Veteran Designer Bryan Nesbitt to head Buick Design

General Motors announced that one of its veteran designers, Bryan Nesbitt, will be taking over responsibility for the design of cars manufactured under the company’s Buick emblem. GM said that Nesbitt will assume the title of executive director for global design and global architecture for the brand. He will be tasked with helping to create and maintain the make’s signature look, a key part of a vehicle’s appeal to consumers.

Nesbitt has a long history of working for GM and Chrysler, and he came to fame initially as the person considered responsible for the appearance of Chrysler’s iconic PT Cruiser, best known for its retro visual lines. Most recently, Nesbitt has been involved with GM’s international operations as vice-president of its China division. Nesbitt joined GM in 2001, and he was appointed vice-president of design for North America in 2007. He also served as the brand manager for Cadillac from 2009 to 2010. His work has included a role in the design of recent models of the Saturn Aura, the Buick Enclave, the Cadillac ATS and the Cadillac Escalade. Nesbitt will now be returning to the United States and work out of offices in Warren, Michigan.

Andrew Smith had previously been serving in the same role for Buick while also being responsible for the look of GM’s Cadillac brand. Smith will remain in that role at Cadillac while ceding control of the design work at Buick to Nesbitt. He will also work from the company’s offices in Warren.

The move comes as part of a significant reshuffling of honchos at GM. Replacing Nesbitt in his job as vice-president of Chinese operations is Ken Parkinson, who most recently has served as the executive director for truck design at Chevrolet. Parkinson will be based in offices in Shanghai, China.

John Cafaro will take over responsibility for trucks at Chevy from Parkinson, and the two men will share responsibility for the design of Chevy’s cars. Cafaro is best known for his involvement with the fifth-generation Chevrolet Corvette, which hit roads in 1997. As a result of the reshuffle, Cafaro will now be responsible for the look of Chevy vehicles throughout the world. He will also have duties working with Chevy’s exterior components and accessories team. Cafaro will work from offices in Warren, Michigan, where he is currently based.

The moves come as GM begins to make a push to better leverage the value of its high-end brands. Duncan Aldred, Buick’s brand vice-president, said that the division will strengthen its design alliance with Opel and continue to address specific niches that GM feels are appropriate.