GM disbands high performance vehicle operations

[badmatt]

the automaker has disbanded its High Performance Vehicle Operations team, the crew responsible for the line V-series Cadillacs, the Chevrolet Cobalt SS, HHR SS and the V8 version of the Colorado. According to Vince Muniga, a spokesman for the General, "All high-performance projects are on indefinite hold. The engineers are moving into different areas of the organization, and they will work on Cadillacs, Buicks, Chevrolets and Pontiacs."

http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f...sbanded-75664/


All I can say is, ouch. GM had a way of selling themselves on the emotional and nostalgic attachments that people have with their cars. How are they going to do that now? Base model Cobalt with hubcaps? A Camaro with a V6?

After GM and Chrysler came knocking for ANOTHER 21 billion earlier in the week, I think chapter 11 is right around the corner.

[byndbad914]

Hmmm, that CTS-V is the only reason I would ever consider a Cadillac, and frankly I really want to get one - a little out of price range given my racing hobby (I need a big truck which is $$)

edit - work got in the way there anyway, if I did not need the large truck for towing I would seriously consider either the Vette or the CTS-V. If I somehow "get over" the road racing, I would get the 550HP Caddy for great street performance with room for friends v. a 2-seater. I have considered selling the race car and the truck altogether and getting the Z06 tho' and just drive to and from the track...

In any event, my point is little organizations like these within GM (and auto mfrs in general) keep their brand interesting and in the public eye - the Vette has been considered a loss-leader for years for example but I wouldn't give two sh!ts about GM if it were not for the Vette and the CTS-V quite honestly. Those two cars are so impressive Top Gear just aired in the US with three American cars to drive at the Salt Flats... hmmm, oddly enough, two were GM, the ZR1 (possibly the best car ever IMHO given bang for the buck) and the CTS-V and the pitiful Challenger that Chrysler didn't even provide.

Had it not been for the team developing the CTS-V, I can guarantee Top Gear wouldn't even utter the Caddy name without some sad fat American pun after it. Instead, Captain Slow ended up loving that car and it outperformed the Challenger in curves and straight line.

[Josh69]

My understanding is that all current platforms will remain as is, aka Camaro will have SS, CTS will have a 'V'. Upcoming models have been canned.

So no new Z/28 is a fair assumption. I also wouldn't be surprised if they didn't update the Vette anytime soon, ala Viper.

But then again, it may just be pandering to the Prius nuthuggers in Congress for their 'Viability plan'

Boring is in, excitement is out.

GM's new plan*:

1) Become Toyota
2) ??

** I stole that from Jalopnik....but funny nonetheless.

[buickfunnycar.com]

This comes as no surprise...GM's gotta get lean...and this is one way I guess.
Until they eliminate all the "legacy" costs involved with building vehicles however,they'll never be on an even playing field with the imports.

[DOOM]

Im wondering if the ZR-1 is going to be a one year deal because of this

[buickfunnycar.com]

Originally Posted by DOOM

Im wondering if the ZR-1 is going to be a one year deal because of this

I honestly think that was the plan...the ZR-1 is the last unbridled high-HP domestic car we'll see...for the unforseenable future at least.

[redfire69]

possibly Saturn too

http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/02/...ess/brands.php

[COYBILT]

History repeats it self

its like the 1970's and early 80s again, well at least for gm.

I hope they get there **** together, considering Chevrolet used to be number one, Ford number two, and pontiac number three in sales.

GM makes Boring everyday cars(everyday cars not being V series), they need to spice them up a little.

Im just worried, The biggest, The baddest,and The Best is going down.

[clill]

This kinda sucks for Stielow. He was HPVO..

[camcojb]

Originally Posted by clill

This kinda sucks for Stielow. He was HPVO..

yep, it does.

Jody