Autoblog

GM's made some fairly significant changes to its domestic and international design teams, with former Chrysler designer Bryan Nesbitt coming out pretty good. Nesbitt moves from executive director of design for GM Europe to vice president of design for North America, reporting directly to Ed Welburn, vice president of GM global design. The VP of design NA is a new position according to GM's press release (on the jump). You probably remember Nesbitt's role in the PT Cruiser, HHR and Solstice designs.

Mark Adams will take Nesbitt's place in Europe and also report directly to Welburn. Adams is currently director of exterior design for GM Europe.

Another interesting note is the transfer of Dave Lyon, executive director of design for Asia Pacific, to executive director of interior design for North America. We wonder if it has anything to do with the success of Buick in China. Perhaps GM is hoping some of that success will rub off in the States.

Other design personnel changes are detailed in GM's official press release after the jump.

[Source: Car Body Design]

Jay Leno is giving a behind-the-scenes look at how the EcoJet came about. On Leno's web site, a four minute film shows Leno and Ed Wellburn, GM vice president of global design, discussing the design process of the jet-powered car. A gallery of photos taken during the car's construction document the development from scale model to SEMA-ready.

On the video, Leno shares an interesting fact about the EcoJet's Lexan rear window. Lexan, he says, is made by General Electric, owner of NBC which owns The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, on which Kevin Bacon has appeared. Leno says he asked GE for some of the clear, bulletproof material and they gave it to him for the EcoJet.

It's a fascinating look at concept-car development we don't normally get to see, made possible by the car's owner being Leno instead of GM.

[Source: www.jaylenosgarage.com]

Thanks to Peter for the tip!