By Robert Tate, Award-Winning Automotive Historian and Researcher
Images courtesy of the Stellantis Chrysler Archives and General Motors Heritage Archives
Published 8.6.2025
A young Bryan Nesbitt sketching at Daimler Chrysler (Stellantis Chrysler Archives)
On July 1, 2025, Bryan Nesbitt made automotive history when he became General Motors eighth head of design at the Technical Center in Warren, Michigan. He is a 55-year-old automotive designer born in Phoenix, Arizona.
Bryan Nesbitt with the PT Cruiser (Stellantis Chrysler Archives)
Nesbitt’s journey follows in the same footsteps of automotive designers like Harley Earl, Bill Mitchell, Charles Jordan and Ed Welburn. These men were all very talented and created many great-looking designs for GM in the past. GM has always had great-looking styling themes that have kept them the frontrunner in the auto industry.
The Chrysler Pronto Cruiser designed by Bryan Nesbitt (Stellantis Chrysler Archives)
Nesbitt’s design career began at an early age. His father noticed during his childhood years that he had a flair for automotive design and took him to the campus of the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California at the age of 12 to show him what the field was all about. For Nesbitt, this was a dream come true.
Nesbitt standing in front of a Chevrolet (General Motors Heritage Archives)
After graduating from high school, Nesbitt was accepted into the automotive design program at the Art Center College of Design. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Design from the prestigious school and started his automotive portfolio during an internship at Daimler Chrysler’s Pacifica Advanced Product Design Center.
Nesbitt with a GMC design (GM Heritage Archives)
Throughout the 1990s, many talented young automotive designers -- men and women -- were hired within the auto industry. However, Nesbitt had a special talent that did not go unnoticed by other talented designers in the auto industry. He was hired at Daimler Chrysler and worked on projects like the award-winning PT Cruiser, the 1998 Pronto Cruiser concept and the 1997 Chrysler CCV show car.
Nesbitt with a Cadillac design (GM Heritage Archives)
In April 2001, Nesbitt moved over to the GM design team, starting as chief designer for Chevrolet. Later, he was appointed executive director for automotive design and body frame integral architectures for all GM North American brands. In February 2004, Nesbitt became involved with the Opel and Saab design team platforms.
The Cadillac Opulent Velocity concept vehicle (GM Heritage Archives)
In June 2007, Nesbitt became GM’s Vice-President of Design for North America. He was involved with projects including the Pontiac Solstice, Pontiac G6 coupe, Cadillac DTS, Chevrolet Impala, Chevy HHR and the popular Buick Enclave exterior. In March 2010, Nesbitt was appointed Executive Director of the advanced concept group, which was focused on innovative design strategies and future GM concept models.
Nesbitt was appointed Executive Director of Cadillac Design in March 2022, where he focused on design strategies and projects in development. He has made a difference in automotive design that will always be a part of GM’s legacy.
Bryan Nesbitt
In conclusion, Bryan Nesbitt is a great leader and very passionate about automotive design. Nesbitt’s talent is considerable, and he has a great creative spirit shared by many of his predecessors throughout GM’s history. Nesbitt has said, “I am honored to lead GM Design, which is home to some of the industry’s most talented and creative people.”
Bibliography
Glon, Ronan. “Cadillac Design Chief Bryan Nesbitt appointed GM’s Head of Global Design.” Hagerty Media, January 8, 2025.
Auto & Design. “Bryan Nesbitt New Head of Design at General Motors as of 1 July.” January, 2025.
Printz, Larry. “Cadillac’s Design Chief to Steer GM’s Global Styling.” AutoBlog, January 7, 2025.