NEWS: IL Insider: Despite Death of GM's HPVO, 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS is "Safe"

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/il/news/2009/0219/2010.chevrolet.camaro.ss.3.160.jpgGeneral Motors may be disbanding its High Performance Vehicle Operations but tells Inside Line that such gems as the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS, Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 and Corvette Z06 are "not threatened at all."

More... (http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=142386)

GREAT article putting our fears to rest.

Thanks much....I will sleep much better tonight now. Wow...I've never been through so many ups and downs during the process of buying a vehicle.

The auto industry operates in the future from us mere mortals.

While for all of us, today at work is February 19th, 2009, in the auto development world, depending on where you are, it's February 19th 2010, or even February 19 2013. At GM's High Performance Vehicle, it's probably somewhere in 2011, maybe even 2012 right now.

With the group being disbanded right now, it's going to take a year or 2 before we catch up to any effects of this.

Everything that's been planned for at least the next year is still in place, and the next couple of years is all but done.

This includes the Camaro SS that's due at production start, the Z28 that's a done deal waiting for the go-ahead, end even the Cruize SS.

What it probably affects is the next Impala SS, and to a lesser extent, any Malibu SS that may have been on the books.

The next Lacrosse Super is even done.

Don't fear.

We're good for a couple of years... as long as GM recovers.

If not, losing the performance division will seem like nothing compared to what happens next.

Yes -- it's true that Dr. Heinricy retired........(and there were many of us that are upset he's gone......)

........however -- most of these people are still working at GM -- and still have the passion -- and still have the expertese.........

Remember -- the world changed in the fall when Ford/Chrysler/GM went before our elected "Leaders" (...I use the word 'leaders' very loosely...) and asked for assistance.

......there will be changes in this business as there always has been......but I think (once again) everyone needs to breathe deeply - -and calm down.

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/il/news/2009/0219/2010.chevrolet.camaro.ss.3.160.jpgGeneral Motors may be disbanding its High Performance Vehicle Operations but tells Inside Line that such gems as the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS, Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 and Corvette Z06 are "not threatened at all."

More... (http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=142386)

Good to hear! I am also glad that the CTS-V is fine for now, great car.

, the Z28 that's a done deal waiting for the go-ahead,

Wait, what? I thought that was just a pipe dream?

Remember -- the world changed in the fall when Ford/Chrysler/GM went before our elected "Leaders" (...I use the word 'leaders' very loosely...) and asked for assistance.

......there will be changes in this business as there always has been......but I think (once again) everyone needs to breathe deeply - -and calm down.

That burns me up. :mad: I know you said calm down but I cant help it. The more Govt involvement the more they dictate. Im hoping GM will outlast this loan and drop whatever rediculous requirements are attached to the loans. I guess Ill leave it at that.

its good to hear the camaro is safe. but i never really thought that they would cancel it 1 month before production.

Yes -- it's true that Dr. Heinricy retired........(and there were many of us that are upset he's gone......)

........however -- most of these people are still working at GM -- and still have the passion -- and still have the expertese.........

Remember -- the world changed in the fall when Ford/Chrysler/GM went before our elected "Leaders" (...I use the word 'leaders' very loosely...) and asked for assistance.

......there will be changes in this business as there always has been......but I think (once again) everyone needs to breathe deeply - -and calm down.

It infuriates this freedom and liberty loving American that GM had to bow down and grovel before people like Nancy Peloci and Harry Reed and the other Al Gore zombies. To know that GM will have to answer in any way to them pisses me off beyond belief. That the once mighty GM has to worry about looking "Not Green Enough" to quench the tree huggers that own their soul, is frankly one of the saddest days in the history of American Industry. (and freedom, liberty, and capitalism.)

It infuriates this freedom and liberty loving American that GM had to bow down and grovel before people like Nancy Peloci and Harry Reed and the other Al Gore zombies. To know that GM will have to answer in any way to them pisses me off beyond belief. That the once mighty GM has to worry about looking "Not Green Enough" to quench the tree huggers that own their soul, is frankly one of the saddest days in the history of American Industry. (and freedom, liberty, and capitalism.)

I feel the exact same way as you! This is why if you are on the fence about buying a Camaro or a Vette, do it now if you can, because sadly they may not be around for a while or if they do survive, they might not be what they are right now!

