Cross post, but read over at GMI that the SS division of GM has been axed, so no more SS models.

http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f12/breaking-news-v-series-ss-series-engineering-division-disbanded-75664/

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

Well Crap. :(

Sad news. Hopefully when the economy rebounds they can get back to building cars for enthusiasts.

Here's the Autoweek release about it.

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20090218/CARNEWS/902189973

Makes me glad I bought one. So I would gather that means no HHR SS after 2011.

So no more V8 Camaro? No more Vettes?

One would gather no HHR let alone SS after 2011 from all indications.

The good news is these talanted people will be building the main product and not just tuning. Bad news is the one thing GM is doing right is broken up.

Ford has been in and out with their performance division several times so This is not the end just a gap in perfromance.

The bottom line is GM has to look responsible to DC to convince the idiot crooks.... I mean capital hill members they are responsible.

Don't be suprised performance shows up quietly in several low key ways in a few models.

You'd have to think that the new Camaro would get the SS treatment. Shame though, they were doing great with the models they were producing.

So no more V8 Camaro? No more Vettes?


Your V8 Camaro is coming in about a month. The Camaro is set till at least 2016.

Your just going to have to live with the C6 Vette till at least 2014. The Vette is its own group and makes a profit.

What they are dispanding is the GM Perfromance Division that did the tuning on the other cars. This group was led by John Heinrency and he just retired so this anouncment is not too suprising.

GM needs to make cars for the masses that make money and sell well. Untill that is fix the rest can wait. Lets face it Honda and Toyota make mostly boring cars but are in better shape finacially.

Remember this anouncement will not effect the cars in production or the ones ready for production. But it will effect future product in development for the next few years.

In other words don't expect a SS Cruze or SS Orlando. On the other hand you can still expect a Turbo 1.4 Cruze and a 3.0 Turbo Buick Lecrosse AWD.

Oh note there is a Z28 but it is on hold and all development is done. It just has no money for launching it nor is it the right time to release a near 600 HP supercharged Camaro while asking DC for money. The Bumble Bee Camaro in the new Transformer movie is 90% the new Z28. Motor Trend reported this 2 days ago. We most likley will see it yet in limited numbers but the question is when.

GM disbands unit that creates high-performance vehicles

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20090218/CARNEWS/902189973

So there will be a 2010 HHR SS?

So there will be a 2010 HHR SS?

yes and 2011.

So there will be a 2010 HHR SS?

As of now I would say have to say yes but don't expect many changes. But as with the economy and the slumping market this is subject to change.

GM has a lot of changes and cutting to do so we will see some things we though not possible a year ago

Man that VR4 is SEX!!!

Oh well I guess my next car will have to be something from AMG or an M-BMW. This is just another example of how the American car companies have their heads up their butts. Look over at Chrysler; you can't by anything with STR-8 badge for anything less than sticker, heck the Challenger STR-8 how about $10,000 over MRP. Chevy is not dealing on their Z06's - why because there is a demand for high performance - fun cars and now more vanilla from America, just what the foreign automaker were hoping for and I guess they have basically given me the finger, with my Trailblazer SS and my HHR SS, all I can say is good luck selling me another car. Maybe that is why I am still holding on to my old 3000GT VR-4, twin turbo twin intercooled AWD car.



Yes but those cars are sold in so few numbers that they do not pay the bills. It is the boring cars like a Malibu that make the profits to afford GM to build cars like the SS.

Right now GM is in critical condition and asking the goverment for an additional 16 billion then spending the money on a bunch of low volume perfromance cars would finish GM off.

I am all for perfromance cars and so is GM but right now they have to do now what they want but what they should have done and get their house righted.

GM needs to right size and start to show a profit. IF they do not become profitable soon on high volume cars they will no longer be.

Cars like the V series and ZR1 will not save GM no matter how good they are. Heck Chrysler was saved by a Mini Van not the Viper.

While outwardly Performance will be down played it will not vanish. In the future we will still have a few toys but they will not be the ones getting the push in marketing. Look for the special options on some of the cars that will transform it inot a driving machines you will nered to add your own SS badge.

Toyota didn not make it to #1 with low volume fun performance cars. The dowdy Carola and Camry is what did it.

Besides how many times has Ford killed SVT and SHO?

Let's not get too excited, read between the lines.
With our new govt., GM has to do something to show them they are being responsible. Regardless of how you feel about them getting the loan(s), they are struggling and the $ can help them survive through this downturn. Our new govt ran on a platform of energy conservation and "high performance" does not sound good to them, so GM is TEMPORARILY dis-banning this group (they moved those engineers, didn't fire them}
High performance has historically been profitable, so they will be bringing it back once the dust settles and the economy recovers. Until ll then, we will have to live with what we got. I assume the SS models already designed, Cobalt, HHR included, will still be built, but we may not see a new stage kit for the 09 HHR and cobalt?

