Ken Fichtner

Hello from your Montana Chevy Dealer!

I hate to complain after 7 straight years of drought but these cool 50 degree days and persistent rain are getting old!!!. We are anxiously awaiting the sun so we can “drop our tops”!

Though overall sales are off the Corvette and SSR continue to be in high demand.

The national days supply of Corvette and SSR are as follows:

Corvette Days Supply 6/1/04 = 69
This is the lowest in months

SSR Days Supply 6/1/04 = 118
Holding steady as this is a low production vehicle

I have one, UNSOLD C5.

2004 Corvette Coupe
Preferred Equipment Pkg 1SB
6 Speed Manual
Z51 Performance Handling Package
High Polished Forged Aluminum Wheels
Body Side Moldings
Front License Plate Frame
12 Disc Remote CD Changer
Transparent Roof Panel
Black
Torch Red Leather

Qualifies for:
Option 1) $3000 rebate or 0% for 36 months, 1.9% for 48 months, 2.9% for 60 months
or
Option 2) If you can document owning a GM car or truck, $4000 rebate and no special financing.

PRICING:

MSRP $49955
Dealer Invoice $44222.38

Option 1 (non GM owner):
Sale Price $43750.00
Less $3000 Rebate
Plus dealer prep, documentation, etc. $0.00
Final Price $40750.00 (Save $9205)

Option 2 (GM owner):
Sale Price $43750.00
Less $4000 Rebate
Plus dealer prep, documentation, etc. $0.00
Final Price $39750.00 (Save $10205)

Option 3 (GM Supplier)
Sale Price $44236.08
Less $3000 Rebate
Plus dealer prep, documentation, etc. $0.00
Final Price $41236.08
(you are better off not buying under this program even if you are not a GM owner!)

Option 4 (GM Employee)
Sale Price $42331.18
Less $3000 Rebate
Less $1000 GM Employee Bonus Rebate
Plus dealer prep, documentation, etc. $0.00
Final Price $38331.18 (Save $11623.82)

This car was produced on June 9 and is in transit now headed for Montana!

I have one consignment 2003 SSR and one in production 2004 SSR

2003 Chevrolet SSR
Preferred Equipment Pkg 1SB (incls *)
*Driver Convenience Pkg
*Light Sensitive Inside Rearrview Mirror, Homelink
*ETR AM/FM 6 Disc CD Changer
*Bose Premium Speaker System
*Power Heated Outside Mirrors, Drivers Side Light Sensitive
*Engine Cover Insert
Towing Package
Integrated Running Boards
Cargo Netting Package
Cargo Compartment Trim Package
Customized Floor Mats
Front License Plate Frame (uninstalled)
Smokin Asphalt (Black)
Ebony Leather Interior

3023 Miles

MSRP $46090
The owner paid $46289
Montana title, license paid

Sale Price $43,000

In Production, Build Week July 26, 2004

2004 Chevrolet SSR
Preferred Equipment Pkg 1SB (incls *)
*Driver Convenience Pkg
*Light Sensitive Inside Rearrview Mirror, Homelink
*ETR AM/FM 6 Disc CD Changer
*Bose Premium Speaker System
*Power Heated Outside Mirrors, Drivers Side Light Sensitive
*Engine Cover Insert
Towing Package
Integrated Running Boards
Cargo Netting Package
Cargo Compartment Trim Package
Customized Floor Mats
Front License Plate Frame (uninstalled)
Redline Red
Ebony Leather Interior

0 Miles

MSRP $46,340.00

Sale Price $45,840


If you are interested email me at: kenfichtner@fichtnerchevrolet.com

Here’s what’s new from last week and again this week!

New information on the 2005 Corvette and the start of production
New information on the 2005 SSR – HOT!
Clarification and the opportunity for you to save even more on the purchase of a GM Protection Plan
The latest incentives
GM Employee and Supplier Plan Vehicle Eligibility for 2005
Updates on production of the 2004 Corvette and constraints

MAKE SURE THAT YOU READ PART 2!!!

We are the midst of a few changes here at the dealership. A new computer system has been ordered and installation can’t occur soon enough! We believe that this upgrade will allow us to provide even better service to our customers.

