Don: it’s in your vehicle, for a reason

December 1, 2009 at 8:13 am

Don Shreves, Human Vehicle Integration
Outside of work: Working on his third black belt
Favorite music: Loves classic rock like Bruce Springsteen (has seen him 25 times!), REO Speedwagon, Eddie Money
Education: Masters of Engineering from West Virginia University
Passionate about: being a good dad for daughter Caitlyn, 17 yrs. old and son Hunter, 14

I work in HVI, that’s Human Vehicle Integration. One hundred percent of my job is being concerned with the customer experience as the user of a vehicle; from when they open the door, get in and out of the vehicle, as well as reaching controls to name a few.

My work motivates me. I take personal responsibility to make sure our products are designed and engineered with the customer in mind. Everything in a vehicle is there for a reason. We will discuss, fight or agree about changing a part by one millimeter, to make it the very best it can be for our customers. You’ve got to have thick skin to do this job and be able to stand up in front of leaders and defend your position. Fifteen years ago, we were more adversarial, but we’ve come a long way to improve cooperation between design and engineering. It’s all about establishing relationships.

My team developed numerous proposals for the GMC Terrain and Chevy Equinox that provided a combination of an excellent shifter location, great cup holder accommodation and large center console storage. We helped develop numerous models that were reviewed and tweaked until we came up with the final result. The head of Global Interior Design says it is the best console GM has ever done.

Being a global company has its challenges. Many things can be designed the same, but some are very different. Take cupholders. In the U.S., they have to be big enough to hold a Big Gulp drink. In Europe, people are happy with pop-out holders from the dash and only need to fit a can of pop.

Me and my kids!

My children are my passion. I’m very blessed that we like the same things and do a lot of activities together like going to concerts, jamming in our basement or working out at martial arts.

Srini Rajagopalan

Dec 1st, 2009

Don – really great to see you profiled on the faces of gm site. Keep up the great work that you and the rest of the HVI team are doing. We need that passion and commitment to continue to build great vehicles that provide an enhanced customer experience

- Srini (fellow GM employee)
Kim Carpenter

Dec 1st, 2009

Don- As one of those about 5 ft tall customers, I am glad you take us “shorties” in to account. My husband is over 6ft tall and I can honestly say that GM vehicles work for both of us. -Kim at GM
Ron

Dec 1st, 2009

Don,

Good to hear folks like you are working on the new stuff. I’m driving an Impala that needed your efforts. Cup holder works if only one person drinks coffee. Also, it is the only vehicle from anywhere that frequently pinches my hand in the door handle.

Ron
Lori

Dec 1st, 2009

Hey Don – good job representing HVI!
Sarah McConnell

Dec 2nd, 2009

It’s great to hear you’re working on re-designing the interior of GM vehicles to accommodate different size cups. I myself have spilled many a drink because the cup holder did not fit the cup I had, so thanks for that.

However, I am still waiting for GM to come up with a place for us girls to stash our purses where they are easily accessible, and not just on the passenger seat! If there is a passenger in the car, you either have to put the purse on the floor by their feet or stash it in the back seat which is not particularly convenient.

Please help resolve this dilemna and I bet GM will find that they draw in a lot more female customers!
Louise

Dec 2nd, 2009

Hey Don,
You’ve held the customer experience so long and fought the battle so valiantly – now is the time the impact will be really felt! You’ve always been a great asset to all GM customers – even though they never had a face to put with it. – Louise at GM
Joe

Dec 2nd, 2009

Great to know your one of reasons I buy import cars. Your to busy worried about 1 millimeter, but not stepping back and looking at the whole picture saying man that interior looks cheap and junky. Keep up the good work, hopefully we can get style and class in domestic cars with in the next 100 years. The new camaro has a very sad bland interior which took 100 years to get to.
Mel Fox

Dec 6th, 2009

Don – I learned a lot about HVI through your video! Very cool stuff!!! Keep up the great work
WVU College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

Dec 7th, 2009

Congratulations, nice video and story. We’ve posted a link to this story and video on our WVU College of Engineering and Mineral Resources Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/wvucemr
Jack Byrd, Jr

Dec 7th, 2009

Great to hear about your work. Do you get the emails I send to alumni. If not please let me know how to send them to you. Love to see you if you are ever in town.
Mary Crow

Dec 21st, 2009

We are proud to know you!
Kathy Freiman

Dec 29th, 2009

Don,

Great Video! Your family looks wonderful!