What will be the single big new capability of the C7 that will drive sales?
06-05-2012, 08:08 PM
#1
Race Director
Thread Starter
What will be the single big new capability of the C7 that will drive sales?
Will it be AWD? Lighter weight? 700 hp? What will you need to see to entice you to want one badly? 
For me, it is AWD. I don't really need more hp, just to be able to hook up what I have.
For me, it is AWD. I don't really need more hp, just to be able to hook up what I have.
06-05-2012, 08:59 PM
#2
Melting Slicks
Simply, that it's a new Corvette; new body, new interior, and updated electronics. If all else is the same as a C6, a new look will still sell well.
Cheers,
JB
Cheers,
JB
06-05-2012, 09:01 PM
#3
The Consigliere
Member Since: May 2006
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When they make one that outperforms my C6s then they'll have my attention.
Assuming it's an otherwise attractive machine. My Dad advised us boys to never marry an ugly woman, as it "will just wear a man down." Followed that advice with selection of my better half, and try to do the same with my sports cars.
So - better performance and good looks.
Assuming it's an otherwise attractive machine. My Dad advised us boys to never marry an ugly woman, as it "will just wear a man down." Followed that advice with selection of my better half, and try to do the same with my sports cars.
So - better performance and good looks.
06-05-2012, 09:01 PM
#4
Team Owner
Given that there will be no one thing that will be a game changer - no AWD, no 500hp base model, no mid engine etc, it will take a combination of features, not one thing.
The interior needs to be killer, with a true audiophile sound system available, up do date nav, ventilated seats etc. The base engine needs 460-470hp with about 28mpg on the highway, and it needs exterior styling that is not just another update of the C5/C6 evolution.
The interior needs to be killer, with a true audiophile sound system available, up do date nav, ventilated seats etc. The base engine needs 460-470hp with about 28mpg on the highway, and it needs exterior styling that is not just another update of the C5/C6 evolution.
06-05-2012, 10:00 PM
#5
Le Mans Master
I predict C7 won't have a single big new capability that will drive sales. I predict some sales will be driven by styling, some by performance, some by technology, some by luxury, but most by a combination of factors. Corvette will improve by balance, not by extreme.
But to try to address the spirit of the question, I think the interior technology and construction will be the area of greatest improvement and the area GM hits hardest in their rollout. But this is just a guess. We know so little; engine or chassis tech may turn out to be more bragworthy.
I also predict BlueOx will be far more disappointed by GM in January than he is today.
.Jinx
But to try to address the spirit of the question, I think the interior technology and construction will be the area of greatest improvement and the area GM hits hardest in their rollout. But this is just a guess. We know so little; engine or chassis tech may turn out to be more bragworthy.
I also predict BlueOx will be far more disappointed by GM in January than he is today.
.Jinx
06-05-2012, 10:09 PM
#6
Race Director
Thread Starter
I predict C7 won't have a single big new capability that will drive sales. I predict some sales will be driven by styling, some by performance, some by technology, some by luxury, but most by a combination of factors. Corvette will improve by balance, not by extreme.
But to try to address the spirit of the question, I think the interior technology and construction will be the area of greatest improvement and the area GM hits hardest in their rollout. But this is just a guess. We know so little; engine or chassis tech may turn out to be more bragworthy.
I also predict BlueOx will be far more disappointed by GM in January than he is today.
.Jinx
But to try to address the spirit of the question, I think the interior technology and construction will be the area of greatest improvement and the area GM hits hardest in their rollout. But this is just a guess. We know so little; engine or chassis tech may turn out to be more bragworthy.
I also predict BlueOx will be far more disappointed by GM in January than he is today.
.Jinx
If it stays the way it is now, I certainly will be more disappointed in January. I also think I will be even more disappointed with sales in October, if they stay as flat as they have been for 4 years.
06-05-2012, 10:22 PM
#7
Melting Slicks
I predict C7 won't have a single big new capability that will drive sales. I predict some sales will be driven by styling, some by performance, some by technology, some by luxury, but most by a combination of factors. Corvette will improve by balance, not by extreme.
But to try to address the spirit of the question, I think the interior technology and construction will be the area of greatest improvement and the area GM hits hardest in their rollout. But this is just a guess. We know so little; engine or chassis tech may turn out to be more bragworthy.
