Michael Simcoe, General Motors’ latest Vice President of Global Design, will have one major test in the near future. GM is slated to launch its next generation of full-size pickup trucks by the end of 2018, which began life under former GM design chief, Ed Welburn.
Simcoe has the challenge to finish them and see them through. He recently spoke with Automotive News, where it became clear the Australian-born designer brings a technical edge to the coveted design position inside GM. His appreciation for engineering is one of many reasons he was selected as Welburn’s successor.
With that mindset, Simcoe stated the future pickups will be “incredibly efficient.” Other than a soundbite, he wouldn’t go into further detail.
However, it is known the upcoming full-size trucks will use GM’s patented mixed-material manufacturing process, which is currently found in the 2016 Cadillac CT6. The process provides an efficient manner for welding aluminum to steel, bonding and riveting cast parts and other extrusions. It also means weight can be reduced drastically.
While Simcoe won’t have full influence on future products until 2019, when Welburn’s final touches are all put into production, the latest design chief does have final say on everything that comes across his desk.
“The nice thing about being in this position is that I am the last set of eyes that sees everything. So, if I don’t specifically make a call on it, I will have seen it and approved it. So, in that respect, I will have an influence on everything.”
Comments
GM needs to SIGNIFICANTLY step up their pickup game by the 2018 redesign. I am a lifelong GM person and work for GM. However when it comes to features and capabilities I think Ford and Ram are eating their lunch. How about little things like keyless entry and pushbutton start which economy cars from other makers have had for years? Rear seat ventilation? 8 speed transmissions for V6 trucks and a host of others.
Agreed! As these trucks make manufacturers huge profits it’s imperative they provide latest features and quality to consumers. GM is decidedly behind it’s competitors!
disagree. Gm still out works and burns less gas on than the current f150. The GM powertrain is legendary, and demolishes the fords options, and outperforms the RAM counterparts, though runs higher than the latter when it comes to price. Ford has deviated widly from the truck aspect in implying smaller engines (that work less) and are less reliable. As for features. It is true that rear air ventilation would be nice, but that doesn’t make or break a truck. I am not a fan of pushbutton start. I find keyless entry stupid in the country side, actually, why are you locking you truck out here? leave the keys in the ignition! Most GM owners like the current look, and the results that are achieved are bassed on focus groups. My sister hates the looks of fords (everything from the centershift to robotic lines) everybody has their pleasures and desires. Gm knows what their customers want, and might exspande to invite other fans into the family. They are finnaly adding the 9 speed this year cause ford just barely caught up with the ecoboost and 10 speed. That is how good the current ecoteck line is
If you build a truck on Ford’s website you see that have tons of little options that I’d love to see on GM trucks, the self storing loading ramps and the LED spotlights in the mirrors being but a couple. I LOVE pushbutton start. One of my vehicles is a 2012 Dodge Journey with ZERO options and it has it. No more fumbling around with keys, just grab the handle and get it and push the button. Once you’ve had it you really don’t want to be without it. In addition the rapid adopting of this technology would have gotten a TON of heat of them regarding this damn ignition switch fiasco, sure its pure PR but that’s what helps sell vehicles. We will see how long it takes if GM ever gets more than 6 speeds behind the 4.3, RAM has had an 8 speed across the board for what like 4 years now? I love GM and its on my paycheck but damn I just want them to be more competitive!
Best of luck Mr. Simcoe. You have very big shoes to fill.
To the person that gave my comment a “thumbs down”. I would like you to explain your reasoning.
You cannot argue that Ed Welburn was directly responsible for or greatly influenced the current state of design at GM for the better. Dare I say he was the modern Harley Earl?
This was not really any secret here.
GM is going to use this technology cooperation wide.
This will make for lighter trucks at a lower cost and none of the issues with areas that the aluminum suffers damage. Like bed walls and floors.
Kinda figured. They’re not gonna attack all aluminum and then go full aluminum.
The CAD/CAM system used by Cadillac’s CT6 demonstrated how there’s more than one way to skin a cat.. as jumping to an all aluminum design like Ford is one approach; but Cadillac demonstrated there’s a better approach especially when it’s not necessary especially when aluminum is not always the best material for all applications as one has to think we’ll probably see a minimum of a 15=20 percent drop in overall weight in the next generation full size truck that will allow for better fuel mileage.
I hope they avoide aluminum. Many of us take our trucks through a lot. I honestly prefer that they would invest in a hybrid drive or something over aluminum. Newtons first law, an object in motion will stay in motion. AKA, weight doesn’t hurt efficiency while moving, and that weight will make power in ahybrid drive. BTWS, that’s also why suburbans flot, loads of massive absorbing mass.
one can start with an Eco flex Silverado, that wouldn’t be a big modification.
Not sure of they will go to an all aluminium body as Ford has done but rest assured a significant portion of it will be. They need to reduce weight significantly to help get milage up. They have got to meet that 54 MPG CAFE standard by 2025, that isn’t that far off!
Scott3, you said once that gm will have large batteries with longer range, for larger cars and not target the commuters like the bolt is doing. Will those batteries be flat floor type skateboard design?
Just make the god dam things a little smaller so they don’t push so much wind and lessen the amount of wasted sheet metal would help efficiency . But I forgot that all of yous want to make your manhood look bigger.There was nothing the matter with the size of the C/K trucks of the 80s and 90s when GM ruled the truck segment unless you are brain washed by F150 commercials? Combined sales of both brands made Ford look pathetic which they were. Think about having Twin I beams in a pick up today? LOL! GMs fuel efficency back then as compared to the competition was superior. The Chevy small block can easily compete with Ford or Ram but maybe they need a smaller 6 cylinder diesel to better compete with the Ram? But making the pickups about 7/8th scale of the trucks today would be a good start as you could better distinguish the half ton trucks from the HD series. Makes me wonder if achieving the EPA fuel figures are really that important to the auto industry?
It is more economical to use the same body for all of the full size trucks. Pretty sure it has been that way for decades. Same body, beefier chassis for the 3/4 and 1 tons.
You know what, Next generation will use everything which previous generation din’t.