicles that welcome it,” Gilles mentioned. “The Wrangler is one of those; 300 is one of those, where it just begs people to put their own spice on it.”
Source: www.autonews.com