We now have an experienced business manager on board. He has been in the business all of his life and knows Corvettes almost as well as I do!! I am pleased to introduce Dennis Fichtner (yup, the same last name). He is a former Chevrolet dealer with great customer relation skills. Dennis will be handling all of our GM Protection Plan sales as well as our internet sales.

For a quote on a GM Protection Plan or a new Chevrolet car or truck please email him at: dfichtner@fichtnerchevrolet.com or give him a call at 406-628-4618 ext 105.

We won’t be undersold on GM Protection Plans, GM Parts or Chevrolet car and trucks.

AND DONT FORGET THERES NO SALES TAX IN MONTANA SO YOUR PROTECTION PLAN, PARTS AND ACCESSORIES WILL BE TAX FREE!!

Drop us an email or give us a call and let us show you how we go the extra mile to satisfy you!!

Fichtner Chevrolet personnel directory:

GM Protection Plans and New Car/Truck Sales:
Dennis Fichtner, Business Manager
gmpp@fichtnerchevrolet.com
406-628-4618 Ext 105

Corvette Sales and Advice
Ken Fichtner, General Manager
kenfichtner@fichtnerchevrolet.com
406-628-4618 Ext 103

Parts:
Roberto Wendorff, Parts Manager
BWendorff@FichtnerChevrolet.com
406-628-4121

John Thomas Dorsey, Parts Specialist
TDorsey@FichtnerChevrolet.com
406-628-4121
Parts@FichtnerChevrolet.com

Service:
John Ingham, Service Manager
Service@FichtnerChevrolet.com
406-628-4618

Office Administration/Accounting:
Kayla Eastlick
KEastlick@FichtnerChevrolet.com
406-628-4618

Thanks for taking the time to read my weekly newsletter and thanks for your business!
http://www.glassreunioncorvetteclub.com/index.htm
This is the Corvette clubs webpage. We sponsor this club!

Index of topics:

Weekly Newsletter – Contents
PART 1:

1) New 2005 C6 Color Combinations Available - NEW
2) 2004 Build out Information - UPDATED
3) 2005 Production Dates - NEW
4) The latest C6 News!!! – UPDATED
5) New Corvette Promotional Models – NEW

Weekly Newsletter – Contents
PART 2:

6) 2005 SSR
7) Fichtner Chevrolet Parts Department
8) GM Rebates/Special Finance Rates - NEW
9) GMPP Details, MajorGuard - UPDATED
10) GM Employee and Supplier Eligibility - UPDATED
11) Weekly Constraint/Production News - NEW

1) New 2005 C6 Color Combinations Available

2005 Corvette Red Exterior with Grey Interior Now Available

Beginning June 17, two new color combinations will be available on the 2005 Corvette.
• Steel Grey interior (363) will be available with Precision Red (27U) exterior and
• Steel Grey interior (363) will be available with Magnetic Red Metallic (86U) exterior.
Convertibles with these color combinations can be ordered with either a Black (41T) or Grey (37T) top.
2) 2004 Build out Information - UPDATED

**The last day an order request can be submitted is June 1, 2004

ORDERS ARE NO LONGER BEING ACCEPTED FOR C5S!!!

**The final day of 2004 production will be July 2, 2004

3) 2005 Production Dates - NEW

The plant is on track to begin producing 2005 Corvettes on July 26, 2004. Dealers have already consensed to and approved order requests for startup production.

Dealers were able to begin consense for 2005 Corvettes on June 4, 2004 with a consensus closing date of June 10, 2004 for production in August.

Dealers will be able to consense for 2005 Corvettes again on July 16, 2004 thru July 22, 2004 for production in September.

2005 Corvette allocations approved on June 11 will be produced as follows:
August 2 thru August 22, 2004

2005 Corvette allocations approved on July 23 will be produced as follows:
August 23 thru September 19, 2004

Dealers will earn allocations for 2005 production based on the dealer’s actual Corvette sales May 1, 2003 thru April 30, 2004.

4) C6 News! - UPDATED

I have ceased accepting any further deposits as I believe that I have deposits now on hand equal to my entire 2005 model year allocation! Thanks to each and every one of those who have placed an order with us this month.

