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?

 

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

 

Thanks for the words of encouragement Paul. I am looking forward to taking delivery very soon. That statement is not quite right. I am more like an expectant father waiting for the delivery of his bundle of joy.

 

You've come to the right place. We've all been thru it in one way or another. Great bunch of folks here and we'll help you get thru it. Make sure you read and ask questions.

Here is a link to the '05 owners manual in PDF format from my website. I know there are newer ones out there but this will get you started with something to pass the time, and learn a little in the process.

http://www.theredlion.us/C6%2006%20owners%20manual.pdf

Is this your first Corvette?

Paul

 

I went through the buyer's tour with my dad when his C6 was being built earlier this year. The pride of workmanship from every single employee I saw there was absolutely mind-blowing. I can't imagine the guys stuck making Cobalts and Equinoxes feel quite the same as these folks do...after all, a large number of the employees at Bowling Green do own a Corvette themselves!

 

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.

Wil is not only the Plant Manager, he is a true Corvette guy. He has stated publicly that he is in the dream job. He owns Corvettes, drives them every day and loves to talk to other owners. I've had the pleasure to be in his company many times at Carlisle. He asks questions, gets the feedback and returns to Bowling Green with our comments. The building of the C6 is his job, a job which he takes very serious and we are better because Wil is at the helm.

 

Thanks for the tip on the manual. I've been reading everything on the forum now for about 3 weeks and have already absorbed huge amounts of valuable information. This is definitely, hands down, without a doubt, the best Corvette site.

Yes this will be my first. Nothing like the first, is there. My first car was a 65 gto and that was the fastest street car that I've owned, until I get my new Vette. I've been a drag racer for a number of years, dragsters with small block chevys. I've wanted a Vette for 20 years or more but have just been too focused on work, family, and other goals to want to spend that much money on a car. But now that the kids are grown and I am retired, and the wife said go for it, I said why not. It's now or never. So here I wait. Waiting for the moment when it will arrive. Black on black coupe, 3LT, MN6. Can you tell I'm excited?

 

We toured the Corvette factory recently on NCM pickup. I have also toured the Porsche factory in Germany.
The Porsche factory is much smaller but here are a few observations:

1. The quality of the Corvette has improved dramatically but is still a somewhat behind Porsche in fit and finish.

2. The quality of the "workers" in the Porsche factory were more like technicians rather than assembly line workers.

3. Paradoxically, The individual pride shown by the Corvette factory workers exceeds the pride of the Porsche factory workers. The Corvette folk know their job is highly sought after. The Porsche volk (intended) would just as soon be at Mercedes or BMW who are much larger.

4. I was somewhat disconcerted by what I saw on the Corvette factory tour. While the assembly line was moving some station workers were paying much more attention to conversation with a neighboring worker than to correctly installing their component! At another station 2 guys got into a yelling match and mild shoving ensued!

5. The Porsche factory has many more quality control checks. This leads to fewer problems for the dealerships at delivery time. In recent years though, component failures have made Porsche suffer in JD Power reports but that is different than proper quality and final assembly.
In this area I think Corvette may be ahead. Lowest bidder components have their problems, but overall it appears the engineers at GM are ahead of Porsche in overall design and testing of components.

6. An example of quality assembly: When bolts are assembled at Porche paint "tick" marks are applied and only after proper torque.
That way the individual is accountable for his work and the next station or inspector can spot missing marks. At corvette a preset power wrench is applied by the worker and you just hope is is right.

7. At the Corvette factory my impression was that most any worker could take most other positions on the line and do the work with minimal practice. This is probably a good thing for vacation fill in and other absenses.

8. Overall, I was quite surprised how good a final product the Corvette factory produces. I still believe thay need more QC along the assembly line but they have come a long way.

9. Automation is the key to productivity today. In this area GM at the Corvette factory far exceeds what Porsche is doing. There is nothing wrong with automation as long as quality is uniform and good. That appears to be tha case at Corvette. At Porsche things are still more labor intensive because of quality differences have to be "made to fit"
such as doors and hoods. They have automated to the point they can no longer claim the product is "hand made" but are far behind Corvette in computer inventory control and assembly.

Hope I didn't offend anyone, by all means please chime in! Your experience may differ.

 

Nothing like it. It sounds like it is a long time in coming for you. Live each and every day, that is what is important. Not to be a downer but this forum just lost a dear friend and Corvette fan of the highest order, make sure you make the most of it.

Yeah, I can tell you are excited and you deserve to be. These are awesome cars. This is my third. I owned an '84, a '97 and now the '05each of them different, each of them awesome for me. I am very passionate about all things Corvette. I am active with a club, I'm an Ambassador for the National Corvette Museum and a Lifetime Member. You all always have people to listen to you here.

Paul

 

Good to hear. My first one is beeing built weel of Jan 8.

..jack

 

I took the Buyer's tour and had the opportunity to watch my car being built. I was amazed at how much pride the employees took in their jobs, and the C6. They take every available opportunity to say "Thank You" for buying their car.

 

No because the entire plant is shut down for the next two weeks.

 

Had a couple of fit and finish quality control issues plus orange peel paint job with my '06; no issues with my previous car, '04 BMW 330Ci.

 

This is accurate in areas that I have seen. And I've seen many different car plants.

 

You can't compare the assembly quality of any US made vehicle today with what was built in 76. Back then they were churning out junk. I can't believe the cars stayed together as long as they did. We can thank the Japanese to change this.

Warren

 

No one should take offense, your points are well made and your details thorough. The only counter point I would make is regarding your thoughts on QC checks on the line. To that I will submit that after more than 20 years in factory engineering, quality and operations management I will submit to you that you cannot "inspect in" quality. The approach that GM takes is to pass this responsibility down stream to their vendors. I worked for 5 years at a tier one supplier to GM powertrain. I have spoken at length with senior quality folks from the plant and with plant senior management and their approach is complete but somewhat "behind the scenes". When you take into account the "value proposition" the Corvette is a well made car and a great performer at the price point and it says a lot that most closely compare it with Porsche that cost considerably more.

Well said.

 

Enough said

Tom

 

Precisely why I purchased the Corvette rather than any other sports car alternative. Best damn Value in the known automotive world!

 

I toured the plant in the early 90's, not sure exactly when.

I felt it was somewhat of a 'controlled zoo'. Loud music at many work stations, smoking except where there were 'no smoking' signs (adhesive applications, etc.).

Most workers did not appear to have pride, it was just a job.

The one person I directly talked to bitched about hours being cut back. I so wanted to explain that if people don't buy these cars, there is no need to make them.

I seem to have felt the guide was not a GM employee, he was a contract employee. I don't remember why I thought this, but I did. And I really, really think he was really, really hung over from a previous late night of drinking.

From most of the comments about current tours, it appears to have improved a lot from 15 years ago.

 

Most employees I encountered when I was there had worked in other GM plants around the country and were laid off. Some had worked in several other GM plants. The guy who drove my car on the Dyno had worked in five other GM plants around the country.
They explained that when a new employee is needed in Bowling Green, GM has to offer the job to someone who was laid off first.
They also explained that finally landing in Bowling Green meant real job security and stability for their family.
They seemed very happy to be there, and genuinely appreciated the business!