Meet the man known for bringing beauty back to General Motors
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- čas přidán 10. 11. 2023
- Ed Welburn is known for bringing beauty back to General Motors' cars. He spent 44 years designing vehicles, rising through the ranks to become the company's first head of global design and the highest-ranking African-American man in the industry. Michelle Miller has more on his incredible story.
#news #generalmotors #gm
"CBS Saturday Morning" co-hosts Jeff Glor, Michelle Miller and Dana Jacobson deliver two hours of original reporting and breaking news, as well as profiles of leading figures in culture and the arts. Watch "CBS Saturday Morning" at 7 a.m. ET on CBS and 8 a.m. ET on the CBS News app.
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SHE DID AN AMAZING JOB WITH THIS STORY.
I had wondered what happened to this man, glad to know he's still doing his thing 👍
I remember hearing about Mr. Welburn about five, maybe six years ago when he was at a Corvette event. I had no idea he was that involved with the company, nor designing some of the most affluent cars that GM sold (including the C7). I'm glad to know that he is still enjoying life to the fullest!
He’s had so much influence on Vehicle Design & Development across the Planet
Across the planet? Do you mean only GM products or other vehicle designs?
What an awesome segment. This literally makes me want to work for GM! Thank you from a car enthusiast that used to do the same thing as a kid at his grandparents table.
Same here! I’ve wanted to work with *gm* since I watched another one of their executive’s story years ago.
I had the ABSOLUTE pleasure of meeting Mr. Welburn a while ago when I lived in Atlanta. He spoke at the High Museum of Art doing their car design exhibit that featured beautiful cars from GM, Jaguar, Mercedes, etc. Even got a chance to ask him a question.
If GM had released half of Welborn's creations they'd be on top of the world....The Elmiraj, the Avenir, the Escala to name just three.
I still bug them about those cars to this day, especially the Buick Avista. I still want one just as bad as the day they fist showed it. I've had a love affair with GM coupes my whole life, many of them his designs.
His concept cars sure are interesting but the ones that made it to market not nearly so much.
they cut corners for decades and wondered why they fell behind, the Big 3 should have been what Toyota and Hyundai are today, not struggling where they are right now, they let the others pass them
GM has the ability to make a great car but they just don't. They're happy to get 80% of the way there and call it good enough. They make great concepts that could sell but then they give us crap like the Equinox.
Agreed. Its been ten years since the Elmiraj that still has a timless look to it, and GM is only just getting to around to putting the Escala on the road. Ed Wellburn knows elegant design, and it is timeless. Corporate bureaucracy and putting profits before people (particularly cutomer satisfaction) have been the biggest characteristics that undermine the once indomitable success of the company.
What an inspiring story. I am so glad Mr. Welburn didn't give up on his vision or himself. He was truly blessed to live his dream career, especially as an African-American. Thank you, CBS and Michelle Miller!
I love learning stories like this!! What an inspiring man!
As a mechanical engineer i am inspired by this man passion and dream to never stop going after what you want
I'm glad he is still around and doing his thing. Good video.
Wow! What an inspiration! Thanks for sharing his story. “How many corvettes do you have? Just 3 😂” I can’t wait to see a movie about this guy.
That's so cool what a gifted and alented man. It's so nice to see my ancestors excellence 🎉🎉
I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Welborn at the Amelia Island Concours Delegance a few years ago. He was very gracious, and spoke to me for a few minutes about what was going on in GM and shook my hand and agreed to take a picture with me. He was a real gentleman just as you can see in this video. It was a real treat to meet the designer of the C7 Corvette, my favorite car.
You can tell he loves cars. Having designed things others loved and spent a lot of money on, you know he’s had a successful career and life. Inspirational!!!
This man next to Muhammad Ali is one of my personal heroes. And who does he have on his wall ? ALI! That’s insane!!!! 😊
His Blackness will fix everything , when black people moved into my nieghborhood , It got so much BETTER , #BLM
I'd love for GM to bring back Pontiac, Oldsmobile, and saturn.
Wow this is soo encouraging to see man
Wellburn always presents himself with humility and class. He let his talent and respect for others do the talking. Really look up to that.
This piece was awesome! The Corvette that they drove in at the end (C7 - Z06) is my favorite version of the Corvette - timelessly beautiful car. Well done, Mr. Welburn and CBS
Great story love this guy been watching his work a while
Great segment.
my people always bring the flavor and makes things flourish
He's a genius, I love his designs, I had multiple Cutlass Supremes, now a Firebird; Next a C5-C7. I love the C7 He and GM made that "front" engine, sports car to a rare and elegant top world class performer.
