When you think about an EV model and how it operates and then think about a sports car and what makes it special, you don’t often have similar thoughts.
Even so, Chevrolet is making a pair of management changes that will add new leadership to areas of their development team for models that we’re sure to admire and enjoy. With these moves, as with any other changes in leadership in a company, there’s the possibility the models that are the result might not be what we’ve had in the past or what we expect for the future.
The Chevrolet Camaro Team Changes Leadership
The past two generations of the Chevrolet Camaro have been developed under the watchful eye of Al Oppenheiser. He is the man who is the most synonymous with the car that he’s been the Chief Engineer for during the past two generations of the car. That amazing design, the engaging performance parts, and the driving capabilities of this car have all be accomplished under his watchful eye. If it weren’t for Oppenheiser, the European exotic brands wouldn’t fear the Camaro and what it can do, but right now, they certainly do shake with fear of what’s next for this car.
Starting in January, Oppenheiser will no longer be part of the Camaro program but instead will oversee the GM electric vehicle team as the chief engineer. The difference in goals, power components, expectations, and overall design between the Camaro and an EV model are significant, which mean that Oppenheiser will have a lot to learn, but hopefully, will have a lot to contribute. If he carries on in a similar fashion as he has with the Camaro, we might see GM produce an EV sports car in the future, or at least offer EV models with more enthusiasm.
Where does this Leave the Camaro
As Oppenheiser moves to the EV side of the company, the Camaro needs to have new leadership assigned. Mark Dickens has been tapped for the job to take over and add more to the Camaro program for the future. Dickens comes from the Performance Variants, Parts, Accessories and Motorsports Engineering department, which means he will have a lot to offer. Dickens has also been the Program Engineering Manager for the past two generations of the Camaro, which means he’s intimately familiar with the car and will be the right choice to take over the program.
GM Won’t Miss a Beat
If the exotic brands tried to take a breath of relief at the news that Al Oppenheiser won’t be overseeing the Camaro any longer, they can suck it back in. With Dickens in charge, the Camaro program won’t miss a beat and with Oppenheiser at the helm of the EV program, we can expect to see exciting new designs and ideas for what the EV market can grow to become in the future. Both men will take their new positions beginning in January to continue the excellence offered by GM. As for the Camaro and Chevy’s EV models, they’re always available to your at your local Chevrolet dealer.
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