What Michael Simcoe’s Appointment as Design Boss Means for GM

GM design chief Ed Welburn is retiring after 44 years with the automaker. Taking his place will be Michael Simcoe, current vice president of GM International Design. This passing of the torch marks the end of one era and the beginning of another. What could this mean for the future of GM design? To get an idea, let’s look back at the two designers’ works.

Welburn began his career at GM working on the Buick Riviera and Park Avenue. Later, he became known for more radical, experimental designs including the Oldsmobile Aerotech speed-record vehicle, which set two world records in 1987 for traveling faster than 257 mph. As chief designer of the Oldsmobile Studio, Welburn led the design of the Cutlass Supreme, which like many of his cars, sported a long hood and raked roofline. Other radical designs penned during his tenure include the bold Chevrolet SSR, angular-yet-clean Cadillac CTS, and the original (and controversial) Chevrolet Volt. Throughout his career, many of the cars he had a hand in feature effortlessly windswept designs.

Simcoe began his journey with GM when he joined Holden as a designer in 1983. In 1995, Simcoe led projects with GM’s alliance partners including Daewoo, Suzuki, and Isuzu. The Australian-born designer then returned his focus to Holden and oversaw the Holden VT Commodore and WH Statesman and Caprice. In 2009, he was tasked with leading design for North America, and spearheaded the GMC Terrain and Buick LaCrosse. Like Welburn, he too was involved with the well-received fifth-gen Chevy Camaro.

Welburn and Simcoe’s work melded together more recently in Buick’s concepts. Simcoe and his team designed the Buick Avenir sedan concept, which like the previous vehicles he’s worked on, features a rounded front end and wide rear haunches. Welburn led the team working on the Avista coupe, which wowed at this year’s Detroit auto show thanks to its aerodynamic body lines.

Simcoe, whose career also included expanding GM design operations in Korea and Australia, will become GM’s seventh design leader, and perhaps he’ll bring global flavor to GM cars. He will start transitioning into his new role May 1. Welburn officially leaves the company July 1.

Source: GM

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