Speaking of Ford and the SHO Its back!! 2010 Tarus.

Hopefully they are just doing this for show. For all of us that lived through this BS in the 70's the performance cars did come back. Now everyone that wants GM to become Toyota with their blah fuel effiecent vehicles gets to be happy today.

No notes on the Camaro RS... or did I miss it?

No notes on the Camaro RS... or did I miss it?

The RS is a package trim package available on the SS and standard Camaro and is a go. The Camaro program is fully intact as planned accept for the Z28 right now that is on hold. We will still have a 3.6 DI 300 HP V6 in the base car and a 400 pluse V8 in the SS.

The Camaro out side the Z28 is a go. We still shoud also see a convertible too. It was on hold but I heard that it should still come to market.

As GM MGR stated this is all BS to please DC. People voted for change and they got what they were asking for and then some.

Like pointed out above in the 70's we had a few years of this and in the late 50's GM dropped out of all racing with the other MFGs per it was the PC thing to do back then when many drivers were dying.

The bottom line I want to stress to everyone this in not the end forever. There are some tight times in a troubled company that is playing the PC gave to get the ship righted. The same spirited engineers are still there and many of these programs can returrn once GM gets it's house in order.

As for now watch what the goverment does as it will seal the fate of the auto industry and perfromance more than anything. Laws are being looked at that will limit not only factory performance but even what you do to your own vehicle.

There is pending law in Oregon that may make it illegal to put larger tires and wheel on your vehicle as well as sway bars or other after market items deemed by the goverment that could decrease mileage or create more CO levels.

The people voted in many places are funded by eviro groups that want to remove any and all performance from detroit and your own garage.

I am for clean air but some of these powerful people are zelots and go far beyond reason. So if you want to worry and stress this is where you need to direct your attention. A lot of Eviro lobbiest are getting paid back after the last election.

I take it then we won't be seeing any 350/350 HHR's anytime soon http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y70/SCHULTZ55/Avatar%20smillies/14cry1-1.gif

I take it then we won't be seeing any 350/350 HHR's anytime soon http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y70/SCHULTZ55/Avatar%20smillies/14cry1-1.gif

We had about all we were going to see in the HHR anyway. It will get a few small changes and I expect it to go away in after 2011.

We had about all we were going to see in the HHR anyway. It will get a few small changes and I expect it to go away in after 2011.

"Well" I hope after that point it becomes a classic/collectible and starts to increase in value again http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y70/SCHULTZ55/Avatar%20smillies/Lighten.gif

Hopefully they are just doing this for show. For all of us that lived through this BS in the 70's the performance cars did come back. Now everyone that wants GM to become Toyota with their blah fuel efficient vehicles gets to be happy today.

Chevy mgr, please don't remind me of the 70's.....:barf: oh.... I threw up in my mouth a little bit!
I really think this is the execs at GM pacifying our new administration... hopefully....

Man that is terrible. I am sure most of the Performance Division guys loved their jobs. Back to good old fashioned hot rodding on older cars I guess. Wonder what that means regarding all the crate motors etc? Continue selling until they are out of stock? The Z06 and CTS/V look very tempting to buy and hold onto now. After being very supportive of all my auto ventures, my wife might actually question that purchase though.

"Well" I hope after that point it becomes a classic/collectible and starts to increase in value again http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y70/SCHULTZ55/Avatar%20smillies/Lighten.gif


Don't confuse Collectable with Value. THis too often happens.

30 years from now there might be a little interest Just like the 80'S GN, Montie SS or Fiero. You might have a car worth $10,000 or you might just have an old car.

While I do think that's a shame, I must say GM's gotta do what they gotta do if you will. If it helps them survive, I guess that's fine. A shame to see them go, but other than you guys here....I don't see many SS cars on the road at all.

Man that is terrible. I am sure most of the Performance Division guys loved their jobs. Back to good old fashioned hot rodding on older cars I guess. Wonder what that means regarding all the crate motors etc? Continue selling until they are out of stock? The Z06 and CTS/V look very tempting to buy and hold onto now. After being very supportive of all my auto ventures, my wife might actually question that purchase though.

As long as GM is viable parts will be available including engines.

Don't get oo hung up on this. If you want a Z06 buy one but don't buy one because it may be worth something in the future. I have met too many who bought the last Caddy Convertible, The last Fiero, The last perfromance car [pick what era you recall] only to end up with a car that is not worth that much and not a great as the cars that followed it.

We will see fun GM cars again.

