GMSV and Corvette officially confirmed

The new Chevrolet Corvette is scheduled to go on sale in Australia from the end of 2021.

Confirmation of the local release of the mid-engined supercar, produced in factory right-hand drive form for the first time, was the highlight of the announcement that GM Specialty Vehicles (GMSV) will be launched in Australia in the fourth quarter of 2020.

The role of GMSV will be to retail General Motors models in Australia and New Zealand in the wake of the axing of the Holden brand.

The models on offer will be either produced in RHD in the US as per Corvette, or ‘remanufactured’ locally by the Walkinshaw Automotive Group.

The locally-converted Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LTZ pick-up will be the sole launch member of the GMSV range from launch, with the Silverado 2500 to follow in 2021.

Missing from the stated GMSV line-up is the Chevrolet Camaro coupe, which WAG has ceased remanufacturing to right-hand drive.

There were hopes within the Walkinshaw organisation the transition to GMSV would reboot the Camaro business case in Australia, but that has yet to be confirmed.

General Motors owns the new business and will retain WAG as its remanufacturing partner.

“This new venture directly adds sales, marketing and aftersales roles to GM’s 200-strong presence in Australia, and indirectly supports over 150 skilled engineering and manufacturing jobs at our partner in Victoria,” said GM Holden interim boss Kristian Aquilina.

“The initial product line-up will feature the latest Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LTZ, with other derivatives, including the Silverado 2500 and spectacular mid-engine Corvette anticipated to follow in 2021,”

The majority of HSV dealers will be offered the chance to become GMSV dealers.

The arrival of GMSV essentially means the end of the HSV brand – a contraction of Holden Special Vehicles – which was established by the late Tom Walkinshaw in 1987 in the wake of Holden’s polariser bust-up with Peter Brock.

In a press release, Walkinshaw Group said it was committed to “preserving HSV’s integrity and heritage, and ensure it remains the pinnacle of Australian motoring”.

GMSV will be led by Joanne Stogiannis, a 20-year veteran with GM in Australia. Her title is Director – GM Specialty Vehicles.

“I am thrilled to be leading a new automotive venture by GM in Australia,” said Stogiannis. “Sales of large US pick-ups have been growing consistently and I believe the ongoing strength of that segment will provide a very solid basis for us to build a successful long-term business.

“The plan to bring the stunning new mid-engine Corvette in RHD direct from the factory is an enormously exciting opportunity for local performance car enthusiasts.

“The new investment by GM in the Australian and New Zealand markets will bring extra competition to niche luxury and performance segments of the car market, enhanced choice to consumers while underpinning new employment opportunities,” Stogiannis said.

Holden veteran Peter Keley, who led the establishment of GMSV, will retire in October.