DETROIT -- General Motors head of global design, Ed Welburn, a man who may be as influential on design as Harley Earl or Bill Mitchel, is retiring effective July 1, 2016. Welburn recently celebrated his 65th Birthday. General Motors CEO Mary Barra, who formerly headed the automaker’s product development efforts, praised Welburn’s work and career. “He nurtured a creative, inclusive and customer-focused culture among our designers that has strengthened our global brands,” Barra said in a statement.He will be replaced by Australian Michael Simcoe, vice president of design at GM’s International Operations, GM said today. Simcoe, 58, will hold the distinction of being the first non-American appointed to the top design post at GM. He will begin taking over for Welburn on May 1.

 

Simcoe began designing cars at GM Holden in 1983. He has been head of exterior design for GM in North America starting since 2004 and is partially respomsible for such vehicles as the GMC Terrain, Buick LaCrosse, Chevrolet Camaro and Equinox, and the Cadillac CTS sedan, wagon and coupe. “Given his deep global experience and passion for breakthrough design, Michael is the right person to lead GM Global Design,” Mark Reuss, GM’s global product development chief, said in a statement. “He is known for his ability to take diverse ideas from around the world and mold then into great products that surprise and delight our customers.”

 

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Hats off to this genius. My hope is that Simcoe carries the torch as high.