Stellantis Plans to Get Rid of Chrome on New Vehicles
Future vehicles from Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram and other Stellantis-owned brands will do away with something that’s been associated with class and luxury for decades, especially on American models—chrome.
The automaker indeed plans to stop using the shiny material on all new vehicles moving forward due to environmental and health concerns. As CNN reports, Stellantis executives including global design director Ralph Gilles call the plan “Death of Chrome.”
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Hexavalent chromium, which is involved in the plating process, is an extremely harmful and cancer-causing agent. According to the California Air Resources Board (CARB), it is 500 times more toxic than diesel exhaust and has no known safe level of exposure during the electro-plating process.
To be clear, once slapped on a car or truck, the chrome-plated parts are perfectly safe for vehicle users and occupants.
Instead of chrome, Stellantis now wants to use a mix of metallic elements and finishes such as bronze, silver, graphite, stainless steel, satin steel and more, as well as more environmentally friendly materials. In the process, the automaker aims to change people’s minds about chrome and redefine what elegance and luxury are about.
The fully electric Jeep Wagoneer S will be among the new models leading the way, featuring no chrome at all, even as an option.
Furthermore, Gilles said blackout packages, which give vehicles a darker appearance and prove quite popular across the industry right now, will be expanded to more models and trim levels in the future.