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DETROIT, Sept 26 (Reuters) - General Motors Corp. on Friday said Ed Welburn will become the first black in charge of design at a major automaker when he succeeds GM veteran Wayne Cherry next month.
The 52-year-old Welburn, executive director in charge of body-on-frame vehicles for GM Design, will become vice president of design, North America, on Oct. 1.
Cherry will retire in January after a 42-year career with the world's largest automaker.
Welburn began his GM career in 1972 as an associate designer in the advanced design studios and held various positions at GM's Oldsmobile, Saturn and Opel divisions.
In his current position, his group has overseen the design of some of GM's most praised trucks, including the Cadillac Escalade sport utility vehicle, the Hummer H2 SUV and the Chevy SSR, a sporty, two-seat pickup truck with a convertible top that went on sale this month.
Welburn will report to GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz, who heads vehicle development and has taken an active role in design since joining GM two years ago.
"Ed does an exceptional job of working with people," Cherry told Reuters in an interview. "He does extremely well with teamwork. He's highly respected right across General Motors."
Welburn will be GM's sixth design chief. His appointment comes at a time when the auto industry is emphasizing design to distinguish its cars and trucks.
"The whole world is once again realizing the importance of design," Cherry said.