Showcasing some of the best in music and fashion, as well as some of the hottest new GM vehicles, GM Style once again kicked-off the North American International Auto Show with a star-studded party.     

This year's event featured  Detroit's own Kid Rock, R&B singer Mary J. Blige, Maroon 5, and D.J. Samantha Ronson to keep the beat going, while the fashion models and GM cars kept the crowd’s eyes glued to the stage.

The big hit was the 2009 Corvette ZR-1, the latest version of an American classic. 

Not to be upstaged, the Saturn Astra tuner concept, the Chevy Beat and many other vehicles grabbed their share of the spotlight. 

Now, check out the event’s welcome letter, with GM’s Vice President of Global Design, Ed Welburn, sharing his view of why this event is such a natural for GM. 

Welcome to GM Style

On behalf of General Motors, welcome to GM Style, an evening celebrating the artistic convergence of vehicle design, fashion and music. There are few more powerful outlets for expressing personal style than the cars we drive, the clothes we wear and the music we listen to – for proof, try and count the number of songs that pay tribute to cars and trucks. 

The artists whose work you’ll see and hear tonight have dreamed and worked all their lives to design beautiful, expressive cars; write and perform music that moves people; and turn an idea, sketches and bolts of fabric into fashion. As the leader of GM’s global design activities, I have the pleasure of working with passionate car designers every day. Most of us look to music and fashion for inspiration, so it’s a thrill to celebrate these art forms together on one stage tonight.   

The days leading up to the North American International Auto Show are always exciting, but 2008 is especially meaningful as GM embarks on its second century of putting the world on wheels in a celebration we call GMnext. Beginning now until we officially celebrate our 100^th birthday on Sept. 16, you’ll be hearing a lot about our GMnext activities and what we are doing across our organization to reinvent the automobile. In fact, you’ll see a few examples of our vision right here tonight on the runway, as well as a surprise finale that is sure to inspire a song or two. 

Until then, sit back and take in a little GM Style. 

Ed Welburn
Vice President, Global Design