Business
Inside GM’s new world headquarters: Modernized midcentury designs with artifacts, surprises from the American icon
A 1963 Chevrolet K20 pickup truck and a new Chevrolet Silverado EV sit outside General Motors’ new world headquarters on Jan. 6, 2026 in Detroit.
Michael Wayland | CNBC
DETROIT – Outside General Motors‘ new world headquarters, between the 12-story building and the city’s first new skyscraper in more than 30 years, sit two red Chevrolet pickup trucks.
One is a 1963 Chevrolet K20. The other is a new Silverado EV. The trucks, while part of a temporary holiday display, are symbolic of what’s inside the new global offices for the Detroit automaker: its past and present, woven together.
GM is occupying four of six office floors of the building and has filled them with artifacts, design nods and “Easter eggs” tied to the Detroit automaker’s history.
They range from a blueprint of GM’s iconic design dome and an early map of its nearby proving grounds to an interior wallpaper of 300 patented technologies and a decorative wall of cassette tapes with songs featuring the automaker’s brands as well playful references to executive stalwarts such as CEO Mary Barra and President Mark Reuss.
One of the centerpiece objects of GM’s new headquarters is the McCormick Speed Form, an aerodynamic wind-tunnel model developed at the Warren Technical Center.
Courtesy: GM
“Leadership asked when we were helping design the space to bring in some Easter eggs and details to represent who we are at GM, you know, honoring our culture and our history and our innovation,” Rebecca Waldmeir, GM industrial design architecture and experience manager, told CNBC during a tour of the new headquarters.
Other surprises include references to relevant Detroit streets, design influences from GM’s famed design campus in suburban Detroit and artwork and sculptures of its products.
Aside from the aesthetics, GM officials say the new offices will assist with collaboration and are more relevant to how the company expects its employees to work in a post-pandemic world. It will house executive offices and other corporate functions such as marketing, legal and finance.
“A headquarters really should be, at some level, a beacon for the culture of the company,” said David Massaron, GM vice president of infrastructure and corporate citizenship. “When you come in here, it should help people understand who we want to be.”
A wall inside GM’s new Detroit headquarters includes cassette tape cases featuring songs referencing the automaker’s brands and vehicles as well as custom ones featuring GM executives such as CEO Mary Barra and President Mark Reuss.
Michael Wayland | CNBC
From fortress to functionality
The new headquarters marks a significant square-foot reduction for the automaker’s corporate office — from a towering complex called the Renaissance Center along the city’s riverfront to just four floors, roughly 200,000 square feet, in the new building.
GM’s new HQ is less than a mile from the RenCen, as it’s commonly called, which has been a symbol for the city since, ironically, Ford Motor built the complex but decided not to make it its headquarters in the 1970s. GM purchased the building in 1996 as its third headquarters, all of which have been in the Motor City.
The RenCen is Detroit’s fortress, a 5.6-million-square-foot complex complete with a more-than-700-foot center tower surrounded by four 500-foot towers and two smaller adjacent ones.
GM’s new headquarters at the Hudson’s Detroit development in the city’s downtown.
Courtesy: GM
The complex is infamously difficult to get in and out of and to navigate. For much of its existence, it was surrounded by concrete barriers before a redesign around the turn of the millennium.
It has long been something of a physical permutation of GM’s historically siloed culture, which Barra has made a priority to change during her roughly 11-year tenure as CEO.
“The RenCen was designed in a different era, in a pre-Covid era where everybody went to work five days a week, everybody went to their desk,” Massaron said. “Particularly, in a post-pandemic world, you need office space that people want to come to, because we have options.”
GM’s roughly 50,000 U.S. salaried employees are currently required to work in-office Tuesday through Thursday, but the rules are more flexible than before regarding location and remote working.
The Renaissance Center (complex of skyscrapers with the Chrevrolet sign) by the Detroit River.
Roberto Machado Noa | Lightrocket | Getty Images
Most of the company’s new executive offices on the top floor of the building will be open for executives to use as they please, Massaron said. Only four of the offices will be permanently assigned to top GM executives, such as Barra and Reuss, he said.
