In a surprising move, Chris Benjamin, a prominent design leader at Stellantis, the parent company of Jeep®, has joined Volkswagen’s electric off-road brand, Scout Motors. Benjamin, who played a crucial role in shaping the interior design of Stellantis vehicles, including the luxurious Wagoneer, will now serve as the Chief Design Officer at Scout Motors.
During his tenure at Stellantis and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), Benjamin held the position of Vice President of Interior Design and played a pivotal role in shaping the interior aesthetics of several iconic brands, including Chrysler, Ram, Dodge, and Jeep. With over 10 years of experience at Stellantis and FCA and prior involvement with other renowned automakers, Benjamin brings a wealth of expertise to his new role at Scout Motors.
Scout Motors’ CEO and President, Scott Keogh, expressed his confidence in Benjamin’s abilities, highlighting his prolific work and extensive experience. Keogh noted that Benjamin’s visionary approach would undoubtedly influence Scout’s future products. In a news release, Keogh stated, “Chris’ work is prolific. For nearly 25 years, he’s brought to life vehicles that stand out on the road. His thumbprints are all over many of the most beloved off-road vehicles in the market today. I’m confident that Chris will build on that experience as he defines the next chapter of design for Scout and electric utility vehicles.”
Reflecting on his time at Stellantis and FCA, Benjamin described it as a transformative period during which he had the honor of shaping the interior direction of several prominent brands. In a recent LinkedIn post, he expressed gratitude to his team and announced his decision to take on a new challenge outside of Stellantis.
Benjamin’s enthusiasm for Scout Motors was evident in the news release announcing his new position. He mentioned his longstanding fascination with classic Scout vehicles, acknowledging their role in defining the modern SUV archetype in the 1960s. Benjamin’s objective at Scout will be to balance the iconic design language of the past and the innovative possibilities of electrification.
According to the release, Chris Benjamin, a College for Creative Studies graduate, resides in metro Detroit and has roots in New York and Miami. Prior to his time at Stellantis and FCA, Benjamin honed his skills at prestigious automakers such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Volvo.
