GM Disbands High Performance Vehicle Unit

This may be old news here but I just read it and thought I'd pass it along

PER AUTOMOTIVE NEWS:

DETROIT -- General Motors, focusing on mainstream products in a battle to survive, has scrapped a unit that produced high-performance vehicles.

GM today disbanded High Performance Vehicle Operations, which is based at the company's suburban Detroit technical center, and redeployed its engineers, said spokesman Vince Muniga.

"All high-performance projects are on indefinite hold," Muniga said. "The engineers are moving into different areas of the organization, and they will work on Cadillacs, Buicks, Chevrolets and Pontiacs."

The unit created low-volume vehicles for GM's divisions designed to appeal to enthusiasts and bolster the company's image. Products included V-series Cadillacs and the Chevrolet Cobalt SS, HHR SS and a V-8 version of the Colorado.

Muniga said there are no plans for high-performance versions of upcoming cars.The move is in the spirit of GM's viability plan delivered to the U.S. Treasury Department on Tuesday. In the plan, GM said its future-product focus is on fuel- efficient cars and crossovers. It also pledged to increase its current offering of six hybrids to 14 by 2012 and to 26 by 2014. GM also boosted its request for federal aid by as much as $16.6 billion.

The High Performance Vehicle Operations unit could be reinstated once GM regains its financial health, GM's Muniga said.

"These guys are pretty good at what they do," Muniga said, "They are moving into different areas to work on core products." ...

LINK to the AutoWeek version: http://www.autoweek.com/article/20090218/CARNEWS/902189973

This is not a good omen! :(

Z28 what?????:eek::lol:

I am sorry to all the Camaro sackgrabbers who just simultaneously let out a cry. Now would you all stop worrying who has the fastest car and just make a base model V8 Camaro and let the aftermarket dictate which ones will be the baddest?

At least GM gets the point.

Z28 what?????:eek::lol:

I am sorry to all the Camaro sackgrabbers who just simultaneously let out a cry. Now would you all stop worrying who has the fastest car and just make a base model V8 Camaro and let the aftermarket dictate which ones will be the baddest?

At least GM gets the point.
I realize that a lot of people love to mod their cars; especially the engine/drivetrain.

However, not everyone, actually I'd say most people, don't want to spend throusands of $$$ to modify their vehicles since doing so usually makes the vehicles much less reliable and decreases the value. For those people, ilke me, we prefer to buy "performance" that is factory engineered and under factory warranty.

So, it's a bit sad to see that a unit that did this kind of work for GM is being disbanded.

I don't know if this will have any impact on the Camaro or not but I don't see it as good news.

However, not everyone, actually I'd say most people, don't want to spend thousands of $$$ to modify their vehicles since doing so usually makes the vehicles much less reliable and decreases the value. For those people, ilke me, we prefer to buy "performance" that is factory engineered and under factory warranty.Count me in that group as well.

After shelling out north of $40k on a performance RWD-V8 coupe, I don't want to pay thousands more to make it faster or void my factory warranty. :p

My comments actually come from the many responses on this board of how the new Camaro should have a competitor from the factory for basically every known motorized device in the world. I am surprised that someone has not made a thread about how the Camaro should have wings and be much more tactical than a F-22 in a air battle.

It is sickening that they MUST have it a certain way or it is a failure. They should be telling GM to market the ever living hell out of the V6 so it can stay around and not be so damn worried that it will be the best performance car on the market. That WILL NOT generate the sales numbers it needs to be a success.

The enthusiast is the minority and doesn't mean jack squat when most are buying the damn cars used anyways.

Man, that's terrible! I wonder if this will retard some technological progress. The high performance cars usually featured the new and improved technology because the cost wasn't justifiable in the lower priced cars. Granted, for the next decade or so the only technology 'people' (aka the all knowing government) will care about will be fuel economy and emissions technology.

Still, that's depressing news.

My comments actually come from the many responses on this board of how the new Camaro should have a competitor from the factory for basically every known motorized device in the world. I am surprised that someone has not made a thread about how the Camaro should have wings and be much more tactical than a F-22 in a air battle.