By the way, here are our terms of sale for the new C6:
Price = I will sell C6s for MSRP less $500.
Fees = I WILL NOT be adding any additional amount for prep, documentation, service, etc. We believe that all of our costs should be included in the sale price of the car and not added on to a sale price.

Newest News

Here are highlights from the Corvette Interactive Distance Learning Class:

Keyless access with Push-Button start
High-Intensity Discharge Xenon headlamps, Non-Popup for the first time since 1962
Air filtration and Pollen filter
Power Hatch Pulldown on Coupes
Review of the DVD Navigation with GPS
Power Folding Convertible Top
Pricing Announcement Date: EARLY JULY of 2004, expect price to be competitive without much drift from where it is now. Expect an increase based upon new standard technology.
Every baffle, seal, etc. has been redesigned resulting in a MUCH QUIETER car
Drag coefficient of less than .29
400 HP, 400 Ft Lbs Torque
Fastest Corvette EVER at 186 MPH!
Expected production of Coupe and Convertible for the 2005 model year of 32-33000
First cars will be produced on July 26. Dealers could begin submitting order requests on April 12
Distribution to dealers will be based upon 52 weeks actual sales from May 1, 2003 thru April 30, 2004
First allocations will be generated to dealers on June 1, 2004

To: All Chevrolet Dealer Operators

Subject: 2005 Corvette Certification and Enrollment Process

Power. Passion. Precision. These hallmarks of greatness are the heart and soul of the all-new 2005 Corvette, the sixth-generation of an American performance icon. Power. A new aluminum 6.0L V8 delivers 400 hp at 6000 rpm and 400 lb.-ft. of torque at 4400 rpm. Passion. Its all-new design is breathtaking, yet immediately recognizable as America's sports car. Precision. The luxurious attention to detail and the advanced technology contribute to an unforgettable driving experience. The sixth-generation of an American performance icon is coming this fall!

To help prepare for the launch of the sixth-generation Corvette in the fall of 2004, enclosed you will find our distribution plan, sales and service training requirements. While the distribution plan may change over the next several months as we approach the launch and begin to build vehicles this summer, we are providing this information at this time so you can plan your dealership’s business appropriately.
With this exciting new vehicle and the many technology enhancements, it is critically important that dealership personnel have the appropriate sales and service training and the necessary tools to provide effective sales and service for our customers. The enclosed sales and service training and essentials tools are necessary in order for your dealership to sell and service Corvette Coupe and
Convertible models. We hope that you will make or continue to make the commitment necessary for your dealership to be authorized to sell and service Corvette Coupe and Convertible models.

Distribution Plan
Corvette will offer both Coupe (1YY07) and Convertible (1YY67) models for the 2005 Model Year. The Coupe model will be available with 1SX, 1SA, and 1SB packages. The Convertible model will be available with either the 1SA and 1SB packages. Production of the Coupe is anticipated to begin the third quarter of 2004 and the Convertible shortly thereafter. Corvette retail production will be allocated on a monthly basis to eligible Corvette dealers using the most current 52-week retail Corvette sales. Coupe and Convertible models will be combined under one allocation group – VET. GM reserves the right in its sole discretion to modify the allocation approach from time to time.
The allocation determined by the above criteria will be loaded into VOMS to enable each dealer to view earned allocation for the current month plus one month (i.e., in January, you will be able to see January and February allocation). This is consistent with how Corvette allocation is currently displayed. If the dealership does not consent through the Web On-Line Consensus Application for earned allocation, or does not have a buildable preliminary order during the Dealer Order Submission Process (DOSP), the Corvette allocation will be redistributed to other dealers. The first dealer consensus is expected to occur in May for July production.
Subject to any subsequent developments or product constraints, each certified Corvette dealer will receive a minimum of one Corvette in the 2005 Model Year, provided eligibility requirements are met and maintained. Corvette will be available as GMS (GM Employee or eligible family member) with a 2-year retention requirement.

