Edward T. Welburn,Executive Director of Design Body-on-Frame Architectures General Motors Design Center

Edward T. Welburn,Executive Director of Design Body-on-Frame Architectures General Motors Design Center
Edward T. Welburn was named Executive Director of Design, Body-on-Frame Architectures, at General Motors Design in January 2002.

Welburn is responsible for GM's body-on-frame architecture designs, which includes small, mid-size and large trucks, and specialty vehicles. He oversees three body-on-frame design studios at the GM Design Center in Warren, Mich. His team also works closely with GM Engineering to execute designs as part of the Advanced Vehicle Development Group.

Welburn began his career in 1972 at the GM Design Center as an associate designer in the Advanced Design Studios. In 1975, he moved to the Oldsmobile Exterior Studio, where he contributed to every design of the highly successful Cutlass Supreme since the 1978 model year, and later to the Cutlass Ciera and Calais.

Welburn was appointed chief designer of the Oldsmobile Exterior II Studio in December 1989. His studio continued the development of Oldsmobile's Cutlass Supreme and Ciera, and the Oldsmobile Aerotech research vehicle, which set numerous world and international records for speed and endurance. In 1995, Welburn and his team designed the Oldsmobile Antares Concept Car, a vehicle that would have a major influence on the development of one of his favorite projects, the Oldsmobile Intrigue. The Oldsmobile Intrigue was selected by Autoweek magazine as "The Most Significant Car" of the 1996 North American International Auto Show.

Welburn also completed a two-year assignment at Saturn and a one-year stint at GM operations in Russelsheim, Germany. In November 1998, he returned to the United States to head GM's Corporate Brand Center in Warren, Mich. His responsibilities included exploring new vehicle types for all General Motors brands and its global partners, and guiding the development of GM's auto show cars.

The Chevrolet Bel Air and the Autonomy fuel cell vehicle, which were revealed at the 2002 North American International Auto Show, are among his most recent projects. Another recent concept, the Chevrolet SSR, debuted at the 2000 North American International Auto Show and will start production later this year.

Welburn was born Dec. 14, 1950. He studied product design and sculpture at Howard University in Washington, D.C., graduating in 1972 with a bachelor's degree in fine arts.