General Motors has officially opened a new advanced design studio in Royal Leamington Spa, located approximately 20 miles from Birmingham. This facility is part of GM’s global design network, which includes studios in Detroit, Los Angeles, Shanghai, and Seoul. The opening coincided with the unveiling of a Chevrolet Corvette concept car, developed by the UK team as part of a broader project involving multiple design studios. Additional Corvette concepts are expected to be revealed in 2025.
The new studio also previewed a GMC concept vehicle that will be introduced later in 2025, created in collaboration with the GMC design team in Detroit. GM’s design teams focus on conceptual studies that foster innovation and collaboration throughout the company. The establishment of the UK studio underscores GM’s commitment to the European market, particularly as it prepares to expand its Cadillac electric vehicle offerings and launch Corvette sales in the UK and mainland Europe.
Led by Julian Thomson, an experienced automotive designer, the 24,584-square-foot studio employs over 30 designers and is equipped for both digital and physical model development. Michael Simcoe, senior vice president of global design, stated, “Our advanced design team’s mandate extends well beyond creating production vehicles.” He emphasized that these teams are tasked with envisioning future mobility and driving innovation for GM.
The Corvette nameplate has historically been used to introduce experimental designs, and the new UK concept reflects this tradition. Although there are no plans for production, the design team aimed to explore what a Corvette could become with a completely fresh approach. Thomson noted a unique design feature called Apex Vision, which emphasizes a central spine inspired by the 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray.
The exterior design merges classic Corvette elements with a futuristic aesthetic, incorporating advanced features such as embedded EV battery technology and aerodynamic enhancements. The studio’s work represents GM’s ongoing efforts to integrate new talent and insights into its global design strategy while addressing evolving customer preferences in Europe.