Man that is terrible. I am sure most of the Performance Division guys loved their jobs. Back to good old fashioned hot rodding on older cars I guess. Wonder what that means regarding all the crate motors etc? Continue selling until they are out of stock? The Z06 and CTS/V look very tempting to buy and hold onto now. After being very supportive of all my auto ventures, my wife might actually question that purchase though.

Crate motors are part of the Goodwrench parts division. This has only affected the performance engineering group and I'm willing to bet they've known this was coming. GM does not want to lose those engineers to other companies and they've been clearing out other engineers so they can keep the performance guys in the company. Most of those engineers are pure home-grown GMI/Kettering people and they have too much money invested in their career and education not to keep them in Detroit.

Corvette will still be around and the C6 will become the new C3/C4 for longevity. I don't see a C7 coming out until at least 2018-19.

NO more gm performance for the time being....:bye:

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/18/breaking-gm-disbands-high-performance-vehicle-operations/

Now the question is will the stage kit still come out for the 09's...

I think all current line like the hhr ss cobalt ss etc , the money is already spent on r and d so might as well sell what you already made, but nothing NEW is going to come out for the time being. When the first cobalt ss came out (mine supercharged) out of all cobalts produced the ss model only acounted for less then 10% i think more like 3-5 % but not sure, BUt only 5 percent of all cobalts are ss's , you dont make money off that...

http://www.canadiandriver.com/2009/02/18/gm-disbands-high-performance-division.htm

this is an extremely sad day for me :(

I still hope I'll be able to get my Stage 1 kit.

I would have to say the kit will be out as it is already a started project.

I think this will effect only the new cars like the Cruze etc GM is working on now and are not ready for release.

GM still has cars ready for release that have been delayed like a Lecrosse 240 HP Turbo
V6 with AWD. We will see it next year as a 2010 model.

Thank everyone you know who owns a Toyota.

This is not surprising, considering the political climate we're entering. All we need is a panel of blowhard, grandstanding politicians like Henry Waxman and Barney's Frank getting on a soapbox holding hearings on why the automakers (which they will claim ownership of) are building cars that can exceed the speed limit. Why do you think Bob Lutz announced his retirement. He loves cars and would work till he drops dead, but who wants to work for Congressional Motors?

When people were clamering for Change I warned becareful of what you wish as you might just get it.

Just posted on the GM inside news forum:

http://http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f12/breaking-news-v-series-ss-series-engineering-division-disbanded-75664/

Not much hope for the future SS models to get upgraded anytime soon.

Steve

Aren't they going to keep making the HHR SS, but they wont continue making new models in an SS...right?

Yes the HHR SS will be with us till at least 2011 when we may lose the HHR.

The Chevy Orlando replacment will not be offered in a SS model.

Too many people are not understanding this correctly.

The present SS will remain till the end of their life cycles but they are not developing any new SS, V seires, GXP on new models. At least till GM gets back on their feet and does not have to ask the goverment for more money.

Well no matter how i look at it it sucks. If they stop making the HHR in 2011, then that means i wouldn't be replacing mine with another. I suppose I should look aty buying one then before they stop. Although now I own the SS I wouldn't want to buy one unless I was getting another SS. I love my SS and now I am spoiled lol. I guess one can hope things change by then. I wonder how this will affect Canada, as I am assuming the same will take place here.

So, can we assume the specs on the HHR SS will remain the same threw the remaining build years ? No performance division = no more advances. no changes ? Will the 2009 guys even get a stage kit with the performance division shut down ?
So the SS may be as good as it will ever be, right now.

What do you think ?

So, can we assume the specs on the HHR SS will remain the same threw the remaining build years ? No performance division = no more advances. no changes ? Will the 2009 guys even get a stage kit with the performance division shut down ?
So the SS may be as good as it will ever be, right now.

What do you think ?


I feel the 09 stage kit is still good, no reason for it not to come to market as it will make money.

As for the HHR I would say since GM needs money to bring out new models little will be spent on the old. The HHR is selling well and needs less attention than many other models.

As I have stated before don't get to upset on the GMPD as it was made clear GM has intentions to return to this in the future and pointed out the key people are still working on the entire line up.

Who better to tune the suspention on a Chevy Cruze than a Ex GMPD engineer. Look for specail options that will make it interesting.

This is just GM's PC way to appeal to the DC BS. Nothing more.

I just got done reading a post from my Autoweek about some dishearting news at GM. GM has disbanded the High Performance Vehicle Operations until further notice. :eek: This info is what is bringing about my question. I am looking to replace my current car with an SS. Does anyone know if Chevrolet will be producing the HHR SS next year (since the platform currently exists) or will this be the last year for it? Any knowledge or where to find out would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Yes, there should be a 2010 and 2011 HHR SS.

