Meet Tony Roma: The New Mastermind Behind Corvette's Future
In a significant leadership shuffle within General Motors, iconic car engineer Tadge Juechter is stepping down after an impressive 47-year tenure. Juechter, who has been synonymous with Corvette's engineering prowess, will pass the baton to Tony Roma, an esteemed engineer with an impressive track record that currently includes the Cadillac CELESTIQ. Roma will officially spearhead the newly established Global Corvette and Performance Cars team beginning July 1st.
In his expanded role, Roma will also assume leadership of the Luxury and Performance Car team, temporarily led by Brandon Vivian. Vivian will shift gears to the Advanced Vehicle Development Center, where he will focus on Brand Strategy Coordination.
Mark Reuss, President of General Motors, expressed his confidence in Roma’s appointment: “Tony is a natural fit to succeed Tadge, as well as the perfect choice to lead our new Global Corvette and Performance Cars team, given his many years working on Corvette powertrains and his more recent experience with the Cadillac V-Series, Blackwing, and CELESTIQ. The bar is set very high for Corvette. Tony knows that, and he’s more than up to the challenge; he was made for this moment. I see a great future for Corvette and the other vehicles that Tony’s team will create.”
A Journey through Excellence
Roma's journey at GM spans three decades, during which he has made significant contributions to both Corvettes and Cadillacs. The fruits of his labor can be seen in vehicles like the CTS, ATS, and the groundbreaking CELESTIQ. Roma's influence was especially notable in the Cadillac V-Series and the high-performance Blackwing, propelling Cadillac into the competitive luxury sports car arena.
Tony's passion for automobiles ignited at a young age. Legend has it that his first words were “blue nova” when he saw his mother's 1970 Chevy Nova. “My dad is the catalyst here. He always had a love for cars and owned so many cool ones while I was growing up,” he reminisces.
Roma's current garage is a testament to his love for Corvettes. It holds several iconic models, including the C4 ZR1, C6 ZR1, C8 Z06, and possibly the soon-to-be C8 ZR1. His collection also features a unique CTS-V Wagon, showcasing his eclectic automotive taste.
A Personal Touch in Leadership
Roma's enthusiasm for cars transcends beyond engineering and into the realm of ownership and real-world experience. As someone who races and attends numerous automotive events, Roma is deeply connected to the Corvette community. “As a car enthusiast and racer, I feel a strong connection to the whole Corvette team and our fans around the world,” Roma asserts. “I have been a part of just about every event our customers bring their cars to: road racing, auto cross, road rally, cross country adventure, car shows, drag racing, and more. I know that for the car to be successful, it needs to resonate with the end customer and be good at what they want it to do.”
His practical knowledge is further validated by his status as a GM Level 6 Driver, the company's highest driving qualification. Roma is also certified to drive on Germany’s world-famous Nurburgring during Industry Pool test days, with over 1,500 laps under his belt. Most recently, he participated in the ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nurburgring race, bringing valuable hands-on insights to his role.
As Tony Roma steers Corvette into its future, fans and industry insiders alike will be watching closely. His proven track record and hands-on approach make him a formidable successor to Tadge Juechter. Welcome home, Tony!
Source:
General Motors
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