- It performs, looks, and handles with distinction among exotic sports cars!
- I cant wait to get my hands on at least a C7 Stingray!
- Hat's off to Michelle Miller for providing such an entertaining and informative depiction of a legend,.
Imagine driving a car that you yourself had a huge part in designing. That would be crazy cool.
I NEED to meet this Man!
Salute to you Sir!! 🙏🏾✊🏾👍🏾
A great story of a life well-lived. Mr. Welburn is a car guy to his core.
It had to be an incredible experience for Welburn to work as an intern under the great Bill Mitchell, who was head of GM's styling department at the time. Mitchell oversaw the design of cars like the 1966 Olds Toronado, the C2 and C3 Corvettes and the first generation Cadillac Seville.
Indeed. Along with the 1963 Buick Riviera.
What a remarkable man!!! God Bless you for all you have done.
Awesome story!
His Blackness will fix everything , when black people moved into my nieghborhood , It got so much BETTER , #BLM
What?
Great story!
I wish they would start making cars again. I don't want a SUV and I don't want a truck. My favorite (and I owned Camaros, Mustangs, and Tran AMs) was a 94 Cutlass Supreme Convertible.
FANTASTIC, FANTASTIC STORY!! HE'S A TRUE AMERICAN HERO AND ROLE MODEL!!
Really? Nuttin Heroic Here
I'm not a huge GM fan but I do know that Mr. Welburn's work has been instrumental in many areas of the company from a design standpoint - Corvette and Cadillac most notable to me but I know there's so much more in his portfolio!
LOVE Michelle Miller's storytelling... This was an amazing story, which I feel CBS Sunday and Saturday Morning do SO WELL!!! Howard is everywhere!!! #HUUUUUU
I will miss him if he retires! Yes he did bring beauty back and I was able to purchase a C7!
He did retire in 2016
I want to work at Bowling Green I’m impressed with the history of his work!
This is a truly amazing and awe-inspiring story. Mr. Welburn is a Hidden Figure and Quiet Fire! Thank you so, so much for bringing us his story! 👊🏾👍🏾💯🤗
And I hope it expands. I am so tired of all the cars looking pretty much like a Toyota including so called luxury cars. Thank goodness for him.
Great story! Thanks for introducing me to Ed!
That new Corvette is one of the best looking cars ever made !
His last major design effort at GM, was the current Corvette C8 in 2015-16.
How cool is it to have actual cars inside your office?
Knew about him 30 years ago… the man has an incredible eye for design and detail
The C7 Corvette absolutely received GMs enthusiasm
That beauty doesn't include the Chevy Bolt.
There is so much more that could be said about this icon. There was also more said than I would have ever thought to ask. Shoes?!?!
🎉🎉 AMAZING !!
She had too much fun covering this story 😆
His Blackness will fix everything , when black people moved into my nieghborhood , It got so much BETTER , #BLM
What an inspiration this man is! Such a great story!
So awesome
Very interesting! I knew about Ed Wellburn to the point that I could name him when I saw the topic, but not all the details of his life. As someone who has adored car design from a young age, I can see where he was coming from and think that his drive and confidence is magnificent. I noticed that my favorite GM head of design Bill Mitchell can be seen in the photo of Mr. Wellburn being hired at General Motors, which underscores his credentials, as if his own work diesn't already stand on its own.
Look at his achievements. His education, his success. I am very happy for him and thankful for the incredible designs. And people say this country is racist, it is very funny. He studied and mastered his talent.
Gm definitely did their best work in the late 2000s. After 2018 they went downhill
So awesome.
Wow awesome! What an inspiration! Wish I knew about him as kid...I always loved cars and would draw them myself...but in the 80's had no idea a black man was designing some of the very cars I liked. No one ever told me hey you can do that one day. Representation matters. His life should be a movie. I didn't know about Wiggins either!? Sooo many influential,major contributions from blacks that never make it to mainstream. Can't wait to see that movie.
One correction; The actual first "Beast" Cadillac Presidential Limo was in 1992 before Mr Welburn's tenure and was NOT just a streched production vehicle with armor plating. It was nothing at all compared to its Production version other than some interior and sheet metal parts. I was on that program from its inception to its delivery.
