GM (Re)opens its Advanced Design Studio with two Hummer concepts 

Last week (May 2026), GM formally re-opened its Pasadena Advanced Design studio to great fanfare, with a party that included GM executives, local dignitaries, two new concepts, and the Goodyear blimp, which was circling majestically overhead. The reopening saw the studio reveal a pair of Hummer concepts and an announcement that Brian Smith, studio chief for the past four years was heading back to Michigan mothership with Hussein Al Attar taking the reins in Pasedena. 

As reported on CDN, the studio suffered a fire last year, but all that seemed forgotten as the hors d’oeuvres were served and the champagne glasses clinked. Some of the studios and modeling areas were open for viewing, along with galleries and viewing courtyards, where recent concept cars from Cadillac, Chevrolet, and others were on display. 

Bryan Nesbitt, as Vice President of Global Design at GM (and a hometown boy), spoke to open GM’s portion of the proceedings, thanking as he returns to Detroit to lead the team designing the next generation Corvette (C9). And Hussein Al Attar was introduced as the new director at GM Advanced Design Studio at Pasadena. The optimistic atmosphere at the event was infectious, and apparently is widespread throughout the company.

CDN sat with Linda Cadwell Stancin, executive director and head of Research & Development at GM, who noted that the appointment of Bryan Nesbitt had brought enormous energy into both the design and engineering teams and that many initiatives were proceeding with renewed vigour. 

From Bryan Nesbitt, both in his introduction and in the press release, “"Southern California isn't just a place where we work, it's a place of unfiltered inspiration. Film, art, architecture, aerospace, technology and the remarkably diverse topography create an unparalleled canvas of experiences that drives an incredibly unique vehicle culture. These sources of inspiration influence how our designers see the world to envision what mobility could offer 10 or 20 years into the future, exploring new designs, technology and experiences for GM customers." “

From the release: ’"Every great concept starts with a belief. Ours was this: the courage to get lost leads us to new discoveries," said Brian Smith, outgoing GM Advanced Design Pasadena studio director. "The team rallied around a working mantra of 'Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints,' and let that philosophy guide every decision. That's not just a tagline – it's the design brief." “

Measuring 4782.5mm in length for the SUV and 5264.5mm for the truck, the Hummer X concepts are mid-size versions of the Hummer EV – still massive, but at a more approachable scale. They are built for off-roading, but also extreme customising, with a wide variety of attachable and detachable elements and an online community of enthusiasts who share passions (and parts) as part of the Hummer experience. Many of the parts are of easily recyclable single-element materials and are attached with clips, bolts, etc. to allow for easy recycling or trading. Walking around both concepts reveals designs that are more approachable, more in scale with their target demographic, and perhaps more respective of their environment than their full-size cousins.

Also, the exaggerated (35 inch tires!) toy-like proportions of circles, squares, and rectangles makes the Hummer X concepts easier to visually grasp and enjoy. It’s this approach-ability that seems to bring these two vehicles closer to the imagination of a prospective customer. One senses that these two vehicles could be very popular with the off-roading enthusiast community. Currently though, there are no plans for production but never say never. Mr. Nesbitt and Co. just might have a surprise for us in the future.