Michael Simcoe recently returned to Melbourne as Executive Director General Motors International Operations (GMIO) Design. Micheal graduated from RMIT University industrial design in 1979.
Moving from his previous position of Executive Director North American Exterior Design and Global Architecture Strategy for GM, Mr Simcoe, 53, has stepped into a newly created role, which will focus on further developing GM’s operations in Korea and Australia.
Micheal returned to Australia for the role, after six years with GM in North America.
“This role will allow me to oversee the growth in GMIO design in both Korea and Australia, and to bring with me many of the learnings from my time with GM in the US,” Mr Simcoe said.
“And, of course, I’m extremely pleased to be returning home to Australia, and to once again be working from the world-class Holden design centre, where I began my GM career almost 30 years ago,” he said.
Mr Simcoe commenced work with Holden as a designer in 1983 and had subsequent appointments as Senior Designer and Chief Designer before becoming Design Director in 2001. During this time he oversaw the genesis of the highly successful VT Commodore and WH Statesman/Caprice model ranges and subsequent VX and VY upgrades, as well as VE Commodore.
In 2003, he became GM's Executive Director Asia Pacific Design, a regional design role that incorporated responsibility for Holden design.
Mr Simcoe moved to the US in 2004, and in his current role as Executive Director North American Exterior Design and Global Architecture Strategy, is responsible for all Exterior Design in North America. He has led design development of a long list of GM products including: GMC Terrain, Buick LaCrosse, Chevy Camaro and Equinox as well as Cadillac CTS Sedan, Wagon and Coupe.
While his new role will have an Asia-Pacific focus, Micheal will be based at Holden’s Port Melbourne headquarters.
Automotive designer and RMIT University industrial design alumnus Micheal Simcoe.
Image copyright GM