I also predict BlueOx will be far more disappointed by GM in January than he is today.
.Jinx
But to try to address the spirit of the question, I think the interior technology and construction will be the area of greatest improvement and the area GM hits hardest in their rollout. But this is just a guess. We know so little; engine or chassis tech may turn out to be more bragworthy.
I also predict BlueOx will be far more disappointed by GM in January than he is today.
.Jinx
06-05-2012, 10:33 PM
#11
Le Mans Master
I also think I will be even more disappointed with sales in October, if they stay as flat as they have been for 4 years.
So it's been three and a half years. You'll have your four years in November -- don't rush it.
.Jinx
When did the economy hit the dumpster again? I forget.
06-05-2012, 10:41 PM
#12
Race Director
Thread Starter
I don't know that we'll see. We can make some guesses based on what the press writes or what an unscientific sample says in C7 General Discussion when people start posting about their actual buying decisions, but we won't really see without a good market study. I doubt we'll be privy to that.
You keep saying this, but it's a misstatement. Sales have not been flat for four years. Sales four years ago (May 2008) were running at a significantly higher rate. Sales in 2008 were off from 2007 overall, except August 2008 which was a huge month, but it wasn't really until November 2008 that sales fell to a 12K-13K annual rate.
So it's been three and a half years. You'll have your four years in November -- don't rush it.
.Jinx
When did the economy hit the dumpster again? I forget.
You keep saying this, but it's a misstatement. Sales have not been flat for four years. Sales four years ago (May 2008) were running at a significantly higher rate. Sales in 2008 were off from 2007 overall, except August 2008 which was a huge month, but it wasn't really until November 2008 that sales fell to a 12K-13K annual rate.
So it's been three and a half years. You'll have your four years in November -- don't rush it.
.Jinx
When did the economy hit the dumpster again? I forget.
Just so back to the Isuzu forum.
06-05-2012, 10:48 PM
#13
Melting Slicks
I usually hate contributing to off-topic discussions. I will probably regret this, but...
The economy is the one and only driving force behind the Corvette sales that you call "flat". It is the entire reason that some people can no longer afford to own a 50k car, period.
The economy is the one and only driving force behind the Corvette sales that you call "flat". It is the entire reason that some people can no longer afford to own a 50k car, period.
06-05-2012, 10:48 PM
#14
Melting Slicks
That Ferrari is gorgeous, but I think the C7 will be an edgier design.
And in my opinion, for potential buyers, the exterior styling will be the single most persuasive attribute of the car.
Most folks rarely use all the performance capabilities of their car every time they drive it. But, the styling is there 100% of the time.
And in my opinion, for potential buyers, the exterior styling will be the single most persuasive attribute of the car.
Most folks rarely use all the performance capabilities of their car every time they drive it. But, the styling is there 100% of the time.
06-05-2012, 10:56 PM
#15
Race Director
Thread Starter
I usually hate contributing to off-topic discussions. I will probably regret this, but...
The economy is the one and only driving force behind the Corvette sales that you call "flat". It is the entire reason that some people can no longer afford to own a 50k car, period.
The economy is the one and only driving force behind the Corvette sales that you call "flat". It is the entire reason that some people can no longer afford to own a 50k car, period.
Flat sales is flat sales. No significant increase or decrease is 'flat'.
Last edited by BlueOx; 06-05-2012 at 11:06 PM.
06-05-2012, 11:18 PM
#16
Le Mans Master
But when I'm there I can't say "my other car has better seats" like I can here.
I'm betting when I get a C7 I won't be able to say that here anymore. But I'm not confident enough to call it the single big new thing that will drive sales.
.Jinx
I'm betting when I get a C7 I won't be able to say that here anymore. But I'm not confident enough to call it the single big new thing that will drive sales.
.Jinx
06-05-2012, 11:31 PM
#17
Melting Slicks
06-06-2012, 12:10 AM
#19
Team Owner
Yes, traction is key to acceleration, but so is power-to-weight ratio.
I'll happily accept/embrace an AWD Corvette as long as it doesn't add excessive weight and/or it gets enough of a power increase to more than overcome/justify it's added weight increase.
06-06-2012, 12:18 AM
#20
Instructor
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