Yeah, from my understanding, everything that is currently being made will continue to be made, and they will phase out the SS line as the models are discontinued. So once the HHR is no longer in production, obviously there will be no more SS for it. Also, they won't then make a Cruize SS when that model comes out.

The Camaro SS is still a go and there is a good chance the Z28 will still show up before the end of the Camaro on the Zeta in 2016. .

There are certain models which do not fall under GMHPVO, and will still be made:
Pontiac GXP's (G6, Solstice, G8)
Corvette Z06 and ZR1
Camaro SS

The ones that will expire when their product lines expire:
Cobalt SS
HHR SS
Cadillac CTS-V

I got this off the cobaltss.net site. Put's a different twist on this thread. Now there was no source for this story, so I can't vouch for it's validity but it does have a lot of known facts in it.

DETROIT - There's a bit of confusion following Automotive News' report Wednesday that General Motors has shut down its High Performance Vehicle Operations. HPVO's 60 engineers have been moved to other projects, mostly alternative fuel/powerplant vehicles and getting better fuel mileage out of conventional internal combustion engines, for example.

GM will continue to produce low-volume performance cars that have been designed, including the Cadillac CTS-v sedan, Chevrolet Cobalt SS and HHR SS and, of course, the Australian-sourced Pontiac G8 GXP. Spokesman Vince Muniga likens it to Ford's shutdown of its Special Vehicle Team about three years ago. Ford has just unveiled SVT versions of the F-150 (Raptor) and 2010 Taurus (SHO).

And because the CTS-v sedan has been on sale for several months, there's a good chance you'll be able to buy a CTS-v coupe some time in 2011, following the 3.6-liter V-6-powered coupe's planned launch in late 2010.

Corvette engineering and design were never part of HPVO, so ZR-1, Z06 and even Camaro SS production are not affected. We've reported, however, that Chevrolet's Z/28 version of the Camaro, which would have used the CTS-v's engine/tuning, is on indefinite hold.

So what does this "hiatus" affect? Mostly future product that would have gone through the HPVO pipeline. Frankly, that makes this almost a non-story, as cash-strapped GM has put much of its future product on hold in order to get the 2011 Chevrolet Volt and Cruze on the market (the new Opel Insignia, just launched in Europe, too). You were expecting, maybe, a Volt SS or Cruze SS?

http://www.cobaltss.net/forums/showthread.php?t=156695

I got this off the cobaltss.net site. Put's a different twist on this thread. Now there was no source for this story, so I can't vouch for it's validity but it does have a lot of known facts in it.

http://www.cobaltss.net/forums/showthread.php?t=156695

This is accurate info.

Like I have been saying this is more a move to make Washington happy while asking for money.

NONE of the present cars are affected. They will continue to build out the Cobalt and HHR SS till they are done.

The V series CTS will continue but the XLR will soon die.

THe G8 GXP is coming in 09 as well as the Camaro in SS v8 mode.

The Vette is under its own team and is on hold for the C7.

The Z28 is on hold and ready to go when ever they deem they can do it with out any bad press and money is available to market it.

There really were no performance cars planned for the next few years do if we lose a few years it will not matter. There was never a Cruze SS planned.

GM has some Tubo V6 and 4 cylinders planned that will carry plenty of power for some of the coming cars. Opel even has a twin turbo V6 to counter Fords Ecoboost.

The Camaro is expected to live on the Zeta till 2016.

The Sky is not falling it is just being discontinued in 2012 or about.

We will still have some fun cars and not as much has changed as some think.

The economy is the wild card and will have more bearing on the future products as anything will. Even GM can not predict that.

Dateline: Feb 19, 2009
US NEWS & World Report

"Faced with the need to restructure in order to survive, General Motors has disbanded its High Performance Vehicle Operations unit - the team of engineers behind some of the company's most critically successful cars."

"GM's High Performance Vehicle Operations team built some of the best. The group's recent hits include the surprisingly good Cobalt SS and HHR SS."

More at:

http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/daily-news/090219-GM-Cancels-All-Future-High-Performance-Vehicles/

Even though the SS is still in production, my guess is its days are numbered. I say this because the more taxpayer money the Feds "invest" in GM, the more Pres. Obama's "car czar board" will control what GM's product portfolio looks like.

You can bet the populist liberals who control Congress aren't going to care much for products like the HHR SS.

If you want an SS and you can scrape up the money. Now's the time to buy.

Hopefully they are just doing this for show. For all of us that lived through this BS in the 70's the performance cars did come back. Now everyone that wants GM to become Toyota with their blah fuel effiecent vehicles gets to be happy today.

Why is this surprising? People elected a "green" President. OF COURSE gas guzzlers would be symbolically eradicated. GM is at the public trough and Obama knows the American Public are tired of private company bailouts.

