Photo: Chrysler
46-year-old Bryan Nesbitt is a veteran in terms of auto design. An Arizona native with a bachelor’s degree in transportation design from the Art Center College of Design, he’s best known for penning the Chrysler PT Cruiser and similarly retro Chevrolet HHR. Now Bryan acts as the head of design for Buick amid continuing executive personnel changes at GM.
After a seven-year stint at DaimlerChrysler and designs such as the PT Cruiser concept vehicle, Pronto Cruiser and CCV, Nesbitt became the asset of General Motors back in 2001. He initially filled the role of chief designer for Chevrolet, while his most recent role was design vice president for GM China. After more than four years in the Asian country, Bryan Nesbitt returned to the US for fulfilling the mammoth task of designing future Buicks.
By mammoth task we mean turning around a brand that relies on selling badge-engineered Opel and Chevrolets models. From our point of view, it would be monumental if Bryan could turn the Buick Avenir Concept into production reality, starting a thorough design revival for the marque. While the PT Cruiser and HHR are retro-gorgeous but a bit flawed, some of Bryan’s other designs are a-OK by us.
Highlights include the seventh-gen Chevrolet Malibu, GMC Acadia, 2008 Buick Enclave, as well as the 2013 Cadillac ATS and 2014 Cadillac Escalade. Heck, he was Caddy brand chief during a seven-month period in 2009-2010. His new role as Buick design chief is effective June 1st, replacing 46-year-old Andrew Smith.
The latter led design efforts for Buick and Cadillac since September 2013. Smith will be executive director of Cadillac design from here on in. In Nesbitt’s place as vice prez of design for GM China comes Ken Parkinson. The 52-year-old designer fulfilled the role of executive design director for Chevrolet trucks.
By mammoth task we mean turning around a brand that relies on selling badge-engineered Opel and Chevrolets models. From our point of view, it would be monumental if Bryan could turn the Buick Avenir Concept into production reality, starting a thorough design revival for the marque. While the PT Cruiser and HHR are retro-gorgeous but a bit flawed, some of Bryan’s other designs are a-OK by us.
Highlights include the seventh-gen Chevrolet Malibu, GMC Acadia, 2008 Buick Enclave, as well as the 2013 Cadillac ATS and 2014 Cadillac Escalade. Heck, he was Caddy brand chief during a seven-month period in 2009-2010. His new role as Buick design chief is effective June 1st, replacing 46-year-old Andrew Smith.
The latter led design efforts for Buick and Cadillac since September 2013. Smith will be executive director of Cadillac design from here on in. In Nesbitt’s place as vice prez of design for GM China comes Ken Parkinson. The 52-year-old designer fulfilled the role of executive design director for Chevrolet trucks.
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