Bryan Nesbitt

In this position, Bryan led multiple studio teams in Detroit and California, including the production studios for the 2021 Brightdrop Zevo 600/400 and the 2023 Cruise Origin. Bryan restructured studios to enable better ATW alignment per the tech domains resources and roadmaps, AVD and Adv Planning. He also was a key influence on the CA Adv studio relocation and capacity expansion strategy. His most significant concepts during this period include the 2017 GM SURUS, the 2021 Cadillac Personal Space VTOL PAV, and 2021 Cadillac Social Space PAV, the 2021 Buick Smart Pod PAV, the 2022 Cadillac Open Space PAV and the 2022 Cadillac Inner Space PAV.

Leveraging his experience in China, Bryan Nesbitt was assigned to lead Buick Global Design, and the Architecture Studio. Working with AVD and Adv Planning, Bryan lead teams instrumental in framing the initial packaging of GM's XO and FST EV architectures.

Bryan Nesbitt was appointed vice president, Design, for GM China, effective March 5, 2014. He also served as brand champion for Wuling and Baojun local China brands, and served as a member of SGM's Design Review Committee. Bryan art directed the design of the Baojun 510. It was the best-selling XO in China in 2018. As of June 2019, nearly 800k units of 510 had been sold. It is also notable for being the highest-selling new car nameplate in world's history. It recorded 416,883 sales during its first 12 months in market, the highest of any other car in the world. Bryan's most significant concepts from this period include the 2015 Chevrolet FNR and the Shanghai Disney Tomorrowland Chevrolet TRON post-show experience concepts.

Bryan Nesbitt was appointed vice president, Design, for GM International Operations, effective August 1, 2011. Based in Shanghai, Bryan oversaw the completion of the all new GM China Advanced Studio facility build and staffing, established new protocols for SGM and SGMW product design collaborations, and led the GM India design staff. His most significant concepts during this period include the 2013 Buick Riviera, 2014 EN-V 2.0 demonstrator, and the 2014 Chevrolet Niva.

In this role Bryan restructured the integration of Advanced Design Studios with Advanced Technical Work, Advanced Vehicle Development and R & D processes to enable seamless co-development of advanced components, materials, packaging and construction using PoC and TIV studies to better serve GM's production VDP with timely customer-facing innovation.

With intentional focus on U.S. marketing, Nesbitt overhauled Cadillac’s marketing processes by immediately changing the AoR to Publicis Groupe-backed BBH (Bartle Bogle Hegarty), redesigned the U.S. CI rqmts, improved CRM standards, simplified the Retail Calendar, launched CTS coupe/coupe V, and negotiated the coveted CTS-V wagon halo entry.

Bryan was appointed North America Vice President of Design in June 2007. He was responsible for directing the interior and exterior design teams of all General Motors’ production vehicles developed in North America, including awarded nameplates like the NA COTY 1st gen 2010 Chevy Volt. Nesbitt also served as an active member of the GM North America Strategy Board.

In this position, Bryan led a team of over 350 people in multiple studio teams in Germany and Sweden. He restructured SAAB design, and negotiated an all new GME Interior, Advanced and CMF facility and staff in Russelsheim. Nesbitt also served as an active member of the GM Europe Strategy Board. Bryan art directed an all-new exterior and interior identity for Opel/Vauxhall and SAAB showrooms, leading with the 2009 European COTY Opel Insignia, Insignia OPC and Insignia Sports Tourer, the 2010 Opel Astra and 2011 Opel Meriva with segment-first controvento-doors, the 2011 Opel Astra GTC, the 2010 SAAB 9-5 and the 2011 SAAB 9-4x. His most significant concepts during that time include the 2006 SAAB Aero-X, the 2007 Opel Insignia GTC, and the 2008 SAAB 9-X BioHybrid.

Nesbitt was appointed Executive Director of Design, Body-Frame Integral Architectures, for all GM North America brands effective July 1st. He directed the studio teams that produced awarded GM models such as the 2007 NA COTY Saturn Aura, the 2008 NA COTY Chevrolet Malibu and the 2008 ICOTY Buick Enclave.

Nesbitt joined General Motors in April 2001, as chief designer for the Chevrolet brand reporting to Anne Asensio, during which he directed the design team of the 2003 Chevrolet SS concept. Bryan also initiated additional RWD studies that helped influence the rebirth of the 5th generation 2010 Camaro.

Bryan served as the principle designer of the Chrysler PT Cruiser, which sold over 1.3M units in its decade of production. In 2001 Motor Trend named the PT Cruiser as its Car of the Year and Car and Driver put it on its Ten Best list. The PT Cruiser also won the NA COTY, based on a solid majority of top automotive journalists charged with "picking a vehicle that has set new standards or benchmarks in its class while considering aspects such as general design, safety, fuel economy, handling, general roadworthiness, performance, functionality, technical innovation, driver satisfaction and price." It also held the distinction of being listed by Consumer Guide automotive editors as "Best Buy" continuously from 2001 through 2006. The PT Cruiser was the most profitable small car in their corporate history. His most significant concepts include the 1996 Chrysler CCV and the 1999 Chrysler Pronto Cruizer. Notably, the CCV was featured in the 1999 Modern Musuem of Art's "Different Roads" exhibition.

Honors Graduate