Al Oppenheiser, affectionately known as “Mr. Camaro,” has retired from General Motors after a distinguished 42-year career. The 63-year-old engineer’s departure is effective immediately, marking the end of an era for the automaker.

A Career Spanning Muscle Cars and EVs

Oppenheiser began his journey with GM in 1985 as a test engineer at the Warren, Michigan Technical Center. He steadily rose through the ranks, taking on key engineering roles including development and validation manager for the Corvette platform.

Early Roles and Global Experience

His career also included international assignments with GM’s joint ventures involving Toyota, Suzuki, Isuzu, and Daewoo. In 1993, he became product engineering manager for the Geo Metro and contributed to the development of the Gamma global small program with Opel.

From Trucks to Concepts and Racing

Oppenheiser’s versatility extended beyond cars. He led the engineering development and launch of the GMC Canyon – GM’s first midsize trucks – in 2001. He also oversaw the creation of numerous concept vehicles, including the Camaro Coupe and Convertible.

He further demonstrated his passion for performance by leading GM’s Bonneville Salt Flats racing team, achieving nine world speed records with Ecotec-powered cars. He also managed hot rod builds for celebrities and served as director of concept & vehicle integration for the GM Performance Division.

The Camaro Legacy and EV Challenge

Oppenheiser is perhaps best known for his work on the Camaro. However, he embraced a new challenge when GM President Mark Reuss appointed him chief engineer for the electric vehicle program.

“When it was explained I was going to be leaving the Camaro to go over to help EVs, it was a big shock,” Oppenheiser said. “I could have moped and said maybe I should retire…but I actually took it as an opportunity to be reborn.” He relished the opportunity to learn a new field, stating, “I’m a mechanical engineer…I had to relearn about the EV world.”

A Resilient Spirit and Lasting Impact

Oppenheiser’s dedication to GM spanned over four decades. He expressed in November of last year that he wasn’t ready to retire, stating he would continue working as long as his badge allowed. He even had the word “resilient” tattooed on his arm, reflecting his unwavering work ethic.

He leaves GM having led teams to numerous accolades and was recently recognized as No. 13 on a 2026 Power List of the most influential people in the global auto industry. Oppenheiser feels he’s leaving on a high note, with a sense of pride and closure.

“Will I stay retired? We’ll see,” he commented. For now, “Mr. Camaro” plans to dedicate his time to his extensive personal car collection, including a 1968 Camaro SS Convertible and a variety of other classic and modern vehicles.