HSV

The Chevrolet Corvette is in danger of not making it to Australia after General Motors in Detroit stopped engineering development of all vehicles during the COVID-19 lockdowns. A report out of the US – based on a leaked copy of a secret internal General Motors document – claims GM’s executive director in charge of program management, Michelle Braun, “recently issued a blanket order pausing all future car and truck development, including for the Corvette”.

The company that used to make high-performance Holdens has offered to help health authorities in Australia manufacture makeshift emergency medical equipment to treat coronavirus patients. While Holden as a brand will close by the end of this year, its separately-owned performance-car offshoot has maintained its engineering and manufacturing resources because it will continue to sell US vehicles here, such as the Chevrolet Silverado (pictured below).

Holden Special Vehicles says it is “business as usual” as US car giant General Motors negotiates the shutdown of Holden dealers across the country following the shock closure of the brand. As the company prepares to launch its latest model, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 pick-up (pictured below), early indications are that Holden’s performance-car partner HSV will continue to operate in Australia but under a new name: General Motors Specialised Vehicles (GMSV).

Reports from the USA claim the next-generation Chevrolet Camaro due in 2023 has been put on hold to prioritise utes, SUVs and the rollout of electric cars. However, the iconic muscle car is understood to be safe for the remainder of its current model life – including in Australia, where it is converted to right-hand drive and sold locally by Holden Special Vehicles.

HSV has confirmed it'll bring the 2019 Chevrolet Camaro to Australia, complete with the option of a manual transmission and a higher $86,990 starting price before on-road costs. Headline news is the addition of a six-speed manual option to the Camaro, which now becomes the standard transmission. A 10-speed automatic is an option ($2200) and brings customisable launch control and line-lock.