2011, Bad year for Corvettes
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Bel Air Md
2011, Bad year for Corvettes
Just read this article in Vette magazine. The total production for the 2011 Corvettes was only 13,596. The Grand Sport was the most popular, 5,212 were sold. Only 904 ZO6's and 806 ZR1's were sold. Production in 2007 , rolled out 40,561 cars. I'm sure the folds at Bowling Green are feeling the effects.
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St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
Just read this article in Vette magazine. The total production for the 2011 Corvettes was only 13,596. The Grand Sport was the most popular, 5,212 were sold. Only 904 ZO6's and 806 ZR1's were sold. Production in 2007 , rolled out 40,561 cars. I'm sure the folds at Bowling Green are feeling the effects.
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Yep, unfortunately Corvettes and an extra long, drawn out recession or slow recovery (half full/half empty analysis), usually don't go well together.
I will stick with my paid-off, low mileage, 2004 C5 vert thank you very much!
I will stick with my paid-off, low mileage, 2004 C5 vert thank you very much!
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Instructor
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Le Mans Master
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From: Arizona
The C6 is getting a bit long in the tooth styling wise. And the economy -- well, it just plain sucks.
The C7 will boost sales for at least a couple of model years as current owners with fat wallets will move up to the newest Corvette.
But go to any Vette show and see who's there -- older white guys (I'm one of them). It's been that way for quite some time, and you can bet GM marketing knows this. The halo may be losing its polish.
But this is not the first time the Corvette has faced an uncertain future -- not only has it survived but it has improved.
Let's hope.
The C7 will boost sales for at least a couple of model years as current owners with fat wallets will move up to the newest Corvette.
But go to any Vette show and see who's there -- older white guys (I'm one of them). It's been that way for quite some time, and you can bet GM marketing knows this. The halo may be losing its polish.
But this is not the first time the Corvette has faced an uncertain future -- not only has it survived but it has improved.
Let's hope.
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The C6 is getting a bit long in the tooth styling wise. And the economy -- well, it just plain sucks.
The C7 will boost sales for at least a couple of model years as current owners with fat wallets will move up to the newest Corvette.
But go to any Vette show and see who's there -- older white guys (I'm one of them). It's been that way for quite some time, and you can bet GM marketing knows this. The halo may be losing its polish.
But this is not the first time the Corvette has faced an uncertain future -- not only has it survived but it has improved.
Let's hope.
The C7 will boost sales for at least a couple of model years as current owners with fat wallets will move up to the newest Corvette.
But go to any Vette show and see who's there -- older white guys (I'm one of them). It's been that way for quite some time, and you can bet GM marketing knows this. The halo may be losing its polish.
But this is not the first time the Corvette has faced an uncertain future -- not only has it survived but it has improved.
Let's hope.
That's why I'm glad to hear that GM is going to try and market the C7 to a younger crowd. They need to. I'm 48 and I'm the "young guy" in our local club.
The C6 unfortunately suffered through the worst economy since the Corvette was introduced.
Last edited by MSG C5; Oct 1, 2011 at 02:38 PM.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Roseville Ca.
I can only speak for what I've seen at local car shows, where a few dealerships have been in attendance, but when they are asking ZR-1 prices for Z06s and Z06 prices for GSs combined with our current economic situation....it's no wonder they're not getting sold.
Safety Car
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From: Taildragers rule! USA1
It's time they stopped fooling around with more horsepower. That is a cheap way to "improve" a car. What they need is lighter weight, MUCH better fuel consumption and to get away for the abomination known as C6 styling.
Remember that the C6 styling was just a wart on the beautiful C5 body.
Remember that the C6 styling was just a wart on the beautiful C5 body.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2011
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From: Springfield, MO
The C6 is getting a bit long in the tooth styling wise. And the economy -- well, it just plain sucks.
The C7 will boost sales for at least a couple of model years as current owners with fat wallets will move up to the newest Corvette.
But go to any Vette show and see who's there -- older white guys (I'm one of them). It's been that way for quite some time, and you can bet GM marketing knows this. The halo may be losing its polish.
But this is not the first time the Corvette has faced an uncertain future -- not only has it survived but it has improved.
Let's hope.
