GM Design Celebrates 85th Anniversary

The General MotorsGMUnited States of America, 1998 > present8 models
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Design center is celebrating its 85 anniversary. It opened on June 23, 1927, when GM's Executive Committee agreed to open a design center to “study the question of art and color combinations in General Motors products."

The first GM Design Director was Harley Earl. Earl began designing car bodies in 1908, and the first car that he officially designed for GM was the 1927 LaSalle. He created the Buick Y-JobBuick Y-JobUnited States of America, 1938 > 19385 photos
, the automotive industry's first concept car, in 1939, and popularized tail fins as automotive design during the 50s. He was also responsible for the look of the original CorvetteChevrolet Corvette Gen.1United States of America, 1953 > 196218 versions
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. Bill Mitchell took over his position in 1958. 

Today, Wellburn runs GM Design centers in the US, Germany, Korea, China, Australia, Brazil and India. He has held the position since 2003. 

“Our global team is united around its passion for designing vehicles that make an emotional connection with customers. What was true 85 years ago is still true today: A designer’s role is to create a beautifully executed exterior with great proportions to draw you in, and an interior environment that invites you into a relationship that develops and grows," said Ed Welburn, GM vice president, Global Design.