Ferlazzo Named GM Australia Design Director

Richard Ferlazzo is named GM Australia design director, responsible for advanced production and global contract programs.

He takes over from Andrew Smith, who left GM Holden in August to assume a senior design role with General Motors in Detroit.

Ferlazzo will report directly to Michael Simcoe, executive director-GM International Operations design. He also will report to GM Holden Chairman and Managing Director Mike Devereux, and will become a member of the GM Holden senior leadership team.

Ferlazzo, an Australian, has been designing cars for GM Holden and parent GM for 25 years, starting as a creative designer with the Australian operation in 1988. Since then, he has held lead positions in interior, exterior and advanced design, as well as concept-car creation and international design programs.

In 1995, Ferlazzo spent time in Detroit working on Chevrolet and Cadillac programs.

During his career at GM Holden, he has contributed to virtually every Commodore program since the VN was released in 1988.

His career highlights at GM Holden include leading the interior design team for the VR Commodore, leading the exterior design team for the VT Commodore and holding the chief designer position for the VE and VF Commodore programs.

Additional assignments include the V2 Monaro and GTO programs.

Ferlazzo in 194 redesigned the iconic Holden Lion corporate logo that now adorns hundreds of thousands of Holden vehicles. He created the stunning Holden EFIJY concept car in 2005 that was displayed at the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit and won the U.S. Concept Car of the Year award.

Ferlazzo was born into a dedicated Holden family; his father owned an EH Holden for many years. He lists his favorite Holden of all time as the iconic EH Premier.

“Having a flair for design and a passion for cars, it was almost inevitable that I became an automotive designer,” Ferlazzo says in a statement. “I see my new role as integral to helping shape the Holden brand of the future and driving global collaboration for future product development.

“Holden is in my blood, and I’m looking forward to the challenge of ensuring Holden vehicles continue to evolve to meet the needs of our customers now and in the future.”