GM Names Designer To Head Cadillac, Report Says
By Michelle Krebs July 23, 2009General Motors reportedly will name designer Bryan Nesbitt to head its flagship Cadillac
division, the Wall Street Journal
Reports.
Nesbitt started his automotive design career at Chrysler where he soared to fame for his design of the innovative Chrysler PT Cruiser. GM lured him away where he penned the similar Chevrolet HHR.
Nesbitt then headed design operations in Europe, returning to the U.S. to head North American design.
LEAVE A COMMENT
Click here to comment on this entry.Maybe it's just me, but so far, Nesbitt seems like a one-trick pony.
Is GM going for a Caddy version of the PT Cruiser/HHR?
The PT Cruiser was a great design when new, but that doesn't say anything about his understanding of a luxury brand like Cadillac. Especially since Cadillac has had forward-looking, futuristic designs since the Evoq. We don't need heritage designs for Cadillac.
In fact, one could argue that the PT Cruiser hastened Chryser brand's fall from the premium/near-luxury segment.
Fail.
If GM produces a Caddy PT Cruiser, it will be a lot like the Cimarron debacle of the 1980s, or Catera in the 1990s.
I'm not a car designer, but this smells like a bad miss.
As I read the article, it states that, most recently, Nesbitt headed up Europe design, then came home to run NA Design.
He is now given the Big Desk for all of Caddy, not just a little part of it. No mention was made of his age, but he looks younger than Bob Lutz. Cadillac will surely be well served with a younger boss; one whom will maintain Cadillac's evolution into a more spirited luxury marque.
OK, so his most visible work to date are two "today's best variety" cars - and probably drew some neat Hot Wheels on the back of his 5th grade arithmetic homework. But I don't think we should worry about a resurrected Cimmaron, or Fleetwood Brougham.
ADD A COMMENT