Dave Hill to retire.
10-26-2005, 11:42 PM
#1
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Dave Hill to retire.
FOR RELEASE: 2005-10-27
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GM Announces Corvette Chief Engineer David Hill to Retire
Tom Wallace to lead performance car team
DETROIT -- General Motors Corp. announced today that David Hill, currently GM vehicle chief engineer (VCE) for Corvette and vehicle line executive (VLE) for performance cars, will retire effective Jan. 1, 2006 after more than 41 years of dedicated service.
Tom Wallace willreplace Hill as vehicle line executive – performance cars and vehicle chief engineer for the Corvette. Additionally, he will assume responsibilities for compact rear-wheel-drive performance cars including Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky. Wallace currently is VLE for small/midsize trucks.
Lori Queen, currently VLE compact cars and the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky , is appointed VLE for small/midsize trucks, replacing Tom Wallace.
“David Hill has taken the Corvette to heights that few of us can imagine. In terms of performance, refinement and value, he has truly helped to make Corvette second to none. Dave is a true car guy who will take his rightful place among the legends of Corvette lore,” said Bob Lutz, General Motors vice chairman, global product development.
“What do you do to replace a guy like Dave? You do your best to get another one. Tom Wallace also is a car guy and racer who will make a perfect choice to lead the Corvette and Performance team. Besides, Tom was Dave’s choice too. That should tell you all you need to know,” Lutz concluded.
Hill has a rich history with GM since joining Cadillac Motor Car Division in 1964. He moved through various engineering positions and was named an executive in 1979.
In 1982, he was named chief engineer of the Cadillac Allante. Following the introduction of the Northstar engine in 1992 in the two seat luxury roadster, Hill assumed chief engineer responsibilities for the Cadillac Deville and Concours.
Hill was named in 1993 as chief engineer for the Chevrolet Corvette, only the third chief engineer for the sports car in the vehicle’s 53-year history. In 1995, Hill was named vehicle line executive for performance cars and led the development of the fifth generation Corvette and the introduction of the Cadillac XLR.
Last year, Hill launched the latest sixth generation Corvette followed by the introduction of the new 505 bhp Corvette Z06 for 2006.
Hill holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Michigan Technological University and a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan .
Wallace has been with GM since 1966 when he joined Buick Motor Division in Flint , Mich. He was named to an executive engineering position in 1980 while still with Buick and was later named to the GM Truck Group in 1995. Wallace holds a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering from Kettering University (formerly GMI), and is a Sloan Fellow, earning a master’s in business administration from Stanford University .
Wallace and his team were responsible for the development and launch of Chevrolet TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier, Chevrolet Colorado , GMC Canyon and Chevrolet SSR. Additionally, he led the highly successful launch of the Saab 9-7X and the HUMMER H3.
An avid performance car enthusiast, Wallace has enjoyed competing in both amateur and professional road racing, rally car and drag racing. He started racing with the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) more than 30 years ago and has raced in a variety of Sedan and GT classes with race-prepped Oldsmobile, Buick and Chevrolet models.
Queen received a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Kettering University (formerly GMI). She recently led the launches of some of GM’s most successful products currently in the market: Chevrolet Cobalt and HHR, Saturn ION, the Pontiac Solstice and the soon to be released Saturn Sky.
Queen has been with GM since 1974 and has held numerous Engineering positions, including vehicle chief and VLE assignments for both cars and trucks.
General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world’s largest automaker, has been the global industry sales leader since 1931. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 325,000 people around the world. It has manufacturing operations in 32 countries and its vehicles are sold in 200 countries. In 2004, GM sold nearly 9 million cars and trucks globally, up 4 percent and the second-highest total in the company’s history. GM’s global headquarters are at the GM Renaissance Center in Detroit . More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.
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CONTACTS
GM Announces Corvette Chief Engineer David Hill to Retire
Tom Wallace to lead performance car team
DETROIT -- General Motors Corp. announced today that David Hill, currently GM vehicle chief engineer (VCE) for Corvette and vehicle line executive (VLE) for performance cars, will retire effective Jan. 1, 2006 after more than 41 years of dedicated service.
Tom Wallace willreplace Hill as vehicle line executive – performance cars and vehicle chief engineer for the Corvette. Additionally, he will assume responsibilities for compact rear-wheel-drive performance cars including Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky. Wallace currently is VLE for small/midsize trucks.
Lori Queen, currently VLE compact cars and the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky , is appointed VLE for small/midsize trucks, replacing Tom Wallace.
“David Hill has taken the Corvette to heights that few of us can imagine. In terms of performance, refinement and value, he has truly helped to make Corvette second to none. Dave is a true car guy who will take his rightful place among the legends of Corvette lore,” said Bob Lutz, General Motors vice chairman, global product development.
“What do you do to replace a guy like Dave? You do your best to get another one. Tom Wallace also is a car guy and racer who will make a perfect choice to lead the Corvette and Performance team. Besides, Tom was Dave’s choice too. That should tell you all you need to know,” Lutz concluded.
Hill has a rich history with GM since joining Cadillac Motor Car Division in 1964. He moved through various engineering positions and was named an executive in 1979.
