No More High Performance GM Products

[MazdaSpeeder]

BREAKING: GM disbands High Performance Vehicle Operations

Coinciding with the release of General Motors' Viability Plan, 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." Muniga went on to say that there are no plans for high-performance versions of upcoming plans, but once (if?) GM is in a better financial position, the team could be reinstated.

Source: Autoblog.com

[LASERBLUE135]

Well it works for Toyota. Most people buy boring cars.

[blkspdfreak]

i never realy looked at it that way, there are way more daily drivers then custom.

sucks for all the cobalt owners.

[coolmazda5]

what? no more HHR SS?? :p

But to be honest the last Cobalt SS features and numbers were really good...

[mikeyb]

This does not mean the current performance cars are going away just they will not be replaced.

[seanmcsean]

It stinks that there will be no CTS-V for a while... But really.. Did this country need the Trailblazer and HHR SS models? Did it need a FWD V8 Impala SS?

Nope.

Good move General.

[Outlawstar98]

I almost got a Cobalt SS, the supercharged one. It wasn't that great. But oh well i don't care for GM, Ford all the way!

[Flash5]

i <3 the new cts-v, just when gm did something right with caddy :(, looks like won't be a newer one for...ever?

[Raynman]

It stinks that there will be no CTS-V for a while... But really.. Did this country need the Trailblazer and HHR SS models? Did it need a FWD V8 Impala SS?

Nope.

Good move General.

While I do agree with you on the Trailblazer and HHR, there's something about this that doesn't jive. GM's high performance development is just a drop in the bucket in GM's overall budget. Furthermore, I think the department kinda pays for itself if you factor the halo car marketing dollars that its products attract. I think there are better places in the GM universe to trim the fat to bring the balance books back to the black.

The cynic is me thinks that this is all a ploy to hold future performance vehicles hostage for a ransom in extra government stimulus money. After reading the press release, all I can think of is what I think GM is really saying:

"Want muscle cars, America? Then give us the moolah."

[Wagonbacker9]

While I do agree with you on the Trailblazer and HHR, there's something about this that doesn't jive. GM's high performance development is just a drop in the bucket in GM's overall budget. Furthermore, I think the department kinda pays for itself if you factor the halo car marketing dollars that its products attract. I think there are better places in the GM universe to trim the fat to bring the balance books back to the black.

The cynic is me thinks that this is all a ploy to hold future performance vehicles hostage for a ransom in extra government stimulus money. After reading the press release, all I can think of is what I think GM is really saying:

"Want muscle cars, America? Then give us the moolah."

I have to agree, however watching the building of the new Shelby on "rides".... I can only imagine the millions upon millions that were spent to turn an idea into a fully functional car that fast... and could see FAR better use for the money, considering the car itself didn't make them a dollar.

EDIT: Just so nobody points it out, I know I'm speaking of a ford product.... however this is relivant to the concept of cutting a high perf development team in my eyes...

[mikeyb]

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/02/first_camaross10_580op.jpg

When General Motors made the announcement yesterday that it was shutting down it High Performance Vehicle Operations, a few questions surfaced about what would happen to the models that haven't hit dealers but are still in the pipeline. While the answers seemed obvious to us (development's done so they're still on the way), GM spokesman Vince Muniga sought to address the concerns of enthusiasts.

Muniga told InsideLine that the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS is coming out and "is not threatened at all." Furthermore, and just as obvious, the Cadillac CTS-V, Cobalt SS and HHR SS will soldier on until their production run ends, and vehicles like the Camaro SS, Corvette ZR1 and Z06 – all of which were developed as regular production models, not through HPVO – are safe.

The 60 or so engineers behind the HPVO team are still receiving paychecks with Wagoner's signature and have begun working on everything from passenger vehicles to crossovers. According to Muniga, "We're not going to let those talents go to waste."

[ReadS13]

Looks like those Cobalt SS turbos are gonna be collectors.

[MazdaSpeeder]

Looks like those Cobalt SS turbos are gonna be collectors.

Until they rattle apart!

[ForceFed]

But really.. Did this country need the Trailblazer SS model? .Why not....400HP and AWD will whomp your ass my friend.
Its a FUn Truck to drive.

And The HPVO will be back.....Its like when Ford dropped SVO .....Then a Few years later the SVT came hard and Heavy.

Its Marketing and strategy for the future if you ask me.

If you take things away from people....They become in demand.

[seanmcsean]

I just don't like trailblazers period. I've known way too many friends who had them brand new and sold them before 40k miles because they fell apart. My friend Kris brought his home and the tailgate broke within the first four hours of ownership.

Now, it isn't unheard of that my five friends each had a lemon, but the odds of that are pretty low. From what I've seen, the build quality of the trailblazer has been abysmal.

Throw in a bigger engine, and now it is a faster piece of garbage.

That's just my personal view, and I know you have one and enjoy it. If it works for you, that's great. More fun for you. I'm sure you wouldn't be caught dead in my miata lol.

[ForceFed]

I agree they could be put together a bit better....and there are somethings I will be changing soon....But its a pretty respectable ride when for under $30K you can have a 500HP 11sec truck that your wife can go get the groceries and kids in.

Just my Shiny nickels worth...and yes...I love my TBSS....But I loved my MSP more....Even with all of its troubles and quirks.

[StealthWyvern]

It stinks that there will be no CTS-V for a while... But really.. Did this country need the Trailblazer and HHR SS models? Did it need a FWD V8 Impala SS?

Nope.

Good move General.

Most people dont even need anything more then a 4 door 4 banger or v6.

[Flash5]

Most people dont even need anything more then a 4 door 4 banger or v6.

needs vs. wants....here in america, a lot of the time wants overcome needs!

[StealthWyvern]

needs vs. wants....here in america, a lot of the time wants overcome needs!

i agree for the most part what I need can be covered with a geo metro but man that would kill me inside.

[seanmcsean]

Most people dont even need anything more then a 4 door 4 banger or v6.

True story. My 4 cyl forester is all the car I need. It's big enough to haul stuff for the house, and it fits my bike on the top. I love it.

[Hughes412]

My neighbor has an SS trailblazer and loves it. But he doesn’t beat the shit out of it either. Don’t get me wrong, he drives it. Even takes it to the track. But he takes care of it. With the new exhaust and chip that thing is a beast.

[Wagonbacker9]

My neighbor has an SS trailblazer and loves it. But he doesn’t beat the shit out of it either. Don’t get me wrong, he drives it. Even takes it to the track. But he takes care of it. With the new exhaust and chip that thing is a beast.
My old roommates mom got one.... i guess there was something wrong with the traction control (this is according to my roommate, I think it may have been off) when she took delivery, and she smoked the tires out of the lot. I cannot confirm this story, but it was a good laugh.