BlueOx

Given all the new cars like the Aston Martin Dragon 88 being developed for the Chinese market, what is the target percentage you give for the new C7 to be aimed at the growing Chinese auto market and why?

I'm guessing it will be in the 5-10% range. I can't see the C7 being targeted for China very much yet as they are more interested in medium and luxury car markets for the next decade.

LS1LT1

I would think that (and would rather) that the Japanese market might be a higher priority/focus for the next Corvette than the Chinese market, but maybe not.
I know that China sure does love the Buicks though.

User 2623

If the vette looks anything like this - it looks chinese to me.

Jinx

IIRC there's a big penalty in China for displacement over 4.0 litres. This limit is thought to be the driving force behind Bentley's 4.0L V8 Continental GT.

So maybe that's where the turbo V6 goes

Nitrous Oxide

The top of line model will be marketed as the Zing Ha Wan.
Estimated sales: 0.5 units.

tuxnharley

Two other possible names:

Fu Kin Qwik

Ho Lee Chit

scmtkings4

.......a BLATANT racist comment....gtfo

mike100

Have you ever been to China? I would say any Corvette is not going to be popular or distributed by GM of Asia. Some may be imported here and there, but...

1) Chinese don't roll solo- ever. They love conspicuous consumption and displays of wealth, but they want to include 5 of their friends in a giant suv.
2) the roads conditions vary widely- although some of the newer toll highways in the middle of nowhere could be the autobahn with the lack of traditional speed enforcement. Regular Chinese can't afford the toll so they are wide open. Too bad they only last about 2 years before the weather messes them up.
3) Nobody to work on them and people drive real slow in town. Plus older cities have no parking so you need to be able to drive on the sidewalk.

MitchAlsup

While I do not see the Vette being aimed at the Chineese market, I suspect GM (or whomever) will be able to see a goodly number of them to the rich folks over there. China has become a major sales point for Ferrari, Astin Martin, Bentley, Lamborghini. Looks like good company for Vettes.

And the reason all of this makes sense:: The richer peoples in China have gobs of money.

CropDuster

JoesC5

And I thought all those stupid little symbols on the C6 factory NAV were the *****. Now they're going to be in Chinese. I will never find my way back to the nursing home.

SDLong329

Sorry, saying CHINESE does not make someone RACIST!

Racist:
1) a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others.
2) hatred or intolerance of another race or other races

STOP hating people, just because you do not understand English!

SanDiegoBert

Honestly, I thought that was a comment made in jest. Racist?? I don't think so.

Seriously, people are WAY too likely to take offense, where no offense exists.

BlueOx

Back on topic, I imagine that GM HAS to make a major play into this market because so many of the competition like Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lambo, and I will bet the Viper will be there. They may have to rename it something "dragony" tho...

OnPoint

At this point, I bet they'd be happy with a substantial increase in U.S. sales. Anything else is gravy.

mike100

They don't have to do anything except make a profit. They are a big player in China- much bigger than Ford, for example. Did you know that VW is also big in China? maybe bigger than Toyota. Nobody needs to sell Halo cars there- to do it right, they have to train everybody on how to work on them, plus, like I said, the roads are not great. To offer the car would be a distraction away from other sales that could be made to some well-to-do.

I predict no normal dealer distributed Corvettes in China.

BlueOx

Not sure what you define a "normal dealer" in China as being, but I have to disagree because the Chinese market is changing on a daily basis and GM is a big player there. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

JoesC5

But aren't the cars(for the most part) that GM sells in China, also made in China. I really doubt if there is any money to be made by selling Corvettes in China.

"Nearly all of GM cars sold in China are made domestically." from the following article...http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english...ent_509576.htm Domestically means China as the link is Chinese

BlueOx

Well, I know they are making/selling the Caddy SRX in China. Who knows...someday it or something similar to it make make it there.

JerriVette

I would hope with the growing chinese market with annual sales approaching 18 million a year that hopefully a thousand or so Corvettes could be sold over in china..

I'd be surprised if the chinese didn't find the allure of corvette enticing enough to buy ...