GM DESIGN CHIEFS AND THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS

Detroit September 27, 2003

Harley Earl, 1927-58, made GM a global design leader.

Key designs: 1938 Buick Y-Job concept, 1953 Chevrolet Corvette; 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air, 1959 Cadillac Eldorado.

Bill Mitchell, 1958-77, designed first tailfin Cadillac, influenced by aerospace design.

Key designs: 1963 Corvette Stingray, 1963 Buick Riviera, 1964 Pontiac GTO; 1967 Chevrolet Camaro and Pontiac Firebird.

Irvin Rybicki, 1977-86, oversaw GM's downsizing in reaction to fuel crisis.

Key designs: 1982 Chevrolet Camaro, 1984 Chevrolet Corvette, 1984 Pontiac Fiero.

Charles Jordan, 1986-92, pioneered use of computers in design.

Key designs: 1992 Cadillac Seville, 1992 Pontiac Bonneville.

Wayne Cherry, 1992-2003, reorganized GM design into eight brand-based studios and three advanced-design studios.

Key designs: Cadillac Sixteen concept, 1992 Opel Calibra coupe, 2003 Hummer H2.

Ed Welburn, 2004

Key designs in earlier positions: Oldsmobile Aerotech concept car, 1996 Oldsmobile Intrigue, 2004 Chevrolet SSR