GM Disbands Hi-Po Vehicle Ops - NCRS Discussion Boards

GM Disbands Hi-Po Vehicle Ops

Collapse
X
 
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
  • Steven B.
    Extremely Frequent Poster
    • June 30, 1982
    • 3985

    GM Disbands Hi-Po Vehicle Ops

    GM disbands unit that creates high-performance vehicles


    Jamie LaReau
    Automotive News
    February 18, 2009 - 5:05 pm ET
    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."
  • Mike M.
    NCRS Past President
    • May 31, 1974
    • 8381

    #2
    Re: GM Disbands Hi-Po Vehicle Ops

    looks like i got the wife a new truck just in time, a Colorodo with the 5.3L sbc. boy does this critter scoot. bet it'd turn in the mid to high 14's with stock tires.haven't had it long enough to evaluate gas milage.mike

    Comment

    • Jim S.
      Expired
      • August 31, 2001
      • 730

      #3
      Re: GM Disbands Hi-Po Vehicle Ops

      Nothing but politically correct vehicles to appease Nancy Pelosi. Not customer driven any more.

      Jim

      Comment

      • Chris L.
        Very Frequent User
        • November 1, 1998
        • 273

        #4
        Re: GM Disbands Hi-Po Vehicle Ops

        Wonder what that will do to the value of the ones we already own?? CAn I transplant a 572 in a 09 Malibu?? It would make a right healthy grocery getter!!

        Comment

        • Jim D.
          Extremely Frequent Poster
          • June 30, 1985
          • 2883

          #5
          Re: GM Disbands Hi-Po Vehicle Ops

          Originally posted by Jim Shea (36737)
          Not customer driven any more.Jim
          If that's true, it could spell the end for the Corvette. Many unsold 07's, 100's of 08's, and 1000's of 09's just sitting on the dealers lots. Maybe that's why they closed the plant for at least till March (probably longer).

          Comment

          • Clem Z.
            Expired
            • January 1, 2006
            • 9427

            #6
            Re: GM Disbands Hi-Po Vehicle Ops

            Originally posted by Jim Durham (8797)
            If that's true, it could spell the end for the Corvette. Many unsold 07's, 100's of 08's, and 1000's of 09's just sitting on the dealers lots. Maybe that's why they closed the plant for at least till March (probably longer).
            the BIG problem with corvette sales was a lot were "leases" and now there are no good lease deals as GMAC interest rate on a lease is 12%. these leases are up so there are lots of used low mileage corvettes on the market for sale because it is crunch time.

            Comment

            • Jim D.
              Extremely Frequent Poster
              • June 30, 1985
              • 2883

              #7
              Re: GM Disbands Hi-Po Vehicle Ops

              Originally posted by Clem Zahrobsky (45134)
              the BIG problem with corvette sales was a lot were "leases" and now there are no good lease deals as GMAC interest rate on a lease is 12%. these leases are up so there are lots of used low mileage corvettes on the market for sale because it is crunch time.
              I'm not talking about lease returns. These are 0 mile, brand new cars that are just sitting there that the dealers are paying flooring on. No demand is why the factory has shut down and it isn't going to get better. Very possibly the end of the Corvette is near.Especially if GM files bankruptcy.

              Comment

              • Harmon C.
                Extremely Frequent Poster
                • August 31, 1994
                • 3228

                #8
                Re: GM Disbands Hi-Po Vehicle Ops

                The 09 I bought last Sept. is more car than the 01 and 04 I owned new. It may be time to buy one just to put it away with 0 miles.
                Lyle

                Comment

                • Clem Z.
                  Expired
                  • January 1, 2006
                  • 9427

                  #9
                  Re: GM Disbands Hi-Po Vehicle Ops

                  Originally posted by Jim Durham (8797)
                  I'm not talking about lease returns. These are 0 mile, brand new cars that are just sitting there that the dealers are paying flooring on. No demand is why the factory has shut down and it isn't going to get better. Very possibly the end of the Corvette is near.Especially if GM files bankruptcy.
                  my point was the reason there are so many new ones at the dealers is because the "lease" deals have been removed by the factories. most people can not afford a $600/$900 a month payment so they lease the corvettes for 1/2 that and get a new one every 3 /4 years BUT those days are over. i am glad i got my 2008 as it looks like it may be my "LAST 1" as my licence plate now says.

                  Comment

                  • Stuart F.
                    Expired
                    • August 31, 1996
                    • 4676

                    #10
                    Re: GM Disbands Hi-Po Vehicle Ops

                    So much for the performance vehicles, but how about the over the counter performance products such as crate motors? I just was reading about the new LSX454 crate motor and several other new offerings. Are these going away too?

                    Stu Fox

                    Comment

                    • Clem Z.
                      Expired
                      • January 1, 2006
                      • 9427

                      #11
                      Re: GM Disbands Hi-Po Vehicle Ops

                      Originally posted by Stuart Fox (28060)
                      So much for the performance vehicles, but how about the over the counter performance products such as crate motors? I just was reading about the new LSX454 crate motor and several other new offerings. Are these going away too?

                      Stu Fox
                      people voted for "change" and we are going to get it in spades. hell they may even confiscate your older corvette because it is causing "global warming". the country is about to change like you could never believe. the fanatics are now in charge

                      Comment

                      • Stuart F.
                        Expired
                        • August 31, 1996
                        • 4676

                        #12
                        Re: GM Disbands Hi-Po Vehicle Ops

                        I like the idea of dividing the country up between red and blue states. Do you have any idea how long the blue states would last w/o the red states? Think about it. Not very long before they would consume each other and drown in their ilk.

                        Stu Fox

                        Comment

                        • William L.
                          Very Frequent User
                          • December 1, 1988
                          • 944

                          #13
                          Re: GM Disbands Hi-Po Vehicle Ops

                          I am going to drive my Corvettes and run my boat as much is I can this summer. It may just be the LAST time we can enjoy such things for a long time to come? I hope I am wrong but I'm not going to take a chance. Enjoy it while you can!
                          Bill Lacy
                          1967 427/435 National Top Flight Bloomington Gold
                          1998 Indy Pacecar

                          Comment

                          • Ted S.
                            Expired
                            • January 1, 1998
                            • 747

                            #14
                            Re: GM Disbands Hi-Po Vehicle Ops

                            Maybe it's time for a startup operation. We could model it after Carroll Shelby or Don Yenko from the '60s.... Hmmm.. COPO-II Maybe??

                            Comment

                            • Joe L.
                              Beyond Control Poster
                              • February 1, 1988
                              • 43211

                              #15
                              Re: GM Disbands Hi-Po Vehicle Ops

                              Originally posted by Clem Zahrobsky (45134)
                              my point was the reason there are so many new ones at the dealers is because the "lease" deals have been removed by the factories. most people can not afford a $600/$900 a month payment so they lease the corvettes for 1/2 that and get a new one every 3 /4 years BUT those days are over. i am glad i got my 2008 as it looks like it may be my "LAST 1" as my licence plate now says.

                              clem-----

                              It could very well be your last NEW one, whether you decide you want another new one, or not.
                              In Appreciation of John Hinckley

                              Comment

                              Working...
                              Searching...Please wait.
                              An unexpected error was returned: 'Your submission could not be processed because you have logged in since the previous page was loaded.

                              Please push the back button and reload the previous window.'
                              An unexpected error was returned: 'Your submission could not be processed because the token has expired.

                              Please push the back button and reload the previous window.'
                              An internal error has occurred and the module cannot be displayed.
                              There are no results that meet this criteria.
                              Search Result for "|||"