It is sickening that they MUST have it a certain way or it is a failure. They should be telling GM to market the ever living hell out of the V6 so it can stay around and not be so damn worried that it will be the best performance car on the market. That WILL NOT generate the sales numbers it needs to be a success.

The enthusiast is the minority and doesn't mean jack squat when most are buying the damn cars used anyways.
I see you points.

I think what is sad about this anouncement is the general trend it might indicate for GM. I fear that with the Federal government as a partner (if not sole owner); GM and anyone else left that took money is going to be stuck building nice, safe, green and completley uninteesting vehicles that most people won't want to buy no matter how much money they throw on the hood.

When the dust settles, Ford may be the only one standing that can sell cars the performance crowd actually want.

Hmpf...... you know they made some great idea's, and not so great idea's.

The V-series huge +

Cobalt SS not bad

HHR SS terrible - (HHR was a bad idea to begin with, don't add insult to injury)

Colardo V-8, didn't even get to become a SS

I wonder if this will retard some technological progress. The high performance cars usually featured the new and improved technology because the cost wasn't justifiable in the lower priced cars

I dont think it will retard the technology, but it will retard the clever application of "green" tech for "sports" applications. But you are correct, newer technology demands a premium. These days though, people are willing to pay a premium to go green. GM has to put the chips in that pile now.

When the dust settles, Ford may be the only one standing that can sell cars the performance crowd actually want.

Luckily, Ford is putting out some pretty awesome new products in terms of fit, finish, and styling.

HHR SS terrible

I agree with you fully. I also disagree with you fully. :p

I don't want to pay thousands more to make it faster or void my factory warranty.

And you look at GM Performance's stage upgrade kit to the LNF that boosts power to 290hp and 325tq or more. That doesnt void the warranty. Kits like that will vanish, along with the cars themselves.

So, it's a bit sad to see that a unit that did this kind of work for GM is being disbanded.


Moves like this are the sign that performance as a whole is going to get castrated at GM. This isnt a team that did JUST power train work either. Suspension stuff will also suffer.



But Holden is still alive.

And the engineers on this team are [hopefully] all still around and can be brought back together.

...These days though, people are willing to pay a premium to go green. GM has to put the chips in that pile now.
I disagree.

Most of what I'm seeing indicates that people have turned away from "green" cars - and the only thing holding most people back from buying large/performance vehicles/trucks is the overall economy in that most people are simply afraid to buy right now.

I suppose what I'm saying is that the people truly willing to pay a premium for green vehicles are a minority at best.

Unfortunatley, a lack of consumer demand won't stop Uncle Sam form dictating that GM and Chrysler build those types of vehicels; Uncle Sam knows best about everythign you know! :)

f'in hell! This is one thing that bothered me most about the hearings when the 3 CEO's plead to congress for money. They were willing to bend over backward to get it, even if it means making products that people dont really want as much as is thought. honestly, how well do hybrids sell if theyre not a hybrid only car like the prius? how many hybrid variants has GM sold? Ive hardly seen any even out in LA where every 5th car practically is a prius.

but it doesnt matter! lets let the government tell us what we want.....
mmm socialism! mmmm......

:mad:

I disagree.

Most of what I'm seeing indicates that people have turned away from "green" cars

The "Prius Frenzy" has weakened because of the economy - but when people finally start replacing their cars, the fuel economy is going to need to increase over their current vehicle, and "green" still sells a LOT. The movement is still toward economy, despite the reduction. Ford made another right decision at the right time by putting spin on the "twin force" motors as "ecoboost".

I suppose what I'm saying is that the people truly willing to pay a premium for green vehicles are a minority at best.

Indeed. Also, people truly willing to pay a premium for performance vehicles are also a minority. ;) I agree with you - but both groups are a minority.

GM also has Uncle Sam on their back, which means the "greenies" are worth twice as much to GM.

Joy. :(

The "Prius Frenzy" has weakened because of the economy - but when people finally start replacing their cars, the fuel economy is going to need to increase over their current vehicle, and "green" still sells a LOT. The movement is still toward economy, despite the reduction. Ford made another right decision at the right time by putting spin on the "twin force" motors as "ecoboost".
Economy is certainly important to many people now; especially people who hadn't lived through a sudden gasoline price incurease. But as far as the "green" frenzy goes, I think most of that was and is just hype - perhaps I'm just out of step but I'm getting so tired of all the "green" stuff everywhere that I'm about sick of it and I at lest consider myself to be more environemtally conscious that a many people.

Time will tell of course but I think the only way "green" vehicles will ever sell in significant numbers is if the government forces us to buy them.

Very sad, GM needs these guys for Cadillac.


HHR SS terrible - (HHR was a bad idea to begin with, don't add insult to injury)

I disagree, adding the LNF to any smaller vehicle is a good idea. HHR styling was bad (retro was already stale in 2006). HHR is GMs Ford Escape/ Honda CR-V/ Jeep Patriot yet has no AWD option.

This is getting out of hand. Its a rather stupid thing to get upset in the grander scheme of things, but my goodness this is upsetting. Really, the hard core, there till the end people are the enthusiasts, and you just too a big giant **** in thier lap.

HHR SS terrible - (HHR was a bad idea to begin with, don't add insult to injury)



I think the HHR SS is a pretty nice piece.

I think the HHR SS is a pretty nice piece.

Me too... :cool:

GM is so full of good decisions these days, no wonder why they're doing so great. :rolleyes:

This should have nothing to do with performance focused cars like the CAMARO and CORVETTE. Performance is their whole purpose! If GM is smart, which they aren't, :think: they'll keep producing performance versions of those two cars while neglecting the sportier versions (SS's) of their regular cars for a while if they must. Making their lineup more boring and cutting down excitement IS NOT gonna help them. Lose your enthusiasts that have passion/loyalty for your product and you'll lose your company for sure.

This is what happens when they had to sell their soul to the Govt. It's why politicians don't run car companies nor should they. This type of control will be exacted for any car company who drinks from the Washington well. Ford should heed the warning if they ever need to actually take the loan.

GM has a lot bigger issues to work out than the Camaro Z28 or Caddy V series.
Those are projects that need to be reserved for companies making money in good financial times.

There are other options too like the Corvette and if the Camaro can earn its keep. ZR1 and Z28 may not make it or survive but performance could still be had.

SVT was disbanded and the Mustang got better for it so I wouldn't worry too much. Its also a month before their homework is due. IF GM turns around this division will be back. I am sure this is to look good to Uncle Sa,.

Sad day indeed.

I think the HHR SS is a pretty nice piece.

Really? I can't belive of all the forums I would not expect this one to say the HHR SS is a nice piece. The HHR.... just never was a good lookin piece, it was a eco bland vehicle. I have no idea why they'd even SS badge it, I'd rather they sport it, just like what they did to the Equinox.

If there was a eco car they should of SS's I would say the Malibu, thats a good looking car, and it actually has tradition with the SS badging. Unlike the HHR

I think the HHR SS is a pretty nice piece.


HHR SS is bad ass and is certainly worthy of the SS badge!

I'd gladly drive one everyday. (leave the Camaro for the weekends and select days --- since apparently you're soon going to be shot for owning one anyway.)

Really? I can't belive of all the forums I would not expect this one to say the HHR SS is a nice piece. The HHR.... just never was a good lookin piece, it was a eco bland vehicle. I have no idea why they'd even SS badge it, I'd rather they sport it, just like what they did to the Equinox.

If there was a eco car they should of SS's I would say the Malibu, thats a good looking car, and it actually has tradition with the SS badging. Unlike the HHR


If you don't like it's looks that's one thing, but it's a total blast to drive. It's a very well sorted out package. Sorted out by a focused team, which no longer exists.

Really? I can't belive of all the forums I would not expect this one to say the HHR SS is a nice piece. The HHR.... just never was a good lookin piece, it was a eco bland vehicle. I have no idea why they'd even SS badge it, I'd rather they sport it, just like what they did to the Equinox.

If there was a eco car they should of SS's I would say the Malibu, thats a good looking car, and it actually has tradition with the SS badging. Unlike the HHR

Agreed with everyone else. The HHR SS is a nice little CUV thing. Stance, power, handling, performance, and ride was spot on.

Damn, hopefully this is to just look good for Uncle Sam. I knew there would be some form of consequences for getting the gov't to help out and this looks like one of them. When you're asking for money, its hard to justify to idiot politicians that you need to build stuff they look upon as extra non-money making BS. Hopefully the Corvette and Camaro models will at least survive and the team of engineers will stay on board and eventually be brought back together.

And I also agree with the HHR SS being not bad. It's more than worthy of the SS name as it would tear apart alot of other SS's in Chevrolet history. Maybe not the greatest looking thing, but its a spunky little ride for sure.

So what they're basically saying is that they're going to back to the late 80s and 90s era when the Camaro and the Corvette were the only cars with balls that you could buy. (save the 3 year Impy SS).

:think:

Brilliant!

So what they're basically saying is that they're going to back to the late 80s and 90s era when the Camaro and the Corvette were the only cars with balls that you could buy. (save the 3 year Impy SS).

:think:

Brilliant!

I dunno. My gut instinct is that the performance market would rather have GM focus their limited budget on big V8 Corvette/Camaro/G8/CTS machines, instead of blowing money on things like the Malibu SS or Grand Prix GXP.

Also your mom's V6 Camry has "balls" in the relative sense -- to some extent this reflects the end of the Horsepower Wars where you get into the realm of diminishing returns. (Not to mention that turbo'ed 4s and 6s are going to be standard equipment across the board sooner or later.)

So what they're basically saying is that they're going to back to the late 80s and 90s era when the Camaro and the Corvette were the only cars with balls that you could buy. (save the 3 year Impy SS).

:think:

Brilliant!

You just have to wonder if fuel efficient vehicles is what people most like about GM vehicles... as I'm sure it's not the highest priority for GM's current customers.

When customers think fuel efficiency and buy an economical car, I'm sure they'd think Japanese or Korean first.

That said, I wonder if the govt is forcing GM's hand too much and expecting GM to develop cars that nobody wants from them?

I hope my thoughts make sense.

I'm really not surprised by this move, even Toyota has disbanded their TRD operations I believe and they're in much, much better shape that GM. I don't think this means the end of "performance" cars per se, but it could mean less well executed "performance" than we've seen of late from GMPD.

So does this mean the end of 'Ring testing of cars? That would be the real sad part in this. They've baked in some real good chassis tuning and dynamics over the past couple of years (well at least the performance models, although cars like the base CTS, IIRC, were tuned on the 'Ring), it would be a shame to see that all go up in smoke.

GM really,really needs some good news to start flowing....

what a bunch of BS. whats this going to mean for the camaro ss and potentially the vette , z06, and zr1?

what a bunch of BS. whats this going to mean for the camaro ss and potentially the vette , z06, and zr1?

Nothing as far as I know. The Corvette is done by the Corvette guys, not the high performance Vehicle group. (someone correct me if this is wrong)

SS is just a regular production Camaro and the Z28 is already done, but now I hear GM isn't going to sell it.

Nothing as far as I know. The Corvette is done by the Corvette guys, not the high performance Vehicle group. (someone correct me if this is wrong)

SS is just a regular production Camaro and the Z28 is already done, but now I hear GM isn't going to sell it.

I agree so far. I don't think this is regular production vehicles they they have put on hold (like the Camaro SS), but special versions of regular productions vehicles engineered by the GM division that is similar to Ford's SVT division.

As far as the Z28, that is loaded and cocked and just ready to have the trigger pulled on it. We'll see if that actually happens.

It appears that GM is moving its resources around. Right now they need a division that makes quality, sustainable cars for the company. I'm sure the performance division will return in time. GM is in the process of finding itself right now...it's got a big patch of vehicles, a lot of which are bad weeds. GM needs all the resources it can get to get their replacements out the door.

I'm going to be supportive...The alternative is bankrupcy, or potentially North American ops being bought out or sold off, or really weird mergers.

I didn't read the whole thing, but as long as they don't kill what they already have out (G8GXP, CTSv, ZR1, Chevy SS's) I guess I'm ok w/ it as a money saver, since nothing coming down the pike that I've seen, save for the CTS coupe, really interests me in the least. Not much the performance team could do w/ a Cruize that would make me want one.