GM declined to disclose how many employees are expected to regularly work at the new headquarters, saying foot traffic will fluctuate based on priorities and workflows. The company also declined to disclose financial details of its 15-year lease at the new headquarters.
The building complex, known as Hudson’s Detroit, is owned by a real estate company of Rocket Companies chairman and billionaire Dan Gilbert, who has been purchasing and renovating properties in Detroit for more than a decade.
Showroom, pickleball
Aside from the office areas and the executive floor, which all overlook an open atrium, GM also plans to open a semi-public space to display products and host events on the first floor of the building.
Other amenities include social gathering areas and lounges, food and beverage services and a pickleball court and recreation area.
A common area outside of the executive offices of GM’s new headquarters in downtown Detroit.
Michael Wayland | CNBC
GM’s new headquarters, which remains under construction, comes months after Ford christened a new 2.1-million-square-foot global HQ and product design and development center in nearby Dearborn, Michigan.
Ford’s new facility includes offices, design and industrial operations and a host of amenities such as a 160,000-square-foot dining area with eight “kitchen concepts,” multiple courtyards and other upgrades.
The notable difference in the size between GM’s and Ford’s new headquarters comes down to location, headcount and the automakers’ portfolios of offices and operations throughout the region.
A pickleball court and seating area inside the building that includes GM’s new headquarters in Detroit.
Michael Wayland | CNBC
GM, for example, has a vast technology and design center that occupies 710 acres in nearby Warren, Michigan. That campus houses more than 24,000 employees.
Massaron said GM didn’t feel it needed to create “a city within a city” for its new headquarters, because it’s actually “a building within a city.”
Here’s a look inside GM’s new world headquarters:
The entry of the executive floor inside GM’s new global headquarters in Detroit.
Michael Wayland | CNBC
The executive hallway of GM’s new headquarters in Detroit.
Courtesy: GM
One of a dozen or so executive offices inside GM’s new headquarters in downtown Detroit.
Michael Wayland | CNBC
One of a dozen or so executive offices inside GM’s new headquarters in downtown Detroit.
Michael Wayland | CNBC
The interior design draws inspiration from Eero Saarinen’s iconic GM Global Technical Center, incorporating golden
metallic finishes, wood feature walls, warm recessed lighting and a blend of clean linear geometries with subtle
curves.
Courtesy: GM
Patent wall graphics highlight 300 of more than 49,000
patents granted since the company’s founding in 1911.
Courtesy: GM
A wall of cassette tapes celebrates GM’s broad cultural impact, nodding to the more than 78,000 songs that
reference GM brands and vehicles.
Courtesy: GM
A model of the Chevrolet Corvette CX concept hangs on the wall outside the executive boardroom of GM’s new headquarters.
Courtesy: GM
The executive boardroom inside GM’s new headquarters in Detroit.
Courtesy: GM
Inside the common atrium area of GM’s new global headquarters in Detroit.
Michael Wayland | CNBC
A coffee shop and cafe inside the atrium area of GM’s new global headquarters in Detroit.
Michael Wayland | CNBC
A common lounge area near the atrium of the building that houses GM’s new headquarters in Detroit.
Michael Wayland | CNBC
Three-dimensional sound-wave art profiles feature engine and EV tones from notable GM vehicles across
performance, EV and ICE categories, transforming acoustic engineering into sculptural expression.
Courtesy: GM
A statue of GM’s “Cadillac Goddess” sits on a table inside the executive floor of its new headquarters in Detroit.
Michael Wayland | CNBC
Business
‘Side Hustle Generation’: Over 50% Of US Gen Z Opting For Extra Gigs Amid Economic Uncertainty
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At least 57% of Gen Z in the US now have side gigs, from retail to gig work, amid economic uncertainty and concerns over the impact of AI on jobs.
Gen-Z is the first generation for whom a 9-to-5 job isn’t essential for achieving financial success. (AI-Generated Image)
Amid widespread economic uncertainty, more than half of the Gen Z population in the United States is opting for side gigs to navigate the job market and for extra cash.
