Michael Simcoe has been appointed to replace Ed Welburn as GM vice president of Global Design. He will begin transitioning into his new role from May 1st and officially take the helm on July 1st this year.
Simcoe, currently vice president of GM International Design, will now be responsible for the 2,500 creative men and women in GM’s 10 design centers in seven countries — the US, Germany, South Korea, China, Australia, Brazil and India — which collaborate on the design development of every GM concept and production car, truck and crossover globally.
Mark Reuss, executive vice president, Global Product Development and Global Purchasing and Supply Chain, announced Simcoe’s promotion at a formal announcement at General Motors today.
“Given his deep global experience and passion for breakthrough design, Michael is the right person to lead GM Global Design,” said Reuss. “He is known for his ability to take diverse ideas and mold them into great products that surprise and delight our customers.”
Simcoe has been in his current role since 2014, overseeing GM’s production and advanced studios in Korea, Australia and India. He is known for applying global design excellence and creativity to the company’s distinct brands.
He joined GM in 1983 as a designer at Holden in Australia, and is Holden’s brand champion. In 1995, he became director of Design for GM Asia Pacific and in 2003, was named executive director of Asia Pacific Design and led the development of the new GM Korea design operations under Welburn’s leadership.
The following year, he became executive director of North American Exterior Design, responsible for critical and commercial successes like the GMC Terrain, Buick LaCrosse, Chevrolet Camaro and Equinox and Cadillac CTS.
More recently, he led the team responsible for the Buick Avenir Concept, which won last year’s EyesOn Design award in the concept car category.
