In a move sending shockwaves through the European auto industry, Gilles Vidal — the celebrated French designer who played a pivotal role in reviving Renault’s design identity — is heading back to where it all began: Stellantis.

After five transformative years at Renault, Vidal will officially take over as the head of design for multiple Stellantis brands including Citroën, Peugeot, Opel, Fiat, Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, and DS Automobiles — replacing outgoing design chief Jean-Pierre Ploué as of October 1, 2025.

“In a world where technology and design must move forward together to transform the customer experience, this challenge motivates me deeply,” Vidal said in a statement.

From Peugeot’s Resurrection to Renault’s Rebirth

Before joining Renault in 2020, Gilles Vidal had already made his mark. He was widely credited as one of the leading forces behind Peugeot’s revival, having designed icons like the Peugeot 208, 308, and 2008 — all of which earned the European Car of the Year title.

At Citroën, where he started his career in 1996, Vidal honed his reputation as a bold and forward-thinking designer. But his move to Renault was seen as a major coup at the time — and one that paid off handsomely for the diamond-branded automaker.

At Renault, Vidal spearheaded design for several next-gen vehicles including:

• Renault Scénic Vision
• Renault Rafale
• Renault Symbioz
• The all-electric R4 and R5
• The high-concept Emblem car, considered a future luxury flagship

His departure now raises questions: Can Renault maintain its newfound design identity without him? And what will Stellantis gain from Vidal’s return?

A Strategic Win for Stellantis

According to industry insiders, this move is being celebrated as a “power play” by Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares. The group’s European market chief Jean-Philippe Imparato stated:

“His deep understanding of European automotive culture and his forward-looking design vision will be essential as we continue to redefine mobility and strengthen the identity of our European brands.”

Vidal will collaborate closely with Stellantis Chief Design Officer Ralph Gilles, working across multiple markets and segments—especially city cars and light vehicles.

What Does This Mean for the Future of Car Design?

With so many brands under Stellantis struggling for individual identity—especially Lancia, DS, and Opel—Vidal’s new role will be more than just artistic. It’s strategic. The job requires branding insight, innovation, and deep market instincts, all of which Vidal has in abundance.

This also comes at a time when EV design is becoming the new battleground, and cross-brand consistency can make or break long-term adoption. Vidal’s touch could reshape how Europe sees Stellantis — not just as a collection of legacy brands, but as a futuristic design powerhouse.

Final Thoughts: Renault’s Loss, Stellantis’s Jackpot

In just five years, Gilles Vidal helped Renault rediscover its design soul. His sudden exit is a major blow to the company, especially with its ambitious EV roadmap just gaining momentum. But for Stellantis, it’s a chance to consolidate influence over the European auto market with one of the industry’s most visionary designers now in their corner.

And with Avenger EVs, Peugeot concepts, and Fiat revivals already in progress — Vidal’s next chapter could be his boldest yet.
For more Update http://www.dailyglobaldiary.com

Passengers on Southwest Airlines Flight 1496 got far more than they bargained for on a routine trip from Burbank, California to Las Vegas, Nevada when the plane reportedly went into a sudden nosedive mid-air, narrowly avoiding what could have been a catastrophic mid-air collision.

“It felt like the Tower of Terror ride,” said passenger Caitlin Burdi, recalling the moments of chaos. “We fell 20 to 30 feet in the air… people screamed, kids were crying, and flight attendants were hurt.”

According to Southwest Airlines, the aircraft took evasive action shortly after takeoff due to two airborne traffic collision alerts, forcing the pilot to ascend and descend rapidly within seconds. This caused passengers to jolt out of their seats—some hitting the ceiling—leaving two flight attendants injured.

Emergency Maneuver Sparks Panic

The incident occurred about 10 minutes into the flight, around 11 a.m. local time, while the aircraft was still within Los Angeles Air Route Traffic Control Center airspace. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) later confirmed that another aircraft was in the vicinity, suggesting a near-miss situation.

Passengers onboard reported sheer panic. One flight attendant hit her head during the drop, while another—visibly shaken—allegedly announced he was quitting. As passengers tried to make sense of the terrifying moment, the pilot came on the intercom with a stunning admission:

“We almost collided with another plane, and I had to make the emergency attempt to go under because we lost service with air traffic control,” one passenger recalled him saying.

“Nothing Is More Important Than Safety,” Says Airline

In a statement to Fox News Digital, Southwest said the flight landed “uneventfully” in Las Vegas and that the company is now working closely with the FAA to investigate what led to the critical mid-air maneuver.

“We appreciate the professionalism of our Flight Crew and Flight Attendants in responding to this event,” said a Southwest spokesperson. “Nothing is more important to Southwest than the Safety of our Customers and Employees.”

