GMC HUMMER X concept (Photo – W.K.)
General Motors officially opened its new advanced design campus in Pasadena this week, expanding its Southern California presence with a 148,000-square-foot facility dedicated to developing future vehicle concepts and mobility ideas.
By News desk
The opening marks a significant investment in Pasadena and the latest chapter in GM’s nearly 40-year history of automotive design work in Southern California. The campus, spread across three buildings, serves as one of GM’s key global advanced design centers, joining facilities in Detroit, the United Kingdom and Shanghai.
The design campus is home to approximately 100 employees, including designers, sculptors, fabricators and artisans. The facility is equipped for full-size clay modeling, fabrication and immersive digital collaboration, with a focus on conceptual design studies intended to help shape future products and technologies.
GM executives said Southern California continues to be an important source of inspiration for its designers, citing the region’s unique mix of entertainment, architecture, aerospace, technology and diverse landscapes.
GM’s ties to the region run deep. It’s first design director, Harley Earl, was born and raised in Hollywood and became a pioneer in automotive design after building custom vehicles for movie stars. He later introduced clay modeling techniques that remain central to vehicle design throughout the industry.
GM established its first permanent advanced design presence in Southern California during the 1980s. Since then, it’s local design studios have contributed to a wide range of concept vehicles and design studies, including experimental Corvette and Camaro projects as well as autonomous vehicle concepts.
Company representatives also noted Pasadena’s proximity to ArtCenter College of Design, widely recognized for its transportation design program and generations of automotive design graduates, as one of the area’s advantages for attracting creative talent.
Leading the new Pasadena studio is director, Hussein Al Attar. He succeeds Brian Smith, who is returning to the Chevrolet Corvette design team in Michigan after four years overseeing GM’s Pasadena operations.
HUMMER X Concepts Debut
GM used the opening event to unveil the GMC HUMMER X concept, presented in both pickup truck and SUV forms.
The vehicles serve as experimental design studies created to explore future technologies, manufacturing approaches and vehicle architectures. The vehicles are not currently planned for production, but strong public interest could influence future discussions about concepts introduced through the design program.
Developed through a collaboration between GM Advanced Engineering, Advanced Manufacturing and the Pasadena Advanced Design studio, the HUMMER X is envisioned as a modular electric off-road platform built around four themes: reconfigurability, capability, community and sustainability.
Community Leaders Attend Opening
The opening celebration drew local officials, community leaders and automotive design professionals to the new campus.
Among those attending were Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo, Councilmember Gene Masuda, city officials and numerous local residents and business leaders.
Guests toured the facility, viewed the HUMMER X concepts and gathered in the campus courtyard throughout the evening. Many attendees expressed admiration for the design of the new campus and encouraged GM representatives to host additional community events.
For Pasadena, the opening represents the City’s growing reputation as a center for design, innovation and creative industries, while bringing one of the world’s largest automakers deeper into the local community.
GM opening event (Photo – W.K.)
From the opening event (Photo – W.K.)
(L-R) VP of Global Design, Bryan Nesbitt, with Mayor Victor Gordo (Photo – Antonia Tanner)
GMC HUMMER X Truck F3Q (Photo – GM)
Exterior view of the GM Advanced Design Pasadena Studio (Photo – GM)
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