GM To Disband High Performance Vehicles Operation

In an undeniable sign of the times, General Motors announced that they would be axing their "HPVO" (Performance Vehicles Operation) division as part of brand-wide cost-cuts necessary for their "economic viability" plan for Congress.  This is alarming news for fans of GM performance vehicles, which is one thing the General does quite well.

Don't put the Z06 in cryogenic storage just yet, though: it's not quite the end of the world as we know it.

The team of 60 engineers, who worked near GM's headquarters in Detroit, have been redeployed elsewhere into the company to focus on development of more important core vehicles, like upcoming mainstream sedans and crossovers - in other words, the cars that real people will buy in large numbers, which is what GM needs at this point.

However, vehicles developed by GM HPVO (CTS-V, Cobalt and HHR SS) which are already in production at this point, will remain in production until the end of their respective production cycles.  So if you've been saving the coin jar for a CTS-V (me too), don't give up hope - you've still got a few more years.

GM HPVO works mainly on creating high-performance variants of current production vehicles, but they also spend time developing warrantied aftermarket parts for existing vehicles as well.  One such example is the GMPP upgrade for the LNF Turbo Ecotec,( the 2.0L DI Turbo I4 that sees duty in the Chevrolet Cobalt and HHR SS, Pontiac Solstice GXP, and Saturn Sky Redline) which bumps power from 260bhp and 260lb-ft to 290bhp and 340lb-ft (352nM to 460nM) for $650... with a warranty.  It is probable that these parts (and the availability of the absurdly expensive LS9 crate motor) will end, but that remains to be seen.

In addition, not all GM Performance Vehicles will even be affected - cars like the Trailblazer SS, Corvette Z06, and most Pontiac GXP models (G6, Solstice, G8) were developed by the core developers as part of the core production line, not as a later add-on.  These vehicles will remain in production at least until the end of their useful product cycle.

Neither will the Z06 or the ZR1 variants be in danger of discontinuation - as they are also built on the regular production line with the rest of the 'Vettes in Bowling Green, Kentucky.  Not that anyone has $105,000 to spend on a 638bhp Corvette, but the option's still there.

Some future performance vehicles are in danger, though - like the CTS-V Coupe, Insignia VXR/OPC (perhaps) and next-generation Astra VXR.

GM says the disbanding of HPVO isn't permanent, and that it could be reformed if market conditions become more favorable for tire-burning gas guzzlers.  Let's all cross our collective fingers, and try to pretend it doesn't feel like the end of days.