SHANGHAI – Stuart Norris officially took over as vice president of Design for GM China and GM International on September 1. Based in Shanghai, he has oversight for GM’s design operations outside North America and reports directly to GM Vice President of Global Design Michael Simcoe.
“We are pleased to have an accomplished design professional like Stuart join us in China,” said GM Executive Vice President and GM China President Julian Blissett. “His extensive global background in design, including new energy vehicles, will help GM remain a leader in China, the region and globally.”
The U.K. native studied transportation design at Coventry University. He began his career at General Motors in 2004 after doing design work for Bentley and Jaguar. At GM, Norris initially worked on interiors for the iconic HUMMER brand and the Midsize Truck Studio in the U.S. He was then appointed design manager for Global Branded Components and User Interface, where he was responsible for the visual design, interaction and brand-specific identity of interior components and infotainment systems.
Korea was Norris’s next destination in 2012. As director of GM Korea Advanced and Architecture Design, he explored future vehicles and technology for GM’s global brands. Norris led the team that designed the groundbreaking Chevrolet Bolt EV. He was later promoted to managing director of GM Korea Design, working on products for markets around the world.
For the past three years, Norris ran GM’s Advanced Mobility and Experience Studio in the U.S. He was in charge of the team that executed the Cruise Origin, GM’s first dedicated autonomous vehicle, and the upcoming BrightDrop EV600 electric van as well as other disruptive and innovative future portfolio entries.
“I am excited about the opportunity to work with a young and vibrant group of professionals in the world’s largest vehicle market,” said Norris. “GM’s design organization in Shanghai is engaged in the development of next-generation vehicles, with a focus on electrification, as our industry transitions away from its century-long dependence on petroleum.”
Norris succeeded Ken Parkinson, who retired after a 32-year career at GM.
General Motors (NYSE:GM) is driving the future of transportation, leveraging advanced technology to build safer, smarter, and lower emission cars, trucks, and SUVs. GM’s Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Baojun and Wuling brands offer a broad portfolio of innovative gasoline-powered vehicles and the industry’s widest range of EVs, as we move to an all-electric future. Learn more at GM.com.