Certification Requirements
With the introduction of the 2005 Corvette, Chevrolet is establishing certain basic essential tools and training requirements critical for Chevrolet dealers who desire to sell and service the new Corvette. All Chevrolet dealers will be provided the opportunity to become a certified Corvette dealer, and interested dealers must complete and return an executed copy of the attached enrollment form. If your dealership is currently a certified Corvette dealer, your dealership will be required to re-enroll and must meet the new requirements. If your dealership is interested in selling and servicing the 2005 Corvette Coupe and Convertible models, please return the completed Enrollment Form to Corvette Program Headquarters by April 5, 2004. Dealers who do not enroll in a timely basis may experience further delays in becoming certified to sell and service the new Corvette.
All sales and service training requirements must be met by November 15, 2004 to continue eligibility for Corvette allocation. A monitoring and follow-up system will be in place to ensure that these eligibility requirements are adequately satisfied throughout the lifecycle o f the sixth-generation Corvette. Chevrolet reserves the right to discontinue Corvette product allocation for dealers who chose not to meet or fail to continue to meet all certification requirements.
Listed below are the sales training, and service training to be a certified Corvette dealer. Completion of the necessary training and purchase of the essential tools will allow your dealership to sell and service Coupe and Convertible Corvette models.

Required Sales Training
• Web-based training modules
• 2 IDL broadcasts
• Hands-on training during launch year
• Pre-test for hands-on training, post-test for hands-on training event, and post-post test 6 months after training
• Additional training that may be required in the future
You will be receiving specific training details during the first quarter of 2004.

Required Service Training
Each Dealership must have one person who has credit for each of several courses.

Talking with Dave Hill, Corvette Chief Engineer (interview conducted by Chevy Launch-CL)

Power. Passion. Precision. Three words that define the sixth generation of an American performance icon -- the 2005 Corvette.

Over the course of the next six months, Chevylaunch.com will sit down with key individuals from the Corvette team to talk about their roles in creating the most perfect Corvette ever.

This month, we sat down with Dave Hill, chief engineer of the Corvette, to talk about his launch experiences and the overall development of the vehicle.

CL: You led the development of the landmark “C5” Corvette, launched in 1997. How do your experiences during the creation of the 2005 Corvette compare to that launch?

DH: The fifth generation was an enormous task because it was a completely new invention from the ground up. It was a total revolutionary change for the Corvette, and we couldn't use anything from the past. So it was very demanding and very daunting to get it all done.

With the sixth generation, there's less new invention and more working on excellence. We're now building from a very sound platform -- that of the previous generation, and because of that we have the opportunity to concentrate on achieving excellence. The team feels reinforced by the fact that we're starting from something that's very good already, and we believe people will find that we've made it substantially better.

CL: Describe the enthusiasm of your team for Corvette.

DH: I think that being involved with the Corvette brings out the best in all of us who have the privilege of working on it. It represents the best that GM has to offer, along with the best America has to offer, to a lot of people. And since it is such an icon now, the Corvette causes us to rise to a higher level in everything we do.

Our customer interaction also plays a role in our enthusiasm. And I feel that customer contact, and knowing what we do means so much to the customer, drives us to try to make everything we do exceed their expectations.

The Corvette is very personal. We're not talking about transportation here -- we're talking about a product that changes someone's lifestyle, and that causes us to be enthusiastic about our duty.

CL: The fifth generation was a very successful vehicle, yet you improved upon it with the new vehicle. How did you identify areas of improvement?

DH: We upgraded the fifth-generation Corvette almost every year since it came out in 1997, and yet, with a chance to do the next new one, we knew we had to find ways to really jump ahead. That's what people expect us to do.

That being said, the first major area of improvement is in technical awareness -- bringing to reality in 2005 something that would give us a technical jump forward. And as much as design is important to the Corvette success, we feel that if the vehicle is technically advanced over its predecessor, it's going to make the total Corvette something worthy of a new generation.

Secondly, I again bring in customer contact -- knowing how they use their car and having a keen awareness of where our shortcomings are. We're never satisfied with our previous best.

We love every Corvette -- the 2001 Z06, the 2003 Anniversary Car -- and we put the very best that we can into each one of them. But at the same time we technical types are very judgmental. We no sooner bring it out and we're dissatisfied with it and want to be on to the next. Again, we're trying to jump ahead with a car that's distinctly better than the car being replaced. People can only see the car now. But when they interact with it -- when they drive it, when they use it -- I think the appreciation for the new car will be very satisfying.

