Michael Simcoe – one of the most high-profile Australian executives in global automotive history – is retiring from General Motors after 42 years at the company, and close to a decade as its global design boss.
Succeeding Mr Simcoe in the role of senior vice president, GM Global Design, will be Bryan Nesbitt, currently the design head for GM luxury brand Cadillac.
Mr Nesbitt will take over the role on July 1, 2025.
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Michael Simcoe 
Bryan Nesbitt
There’s not much turnover in the top design spot at GM, with Mr Nesbitt becoming only the eighth person in the role in close to a century.
Mr Simcoe was the only non-American to ever serve in the role, being appointed in 2016 to replace Ed Welburn.
He’s perhaps best known to Australians as the father of the Holden Monaro, with the VE Commodore also designed under him.
Holden VE Commodore
American models he was responsible for included the second-generation Cadillac CTS and Buick LaCrosse, as well as the revived Chevrolet Camaro that shared its Zeta platform with the VE Commodore.
He started at Holden back in 1983 as a designer, later being promoted to senior designer in 1985 and then chief designer in 1987.
In 1995, he was appointed director of design for the Asia Pacific region, which saw him work with GM alliance partners such as Daewoo, Isuzu, Subaru and Suzuki.
Cadillac CTS
He subsequently assumed the role of director of design for GM Holden in 2001 and then executive director of Asia Pacific design in 2003, before moving to the role of executive director of North America exterior design in 2004.
Before assuming his current role in 2016, he was appointed executive director of design for GM International in 2011.
Mr Simcoe holds an Associate Diploma of Art Industrial Design from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and was inducted into the Design Industry Australia Hall of Fame in 2018.
“Michael is a visionary designer and leader,” said GM president Mark Reuss. “He has elevated automotive design not just at GM, but the world over.”
Buick LaCrosse
“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.”
“At the same time, we’re 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,” Mr Reuss added.
“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.”
Saab Aero-X concept 
Chrysler PT Cruiser 
Pontiac Solstice 
Cadillac Sollei concept
Vehicles designed under Mr Nesbitt include the Cadillac Sollei and Opulent Velocity concepts.
He joined GM in 2001, after starting his design career at Daimler Chrysler and being responsible for the concept vehicles that previewed the Chrysler PT Cruiser.
He previously served as the head of design for GM Europe, and was responsible for dramatic concepts like the 2003 Chevrolet SS and 2006 Saab Aero-X.
Other vehicles he has helped bring to life include the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky roadsters and the first-generation Opel Insignia.
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