What Passengers Experienced

People thrown out of seats and into overhead panels

Screams and panic as plane dipped rapidly

Crew injuries, with one attendant expressing intent to quit

Pilot confirmed near-collision and communication loss with ATC

Mid-Air Scares Becoming Too Common?

This latest scare comes on the heels of several other alarming aviation incidents in the U.S.:

A small plane crash in San Diego recently claimed lives after hitting power lines.

An American Airlines jet made headlines last week for making an emergency landing due to an engine emitting smoke.

Five passengers were hospitalized after another American Airlines flight encountered unexpected turbulence.

As skies grow more crowded and airlines continue pushing schedules post-pandemic, air traffic safety is once again in the spotlight.

What Happens Next?

The FAA investigation will focus on why two planes came so dangerously close and how such an event was allowed to occur despite modern radar and control systems.

In the meantime, frequent flyers may now be asking: Are our skies really as safe as we think?

For passengers of Southwest Flight 1496, the answer is hauntingly clear.
Lingering Fear in the Skies

Many passengers say they’ll think twice before boarding another flight so soon.

“You never expect something like this to happen until it does,” said Caitlin Burdi. “For a moment, I truly thought we were going down.”

Several travelers reportedly held hands, prayed, and cried as the plane regained stability. The trauma—even after a safe landing in Las Vegas—has left an emotional scar.
For more Update http://www.dailyglobaldiary.com

A fresh CBS/YouGov poll has dealt a major blow to Donald Trump, revealing a significant dip in his overall approval rating and growing discontent among Americans over his controversial immigration policies. Once a rallying cry for his base, mass deportations and detention facilities are now sparking national concern — and voters are beginning to turn away.

The survey, conducted between July 16–18 among 2,343 U.S. adults, found that Trump’s overall approval rating has dropped to 42%, down from 45% in June and 47% in mid-April. A staggering 58% now disapprove, marking a steady erosion of support just over a month.

But what’s even more revealing is the issue that’s driving this nosedive: immigration.

• “Immigration and deportation policies mattered the most to respondents,” CBS reported, with 61% of those surveyed ranking it as the top issue shaping their opinion of the president.

This latest data shows 56% of Americans disapprove of Trump’s handling of immigration, a 10-point drop in approval since February. His once-popular deportation efforts have lost steam — only 49% now approve, compared to 59% earlier this year. This decline reflects a growing unease with the scale and execution of his immigration crackdowns.

Even more striking is the partisan divide. Among Republicans, support remains sky-high, with 91% backing the deportation policies. But Democrats show near-unanimous disapproval at 86%. Independents are more nuanced but are leaning negative, with 59% opposed and 41% in favor.

• “Approval of the deportation program has slipped over these months to become slightly net-negative now,” CBS noted. “Support is increasingly drawn from Republicans and MAGA identifiers.”

The rift deepens when it comes to detention facilities. The poll found that 58% of Americans oppose their use — another hot-button component of Trump’s immigration approach. Just 42% support the facilities, with backing largely concentrated among the Republican base. A whopping 85% of Republicans said they supported detention centers, while only 15% of Democrats agreed.

Despite Trump’s attempt to use immigration as a key 2025 campaign pillar, the numbers suggest the tide is turning. What was once a defining feature of his presidency now risks becoming a political liability — especially as more independents grow wary of hardline tactics.

• This trend may signal deeper vulnerabilities ahead: If Trump can’t rally beyond his core base, he may struggle to reclaim broader national support in the lead-up to the 2026 elections.

Interestingly, aggregate ratings from Real Clear Politics and The New York Times place Trump’s approval slightly higher — around 44% and 45.5%, respectively. But both still show more than half of the public disapproving, underlining the uphill battle the former president faces in winning over moderate voters.

As immigration remains a deeply polarizing topic in America, Trump’s numbers show the limits of base-first politics. The very issues that galvanized his supporters may now be costing him the crucial middle ground.

Whether this downward shift is a temporary dip or a lasting trend will likely hinge on how Trump adapts — or doubles down — in the months ahead.
As the 2026 political landscape takes shape, Trump’s challenge will be clear: win back the middle or risk losing the momentum.
This poll may be a snapshot — but it’s one that reflects a deeper undercurrent of voter fatigue and shifting values.
If immigration was once his strongest weapon, it may now become his biggest electoral liability As national attitudes evolve, clinging to outdated strategies could trap Trump in a political echo chamber.
Voters are signaling they want solutions, not slogans, especially on complex issues like immigration.
The erosion of trust in harsh enforcement tactics may reshape the Republican playbook heading into 2026.
For Trump, the path forward may require more than rallying the base — it may demand rethinking the message itself.
For more Update http://www.dailyglobaldiary.com