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Seoul, Korea – With a renewed focus on designing, building and selling the world’s best vehicles, General Motors today announced the opening of the Seoul Advanced Design Studio in the heart of the 2010 World Design Capital. The studio is based in the city’s Gangnam area, which is considered not only the most exciting and stylish part of Korea’s capital, but also one of the world’s trendiest neighborhoods.
“Our car designers get inspiration from life and Gangnam is a place where people worship design, style and fashion,” said Ed Welburn, GM Vice President of Global Design. “Our Korean designers will sample perfection every day surrounded by some of the top brands and fashion houses in the world and this ideal location will nurture their creative souls.”
GM Daewoo President and CEO Mike Arcamone said that design will continue to be a key to the company’s success. “Our award-winning Korean designers were responsible for the Chevrolet Cruze, Spark and yet to be launched Aveo (sold domestically as Lacetti Premiere, Matiz and Gentra),” said Arcamone. “Seoul Advanced Design Studio demonstrates GM’s support of GM Daewoo, and in turn, our support for Seoul’s year long initiative aimed at capitalizing on its World Design Capital status.”
One of 10 GM global design centers and the design base for GM’s global mini and small vehicles, the GM Daewoo Design Center has relocated its advanced design function to Seoul from its headquarters in Bupyeong, Incheon, in order to enhance its function and specialty.
Our New Neighborhood
Its location in Gangnam puts the Seoul Advanced Design Studio in the heart of the nation’s center of culture, the arts, fashion and industry. It will enable the new organization to participate in the extensive series of design programs being carried out in Seoul, which succeeded Torino, Italy, as World Design Capital. Gangnam is one of Seoul’s most affluent neighborhoods and a shopping mecca home to dozens of global and Korean brands, and hundreds of trendy clubs and restaurants and art galleries.
Our Designers
Thirty designers and other employees are based at the Seoul Advanced Design Studio. They specialize in both exterior and interior styling of global mini and small vehicles, research on trends in colors and materials, and advanced electronics, digital design, and studio engineering. Their work will help set the future design direction for GM Daewoo and General Motors.
Our Event
In celebration of the new design studio’s opening, GM is hosting a trends show aptly themed “TrendSpotter” this evening at the stylish Woo Bar at Seoul’s W Hotel. Experts will provide insight into future design trends for vehicles as well as culture, fashion and lifestyle. VIP guests include Seoul Vice Mayor Kyeongwon Chung and Canadian Ambassador to Korea Ted Lipman, along with celebrities, fashionistas, design professionals, industry leaders and lifestyle/fashion media.
“Seoul Advanced Design Studio will be at the forefront of fashion, the arts, culture and business. It will provide an ideal environment for our designers, who benefit from constant inspiration and stimuli,” said GM Daewoo Design Center Vice President Tae-wan Kim. “There is no better way to celebrate the Seoul Advanced Design Studio’s launch while showing our commitment to becoming a global leader in automotive design than hosting a high-image trend show with trend leaders and influencers from across Korea.”
About General Motors
General Motors, one of the world’s largest automakers, traces its roots back to 1908. With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 217,000 people in every major region of the world and does business in some 140 countries. GM and its strategic partners produce cars and trucks in 34 countries, and sell and service these vehicles through the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, FAW, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling. GM’s largest national market is the United States, followed by China, Brazil, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Italy. GM’s OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. General Motors acquired operations from General Motors Corporation on July 10, 2009, and references to prior periods in this and other press materials refer to operations of the old General Motors Corporation. More information on the new General Motors can be found at www.gm.com.
Seoul ADV Design Studio:
On April 20, General Motors opens the Seoul Advanced Design Studio in Seoul, Korea.
(From right to left : John P. Mack, Managing Design Director of GM Daewoo Advanced Design / Taewan Kim, GM Daewoo Design Center Vice President / Mike Arcamone, GM Daewoo President and CEO / Jay Cooney, GM Daewoo Corporate Affairs Vice President)
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