Ken Fichtner

Constraint Updates:
• CSC – Competition Sport Package will be constrained until build starts in Spring.
• GT1 – GT1 Championship Editions will be constrained until build starts in Spring.
• 425 - Linen Custom Leather Wrapped Interior is on stop order. Orders already ordered and accepted will be built.
• 74U Victory Red – Build out for 2009 Model Year - Last DOSP Feb 19, 2009.
• ZR1 production will be less than anticipated. 2009 ZR1 orders missed will be first priority for 2010 model year.

Ken Fichtner
Fichtner Chevrolet

curvesman

Thanks for sharing!

beden1

I can't understand GM limiting the ZR1 production since it's one car that has demand from buyers? Maybe they have to limit the production of their gas guzzlers.

Since they won't be making many ZR1s, I wonder what the Corvette plant will be producing, as there are currently many unsold Corvettes and ZO6s?

TEP061

I'll take my 2010 torch red zr1 with the new saddle tan interior with red stitching.

ironmikezero

- As of March 5th, there are 5,937 unsold 2009 Corvettes in dealers' hands... (per Jeff Hardy)...

It is very likely that the only cars BG will be producing are those which are "special orders" from dealers whose customers could not find what they wanted amongst the 5,937 languishing on their respective lots... At this point in the game, no dealer will order a car unless he has a bona fide customer - committed (via a healthy deposit..?) to the deal.

GForceSS

Hmm, i wonder where the cutoff starts

09C6ZR1

Next question is......will there BE a 2010 production of the ZR1 (especially), or ANY vette for that matter, given yesterday's announcement from GM? It's possible that this suspension might just be the writing on the wall for the ZR1 and they're letting us down easy.....It's obvious that things are going to get much worse than better from the horses own mouth.......and a gas guzzler isn't a friendly word to Washigton OR the public right now.

Reminds me of a Janice Joplin song...."GITTIT WHILE YOU CAN"

Red Rochester

thanks

09C6ZR1

How many of you think that the regulations set up by the new Car Zarrr and comittee to oversee the viability of the continuation of the big 3 are going to let a gas guzzler exist in the future production of new cars before they cut loose any more money from the feds? Seems to me that is going to be the first red check mark in their diagnosis.

vette6799

Actually, my read of Jeffhardy.com shows 7,452 cars available. I also think there is very little demand for the ZR1. There were only 30 ZR1's, give or take a few, sold in two months time from dealer inventory. That should tell you something. There are lots of people who would like a ZR1, but very few who seem to be buying one. That is a huge difference. I would consider the car at MSRP, but only if GM survives along with my local dealership who is having troubles.

Another poster mentioned yesterday's announcement from GM - what announcement?

Frankie2blue

Even at MSRP at this point, I do not think high sales of the ZR1 would exist for too long. Lots of enthusiasm on this board, but in the real world (of buying public) not so much from what I am hearing. Just speculation, but I bet I am not that far off.

allanlaw

Here it is:

"GM Statement Regarding the Company's Position on Restructuring

Contrary to today’s story in the Wall Street Journal, GM has not changed its position on bankruptcy.

Restructuring the business out of court remains the best solution for GM and its constituents. The company has established a clearly-defined plan to restructure its business and restore GM to long-term viability, and GM is aggressively executing that plan through a series of actions outlined in its February 17 viability plan.

As a prudent business measure, the company has analyzed various bankruptcy scenarios. However, the company firmly believes an in-court restructuring would carry with it tremendous costs and risks, the most significant being a dramatic deterioration of revenue due to lost sales."

curvesman

I would not buy a ZR1 for MSRP anymore, Only because of this Market loosing thousands and thousands every month.

Charlie M

What happened to the guy bragging about ZR1's still commanding the big$$$$$$ and signing a deal at 20K over?

I can't make myself put 50K down on a car, not know if it will have any wannanty a year from now, and have to buy gap insurance because it won't even be worth what I would owe on it.

I'll just be happy with what I have.

Z06PSI

Obama is going to buy my ZR1.

RichieRichZ06

You make too much money, so now he is going to give it to the baby momma on wellfare so she can sell it for crack.

Z06PSI

I work for the government directly so I am on the rich welfare program.

638HP

ZR1 production is currently parts availability limited (Brembo brakes) to 8-ZR1's per day. BG is producing ZR1's to fill customer orders only and are not making ZR1's for dealer stock!

BG has slowed down total Corvette production to an average of 11-Corvettes per hour, down from 20 per hour, as dealers are not absorbing these cars on their already saturated lots. Left over 2008's offered with 0% / 60-month financing are moving off the lots slowly. With spring approaching, left over 2008's may start rolling, thus making room for the 2009's. One can only hope!

GM has arrived at the 8-ZR1's per day to space out ZR1 production with base model coupes, converts and Z06's to keep the production line flowing over a full one-day shift. GM has already extended 2009 production one additional week from June 12th to June 19th so that they can make 40 additional "profitable" ZR1's. The key question here is, why would GM extend 2009 production one additional week to make 40 more ZR1's if they are indeed planning on making 2010 ZR1's? Uhhhmmm.... GM has stated all 2009 orders which are not filled will be a priority for 2010 model year production, hence why extend 2009 production one week if that production week was already scheduled for the next model year ZR1? One would think there will be no 2010 ZR1.

You can obviously see GM's dilemma, if 2009 base model coupes, converts and Z06's are not being absorbed by dealers, additional shutdowns may occur, hence why GM is considering an additional one-week plant closing either in late March or early April. Will we see more shutdowns over the remaining 3-1/2 months of 2009 production?

The fear is if the Corvette sales continue to be soft coupled with the black-eye pressure placed on GM from our friendly government and increasingly more powerful media, will GM pull the plug on the Corvette all together? Could we be nearing the end of an American icon? If this is not the case, IMO the ZR1 will experience a short life with 2009 most likely being the only model year for the 638hp beast.

If you got to have a ZR1, you best jump in one soon! They may be soon scarce with prices increasing.

RFZ

i am glad i don't have to have one!!

ammoman

I didn't have to have one.
I just wanted it
Thank God i didn't leave that money in the market.The corvette turned out to have less depreciation and i can drive it in the meantime.
Eric