Story by Jackie Charniga, Detroit Free Press
Story by Jackie Charniga, Detroit Free Press
The 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 at the 2025 Detroit Auto Show at Huntington Place in Detroit on Friday, Jan.10, 2025. The sports car is one of the must sees according to Detroit Free Press auto critic and columnist Mark Phelan.© Eric Seals, Detroit Free Press
Corvette's product marketing manager and an employee for 37 years lost his job in General Motors' latest separations, according to a Sunday social media post.
“I was informed my time is up and I will no longer be your Corvette Product Manager. I am now retired,” Harlan Charles wrote in a LinkedIn post titled "My Corvette dream is over — my bubble burst."
“I retired last year and got more credit than I deserved in large part due to Harlan’s efforts,” Juechter said. “Harlan took input from customers and was able to convert that into product plans that produced spectacular business results thus ensuring Corvette’s future.”
Juechter cited the Corvette Centennial Edition in particular, the special-occasion vehicle Charles designed to mark the brand’s 100th anniversary.
“You were and are an irreplaceable force in the Corvette community and will be missed by customers, dealers and the whole Corvette team,” Juechter said.
Other Corvette leaders were reportedly also involved in layoffs, but GM would not disclose who was affected.
Jackie Charniga covers General Motors for the Free Press. Reach her at jcharniga@freepress.com.
Harlan Charles Facebook Post
My Corvette dream is over - my bubble burst
After 24 years on Corvette and 37 at GM, I was informed my time is up and I will no longer be your Corvette Product Manager. I am now retired.
I have had the greatest life I could have ever imagined because of Corvette. We were able to prove that America can compete with the best in the world and win. I was able to work on 4 generations. No one can take away what I think is Corvette’s best era in history. I had the honor of working with Corvette legends like Tadge Juechter and Kirk Bennion. Josh Holder, Devon Blue, and Tony Roma and the rest of the team have my best wishes for the future.
Some of my proudest memories:
-My Presentation in 2005 on why we should study a mid-engine Corvette for C7
-2020 Corvette Stingray @ $59,995. A car no one else in the world could do
-Inventing the concept of the built in Performance Data Recorder introduced in 2015
-2010 Grand Sport model
-2013 427 Convertible - convertible models for Z06 and ZR1 - C8 convertible hardtop proposal
-Naming the Corvette E-Ray. Bringing back Grand Sport and ZR1 names
-Special Editions - especially Centennial, LeMans commemorative, Ron Fellows, Z06 Carbon
-Adding personalization options, brake colors, stitching, seat belts, two-tone seats, and more.
-2023 Bowling Green factory production record
-Being able to represent our great team with customers at enthusiast events.
-Representing the best customers in the world to the team
-My role in making the sports car of your dreams come true at an attainable price.
Please watch the recent video interview series by Haggerty with Tadge and me if you want to know more (my previous post).
I can’t think about the future yet. I feel fortunate to have so made many friends over the years and customer relationships that have become family because of Corvette. I was your voice and you helped us create what Corvette has become. I hope our friendships will continue even if I can’t help you anymore.
Harlan Charles
Comments