Bombshell! GM Performance Dead (For Now)By Brian Lohnes Posted 02/18/09
Automotive News is reporting that General Motors has killed off the GM Performance Division. This is crushing news to fans of domestic performance vehicles and the decision appears to have been made in order to appease the government.
Quoting directly from the AN piece by Jamie LaReau, “All high-performance projects are on indefinite hold," GM spokesman Vince Muniga said. "The engineers are moving into different areas of the organization, and they will work on Cadillacs, Buicks, Chevrolets and Pontiacs."
Outside of the obvious implications regarding the desirability of the GM product line, we think that this means no SS Camaro. This truly is a shocking and frightening development for everyone involved in the automotive hobby, whether you are a GM fan or not.
Again, quoting from the story in Automotive News, “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.’
We’re out of words.
Comments + Post your comment!
Written by dieselgeek Feb 20 2009
[quote author=jscheimreif link=topic=10001.msg197980#msg197980 date=1235101835]
Let's face it. The government isn't doing anyone favors with any bail out. It's just another way to own and control everything.
[/quote]
I don't think you're ridiculous at all. But in honesty, GM had to ASK for the bailout money. The company is in the toilet no matter what the employees want to believe. The new owners are going to want to have a say in how things are run...
Written by jscheimreif
Feb 19 2009
Let's face it. The government isn't doing anyone favors with any bail out. It's just another way to own and control everything. Call me an angry and rediculous person, but I hate hybrids, I think that little compact fuel efficient cars suck in general and are absolutely no fun to drive. I'm so glad that the government is stepping in to be sure that this is what we'll be getting stuck with from now on.
Written by dagenesta
Feb 19 2009
As long as GMPP is making money, it will exist in one form or another. Just follow the money.
No worries here.
Written by IOWA552SLOW
Feb 19 2009
just remember:
the GTO was not supposed to be built (big motor, high horsepower, little car) push came to shove, it got done.
COPO cars still got built and ordered.
where there is a will, there is a way. check the right boxes at the dealer and we will see what can still be ordered.
GM will find a way to keep performance in cars, even with out a special division. take the ss badge off the car, yet the goodies still remain as options.
keep looking up, things will turn out okay or maybe even better at the end.
Written by HoosierGTA
Feb 19 2009
If I were in the market, nothing that would remind anyone of a gas economy car would be on my list. My idea of an economy car is one that is down to the last 20% of it's value because I drive the wheels off my commuter. That being said, Pretty much ANTTHING GM makes with an LS motor would be on my short list.
Written by chevelle509
Feb 19 2009
Its a sad day for sure. I was only 6 in 1971 but I'm guessing it may become that. You know vega chevette pinto and mustang II
I have some words JUST SAY NO TO NO Horse power
Written by Podium Finish
Feb 19 2009
[quote author=Brian Lohnes link=topic=10001.msg197411#msg197411 date=1235013778]
Bombshell! GM Performance Dead [/quote]
Brian maybe a little re-write on your headline might make it a little clearer, when I read the article in Automotive news it was specific about [b]GM today disbanded High Performance Vehicle Operations[/b] not GM Performance Parts. When I read your story I thought it was all over for us, whew another one save from the chopping block!!!!!
For now.
Written by Solsticefun
Feb 19 2009
What pisses me off so bad is the government is putting such restrictions on the automotive industry to get the loans they need, but the banks have none and are living high on the hog with their bail outs. Sorry I will shut up now. :-X
Written by nosnerd
Feb 19 2009
cockroach?i rememebr a thread about those not long ago ;D
Government intervention or not, over the years the stewardship of General Motors by "management" has been handled like a cheap suit hanging in a thrift shop.