Notices
C5 General General C5 Corvette and C5 Z06 Discussion not covered in Tech

GM invests in Corvette

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 21, 2015 | 08:25 PM
  #1  
corgasm's Avatar
corgasm
Thread Starter
Instructor
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 177
Likes: 25
Default GM invests in Corvette

article on GM investment in Corvette

http://www.msn.com/en-us/money/compa...5zvg?ocid=iehp

GM said Thursday it will spend $439 million to build a new 450,000-square-foot paint shop and make other upgrades at the Bowling Green, Kentucky plant that makes the sports car. The investment is part of $5.4 billion that GM plans to spend on its U.S. facilities over the next three years.
Reply
Old May 21, 2015 | 08:54 PM
  #2  
K-Spaz's Avatar
K-Spaz
Team Owner
 
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 34,479
Likes: 532
From: Central PA. - - My AR15 identifies as a muzzleloader
I believe in the Beer Fairy
Default

Wow... That doesn't bode well for the idea of keeping the price down and attracting a younger demographic eh.

It's the proportions of the spending that are a head-scratcher to me.
Reply
Old May 21, 2015 | 09:58 PM
  #3  
Choreo's Avatar
Choreo
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,774
Likes: 363
From: Midland TX
Default

If you want orange peel, you have to pay to play!
Reply
Old May 21, 2015 | 10:01 PM
  #4  
JR-01's Avatar
JR-01
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
Default

Originally Posted by K-Spaz
Wow... That doesn't bode well for the idea of keeping the price down and attracting a younger demographic eh.

It's the proportions of the spending that are a head-scratcher to me.
When are they going to build an inexpensive 2 seat sports car with a V8 that the average enthusiast can afford. They have the technology. My C5 will probably be the last GM car I will own.
Reply
Old May 21, 2015 | 10:15 PM
  #5  
Trios's Avatar
Trios
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,628
Likes: 15
From: Seattle WA
Default

Originally Posted by JR-01
When are they going to build an inexpensive 2 seat sports car with a V8 that the average enthusiast can afford. They have the technology. My C5 will probably be the last GM car I will own.
This is satire, right?

The C7 is very affordable. Just as affordable as the C6 was, and the C5 before that. Maybe even a little bit more so.

If you personally can't afford the latest generation, that's why you buy a gen or two back. The C6 was in full swing when I bought my C5; now that the C7's are out, I've been seriously considering a C6Z06 (though the wife keeps saying no, no, no, and no).

The Corvette was never meant for something any college student should own, but it's definitely not 'expensive.' Price/performance you will find no better vehicle anywhere.
Reply
Old May 21, 2015 | 10:39 PM
  #6  
RSbeast's Avatar
RSbeast
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,135
Likes: 258
Default

Too bad it took this long to get decent paint. My vette has the worst quality paint of any vehicle I've ever owned. Earl Schieb / Maacco quality for sure.

Junk *** quicksilver.
Reply
Old May 21, 2015 | 11:01 PM
  #7  
o2bnkc's Avatar
o2bnkc
Melting Slicks
Veteran: Navy
20 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,989
Likes: 352
From: Carson City Nevada
Default

I read somewhere that the there are rumors that the future hot rod Caddys will be built there too, because they share a few parts. Has anybody else heard this?
Reply
Old May 21, 2015 | 11:54 PM
  #8  
Vetteman Jack's Avatar
Vetteman Jack
Administrator
Supporting Lifetime
Veteran: Navy
St. Jude 20 Year Donor
25 Year Member
Veteran: Reserves
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,136
Likes: 24,734
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Default

Originally Posted by RSbeast
Too bad it took this long to get decent paint.
I'll reserve judgment on the supposed quality improvement for when I see what actually comes out of the factory.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-4

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
Old May 22, 2015 | 01:10 AM
  #9  
Lee DeRaud's Avatar
Lee DeRaud
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,012
Likes: 23
From: Anaheim CA
Default

Just how many Corvettes are they planning on selling each year that they need a half-billion-dollar paint facility?
Methinks they are setting up Bowling Green for production of other vehicles.

[EDIT] I typed before I read this:
Originally Posted by o2bnkc
I read somewhere that the there are rumors that the future hot rod Caddys will be built there too, because they share a few parts.
Makes sense. Probably more than just "a few parts" at this point, and more so in the future.

Last edited by Lee DeRaud; May 22, 2015 at 01:15 AM.
Reply
Old May 22, 2015 | 07:42 AM
  #10  
JR-01's Avatar
JR-01
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
Default

Originally Posted by Trios
This is satire, right?

The C7 is very affordable. Just as affordable as the C6 was, and the C5 before that. Maybe even a little bit more so.