As long as Green is the thing and companies are getting Tax Payer money..Performance vehicles will cease to exist. In the 70's it was about fuel consumption not Tax Payer bailouts. This is a lot different. It will be a long time before performance cars come out that have more than a 4cyc and a fart can.

When people were clamering for Change I warned becareful of what you wish as you might just get it.
Indeed.... Thats what happens when American Idol mentality elects a President.

Problem:
GM builds too many inefficient vehicles (not just GM's problem, BTW)
Cause:
Trucks and performance models sell, and are more profitable.
Effect:
GM (and the other two) appear to build nothing but gas guzzlers.
Truth:
All three automakers have a wide range of vehicles, but since their home market favors large vehicles the lineup is biased towards them. When fuel prices rise, and new car shoppers feel the pinch, they turn to manufacturers that can bring in small cars developed in their home market. Many buy the hype that domestics have nothing to offer, so they write them off without looking.


Ugly truth:
Now that sales are down across the board, it's not just big nasty SUV's to blame. However, we are entering a phase of government controlled manufacturing. Soon all we will be able to buy is a modern version of this:
http://www.veteranautocsodak.hu/kepek/trabant60121.jpg

Welcome to Amerika!

Here's an article out of today's Detroit Free Press: Fuel economy, high-performance cars can work together. (http://www.freep.com/article/20090222/COL14/902220481/1014/BUSINESS01/GM+s+high-performance+blunder) Nice reference to the HHR SS :thumb:

... Many buy the hype that domestics have nothing to offer, so they write them off without looking.
Not all of us...looking for a smallish fuel efficient utility vehicle led me logically to the HHR.
I guess I'm looking for the same attributes that many Gen Y'ers are looking for according to surveys. Changing tastes in vehicles were recognized at an issues particularly for the domestic manufacturers long before the gas crunch, according to a number of surveys.
Cadillac realized a few years ago about the issue of much of their customer base aging out, and not drawing in the next generation, and pushed their image away from staid old luxury barges. Most of the products aimed at the younger generation fall far short, had this been addressed, GM may have been better positioned to weather this change in preferences.

http://industry.bnet.com/auto/1000528/car-companies-have-a-tough-time-marketing-to-gen-y/
http://money.cnn.com/2003/07/28/pf/autos/college_gen_y_cars/index.htm
http://www.drivingtoday.com/kpix/news_this_week/2002-10-09-2183-driving/index.html

Here's an article out of today's Detroit Free Press: Fuel economy, high-performance cars can work together. (http://www.freep.com/article/20090222/COL14/902220481/1014/BUSINESS01/GM+s+high-performance+blunder) Nice reference to the HHR SS :thumb:


Good story to a point.

Mark seems to not understand the 60 people from the division producing a few limited editions has been moved to all the divisions to continue their work.

In place of a handful of performance models GM will apply their talents and skills to all the platforms where they originate in development.

GMPD has only taken what they were given and made it better. Now they will workj on cars like the Cruze before they come to market.

GM state plain in their press release that these engineers are still with GM and will be working on all platforms.

Imagine if the guy who did the HHR SS suspension had the HHR in development. Think how it would have been if the LS and LT drove more like a SS to start with. Granted the LS would still not be a SS but better steeing feel in the electric steering and better springs and dampers would go a long way to improve the overal quality of the HHR ride and handling.

What the HHR is now is good but the little detail could make it better. That is where GM needs to go to compete world wide. Good enough is not longer enough.

:red::red::roll:

Why is this surprising? People elected a "green" President. OF COURSE gas guzzlers would be symbolically eradicated. GM is at the public trough and Obama knows the American Public are tired of private company bailouts.

As long as Green is the thing and companies are getting Tax Payer money..Performance vehicles will cease to exist. In the 70's it was about fuel consumption not Tax Payer bailouts. This is a lot different. It will be a long time before performance cars come out that have more than a 4cyc and a fart can.

Some of this I can get behind but...the rest?
Hmm
The real problem is not really Pres. Obama's election. It's that the voters, both in 06 and in 08, decided they wanted a Congress, the majority of which is liberal and varies from simply "left" to "radical left." That's going to shift our social and economic systems more to the "European model" and that will, as said above, force a "green revolution" on the U.S.

As for the statement: "Obama knows the American Public are (sic) tired of private company bailouts."

Obama knows this?

What evidence is there supporting that?

In fact, the evidence points to the opposite, ie: he has no idea what the American People feel on that issue or...he's just ignoring it.

Well the GM Performance Division is not dead!


Per Super Chevy Magazine the division is still up and running building show cars.

