Dive Brief:
- Michael Simcoe, General Motors' SVP of global design, is retiring from the automaker after a 42-year career, the company announced in a press release Jan 7.
- Byran Nesbitt, executive director of Cadillac global design since 2023, was promoted to succeed Simcoe, who will remain with GM until July 1 to ensure a smooth transition, the company said.
- Nesbitt will become just the eight design chief at GM in nearly 100 years.
Dive Insight:
Most recently, Simcoe oversaw the development of GM’s newest electric vehicles, which includes the Cadillac Lyriq, GMC Hummer EV and Chevrolet’s Equinox EV, as well as the forthcoming Cadillac Celestiq and Escalade IQ SUV.
Simcoe also oversaw the opening of GM’s new Design West studio campus at the company’s Global Technical Center campus in Warren, Michigan, a collaborative space where designers work on vehicles of the future, according to the release.
“It has been humbling to be a part of shaping the future of transportation and evolving automotive design, while ensuring that the intersection of art and technology is core to GM Design and our business,” Simcoe said in the release. “I’m excited to see how the next generation of GM Design influences the automotive landscape.”
Simcoe joined GM in 1983 as a designer at the automaker’s Australian subsidiary GM Holden. Throughout his career, he held various global design roles including a stint as chief designer of GM Holden and director of design for GM Asia Pacific.
In addition, Simcoe previously served as executive director of North American exterior design in 2004 and executive director for design GM International in 2011. He was named head of global GM Design in 2016 and promoted to his current role as SVP GM global design in 2023.
Nesbitt has worked for GM for over two decades. He joined the automaker in 2001 and has held several global leadership roles. Previously, Nesbitt was executive director of design, global advanced design and architectures and served as VP of both GM’s North American and Europe design units. Among the vehicles designed under his tenure were the 2015 Cadillac Escalade, GMC Yukon and Chevrolet Tahoe.
“We’re thrilled to have Bryan step up to lead GM Design, where he will use his considerable talent and formidable leadership skills to take us into the future,” GM President Mark Reuss said in the release. “He has a long history with all our brands, and a deep understanding of our customers.”
