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GM’s head of global design, Ed Welburn (shown at right with the wildly successful Camaro concept), discussed future
design trends for GM’s brands in a wide-ranging interview with WardsAuto.com, ahead of the Philadelphia Auto
Show.
Welburn says he has created a high-level design team, reporting directly to him, with the goal of
sharply focusing the design philosophy for each brand.
How are the brand design themes evolving? Here are a
few clues:
- Cadillac – a bold statement, with a high level of sophistication, not bland or boring.
The new CTS sedan will kick off the evolved Cadillac look. - Saturn – a European theme tied to the Opel
brand - Buick – very sophisticated for its market segment. A premium American design, refined and
well-appointed. - Pontiac – sporty, youthful and agile design that says “seductive
performance” - GMC trucks – “industrial precision”
- Chevy trucks – a
“heavy-duty” signature - Saab – will get a strong jet aircraft identification
- Chevrolet – includes performance as a key element, but with designs regionalized to suit Chevy’s global
markets.