The C7 will boost sales for at least a couple of model years as current owners with fat wallets will move up to the newest Corvette.
But go to any Vette show and see who's there -- older white guys (I'm one of them). It's been that way for quite some time, and you can bet GM marketing knows this. The halo may be losing its polish.
But this is not the first time the Corvette has faced an uncertain future -- not only has it survived but it has improved.
Let's hope.
There's no question that a $100k Vette can compete with a $200k Ferrari. But how many people need that? Although a stripped-down '11 Vette can be had for $49k as a practical matter it is very tough to stay below $52k - $53k for even a pretty basic car. If they were to devise a model that can actually be purchased in the mid-high $40s without turning it into a Mustang II mistake then that creates an opening for them with young men in their 30s instead of in their 50s and 60s.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2011
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From: ft valley ga
I seem to remember reading in one of my car mags the average age of a new Vette owner was like 61 or 62. The Vette was always something most of us aspired to one day own, at least us older types anyway. Of course being able to buy one for basically 1/3 off should be telling GM something.
Of course that's just my opinion and I could be wrong!
Of course that's just my opinion and I could be wrong!
Team Owner
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there will always be a smaller market for a two seat hopped up sports car no matter how little it cost.
Most people who can buy a Camaro etc do so because it's less expensive and has a back seat, if only big enough for youg kids.
Rising insurance rates are also part of the equation.
people can't use their house anymore to buy toys, which is huge in this market.
Bottom line, economy sucks, GM dug their own grave, it's going to take a long time to get out of this mess. I hope the vette survives but I'm most likely on my last one anyway as long as I can keep it duct taped together.
Most people who can buy a Camaro etc do so because it's less expensive and has a back seat, if only big enough for youg kids.
Rising insurance rates are also part of the equation.
people can't use their house anymore to buy toys, which is huge in this market.
Bottom line, economy sucks, GM dug their own grave, it's going to take a long time to get out of this mess. I hope the vette survives but I'm most likely on my last one anyway as long as I can keep it duct taped together.
Last edited by RetiredSFC 97; Oct 2, 2011 at 10:00 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Pittsburgh PA
The Harley market sucks too. I could stand to liquidate something after buying this Vette. Talked my GF into letting the bike go. Guess what? It isn't worth anything! I had a friend tell me back in 2000, "You will never loose money on a Harley" Haven't seen him in a while.
Harley keeps dropping the price on new ones and there are so many used ones sitting in garages that...well supply & demand. I think the same thing applies to Corvettes. Everyone says there are tons of used ones available. And most are pampered compared to any regular car. So dealers have to make deals to get rid of stock. You end up with a glut on the market. And yeah, the economy sucking doesn't help either. Bad times for toys of any kind.
Harley keeps dropping the price on new ones and there are so many used ones sitting in garages that...well supply & demand. I think the same thing applies to Corvettes. Everyone says there are tons of used ones available. And most are pampered compared to any regular car. So dealers have to make deals to get rid of stock. You end up with a glut on the market. And yeah, the economy sucking doesn't help either. Bad times for toys of any kind.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Marysville CA
The Harley market sucks too. I could stand to liquidate something after buying this Vette. Talked my GF into letting the bike go. Guess what? It isn't worth anything! I had a friend tell me back in 2000, "You will never loose money on a Harley" Haven't seen him in a while.
Harley keeps dropping the price on new ones and there are so many used ones sitting in garages that...well supply & demand. I think the same thing applies to Corvettes. Everyone says there are tons of used ones available. And most are pampered compared to any regular car. So dealers have to make deals to get rid of stock. You end up with a glut on the market. And yeah, the economy sucking doesn't help either. Bad times for toys of any kind.
Harley keeps dropping the price on new ones and there are so many used ones sitting in garages that...well supply & demand. I think the same thing applies to Corvettes. Everyone says there are tons of used ones available. And most are pampered compared to any regular car. So dealers have to make deals to get rid of stock. You end up with a glut on the market. And yeah, the economy sucking doesn't help either. Bad times for toys of any kind.
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In today's economy, the Vette is pretty damn expensive and I can see why people are cutting back on buying them. I'd hope that when the economy turns around, so will the sale of Vettes.