6 Black Car Designers Worth Celebrating.

 Andre Hudson Andre Hudson has designed vehicles for Hyundai for four years and was the lead exterior designer for the award-winning 2011 Hyundai Sonata. As a result of Hudson’s work in the vehicle’s new design, the Sonata has become one of the 15 best-selling vehicles in America, a first for the Korean automaker. In fact, according to Hyundai officials, Sonata’s retail sales volume grew 113% in 2010
compared to 2009.

 
Crystal Windham Windham is the first African-American female director of GM’s North American Passenger Car Design. She was  responsible for the design decisions regarding the features of General Motors’  2008 Chevrolet Malibu and 2007 Saturn Aura. Both the Malibu and the Aura went on to win Car of the Year awards. She is currently prepping for the debut of her latest vehicle, the Chevy Impala, which is set to be revealed in March 2014.
www.collegeforcreativestudies.edu

Edward T. Welburn Ed Welburn was named vice president of GM Design North America in 2003, becoming just the sixth design leader in GM history.  In this position, he was responsible for the HUMMER H3, Cadillac Escalade and the latest generation of full-size trucks that reached the market in 2006. In 2005, Welburn was named to the newly created position of GM vice president, Global Design. Under Welburn’s leadership, GM designed and developed the revolutionary Chevrolet Volt, an electric vehicle with extended range capability that provides peace of mind by eliminating range anxiety.  At the 2011 North American International Auto Show, the Volt captured North American Car of the Year honors to go along with numerous other accolades.

 
Ralph Gilles Ralph Gilles is currently president and CEO of the Street Racing & Technology Brand and Senior Vice President of Product Design for Chrysler. As lead designer, he was responsible for the popular 2005 Chrysler 300 sedan. Also as lead designer, he was responsible for the resurgence of the American muscle car with his design for  Dodge Charger and Dodge Magnum.  Gilles led the design team that created the 2014 SRT Viper

 Michael Burton  In 1999, Michael Burton became  the first African-American designer at Chrysler as the company underwent a rebirth. In his current position as the director of exterior design for GM’s front-wheel-drive trucks and luxury crossovers, Burton was responsible for the exteriors of the Cadillac SRX and STS.  Burton and his team were also responsible for the interior design of the Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia, Saturn Outlook and Chevrolet Traverse from the pencil to the pavement. The success of his innovative influence on the Buick Enclave and the Cadillac XLR, SRX and STS placed General Motors at the forefront of automotive interiors.

 

Earl Lucas Earl Lucas, is the lead designer  for large car programs at Ford Motor Co. and was responsible for the expressive design of the 2010 and 2013 Ford Taurus. Lucas led the exterior redesign of Ford’s all-new flagship sedan, redefining Taurus with a new sculpted and powerful design. Prior to this position, Lucas played a key role as the interior design manager on the award-winning 2009 Ford Flex. He has also worked on a number of programs ranging from 2003 Ford F-150, 2007 Ford Edge and the Lincoln MKX. He also worked on the 2003 Lincoln Navigator and Ford Expedition