The Detroit News - General Motors Co. Monday announced a new organizational structure for its global design operations, including several executive changes.
The Detroit-based automaker said the change to a more brand-focused design structure will help designers better understand customers and what they want, allow for more parts sharing across brands and help get stronger and more consistent messaging across each brand. The changes also will boost the role of the company's advanced design centers, located in the United States, Germany, Korea, China and Australia, GM said.
Executive changes, effective Aug. 1, include Ken Parkinson, executive director of North American exterior design/global architecture strategy and Chevrolet brand champion, to executive director of global Chevrolet and GMC design; Mark Adams, vice president of GM Europe design and brand champion of Opel/Vauxhall, to executive director of global Cadillac and Buick design; David Lyon, executive director of North American interiors/global cross-brand design and Buick/GMC brand champion, to vice president of GM Europe design; and Clay Dean, North American advanced design and Cadillac brand champion, to the newly created position of director of global advanced design.
The executives will report to Ed Welburn, GM's vice president for global design.
