The journey begins. 
How does Corvette factory stack up?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 0
From: Dade City Florida
The only thing I can tell you is to tour the factory, or better yet purchase the buyers tour and walk down the line with your car. You will get to meet the people that are doing the work. These folks will not hesitate to talk to you about these cars and the tremendous pride that they take in the work that they do. The workers in the factory are however a very small part of the machine that they are building. The engineers, designers, bean-counters, executives etc., make up the rest of the equation. The assembly plant workers don't have a a lot of control of the parts that they are given to work with. Any employee in the plant can stop the line for any thing that they find wrong. I will also tell you that I know Wil Cooksey. You will not meet anyone who takes their job more seriously and personally than he. If you don't know who he is, Wil Cooksey is the Bowling Green Assembly Plant Manager. Wil attends virtually every Corvette event at the National Corvette Museum and other events around the country, he takes the time to talk with, meet, eat and shake hands with everyone that he can. This man walks the talk. Does this mean that you will not get a bad part or problem car? Of course not, every rule has an exception but I do believe that you have a better than average shot at it with the Bowling Green Corvette.
Don't base your fears on the findings you read here on the forum. This is not a statistically representative sampling and probably more importantly, many of the reasons that people come to a forum in the first place is for problem resolution. Couple this with the fact that forum members are by far, the most educated and particular owners of a marque. With these two facts combined you can easily walk away with the wrong impression. Look around, talk to some owners and don't hesitate to ask questions. Enjoy the ride. You can take the Corvette as an exceptional value in performance car or you can live the heritage that the Corvette represents or anywhere in between.
Welcome to the forum.
Paul
Don't base your fears on the findings you read here on the forum. This is not a statistically representative sampling and probably more importantly, many of the reasons that people come to a forum in the first place is for problem resolution. Couple this with the fact that forum members are by far, the most educated and particular owners of a marque. With these two facts combined you can easily walk away with the wrong impression. Look around, talk to some owners and don't hesitate to ask questions. Enjoy the ride. You can take the Corvette as an exceptional value in performance car or you can live the heritage that the Corvette represents or anywhere in between.
Welcome to the forum.
Paul
I agree, when I did my NCM delivery I was very impressed with the plant tour and the workers on the line. My car was assembled perfectly and from the workers I met, assembled with pride.
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
There were some excellent replies in this thread. Although I have every expectation that US auto-makers will reverse their economic misfortunes (often self-inflicted), with all the plants that are being shutdown across the Country, I think it safe to assume Corvette plant workers realize they have something special to keep and protect.
As for the comparison to German production quality....I drove BMWs for over 20 years. While I still like and respect BMWs, all three of mine had their share of problems.
I think it safe to assume you will have an extremely well-engineered and well-built Corvette. My 2005 has been virtually problem-free. Enjoy your new Family member!
As for the comparison to German production quality....I drove BMWs for over 20 years. While I still like and respect BMWs, all three of mine had their share of problems.
I think it safe to assume you will have an extremely well-engineered and well-built Corvette. My 2005 has been virtually problem-free. Enjoy your new Family member!
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 392
Likes: 1
From: Orange County CA
Since I have an 07 coupe being built as we speak, I was wondering what everyone's thoughts were about how the factory in Bowling Green stacks up to other performance car factories both here in the U.S. and overseas. Also how about the Corvette factory workers. Do they take pride in their work knowing that they are building a unique and special vehicle and go the extra mile to make it right? I realize that this is apples and oranges but the only other car that I have ordered new from the factory was my 76 Silverado pickup. When I got it it was a mess. Three pieces of inside molding completely missing, extra bolts left on top of the engine, paint scratches on the side. Also blew out the cam bearings at about 5000 miles. I am looking forward to a much better experience this time. Also the Christmas shutdown and the new year are now taking place at the factory, does quality suffer because workers with seniority take the holidays off and the less experienced people are left to pull up the slack?
Guess I got off your original Q somewhat.1. DO the NCM delivery and/or build tour. Your will never regret it!
2. Vacations won't matter. The essential QC will still be in place meaning the cars will turn out the same.
3. The small size of the Corvette factory and the pride of the workers means you won't have missing trim, etc.
4. Enjoy!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 924
Likes: 7
From: Smith River CA
Thanks to everyone for all of your excellent input on my questions. I feel like I've already taken the factory tour.
NEWS FLASH: I just received my VIN number today! It won't be long now. Yahoo!!!!
NEWS FLASH: I just received my VIN number today! It won't be long now. Yahoo!!!!
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
From: Cocoa Beach FL
Credit Deming, Motorola's Six Sigma, robot assembly, supply-chain rationalization, and globalization: there are no slouches in automobile manufacture left anywhere in the world. Bowling Green has always had the advantage of a premiere brand, low production numbers, and intense engineering.
The low cost-point on Vettes is another advantage - you've really gotta be good to keep prices as low as have been and are for this quality product.
And recall laws and forums like this one ensure that flaws and glitches cannot be hidden away.
My conclusion: you can have deep confidence in a well designed, well manufactured product coming from Bowling Green ... and nearly every other auto plant in the world: if not, out of business in a heartbeat, that's how tought global competition is.
The low cost-point on Vettes is another advantage - you've really gotta be good to keep prices as low as have been and are for this quality product.
And recall laws and forums like this one ensure that flaws and glitches cannot be hidden away.
My conclusion: you can have deep confidence in a well designed, well manufactured product coming from Bowling Green ... and nearly every other auto plant in the world: if not, out of business in a heartbeat, that's how tought global competition is.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 35,617
Likes: 167
Tech Contributor
Cruise-In 11 Veteran
NCM Ambassador
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'10
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 877
Likes: 0
From: Helotes Texas
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 98
Likes: 15
From: Woodland Park CO
First post, so please excuse the noob question...
Can someone confirm if GM breaks in the LS2? I've read that after the car is built, it's put on a dyno and ran on a "track" (1/4?) to make sure everything is in check? Do they do this to every vette that comes off the line? Very interested to learn how they do this!
Just curious
Thanx,
Eric
Can someone confirm if GM breaks in the LS2? I've read that after the car is built, it's put on a dyno and ran on a "track" (1/4?) to make sure everything is in check? Do they do this to every vette that comes off the line? Very interested to learn how they do this!
Just curious
Thanx,
Eric
Last edited by PokerMunkee; Dec 23, 2006 at 07:47 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 35,617
Likes: 167
Tech Contributor
Cruise-In 11 Veteran
NCM Ambassador
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'10
First post, so please excuse the noob question...
Can someone confirm if GM breaks in the LS2? I've read that after the car is built, it's put on a dyno and ran on a "track" (1/4?) to make sure everything is in check? Do they do this to every vette that comes off the line? Very interested to learn how they do this!
Just curious
Thanx,
Eric
Can someone confirm if GM breaks in the LS2? I've read that after the car is built, it's put on a dyno and ran on a "track" (1/4?) to make sure everything is in check? Do they do this to every vette that comes off the line? Very interested to learn how they do this!
Just curious
Thanx,
Eric
