General Motors (GMs) has announced Michael Simcoe, vice president of Global Design, is promoted to senior vice president of Global Design, effective January 1. Simcoe will continue to report to GM president Mark Reuss. This move signifies the continued emphasis on design as GM accelerates its transformation to an all-electric future.
Mark Reuss, General Motors president, said: “Under Michael’s leadership the GM design team has delivered winning design after winning design, demonstrating the ability to connect with customers in all vehicle segments, for both internal combustion engine vehicles and electric vehicles.
“GM Design has also played a pivotal role in the expansion of our business, developing concepts that highlight our path to an all-electric, autonomous future and solutions for new business models like BrightDrop and Cruise.
“Elevating design in the organisation demonstrates how important the integration of design and technology is as we continue to transform the company.”
Under Simcoe’s leadership, GM’s brand design studios have executed award-winning products across several categories. Examples of electric vehicles (EVs) created during Simcoe’s leadership include the Buick Wildcat concept.
Plus, upcoming Electra EVs, Cadillac CELESTIQ and LYRIQ, GMC HUMMEREV Pickup and SUV and Sierra EV, along with the Chevrolet Equinox EV, Blazer EV and Silverado EV.
His teams also guided thinking around a delivery ecosystem that’s become the burgeoning BrightDrop brand. BrightDrop recently announced it had entered the international market with DHL and has begun production at Canada’s first large-scale electric vehicle facility.
Simcoe has led GM Global Design since 2016. He has built a reputation for applying global design excellence and creativity to the company’s distinct brands and for inspiring the team to deliver winning products to the market. This team has also gained new perspectives and reached new markets under Simcoe’s leadership, including the current expansion into Europe.
GM recently announced it was investing $45 million at Bedford Casting Operations to expand capacity for electric vehicle drive units. This will be used to support the anticipated strong demand for the Chevrolet Silverado EV and GMC Sierra EV full-size pickups. The company said the capacity expansion work at the facility will begin immediately.
