General Motors Co. has announced it wll expand its global design center in Incheon, Korea, doubling the size of the facility to include new modeling studios, display spaces and areas for creative work.
 GM officials said the main focus of the expanded design center will be on the smaller passenger cars sold by the Chevrolet brand.
 By 2013, the enhanced design center will provide a state-of-the-art work environment for more than 200 employees responsible for a range of GM global vehicle programs. It will support the organization’s expertise in exterior and interior vehicle styling, digital design and studio engineering, which have resulted in the successful Chevrolet Spark, Aveo and Cruze models, GM said in a statement.
 “The GM Korea Design Center plays a very important role in GM’s Global Design organization,” said GM Vice President of Global Design Ed Welburn.“Its expansion will create an environment for team members to dream, create and develop design strategies for GM’s future product portfolio.”
 GM Korea President and CEO Sergio Rocha added, “This significant investment is a reflection of GM’s strong design expertise in Korea and the vital work carried out here for the global General Motors family. Our extended facility will give us an edge over the competition as we continue developing exciting new vehicles for the world.”
GM Korea is one of seven fully integrated design, engineering and manufacturing operations within GM. It has invested an average of more than ($850 million annually in Korea over the last 10 years. It will invest an additional $1.27 billion in vehicle engineering and facilities this year. As a standalone company, it is Korea’s third largest auto company. By Joseph Szczesny