© 2024 Interlochen
CLASSICAL IPR | 88.7 FM Interlochen | 94.7 FM Traverse City | 88.5 FM Mackinaw City IPR NEWS | 91.5 FM Traverse City | 90.1 FM Harbor Springs/Petoskey | 89.7 FM Manistee/Ludington
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Retiring GM design chief reflects on being black, bankruptcy, and bringing back beauty

Ed Welburn worked as an auto designer at GM for 44 years.
Lester Graham
Ed Welburn worked as an auto designer at GM for 44 years.

Listen to Ed Welburn on Stateside.

Ever since EdWelburndesigned cars as a toddler, it seemed like destiny would lead him to working at General Motors. The first time he entered the company’s campus as an employee was an emotional experience he would never forget.

“Just coming through the gates,”Welburnrecalled onStateside. “It was like going to Disneyland.”

Welburn retires as the highest ranking African American executive at any auto company worldwide. Among his career highlights are the Camaro redesign and the latest Corvette model. Car and Driver magazine calledhim "the man who brought beauty back to GM."

Welburn spoke with Lester Graham on Stateside about his time at GM.

Guest

EdwardWelburnis the vice president of global design at General Motors. He will be retiring in July after 44 years with the company.

Copyright 2021 Michigan Radio. To see more, visit Michigan Radio.

Read more about the Stateside.