Michael will be succeeded by Bryan Nesbitt, currently executive director, Global Cadillac Design

General Motors has announced that Michael Simcoe, Senior Vice President, GM Global Design, will retire after a 42-year career with the company, effective 1 July 2025.
Michael will be succeeded by Bryan Nesbitt, currently Executive Director, Global Cadillac Design. In leading GM Global Design, he will become just the eighth GM Design chief in nearly a century.
“Michael is a visionary designer and leader,” GM President, Mark Reuss, said. “He has elevated automotive design not just at GM, but the world over. Under his leadership, GM Design has created a stunning vehicle portfolio that customers love.
“His focus on the customer, keen eye for detail, and an emphasis on the future made Michael everything we could have asked for in a chief designer.
“He also fostered a deep, collaborative relationship with engineering and manufacturing to push the boundaries of creativity and execution. Michael and his team have cemented design as a fundamental competitive advantage for GM.
“At the same time, we are 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.
“He has a long history with all our brands, and a deep understanding of our customers. As seen in his recent work at Cadillac, his design statements are only getting better and bolder.”
Cadillac’s latest concept vehicles – Opulent Velocity and SOLLEI – were brought to life under Bryan’s guidance.
“I am honoured to lead GM Design, which is home to some of the industry’s most talented and creative people. Our company, along with GM Design, has built momentum, and I’m committed to building on that ethos of vision, execution, and collaboration,” Bryan said.
“Design will continue to be at the leading edge of identifying and adopting new technologies to improve speed to market and help meet the needs of customers into the future. Great design will always be the cornerstone of every vehicle we create.”
GM says Michael instilled a culture of excellence and under his guidance, GM’s design studios have executed numerous award-winning products. Michael also championed the inception and execution of GM’s flagship Design West studio campus, located on GM’s Global Technical Center campus in Warren, Michigan.
“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,” Michael said.
“GM has some of the most gifted designers and artisans in the world. My job has been to create the environment, and give them the tools, to flourish and bring our vision to life.
“Under Bryan’s leadership, I know GM Design will continue to drive the company forward. He shares my belief in our team’s creative talent and their potential, and I’m excited to see how the next generation of GM Design influences the automotive landscape.”

For more information, visit www.gm.com