CL: What are some specific areas of the vehicle that have been improved over the fifth generation?

DH: Performance would be number one, obviously. We talk a lot about refinement and perfection when we talk about the sixth generation, but you must have performance to make the whole thing work. This vehicle has total performance -- not just acceleration performance, but braking and handling performance as well. It's the kind of performance that makes you believe that you can take it out on a race course and turn very good lap times, yet also be very easy to drive.

Quietness is another area of improvement. Ridding unwanted noises and bothersome fatiguing noises from inside the car is a big part of the value of the sixth generation. It's been difficult because we don't want to make the car heavy or boring, but it was important to reduce the noise in the car -- especially the road noise from the big tires and the wind noise from the high-speed driving. This new quietness upgrades the worthiness of the car, and how the customer feels about the value in the car, so it was a big factor.

Perfection in every little detail and great workmanship is a third major area where we feel we’ve made distinct improvements.

Then there are a lot of features in the car which are entertaining and useful and add value to the car, such as the navigation system. People are going to enjoy that in the way they like using the car. If they just want to turn right and go down that winding road just because it looks cool, they can and they have the navigation to help them find their way back. Features like the navigation system are going to increase the total Corvette ownership experience.

CL: How important is it to know your customers and to understand what they're looking for with the Corvette?

DH: We always try to get as much information out of customers as we can during our interaction with them. And usually that means taking compliments about how much they appreciate what we do. But we also try to discover how they use the car, what the car does well for them and what could be improved. We try to understand how they think, how they feel and what the car means to them. And I think there are enough of us on the team that have an understanding of what makes the customer tick that we can drive good decisions in areas that will impress our customers.

CL: the three words that seem to surround this vehicle are Power, Passion Precision. Can you talk a little about each, and how they relate to the engineering and development of the 2005 Corvette?

DH: Power doesn't just mean acceleration. Of course we have to have more because our customers expect it. But power doesn't just mean the ability to pass just about anything on the road. It's power with control. That's the thing that's great about the Corvette -- it allows the driver to be good. It enables drivers to hop in and go quickly without getting in over their heads. It is power, but its total performance and power with control. That's what separates it from the Viper or other cars of that ilk.

With passion, we are talking about the exciters in the car. Initially, this means the total appearance. But as you study the Corvette more, you continue to find exciting details in the car -- not just visual details, but tactile ones as well. We feel that we can passionately design a suspension control arm, an air inlet duct or even an exhaust tip. It's not just the styling guys who exhibit passion. All of us -- every member of this team -- work on passionate designs that make people take notice.

And finally precision, which is having everything be as perfect as humanly possible. Everything on this vehicle exemplifies the workmanship, the craftsmanship and the pride of the people who made it, and then conveyed into the pride of the people who own it.

CL: How were you able to add so many new features -- push-button start, high-intensity headlamps, LS2 -- without affecting the fantastic value of the Corvette?

DH: With Corvette come three things: state-of-the-art performance and technology; passionate design; and tremendous value. And we can never walk away from the value obligation that we have to our customers. In order for us to earn our share for the stakeholders, we have to sell a substantial number of cars and pay all the bills and bring a return for the owners of the business. We can only get that volume by offering a tremendous value.

We have to remember that many of our customers spend a significant portion of their income to be a Corvette owner, so value is critical. What we do is look hard for ways to cut costs where the result is just as good for the customer. And we look in design, engineering and purchasing for ways to drive the costs down, which in turn enables us to allocate those resources for other higher-value, higher-impact features -- such as keyless entry with push-button start -- in the car. The 2005 Corvette boasts several visible features that look more expensive and more upscale, yet the car will cost approximately the same as the current vehicle.

CL: How important is it to "obsolete the C5" -- meaning, make everything on the sixth generation better than the fifth-generation vehicle.

DH: I don't want to be derogatory to the C5, but we live in a very competitive industry with the best makers from Europe and Japan all throwing entries into this very open American market. Everyone wants to have these notable cars -- halo cars -- for their company. It's extremely intense. And as much as we love the C5 and put all of our effort, passion and energy into making the best car we possibly could, we had to go into the sixth generation with the notion of making the fifth generation obsolete. We needed to leapfrog and make this car so much better than the previous version.

The only real competitor the Corvette has is another Corvette, so if we're going to continue to employ our people and keep our factory running, we have to keep making it better. Those C5s are not worn out or anything. In fact, the only reason customers are going to get out of a fifth-generation Corvette is because they want to get into the sixth generation vehicle.

People have wondered if the new car is a C5 and a half -- if it's just a face lifted version of the old car. I think that question will be answered resoundingly when people experience the car, because it's a totally new car in the way it behaves and things it does well.

CL: from your point of view, what one thing makes the vehicle special?

DH: The one thing is everything. I think our accomplishment here is better than any previous Corvette because this car is going to do so many things so much better. I say that with some trepidation because I have to live up to those words. But honestly, I think we have a very well-rounded car today -- but this one is much more so. It doesn't matter what you want this car to do, it'll do it and then some.

CL: You recently said that your goal was to create the most perfect Corvette ever. Is this it?

DH: That's still the goal and it's a daunting, daunting goal. There are thousands of things that need to come together to make a car, and it's even more challenging to have them come together on a schedule. I do believe that our mission is nothing less than bringing out this new car with everything improved over the outgoing car. And I believe everyone on the team has that as their mission and we have a very strong team. Time will tell if it did happen, but I think it's possible.

CL: Has Corvette reached the world-class status you desire?

DH: We benchmark everything that's out there -- Porsche, BMW, Honda, Acura, Mercedes, Nissan, and Mazda -- all of them. We buy the latest versions, we study them, understand how good they are, test them against our cars -- we know the competition and we feel very strongly about how our car measures up to these cars, many costing substantially more. We know every one of those cars, and we feel that we are doing the very best car against all of those competitors for the way America sees sports cars.

CL: You once said that your favorite Corvette is always the next one. Is that the case right now, or are you enjoying what's happening with the 2005 Corvette?

DH: We have to be dissatisfied in our profession, even with great accomplishments of the past. We are always looking for more because that's what we get paid to do. But today, I would say I am 85% focused on the 2005 because we're at an intense time of the program where all the little details have to come together. This car is going to secure our future for the rest of this decade, and our success depends on how well it comes out and the reputation it establishes early on. So it has the majority of my attention.

Having said that, I will tell you that the Z06 is going to have super car performance at unbelievable value. The Z06 is very healthy, it's going to be very awesome, and as I say to people it'll be worth the wait. So, while 85% of my time is spent on the 2005, that leaves another 40% for the Z06. Plus we have some other things we're playing around with too.

5) Corvette Promotional Models – Sale and New Ones Have Arrived!

Corvette Promotional Model Sale


2003 Corvette Pace Car Coupe (paced the 2002 race)
Molded in Anniversary Red with all of the 86th Annual Indy Pace Car Decals!

DISCOUNTED to $29 with FREE shipping


2001 Convertible – White with red interior

DISCOUNTED to $25 with FREE shipping


2001 Hardtop Z06 – Millennium Yellow with black interior.

DISCOUNTED to $29 with FREE shipping

2003 Black Z06
2003 Electron Blue Coupe
2003 Spiral Gray Convertible

DISCOUNTED to $22.95 with FREE shipping

1963 Split Window Coupe, Two Pack, Special Edition

DISCOUNTED to $39.95 with FREE shipping

1963 Split Window Coupe, Convertible, Special Edition

DISCOUNTED to $45.95 with FREE shipping

JUST ARRIVED:

2004 LeMans Blue Convertible
2004 Black Convertible
2004 Machine Silver Coupe

DISCOUNTED to $29 with FREE shipping

2004 LeMans Blue Z16/Z06

DISCOUNTED to $35 with FREE shipping

Please call Bob at 406-628-4121 to place your order.

We also have promotional models from years past. Please call or email me if you are looking for anything specific.


MAKE SURE TO READ PART 2!!

Fun2Day

A friend suggested I talk to you about dip sticks. I would like to buy 25 of them Part #12574889.

Could you email me with a quote and shipping charge?
wally1992@mchsi.com

Thanks

CorvettePartsBob

Wally,

I have sent you an email with the price and availabiltiy.

Bob :flag