1:55- GM present and future design royalty right there with the late, great Bill Mitchell and Mr Welburn. Always a fan of the GM design etho's under Ed's time at the helm. So ironic, last night I was going over the GM introduction of the 2005 Camaro Concept (designed by Ed and his team) and lo and behold, comes this tribute to Ed by CBS. Gotta love the youtube algorhythm machine! Many happy continued years for Ed. I wish he was still at GM, doing his thing.
they need to hire somebody who can make a transmission that doesn't suck😂😂
work in progress.
Still searching for the right person who can design one and stick it to the people who have issues with it.
Very nice interview. I loved it. Loved the reporter and wilburn. Very interesting people
Make sense why us black Americans (descendants of USA chattel slavery 🙌🏿🇺🇸🖤) love Cadillac, Escalade, corvette, Camaro, charger, challenger (hell cat) etc
And most the people driving these cars now hate us 😂 they don't know they're driving a black man's car
Excellent & informative segment!!!
DELIGHTFUL!
Thank you for this!
I'm digging MIchelle Miller
I love the oldsmobile aerotech that he designed!
C7 is a masterpiece!
God I remember the Ciel design it was such a beautiful car had no idea he designed it!
We love ya Ed
Thank you Ed. 🙌🇺🇸🏁
Great video, way to go Mr. Ed Welburn
His Blackness will fix everything , when black people moved into my nieghborhood , It got so much BETTER , #BLM
Amazing life!
A bit disappointed he drives an automatic but I certainly appreciate the work he did for GM. Many great looking cars.
I notice black folks hate driving stick in most cases, but him being older might be a reason too. Always smile when I see one driving stick at least in a car like this.
I've driven manuals and automatics. Manuals are fun, but the reality is, auto are quicker than manuals today (wasn't that way back in the day!). Even race car drivers will tell you a modern 9 or 10 speed auto will beat any person shifting a 6 speed manual. There are times when I'm out on a curvy country road I miss my Camaro SS that had a Hurst 6 speed, but most of the time (esp. in city driving) there is no way I would want it over my automatic.
@@jeff-ds2pr Speed won't matter in 5 years when your moms base Tesla smokes every gas powered car on the road. Then its driving experience and autos are as boring as electrics.
What an absolute inspiration. A true example of class, dignity, and perseverance. Makes me happy for the black Americans trying to do good things in life.
Also that reporter is hot 🔥
Hands down, GM has had many beautiful cars but we need reliability! Not high priced unreliable junk that falls apart before you finish paying for it.
Thank you sir for the C7 Vette and the GMT Escalade.
So proud of you. 😀
"...and me! 😅" Well said, sir.
I’ve been know that guy was behind the scenes he did a good job too
Great Story! Thanks for the information. 🏎️⭐️🇺🇸
Proud to own one of your car designs Cadillac
Philly Folks get it done ✔️
Colin Powell was also a Volvo fanatic.
The greatest people on earth designing some of the greatest creations on earth! Ancient to the future!
We have done so much and yet we are not recognized.
I still think the Cien & the Cadillac Sixteen are the most beautiful & sensual vehicles ever drawn up at GM period! That art & science theme has kinda gone away unfortunately but hopefully he can inspire them to produce more automotive beauties! Having a dream isn't nothing without having desire & determination to beat the odds!
Now this is news we want more of
Why the hell have I not heard of this man until now?
You probably haven't heard of Ed Welburn because we tend to rely upon a hostile-toward-some education system to teach us the past and present.
Because you're not paying attention or just aren't a car enthusiast.
Wellburn is an absolute legend.
How come I never heard of this guy? See I hate it when they never mention people's name that is very important in the automotive history. Especially in women that also design automobiles as well
This is wonderful
C7..best looking car!!!👏
Ed Welburn…. Brought back the camaro!!!
This man has style!
Now I know! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
I will admit GM has some of the most beautiful headlights that can go toe to toe with other automakers.
Great story
Unlike the Earl-Mitchell prima-donna era, Ed led a low-key, team, but high-achievement effort at GM. Great guy. There's now another African-American in a top spot in design. Ralph Gilles leads the program at Stellantis a.k.a Chrysler and does great work.
How about bringing a car out almost anybody can afford. Its ironic henry Ford did it with the model T around 100 years ago, but we can't or won't today. Lastly every time they make cars more complex or add something the price goes up.
Bring quality back please
Yes
Bring it back? When was it there. Like all American conglomerates, cutting corners is paramount to quality.