Corvette Production moving???
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 354
Likes: 4
From: Grand Ledge Michigan
Corvette Production moving???
It seems to add up, the Bowling Green facility is aged and run down, GM is not taking care of the extrerior, mowing, painting, cleaning, ect.. Rumors around the plant from reliable sources are that production is moving to Michigan. Line capacity is available here in GM's newest factory, a state-of-the art plant with several lines built for quick changeover, single-shift, low capacity to multiple lines, three shift, high capacity, and inexpensive to run, but expensive to leave idle when you have a plant like Bowling in the middle of the country, and no other factory support or supplying plants nearby, producing one product, 80 units a day. All the engineering, motor building, world headquarters, and more are already here in Michigan (have been). It's a pattern, before GM moves production, they stop taking care of a plant on the outside. Bowling Green looks like hell outside and inside is outdated, old equipment, lighting, heating, ect.. Corvette is the flagship car, it does not look like a flagship plant. You heard it here first, THE CORVETTE PRODUCTION IS MOVING TO LANSING MICHIGAN, DELTA PLANT. That's my prediction. I give it two years, TOPS.
Successful Plumber
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 43,830
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From: Top of the hill, 3rd mailbox on the right. Texas
CF NCM Ambassador
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10
NCM Member '09
Well, Chevy hasn't built a production Corvette in Michigan since the car's inception, why would they start now? Corvette has alwayys been built in the middle of the country.
Why go to the expense to move and build a facility for a low production vehicle? Especially when there is specific, damned expensive tooling for hydroforming the frames in place at BG?
I think the State of Kentucky and Bowling Green would provide what ever incentives necessary to keep the BG plant working. Plus, it has not been too long since the BG plant was the leading quality plant in the GM portfolio.
Michigan should be pushing to get the truck production back from Mexico or the Buick work Opel is building in Europe rather than trying to get a 35,000 unit plant from within the US.
Why go to the expense to move and build a facility for a low production vehicle? Especially when there is specific, damned expensive tooling for hydroforming the frames in place at BG?
I think the State of Kentucky and Bowling Green would provide what ever incentives necessary to keep the BG plant working. Plus, it has not been too long since the BG plant was the leading quality plant in the GM portfolio.
Michigan should be pushing to get the truck production back from Mexico or the Buick work Opel is building in Europe rather than trying to get a 35,000 unit plant from within the US.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,654
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From: Florida
I would not say the plant is in the "middle of the country" with no suppliers around. Do a little research before you say something like that. There is a reason that UPS is based in Louisville and Fed Ex in Memphis.
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Team Owner
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No way it moves out of BG. The facility is perfect for a low production car. Not to mention it has a good relationship with KY
Pro
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 502
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From: Stn Mtn GA
Didnt they just do a lot of new construction on the NCM?
And they also are planing on a building a couple different tracks on the land they just bought:
http://www.corvettemuseum.com/blog/
And they also are planing on a building a couple different tracks on the land they just bought:
http://www.corvettemuseum.com/blog/
Successful Plumber
Joined: Feb 2001
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From: Top of the hill, 3rd mailbox on the right. Texas
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10
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Didnt they just do a lot of new construction on the NCM?
And they also are planing on a building a couple different tracks on the land they just bought:
http://www.corvettemuseum.com/blog/
And they also are planing on a building a couple different tracks on the land they just bought:
http://www.corvettemuseum.com/blog/
It is an independent entity
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 18,396
Likes: 169
I heard that GM was planning on moving the Corvette plant to Spring Hill, Tn. 3 years ago. They'd just dropped 1.5 billion renovating the Saturn facilities, then decided to dump Saturn.(Smart move, huh?) The Saturn plant is suppose to have the latest and greatest paint facilities in the country. Now, it's growing weeds on the roof! I also heard that it was the uaw that put a halt to those plans. Whatever. I don't intend to buy another GM product as long as I live. Thinking my next ride will be the Audi R8.
7th Gear
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
2011 is rolling down the line
We were at the Plant 2 weeks back and the first 2011's were already on the line. The last of the 2010's were being finished as we were there.
One of our club members was picking up his 2010 at the museum.
The tour person told us that the C7 would be out in 2012 or 2013 and that the production would be moved to an as yet unknown location.