At least 57% of Gen Z in the US now have side gigs, compared to 21% of boomers and older, according to The Harris Poll, which dubbed them “America’s first true ‘side hustle’ generation.”
Most of them are picking up side hustles, from retail to gig work, for extra cash. Younger people “want to work [and] find success, but many of them just feel disillusioned with the opportunities to get there through the traditional career ladder,” Glassdoor chief economist Daniel Zhao told Axios.
Role Of AI
In an August report, Glassdoor researchers said that some of the youths are chasing creative or entrepreneurial goals. Moreover, AI and other technological advances have made it easier for professionals to monetise their skills and passions.
“We’re witnessing a true side hustle generation where work identity lives outside of traditional employment. Additional commentary and research also shows that there’s a growing number of Employee+ workers who diversify income streams without abandoning job security,” Glassdoor said.
“For Gen Z, the day job funds the passion project. Work pays the bills, but identity and fulfilment can come from entrepreneurial pursuits, creative endeavours, or social causes they care about,” it added.
Why Are Gen-Z Opting For Side Gigs?
One of the main reasons for this shift is job anxiety. Recent graduates are struggling to secure jobs, while those with them aren’t seeing the career growth they expect, according to Zhao.
Data shows that the financial optimism for college students has fallen to their lowest level since 2018, mostly due to concerns over unemployment and ‘AI-induced layoffs’. The advent of AI remains the most pressing concern among young workers.
As per The Harris Poll, Gen Z is the first generation for whom a 9-to-5 job isn’t essential for achieving financial success. Side hustles are not merely distractions or fallback options; they are central to Gen Z’s identity, offering creative, entrepreneurial, or activist outlets that main jobs cannot supply.
“It definitely makes me feel more financially secure,” Katie Arce, who works full-time in e-commerce and picks up shifts at a vintage clothing store in Austin, Texas, told Axios.
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United States of America (USA)
January 11, 2026, 17:08 IST
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PM Modi further emphasised that over the past 11 years, India has emerged as the largest data consumer and built the country’s largest real-time digital platform.
PM Modi speaking at the inauguration of Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference. (PTI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that India’s political stability and strong macroeconomic fundamentals are driving global investor confidence, with Gujarat emerging as a key anchor of the country’s growth story.
While addressing the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference in Gujarat, the Prime Minister highlighted India’s economic trajectory, saying that the country is the world’s fastest-growing major economy, with inflation under control and a strong foundation for long-term growth. He said that reform express is driving India’s journey to developed nation status.
He highlighted that India is the largest producer of milk and a leading manufacturer of generic medicines, reflecting the country’s growing strength in both agriculture and pharmaceuticals.
VIDEO | Rajkot: PM Modi (@narendramodi) says, “India is the world’s fastest-growing large economy and inflation is under control. Agricultural production in India is setting new records, and the country ranks number one in milk production. India is also the world’s largest… pic.twitter.com/R6f7tDhoZD— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 11, 2026
He noted that global institutions are increasingly bullish on India, with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) describing the country as the engine of global growth.
“India is the world’s 3rd largest startup ecosystem, 3rd largest aviation market, we are in the top 3 metro networks of the world,” he said, asserting that the country is heading to become the world’s 3rd largest economy.
PM Modi further emphasised that over the past 11 years, India has emerged as the largest data consumer and built the country’s largest real-time digital platform. He highlighted that India is now the second-largest mobile manufacturer, whereas earlier the country imported nine out of ten phones.
The Prime Minister also underlined Gujarat’s contribution to India becoming the world’s third-largest economy, noting that the state has grown across sectors. He said regions like Saurashtra and Kutch, once seen as remote, have now become major drivers of Atmanirbhar Bharat and investment-led growth.
Highlighting Saurashtra’s manufacturing strength, with over 2.5 lakh MSMEs producing goods ranging from basic tools to high-precision aircraft components, PM Modi pointed to the region hosting the world’s largest ship-breaking yard and being a major hub for tile manufacturing.