If you personally can't afford the latest generation, that's why you buy a gen or two back. The C6 was in full swing when I bought my C5; now that the C7's are out, I've been seriously considering a C6Z06 (though the wife keeps saying no, no, no, and no).

The Corvette was never meant for something any college student should own, but it's definitely not 'expensive.' Price/performance you will find no better vehicle anywhere.
Not satire at all. New Corvettes are expensive. They is over engineered with all the unneccessary bells and whistles and have more power than anyone would ever need. I don't want a supercar. I want a new 2 seat removable top sport car with decent power and handling that I can drive all over the country and put a ton of miles on. I am not buying another used Corvette.

Last edited by JR-01; May 22, 2015 at 07:44 AM.
Reply
Old May 22, 2015 | 08:27 AM
  #11  
f6john's Avatar
f6john
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,962
Likes: 254
From: Richmond, Ky
Default

The last time I was at the plant, which has been several years now, there was a lot of empty space and the guide told us the empty space was taken up by the Cadillac XLR when it was in production. I don't know how many of you know that the Corvette facility was once a Chrysler Air Temp factory that was shuttered for years before GM took over. But I suspect that even with upgrades made over the years, it's time for more improvements.
Reply
Old May 22, 2015 | 08:47 AM
  #12  
K-Spaz's Avatar
K-Spaz
Team Owner
 
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 34,479
Likes: 532
From: Central PA. - - My AR15 identifies as a muzzleloader
I believe in the Beer Fairy
Default

Originally Posted by o2bnkc
I read somewhere that the there are rumors that the future hot rod Caddys will be built there too, because they share a few parts. Has anybody else heard this?
Good point. My first thoughts were, there is no way Vette sales will recoup that cost. Just no way.
Originally Posted by Lee DeRaud
Just how many Corvettes are they planning on selling each year that they need a half-billion-dollar paint facility?
Methinks they are setting up Bowling Green for production of other vehicles.
Perzaktly...

Originally Posted by JR-01
Not satire at all. New Corvettes are expensive. They is over engineered with all the unneccessary bells and whistles and have more power than anyone would ever need. I don't want a supercar. I want a new 2 seat removable top sport car with decent power and handling that I can drive all over the country and put a ton of miles on. I am not buying another used Corvette.
They were never cheap. There are other cars better suited to your purpose if that's what you want. Miata comes to mind, even if you stuff an LS in a used one, it can be a pretty badazz car. S2K some guys like,I"m not one of em. Mini. Used Jag or Aston, there's a ton of options but most of those aren't exactly cheap when new either.
Reply
Old May 22, 2015 | 10:36 AM
  #13  
JR-01's Avatar
JR-01
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
Default

Originally Posted by K-Spaz
Good point. My first thoughts were, there is no way Vette sales will recoup that cost. Just no way.
Perzaktly...


They were never cheap. There are other cars better suited to your purpose if that's what you want. Miata comes to mind, even if you stuff an LS in a used one, it can be a pretty badazz car. S2K some guys like,I"m not one of em. Mini. Used Jag or Aston, there's a ton of options but most of those aren't exactly cheap when new either.
I am talking about new cars. Miata is underpowered and too small. GM could have had a real winner had they done the Solstice right. Made it a little bigger with a 300 to 350 HP V8 and kept costs down. Made it a purist sports car, keeping it simple. There is no way I can justify spending 60 to 70K on a car that spends 6 months a year in storage. There really are no good options out there for a decent, affordable new 2 seat sports car. And there is a market out there for one.
Reply
Old May 22, 2015 | 12:27 PM
  #14  
K-Spaz's Avatar
K-Spaz
Team Owner
 
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 34,479
Likes: 532
From: Central PA. - - My AR15 identifies as a muzzleloader
I believe in the Beer Fairy
Default

Originally Posted by JR-01
I am talking about new cars. Miata is underpowered and too small. GM could have had a real winner had they done the Solstice right. Made it a little bigger with a 300 to 350 HP V8 and kept costs down. Made it a purist sports car, keeping it simple. There is no way I can justify spending 60 to 70K on a car that spends 6 months a year in storage. There really are no good options out there for a decent, affordable new 2 seat sports car. And there is a market out there for one.
Well, in 2013 Gm was unloading Vettes, you could buy a coupe w/2LT for $42,000 out the door and that was with 0% financing for 72 months. The biggest reason the prices on them are higher now is that the demand is up for the C7 and the dealers are not discounting much off the sticker. Give them a few years and that'll change. That'll be especially true around the time the C8 is ready to release. Currently the sticker on the car starts at low 50's, and could easily be discounted down into the 40s for a brand new C7.