That burns me up. :mad: I know you said calm down but I cant help it. The more Govt involvement the more they dictate. Im hoping GM will outlast this loan and drop whatever rediculous requirements are attached to the loans. I guess Ill leave it at that.

The "government" is defacto owner of GM right now.

So what is it exactly you feel the "government" is dictating?

It infuriates this freedom and liberty loving American that GM had to bow down and grovel before people like Nancy Peloci and Harry Reed and the other Al Gore zombies. To know that GM will have to answer in any way to them pisses me off beyond belief. That the once mighty GM has to worry about looking "Not Green Enough" to quench the tree huggers that own their soul, is frankly one of the saddest days in the history of American Industry. (and freedom, liberty, and capitalism.)

Again, exactly what has the government demanded?

I'm not a Ford guy, but it's a good thing they are staying as far away as possible from asking for any of Uncle Sam's money. However doubtful, they may be able to preserve a slice of Americana.

I heard someone say one time that 'a camel is a horse put together by committee.'

Well, I'm sorry to say, that would be an optimistic way to look at things right now for GM and Chrysler considering how bad running by government committee will be.

oh boy, they used the word "hiatus" in that article... I don't like that word...

I posted this to another thread on another forum where this info was posted...

And don't you guys believe for a minute that there won't be performance models coming down the pipe in the future. It isn't like the people who were working in the HPVO were fired. The last line says that they were moved around to other projects. That means to me that the best in the business have been spread out to make everything else better. It is kinda like, you can eat bacon by itself and it is awesome, but if you mix it into other things, you make everything better.

The C5 Corvette and the Camaro both began their lives as unofficial projects. That is probably how future performance vehicles will begin.

I have a copy of the email GM sent to the salaried employee's with projects in the HPVO.

It basically states that HPVO is on hold "indefinitaly" and will be reserected when the demand comes back for it.

GM decided to hault it for now, because most of the main projects that HPVO had are now finished. But...... the new projects (mostly) were in the early levels of Reaseach and Development, so there was no "need" to put money into it as the demand is pretty low.

So, yea basically all those current concepts of Z28 are still a posibilty as that project is basically finished, its not in early development.

Two points:

1) The government is not the de facto owner of GM. The loan covenants specify that the debt is subordinated debt. The government is last in line if the worst were to happen.

2) I find it both ironic and somewhat comical that the single most financially irresponsible organization in the world (i.e., the U.S. Congress) has the temerity to lecture or provide guidance to anyone regarding financial matters.

dont be suprised if every model ends up being dictated by the new socialist regime. thank god Ford didnt take any money. but ford doesnt really have a performance division.

dont be suprised if every model ends up being dictated by the new socialist regime. thank god Ford didnt take any money. but ford doesnt really have a performance division.

Well maybe GM shouldn't have run themselves into the ground? You should feel lucky the govt. was nice enough to bail them out. ;)

It infuriates this freedom and liberty loving American that GM had to bow down and grovel before people like Nancy Peloci and Harry Reed and the other Al Gore zombies. To know that GM will have to answer in any way to them pisses me off beyond belief. That the once mighty GM has to worry about looking "Not Green Enough" to quench the tree huggers that own their soul, is frankly one of the saddest days in the history of American Industry. (and freedom, liberty, and capitalism.)

WTF!!!!

The government didn't come to GM! GM was about to close the doors due to some really bad decisions over the last several years that have finally caught up to them. That coupled with the economy going down the tubes has put GM in a corner. So they flew their nice corporate jets to Washington for a $34 billion 'loan' because they could not get it anywhere else. They said bankruptcy was not an option. They held 3 million jobs over the heads of the govt. The House approved it but the Senate killed it. So Bush steps in and uses $17 billion of TARP funds anyways. The TARP funds were NOT intended for this purpose!

Now GM is back in Washington for more money only two months later. They are once again holding 3 million jobs over our heads. They also say that DIP financing will cost the govt $100 billion in a bankruptcy, so it is better to just give them the $17 billion and avoid bankrupcy (for now).

WHEN WILL THE MADNESS STOP!

You say you are pissed off beyond belief that GM has to answer to the govt. I am just as pissed off (if not more) that GM is using the taxpayers money as a line of credit.

I love GM and their cars. My 1997 Camaro is my pride and joy. I will never willingly part with it. However I love my country more. We are heading for a cliff and are hitting the gas. For those that don't know it, our way of life (as we know it) in the USA is in jeopardy.