He further said that India’s first semiconductor fabrication plant is coming up in Dholera, with the land ready and a predictable policy environment supporting long-term growth.
Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference
PM Modi on Sunday inaugurated the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference for the Kutch and Saurashtra regions.
The event saw the presence of Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, among other dignitaries.
He also inaugurated 13 New Smart Industrial Estates in 7 Districts (Amreli, Bhavnagar, Jamnagar, Kutch, Morbi, Rajkot and Surendranagar) spanning an area of over 3540 Acres by Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation before his address on Sunday.
The two-day conference summit will highlight Gujarat’s leadership in the clean energy sector and its alignment with India’s ‘Panchamrit’ commitments announced by the Prime Minister. These include achieving 500 GW of non-fossil energy capacity by 2030, meeting 50 per cent of energy requirements from renewable sources, reducing projected carbon emissions by 1 billion tonnes, lowering carbon intensity by 45 per cent by 2030, and attaining net-zero emissions by 2070.
Rajkot, India, India
January 11, 2026, 16:22 IST
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Business
‘You’ve Restored India’s Civilisational Self-Belief’: Mukesh Ambani Praises PM Modi At Vibrant Gujarat
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Reliance Industries chairman and managing director Mukesh Ambani said PM Narendra Modi’s vision has reshaped India’s trajectory for the next 50 years
Reliance Industries chairman and managing director speaks at the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conferences on January 11, 2025. (Image: Vibrant Gujarat/YouTube)
Reliance Industries chairman and managing director Mukesh Ambani had high praise for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who inaugurated the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference for the Kutch and Saurashtra regions on Sunday.
Ambani said Modi’s vision has reshaped India’s trajectory for the next 50 years, while also restoring the country’s “civilisational self-belief”.
“Most respected prime minister, you have restored to India its civilisational self-belief. Never in history of India have we seen so much hope, self confidence, and so much vibrancy as we do now,” Ambani said during his address at the conference.
Congratulating Modi for the “great honour for Saurashtra and Kutch” that he was personally present, he started his address by referring to the prime minister’s visit to Somnath temple for the ‘Somnath Swabhiman Parv’ earlier in the day.
“Let me start with ‘Jai Somnath’. The positive vibrations from our dear prime minister’s prayers from Somnath are resonating across Gujarat and India. I congratulate our PM for the great honour for Saurashtra and Kutch that he is personally present for the Vibrant Gujarat regional summit (conference). After 20 years in Gandhinagar, we are privileged to take part in the regional summit here in Rajkot,” he said.
Ambani said history will record the “Modi era” as when India moved from “potential to performance, aspiration to action, follower to becoming a global force”.
“Your (Modi’s) vision has reshaped India’s trajectory for the next 50 years and more. History will record that the Modi era is when India moved from potential to performance, from aspiration to action, from being a follower to becoming a global force,” he said.
Calling Modi the “invincible, protective wall” of India, he said the PM is the reason why global challenges cannot “touch or trouble” the country.
“All of us know that the world is changing very fast, the geopolitical situation is creating new challenges including some unexpected turbulence but what is reassuring for India is that these challenges can’t touch or trouble our people. This is because India has the invincible, protective wall called Narendrabhai Modi. Let the world know that this is India’s defining decade, under the PM’s leadership, India’s not just preparing for the future but India’s shaping it,” he added.
Modi inaugurated the event in the presence of Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi, among other dignitaries. The two-day conference will highlight Gujarat’s leadership in the clean energy sector and its alignment with India’s ‘Panchamrit’ commitments announced by the PM.
These include achieving 500 GW of non-fossil energy capacity by 2030, meeting 50 per cent of energy requirements from renewable sources, reducing projected carbon emissions by 1 billion tonnes, lowering carbon intensity by 45 per cent by 2030, and attaining net-zero emissions by 2070.
(With agency inputs)
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Rajkot, India, India
January 11, 2026, 15:43 IST
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