In 1982, he was named chief engineer of the Cadillac Allante. Following the introduction of the Northstar engine in 1992 in the two seat luxury roadster, Hill assumed chief engineer responsibilities for the Cadillac Deville and Concours.
Hill was named in 1993 as chief engineer for the Chevrolet Corvette, only the third chief engineer for the sports car in the vehicle’s 53-year history. In 1995, Hill was named vehicle line executive for performance cars and led the development of the fifth generation Corvette and the introduction of the Cadillac XLR.
Last year, Hill launched the latest sixth generation Corvette followed by the introduction of the new 505 bhp Corvette Z06 for 2006.
Hill holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Michigan Technological University and a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan .
Wallace has been with GM since 1966 when he joined Buick Motor Division in Flint , Mich. He was named to an executive engineering position in 1980 while still with Buick and was later named to the GM Truck Group in 1995. Wallace holds a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering from Kettering University (formerly GMI), and is a Sloan Fellow, earning a master’s in business administration from Stanford University .
Wallace and his team were responsible for the development and launch of Chevrolet TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier, Chevrolet Colorado , GMC Canyon and Chevrolet SSR. Additionally, he led the highly successful launch of the Saab 9-7X and the HUMMER H3.
An avid performance car enthusiast, Wallace has enjoyed competing in both amateur and professional road racing, rally car and drag racing. He started racing with the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) more than 30 years ago and has raced in a variety of Sedan and GT classes with race-prepped Oldsmobile, Buick and Chevrolet models.
Queen received a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Kettering University (formerly GMI). She recently led the launches of some of GM’s most successful products currently in the market: Chevrolet Cobalt and HHR, Saturn ION, the Pontiac Solstice and the soon to be released Saturn Sky.
Queen has been with GM since 1974 and has held numerous Engineering positions, including vehicle chief and VLE assignments for both cars and trucks.
General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world’s largest automaker, has been the global industry sales leader since 1931. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 325,000 people around the world. It has manufacturing operations in 32 countries and its vehicles are sold in 200 countries. In 2004, GM sold nearly 9 million cars and trucks globally, up 4 percent and the second-highest total in the company’s history. GM’s global headquarters are at the GM Renaissance Center in Detroit . More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.
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10-27-2005, 06:07 AM
#3
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Re: Dave Hill to retire.
I kinda hope that there is a special 1 off pain scheme for Hill like along the lines of Zora's 1 or 1 mid 70s Corvette. He has been good for Corvette and helped hide it in other programs whem GM was looking to kill it.
Dave Hill
Dave Hill
10-27-2005, 07:40 AM
#4
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Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Modesto, CA
Posts: 509
Re: Dave Hill to retire.
So who is Tom Wallace? Are we happy with this replacement? I know it says he's a racer, so it sounds good from this view... But what Id like to know is when the C6 and this new Z06 is in need of a replacement, how does the "new guy" , I know he's not the new guy but to the vette team he kinda is, but how does he handle getting the next one out to replace or improve on the current one? Its a pretty good situation to take over in the vette camp. It looks that way to me anyway, but what do I know... Dont **** it up! 
10-27-2005, 07:45 AM
#5
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Location: Pewee Valley, KY
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Re: Dave Hill to retire.
Well a lot of people thought moving Hill to the Vette was a bad idea, he came from Caddy. The only thing I remember from ACAR is that he did originally want the Northstar as the engine, instead of the LS1. He gave way once he talked to engineers about the weight and packaging issues the N* would create. He did make sure the project stayed on task and had its sights set in the right direction and he made SURE it was the BEST Corvette ever.
10-27-2005, 07:47 AM
#6
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Re: Dave Hill to retire.
GM wouldn't give Corvette to just anyone.
He seems to be the perfect guy for the job.
BTW: Dave Hill (worked at Cadillac before getting Corvette) performed miracles with the Corvette, but wasn't exactly Camaro's best friend.
GM powertrain did the LS* engines.
He seems to be the perfect guy for the job.
BTW: Dave Hill (worked at Cadillac before getting Corvette) performed miracles with the Corvette, but wasn't exactly Camaro's best friend.
GM powertrain did the LS* engines.
10-27-2005, 07:56 AM
#7
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Re: Dave Hill to retire.
Originally Posted by guionM
BTW: Dave Hill (worked at Cadillac before getting Corvette) performed miracles with the Corvette, but wasn't exactly Camaro's best friend.
10-27-2005, 09:16 AM
#12
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Re: Dave Hill to retire.
Originally Posted by Z284ever
I wonder if Wallace will end up being VLE for the Camaro?
10-27-2005, 09:34 AM
#13
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Re: Dave Hill to retire.
Originally Posted by 91_z28_4me
I am kinda hoping another guy, [cough]RedPlanet[/cough], gets that role. He certainly deserves it for putting up with us.
That would sure save me alot of time with new introductions.
10-27-2005, 11:42 AM
#15
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Re: Dave Hill to retire.
I think Dave Hill did an amazing job with the Corvette. Let's hope Wallace continues to push the envelope on Corvette performance without sacrificing it's (relative) affordability.