After 24 years with Corvette and 37 total with General Motors, Harlan Charles, the well-known and admired Corvette Product Manager, is no longer with the company. This marks another key leader of the Corvette team lost in the past eight months.
Announced on Facebook
In a Facebook post on February 2, 2025, Charles confirmed the news that he was told his “time was up” with GM and that he is now retired. He took time to thank some of the instrumental people he worked with over the years and highlighted several of the accomplishments he enjoyed with the Corvette team. Charles follows retired Corvette Chief Engineer Tadge Juecther, who departed GM in July 2024, after 47 years.
This is a significant change in the leadership of the Corvette brand, so it will be interesting to find out what the future holds.
Harlan Charles’ complete Facebook announcement…
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 Hagerty 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 made so 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
FORMER Chevrolet Corvette Product Marketing Manager