The onlyu thing they did was the people who worked on the production cars were placed directly into the production car programs and will continue their work on the development of these new cars.

The Performance Division will concentrait on building race and show cars.

The bottom line is the same people are doing much the same work. While we may not get a new SS emblem cars for a while we should get better tuned cars with some options that will make them fun to drive.

Just to note there were no SS models planned in the near future anyway. SO we really did not lose anything. The Camaro is already out and the CTS V coupe is still coming.

This was more a big to do about nothing to make the goverment happy if that is possible.

So no more V8 Camaro? No more Vettes?

Listen, I've been looking on line and the slightly used Camaro's and Vette's are being bought up from what I can access. There are plenty of after market mods available.

Now for the CTS-V... which is the one that I prefer, there are more than a few available at a decent price from the 04 - 05's.

I am fortunate that I have the 5.3L block in the truck because it is the most versatile.

Listen, I've been looking on line and the slightly used Camaro's and Vette's are being bought up from what I can access. There are plenty of after market mods available.

Now for the CTS-V... which is the one that I prefer, there are more than a few available at a decent price from the 04 - 05's.

I am fortunate that I have the 5.3L block in the truck because it is the most versatile. The only slightly used Camaros available would be the 4th gens, which had nothing to do with the Performance division, the Z28 was developed by the RPO engineering group, taking some input from SLP who did the SS (as time went by there were fewer and fewer differences between the two). Corvettes likewise are under Team Corvette. The only model that likely won't appear as a result of this is the new Z28, and that was under pressure from development cost, emission and mileage concerns anyway.
Wanna buy a 10000 mile Camaro? http://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/files/4/7/6/3/side.jpg

The only slightly used Camaros available would be the 4th gens, which had nothing to do with the Performance division, the Z28 was developed by the RPO engineering group, taking some input from SLP who did the SS (as time went by there were fewer and fewer differences between the two). Corvettes likewise are under Team Corvette. The only model that likely won't appear as a result of this is the new Z28, and that was under pressure from development cost, emission and mileage concerns anyway.
Wanna buy a 10000 mile Camaro? http://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/files/4/7/6/3/side.jpg


Sorry, I'm am only interested in the new body style Camaro, and if I do purchase one it's going to be the 3.6L RS with 6spd manual, and I will have my tuner take care of the rest. Good luck on your sale.

Sorry, I'm am only interested in the new body style Camaro, and if I do purchase one it's going to be the 3.6L RS with 6spd manual, and I will have my tuner take care of the rest. Good luck on your sale. I've no intention of selling it, unless there's a new shape Camaro convertible in the deal, and I doubt that's going to happen in the new leaner GM. There wasn't the sales volume to justify ongoing sales of the 4th gen, so I doubt that investment will ever be made.

I've no intention of selling it, unless there's a new shape Camaro convertible in the deal, and I doubt that's going to happen in the new leaner GM. There wasn't the sales volume to justify ongoing sales of the 4th gen, so I doubt that investment will ever be made.



Better read and learn what really is going on.

GM had the Camaro on line just late. The reason? The supplying company for the top parts in Germany has majore finacial problems. GM is working to repace that vendor and still bring the car to market. None of this has to do with Camaro sales or GM's problems.

Now the Z28 is on hold and the odds are good that it will not come to market. The reason there is it will make little profit and be a hard sell at the price point it will have to sell at. They were talking $50K plus on a limited edition. The car is done ready for market. Note the Bumble Bee in the new Transformer movie will be based on the new Z28.

Also the loaning of Goverment money will also keep the hold on.

The Camaro is set to remain around till 2016 with changes and till a new small RWD Alpha program comes in. That leaves a lot of time for things to change so best to keep you eyes open as right now the future can change and change fast.

The current Camaro and Corvette are probably the last performance vehicles that the STATE will allow to be designed. Better get one while they last. The STATE has determined that the individual does not know what is good for him so performance vehicles will be going away.....

Thank you Obama, for making vehicles that suck.

The current Camaro and Corvette are probably the last performance vehicles that the STATE will allow to be designed. Better get one while they last. The STATE has determined that the individual does not know what is good for him so performance vehicles will be going away.....

Well The Vette and Camaro have some time yet on the market and GM had better be out of trouble by 2014 or out from goverment meddling by then.

This should not be a long term deal. One the goverment is not going to give money for that long and GM will have to go Chapter 11 or work it's way out by then.

The CTS V coupe is also still coming.

The plain fact is the cars GM is coming out with after the Camaro were never planned to have special performance editions. The Volt Cruze, Equinox, Lacrossse, Spark, Orlando and other models are going to be great cars and for the most will not need a special performance editions.

Ther Lacrosse for example will have 250 HP DI engine and AWD as options. It already looks like a Lexus.