They can't make one car to please everyone.
Reply
Old May 22, 2015 | 12:33 PM
  #15  
CriticalmassGT's Avatar
CriticalmassGT
Pro
 
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 636
Likes: 60
Default

Originally Posted by JR-01
Not satire at all. New Corvettes are expensive. They is over engineered with all the unneccessary bells and whistles and have more power than anyone would ever need. I don't want a supercar. I want a new 2 seat removable top sport car with decent power and handling that I can drive all over the country and put a ton of miles on. I am not buying another used Corvette.
The 2016 MX5 Miata might just be for you. No, I'm not being sarcastic. If you want HP, You have to pay to play.


Last edited by CriticalmassGT; May 22, 2015 at 12:36 PM.
Reply
Old May 22, 2015 | 12:45 PM
  #16  
JR-01's Avatar
JR-01
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
Default

Originally Posted by K-Spaz
Well, in 2013 Gm was unloading Vettes, you could buy a coupe w/2LT for $42,000 out the door and that was with 0% financing for 72 months. The biggest reason the prices on them are higher now is that the demand is up for the C7 and the dealers are not discounting much off the sticker. Give them a few years and that'll change. That'll be especially true around the time the C8 is ready to release. Currently the sticker on the car starts at low 50's, and could easily be discounted down into the 40s for a brand new C7.

They can't make one car to please everyone.
No, but there is a lot of demand for Miatas at the 20 to 30K price range. GM is missing out on a huge market. Especially now that baby boomers are retiring, want a weekend sport cruiser, don't want or need 500 hp and want to pay less than 30K.

You can not get a C7 in the 40s around here. Closer to 60K.
Reply
Old May 22, 2015 | 12:47 PM
  #17  
JR-01's Avatar
JR-01
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
Default

Originally Posted by CriticalmassGT
The 2016 MX5 Miata might just be for you. No, I'm not being sarcastic. If you want HP, You have to pay to play.

They are getting better and I have considered them. They need to be a little bigger and have 250 to 300 hp which is not asking too much.

One of the big three could easily build a decent 2 seater for 30K if Mazda can do it.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To GM invests in Corvette

Old May 22, 2015 | 01:04 PM
  #18  
RSbeast's Avatar
RSbeast
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,135
Likes: 258
Default

Miatas ftw.

They have the perfect balance of fun and cost of ownership. Loved my old one.

Sadly everything is creeping in price these days. A nice Miata is probably 27k...still that's half of basic z51 money. A mustang GT is 40k now.

If the camaro was more sports car and less 2+2 tank cruiser it would work; however those traits make it practical and not steal from corvette sales. If GM made such a car; Corvette would die.

Miata is sadly about the only 2 seater open roof car left. A new s2k would be awesome but that ship has sailed. Ford sells too many mustangs to give a ****.

The only mfr would be dodge and between a dart and a challenger base; I'm not sure there is room. If fiat spun off such a car then I think it'd come over as a dodge variant; but right now it doesn't and isn't viable.
Reply
Old May 22, 2015 | 01:14 PM
  #19  
JR-01's Avatar
JR-01
Le Mans Master
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
Default

Originally Posted by RSbeast
Miatas ftw.

They have the perfect balance of fun and cost of ownership. Loved my old one.

Sadly everything is creeping in price these days. A nice Miata is probably 27k...still that's half of basic z51 money. A mustang GT is 40k now.

If the camaro was more sports car and less 2+2 tank cruiser it would work; however those traits make it practical and not steal from corvette sales. If GM made such a car; Corvette would die.

Miata is sadly about the only 2 seater open roof car left. A new s2k would be awesome but that ship has sailed. Ford sells too many mustangs to give a ****.

The only mfr would be dodge and between a dart and a challenger base; I'm not sure there is room. If fiat spun off such a car then I think it'd come over as a dodge variant; but right now it doesn't and isn't viable.
The Solstice didn't hurt Corvette sales, but it might have, had they done it right. Someday a car company will build the perfect affordable sports car for the masses and they will wonder why they didn't do it decades ago. The demand is there.
Reply
Old May 22, 2015 | 11:48 PM
  #20  
El original's Avatar
El original
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,146
Likes: 203
From: Edmonton Alberta, Canada
Default

Originally Posted by RSbeast
Too bad it took this long to get decent paint. My vette has the worst quality paint of any vehicle I've ever owned. Earl Schieb / Maacco quality for sure.

Junk *** quicksilver.
If you bought your Corvette used it could have been a re-spray, that would explain the poor paint job. Personally my black '03 Corvette has the best quality paint of any car I have EVER owned, period!
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:04 PM.

story-0
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-2
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-5
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE