C8 Corvette Sells Out Almost Immediately In Japan
Japanese buyers bought all 300 available C8 Corvettes in just 60 hours, with a starting price $30,000 higher than the US base MSRP.
The mid-engine masterpiece is an international sensation, it seems. The C8 Corvette is a groundbreaking new leap in Chevy’s arsenal, and everyone wants a slice of the pie. Whether you’re in the states or not, you cannot deny how incredible this car is. No language barrier is going to stop the excitement surrounding these awesome machines.
According to Motor1, Chevy offered the C8 Corvette for sale in Japan and sold over 300 examples in 60 hours.
While the car is largely the same as it comes in the US, there are a couple of differences. The primary one being that the Japanese delivered C8 examples will be right-hand drive. We have to think some JDM and Corvette crossover fans would love to get their hands on one of these in the US. Other than that, it’s the same standard equipment as the US-spec cars. The 490 horsepower LT2 V8 mates to a lightning-quick 8-speed DCT.
The most significant difference, though, is the price. As we are sure you are aware, the base price of a C8 in the US is $59.995. Japan, however, is getting struck a little harder. The C8 starting price on their end is 10 million yen, which, with current exchange rates, puts it a hair over $91,000. Ouch. Of course, it is unlikely that all of them ordered will be base models. Upgrading to a 2LT puts them over $101,000, and the most desirable 3LT package comes in over $127,000. We reiterate: ouch. Keep in mind that does not include any additional options like premium paint colors or wheels. Nor does that price reflect convertibles. Regardless, these monumental price figures did not deter any Japanese Corvette fans.
The age range of Japanese Corvette buyers is quite surprising, too.
“The age group varies from the 20s to the 70s. The locality is not particularly characteristic of Corvette, and there are many urban areas like Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka like other Chevrolet cars,” a GM Japan spokesperson told Yahoo Japan.
The Corvette has always been a worldwide sensation. However, we think some of the credit in its Japanese popularity has to go to world-class drifter Daigo Saito. After his Formula Drift wins here in the US in a Toyota, Saito went back do D1 drifting in Japan with a crazy C6 Corvette.
Overall, we think it is fantastic the Japanese market is showing such interest in the car. Then again, as brought up before, it’s hard not to be interested in an affordable mid-engine car. While production Corvette deliveries start this month in the US market, there is no official word on when Japanese buyers can expect their cars.
Photos: Chevrolet
Join the Corvette Forums now!