Here's what I can say after a conversation or two...

Clearly, GM is under the microscope and they need to "play nice". The people are there and just dispersed, the division isn't. Nothing lasts forever, things can always change again. This so far has very little or no impact on the Camaro, only the low volume type of vehicles.

EDIT: Camaro SS is safe, as I suspected. http://www.camaroz28.com/forums/showthread.php?t=669516

When asked if the demise of High Performance Vehicle Operations meant the end of the road for such vehicles as the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS, company spokesman Vince Muniga said: "No. You've got the Camaro SS coming out. It is not threatened at all."

"Camaro SS, Corvette ZR1 and Corvette Z06 are all regularly engineered cars," Muniga explained. "They did not go through HPVO. Most people did not realize that. They are safe."

HPVO created such products as the V-Series Cadillacs, the Chevrolet Cobalt SS and the HHR SS.

General Motors is in dire straights. As I said back before the LA show, this is as bad as it gets, and GM's existence is at stake.

The first thing that goes when any automotive brand needs to save money is performance vehicles or divisions (Ford's SVT for example). This happens because performance vehicles represent such a small segment that it's resources (money and people) can be better deployed focusing on developing mainstream...and bigger selling... vehicles.


The kneejerk reaction despite whatthe facts and reality actually are....as always.... is that "government is 'making' GM do this", or "is 'forcing' GM to make cars people don't want".

Fact is that GM got themselves into this situation because of what has turned out to be utterly horrendously shortsighted and conservative management, and forces outside of their control that brought their house of cards down.

Fact also is that GM (and Chrysler) MUST PROVE THEY ARE FINANCIALLY VIABLE AND ARE ABLE TO REPAY THE MONEY. Based on current rules of the money GM took, nothing more and nothing less.

Many here fail to realize that the only reason GM is in existence this very moment is because they are living on government money. To be blunt with you, as a taxpayer, I would be enraged beyond words if my tax dollars went to GM without demands and clear plans to ensure that money would be paid back instead of GM (or Chrysler, or any other automaker) simply doing business as usual.

But I suppose it's easier to blame government for everything in this age where responsibility, both of an individual or a corperation, are both taboo with the American population.

I think the larger concern is how such a move looks in terms of the overall future of performance whether at GM or any other manufacturer.

It seems reasonable to say that all automakers are going to be under ever-increasing pressure to “go green” with little or no regard to what the majority of the public wants to buy and I would say that will be especially true for any automaker who drinks at the government trough.

For those who take the money; the government won’t just be able to put pressure on them but will be virtually able to dictate what is built.

It may come down to true performance only being available to those with lots and lots of disposal income to spend while Joe Six-Pack will be left with whatever our caretaker sees fit to allow us to buy.

The last time the "green" move came from Washington, back in the late 60s and early 70s, it took nearly 25 years before real performance became available again. I'm not saying everything during that time frame was bad or that we need to turn back the clock as vehicles today are generally much, much better than what we had then. But, I can't help but be concerned about the future of performance vehicles in teh near term...some of you probalby have time to wait 25 years but I don't amymore :)

Sorry…I suppose I’m just in a pessimistic mood today.

It's dissapointing to see the V series go, I liked most of the Caddy cars they offered...but honestly no one can be surprised by this move.

They need to worry about selling regular cars; they don't move enough of any of their high performance vechicles to make GM viable, in fact they haven't been selling enough 'regular' vechicles to make them viable either.

If GM can turn the corner, I imagine this division, or something similar in its place will be back. But that could be many, many years from now, if at all.

It's dissapointing to see the V series go, I liked most of the Caddy cars they offered...but honestly no one can be surprised by this move.I don't think the V is going anywhere. The LSA powered CTS-v is all new, so all its development is done. This would only effect the next generation. Furthermore GM has already come out and said the employees were dispersed to other areas in the company.

The Division isn't dead; its on hiatus! ;)

The Division isn't dead; its on hiatus! ;)so 8 years later it can come back?