HSV ends GM Specialty Vehicles deal with General Motors after Holden exits

Will the Chevrolet C8 Corvette be the focus of the HSV-GM joint venture?

Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) will soon see its biggest change, with the announcement of a new joint venture with Holden's parent company, General Motors (GM) over the next six weeks.

Speaking to reporters today at the launch of the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 in Melbourne, HSV chief Tim Jackson said it is now "business as usual" for the company following the announcement of Holden's departure from Australia and New Zealand by 2021.

"We're working with (GM) on what the new world might look like," he said. “We do not have any specific news on this today, but when we have news, we will share it with you.

"As you might imagine, we have made good progress in these discussions."

Asked if the HSV brand would retire in favor of GM Specialty Vehicles (GMSV), as suggested by GM when it announced Holden, Mr. Jackson said: “We have a lot of different discussions, so you can make that assumption , if you want to. , but I would not confirm, deny or suggest the opposite.

Not to mention "opportunities are there," he also couldn't confirm which models GM HSV hopes to add to its lineup, which already consists of the Chevrolet Camaro sports car and the Silverado full-size pickup.

Mr Jackson added: "We'll be able to reveal more in the next four to six weeks, something like that."

He also could not comment on the impact on the HSV network of 65 dealers, which is also up in the air as the GMSV deal approaches.

However, the Chevrolet C8 Corvette supercar is expected to become part of the HSV/GMSV lineup, most likely as a factory right-hand drive vehicle.

Silverado-based Tahoe and Suburban large SUVs are also in the spotlight, Mr. Jackson said.

"All future products are in this bucket" we're working on what it might look like with GM," he said. "It's all being discussed."

In any case, HSV parent Walkinshaw Group's Clayton South, Victoria manufacturing facility is capable of producing up to 10,000 units a year, with that number also coming from its American Special Vehicles (ASV) business, which converts Ram models with left side to left side. right hand drive.

While the company is once again focusing on rebuilds following the impending cessation of production of the Holden, Colorado-based SportsCat ute, HSV may not be out of the improvement game as Mr. Jackson leaves the door open for GM's more locally tuned models.

“I wouldn’t rule it out and rule it out,” he said. “We like to improve cars in certain performance parameters - it's a lot of fun.

“Performance is an area where we will continue to work, so when an opportunity comes up that we think makes sense, we will definitely look into it.”