Very little difference int the 10 and 11. There is a new color - looks Grey
but they are going to call it Cyber Blue.
We just got our 2010 Crystal Red Grand Sport Friday. - Cool Car.
Larry
One of our club members was picking up his 2010 at the museum.
The tour person told us that the C7 would be out in 2012 or 2013 and that the production would be moved to an as yet unknown location.
Very little difference int the 10 and 11. There is a new color - looks Grey
but they are going to call it Cyber Blue.
We just got our 2010 Crystal Red Grand Sport Friday. - Cool Car.
Larry
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,820
Likes: 216
From: Deep in the Heart, TX
We were at the Plant 2 weeks back and the first 2011's were already on the line. The last of the 2010's were being finished as we were there.
One of our club members was picking up his 2010 at the museum.
The tour person told us that the C7 would be out in 2012 or 2013 and that the production would be moved to an as yet unknown location.
Very little difference int the 10 and 11. There is a new color - looks Grey
but they are going to call it Cyber Blue.
We just got our 2010 Crystal Red Grand Sport Friday. - Cool Car.
Larry
One of our club members was picking up his 2010 at the museum.
The tour person told us that the C7 would be out in 2012 or 2013 and that the production would be moved to an as yet unknown location.
Very little difference int the 10 and 11. There is a new color - looks Grey
but they are going to call it Cyber Blue.
We just got our 2010 Crystal Red Grand Sport Friday. - Cool Car.
Larry
7th Gear
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
New Color
At the time we were there they had not finalized the name for the color.
We heard that one also but the tour guide said the Cyber Blue was in the lead as the new name. Guess we will need to wait to find out what they really call it.
Either way we all thought it looked Grey. Could be just a bunch of old eyes
Larry
We heard that one also but the tour guide said the Cyber Blue was in the lead as the new name. Guess we will need to wait to find out what they really call it.
Either way we all thought it looked Grey. Could be just a bunch of old eyes
Larry
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,820
Likes: 216
From: Deep in the Heart, TX
At the time we were there they had not finalized the name for the color.
We heard that one also but the tour guide said the Cyber Blue was in the lead as the new name. Guess we will need to wait to find out what they really call it.
Either way we all thought it looked Grey. Could be just a bunch of old eyes
Larry
We heard that one also but the tour guide said the Cyber Blue was in the lead as the new name. Guess we will need to wait to find out what they really call it.
Either way we all thought it looked Grey. Could be just a bunch of old eyes
Larry
It does look like a mix between blue and grey.
7th Gear
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Could be
well, it looks like you were talking to an misinformed tour guide. That name has been set since early April and was officially announced at the Bash late in April. There are already 2011s in this color on dealer lots and in driveways.
It does look like a mix between blue and grey.
It does look like a mix between blue and grey.
Larry
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,573
Likes: 34
From: So. California
It seems to add up, the Bowling Green facility is aged and run down, GM is not taking care of the extrerior, mowing, painting, cleaning, ect.. Rumors around the plant from reliable sources are that production is moving to Michigan. Line capacity is available here in GM's newest factory, a state-of-the art plant with several lines built for quick changeover, single-shift, low capacity to multiple lines, three shift, high capacity, and inexpensive to run, but expensive to leave idle when you have a plant like Bowling in the middle of the country, and no other factory support or supplying plants nearby, producing one product, 80 units a day. All the engineering, motor building, world headquarters, and more are already here in Michigan (have been). It's a pattern, before GM moves production, they stop taking care of a plant on the outside. Bowling Green looks like hell outside and inside is outdated, old equipment, lighting, heating, ect.. Corvette is the flagship car, it does not look like a flagship plant. You heard it here first, THE CORVETTE PRODUCTION IS MOVING TO LANSING MICHIGAN, DELTA PLANT. That's my prediction. I give it two years, TOPS.
Its gonna happen!
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,260
Likes: 0
From: Chapel Hill NC
Can the Delta Plant build and assemble the 2-3-2 chassis?
If not, this means changing the Corvette to a different platform, possibly the Camero. Should that happen, all bets are off as to the weight of the Corvette.
If not, this means changing the Corvette to a different platform, possibly the Camero. Should that happen, all bets are off as to the weight of the Corvette.