The bottom line is we will get perfromance again GM right now just needs to get their house in order with the main line products that pay the bills.

It is cars like the base HHR that pay the bills at GM not the SS model.

Chevy needs to drive the sales of the Malibu over 200,000+ a year and the Cruze like wise.

The Malibu today with no SS model is not a big deal. My Moms 08 Bu LT with the 3.6 v6 and handling package will run right with my 04 GTP Comp G Grand Prix. In fact if she would want to trade I would do it in a second as the Bu drives so well it make my GP feel like crap. The Bu has a better interior, better ride, better drivetrain with the 3.6 and Six speed tranny. Also it handles as well too.

So just because it may not say SS does not mean fun cars are not all around. Don't underesimate the new cars coming out of GM.

The only problem I see with your sceneario is I strongly doubt Obama is going to give up control of GM once he gets his people in place. He's a Socialist at heart and wants the government to run everything. They have already refused to take TARP money back from 4 banks that haven't used it but were forced to take it. They have offered the money back with interest and were told they weren't allowed to return it along with a few veiled threats if they continued to try. Nice, huh?

http://news.aol.com/political-machine/2009/04/06/obama-refuses-repayment-of-bank-bailout-funds/


Under the Bush team a prominent and profitable bank was forced to accept less than $1 billion in TARP money. [...] Fast forward to today and that same bank is begging to give the money back. The chairman offers to write a check now, with interest. He's been sitting on the cash for months and has felt the dead hand of government threatening to run his business and dictate pay scales. He sees the writing on the wall and he wants out. But the Obama team says no, since unlike the smaller banks that gave their TARP money back, this bank is far more prominent. The bank has also been threatened with 'adverse consequences' if its chairman persists."

http://www.newsmax.com/insidecover/obama_tarp_banks/2009/04/05/199957.html

The only problem I see with your sceneario is I strongly doubt Obama is going to give up control of GM once he gets his people in place. He's a Socialist at heart and wants the government to run everything. They have already refused to take TARP money back from 4 banks that haven't used it but were forced to take it. They have offered the money back with interest and were told they weren't allowed to return it along with a few veiled threats if they continued to try. Nice, huh?

http://news.aol.com/political-machine/2009/04/06/obama-refuses-repayment-of-bank-bailout-funds/


Under the Bush team a prominent and profitable bank was forced to accept less than $1 billion in TARP money. [...] Fast forward to today and that same bank is begging to give the money back. The chairman offers to write a check now, with interest. He's been sitting on the cash for months and has felt the dead hand of government threatening to run his business and dictate pay scales. He sees the writing on the wall and he wants out. But the Obama team says no, since unlike the smaller banks that gave their TARP money back, this bank is far more prominent. The bank has also been threatened with 'adverse consequences' if its chairman persists."

http://www.newsmax.com/insidecover/obama_tarp_banks/2009/04/05/199957.html

I know what you mean as I don't trust the Bamster either.

I would be more worried about laws that could be put into place to control Detroit more so than just this. Just look at the emission laws they keep changing. We have 3 and 3/4 years to go there is a lot of damage to our capitalistic system can occur. The latest changes are estimated to cost each MFG more then $14 Billion alone at a time they all can not afford it.

Keep in mind there will be a lot of Senate and House seats open in less than two years. At the rate things are going I see a real change coming then. They may not be an answer to all things but it will slow down the dismantaling of our American economic system.

Getting Nancy P out of the speaker seat would be a major step in the right direction. No pun intended.:lol:

I know what you mean as I don't trust the Bamster either.

I would be more worried about laws that could be put into place to control Detroit more so than just this. Just look at the emission laws they keep changing. We have 3 and 3/4 years to go there is a lot of damage to our capitalistic system can occur. The latest changes are estimated to cost each MFG more then $14 Billion alone at a time they all can not afford it.

Keep in mind there will be a lot of Senate and House seats open in less than two years. At the rate things are going I see a real change coming then. They may not be an answer to all things but it will slow down the dismantaling of our American economic system.

Getting Nancy P out of the speaker seat would be a major step in the right direction. No pun intended.:lol:

Plus 1000000000000000000

Cross post, but read over at GMI that the SS division of GM has been axed, so no more SS models.

http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f12/breaking-news-v-series-ss-series-engineering-division-disbanded-75664/

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

This was in the latest Motor Trend, so it may not be 100% accurate......

The hiatus DOES NOT affect high-performance product already in factories, such as Cadillac CTS-V, Chevrolet HHR, and Cobalt SS (Corvettes, including ZR-1 and Z06 are NOT part of HVPO-neither is the Australian-sourced Pontiac G8 GXP). Because the go-fast hardware is shared with the sedan, the CTS coupe will likely get supercharged 6.2 liter V-8 treatment as well.

