Sharon Gauci to retire from GM

Sharon Gauci has announced her retirement from General Motors after nearly 22 years at the brand. During that time the Australian designer has worked in various fields — CMF, industrial design, sustainable design and more — both in Australia and at the Warren studio in Michigan.  

A spokesperson told Car Design News: "We are grateful for Sharon’s leadership and the many contributions made during her time with GM Design, and we wish her all the best in retirement. GM remains focused on continuing the strong design momentum across both Buick and GMC, and a successor will be named at a later date."

Indeed, recent projects include the revitalisation of the Buick brand and helped shape the striking 2022 Wildcat concept. A thoughtful and composed designer, Gauci was part of the jury for the Car Design Review 9 yearbook and noted in her profile that "good design understands the purpose and the customer, but it needs to be beautiful and harmonious as well."

Other notable projects include overseeing the culturally-significant redesign of the GM logo in January 2021 — only the fifth in 100 years — and a push for increased attention to detail, particularly around interior 'jewellery' found in models like the Cadillac Lyriq production car and Escala concept. 

Gauci's pending retirement follows another long-time GM design leader, Michael Simcoe, who retired last summer. In turn, Bryan Nesbitt was appointed his successor.

Note also Dominic Najafi's move from GM's advanced design studio to lead Cadillac design late in 2025.