There is SOME hope for the beloved HHR SS and other performance models Including the Z/28!!

This was in the latest Motor Trend, so it may not be 100% accurate......



There is SOME hope for the beloved HHR SS and other performance models Including the Z/28!!

Sorry, but the articles you quote were published before Comrade Obama informed the media that GM will no longer produce cars that are not in the interest of the state. They now have the memo and will toe the statist line or face assignments covering easter egg rolls in Pt Barrow. :eek:

I just hope that the hhr , in any form, is still around in 2011. I don't want it to become another Oldsmobile that drpped in value like a rock when it was discontinued.

The HHR is a very popular vehicle and could meet a early end in 2010 if sales do not pick up in the auto industry. There are enough 09's already to go into the 2010 MY.

Old prices dropped because A division was killed with many unpopular cars. Chevy is very viable and if the worst happens could out live GM as a spin off corperation or even sold to another corperation.

Thew bottom line is the HHR is nearing the end and Chevy has enough equity in name and trucks alone to carry on.

Pontiac is facing more a Olds like end. 2014-15 is my guess if they leave it with the G8 and Solstice.

Thank everyone you know who owns a Toyota.

BS...Thats assuming everyone who bought a Toyota would have bought a GM car if Toyota wasn't available....Perhaps GM should have LEARNED from Toyota and BEAT Toyota instead of wishing they did not exist......

I own a Toyota and a Chevy.....Its pretty clear which vehicle is the form and which is the substance.......Funny thing we don;t care much for how the Toyota looks, no little custom appliques, or wheels.....We just expect it to go anywhere anytime without issues for a very long time despite its form.

Next car will be a Venza or Accord because I want a 10-15 year car and there is no doubt Honda and Toyota will be around in 15 years.Even lowly Hyundai did in five years what GM could not do in 100!! Gain respect and provide a reliable vehicle that went from laughable to Car of the Year.

The HHR is a very popular vehicle and could meet a early end in 2010 if sales do not pick up in the auto industry. There are enough 09's already to go into the 2010 MY.

Old prices dropped because A division was killed with many unpopular cars. Chevy is very viable and if the worst happens could out live GM as a spin off corperation or even sold to another corperation.

Thew bottom line is the HHR is nearing the end and Chevy has enough equity in name and trucks alone to carry on.

Pontiac is facing more a Olds like end. 2014-15 is my guess if they leave it with the G8 and Solstice.
I believe the HHR will be a good seller for GM because of its room and economy. GM needs to stay with it even if they have to modern the look ala Venza. In fact an HHR pick up would probably do well ala the Chevy Luv sized PU truck

Im not a Toyota fan at all I think they produce some of the ugliest cars out there. BUT the Venza is so sexy they did a nice job with it, I love the wheels they put on the loaded one.

Ronald Reagon was the fall of America when he busted unions and 30 years later we have the result of his practices.

Ronald Reagon was the fall of America when he busted unions and 30 years later we have the result of his practices.

Oh please!!! :roll:

And you can't even spell his name right.

Im not a Toyota fan at all I think they produce some of the ugliest cars out there. BUT the Venza is so sexy they did a nice job with it, I love the wheels they put on the loaded one. A nice vehicle, not quite as wagony as the Avensis Wagon that is the Camry equivalent in Europe, but a bit more than a Camry hatch...a nice gentle way to reintroduce Americans to practical but smaller vehicles. Where's the Malibu Maxx?

http://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/files/4/7/6/3/Venza.jpg
http://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/files/4/7/6/3/avensiswagon.jpg

off topic, check the title gents.

SS's have been picked off one by one as it is.. No more TrailBlazer and Silverado SS, two of my favorites.

I hope they at least continue the SS trim with the new Camaro.

SS's have been picked off one by one as it is.. No more TrailBlazer and Silverado SS, two of my favorites.

I hope they at least continue the SS trim with the new Camaro.

Not an issue the SS Camaro is set be with us till 2016. Fact is there were no SS models other than the Camaro planned in the near future anyway.

Wow!! I started reading this thread and could not stop. I am sad to hear that a fine, versitile, fuel efficiant car like the HHR wouldn't have a long 20 year run like the VW bug. All the developement is paid for and the gas milage is better than most cars smaller and less safe. As for SS models I was looking forward to getting an SS HHR in a couple years.
I realize that the styling of the HHR doesn't jump out at the young buyers but I do think its gaining fast in every other segment particularly as an alternative to the SUV. I hope that GM catches on soon and sticks with the cars that sell untill they don't. I think that in 30 years we will all look back and say "Wow, the HHR was realy ahead of its time" (like the Tucker).