how long will the C7 really be around?
01-03-2013, 03:42 PM
#1
Team Owner
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how long will the C7 really be around?
The shortest run for a Corvette series was 5 years; the C2. But that was sooooo long ago it has no bearing on trends in the 21st century.
The C3 ran for 15 years. Granted, there was a freshening in 1978 and then again in 1980. But counting those out - there's a 10 year solid run.
C4's were sold for 13 years. The only serious facelift was the interior change.
C5's were produced for 8 years
C6's were mfgrd for 9 years.
Considering the last three C series, the average life of a series is 10 years. For those that predict the C7 will be a short run... how do you define "short" ?
The C3 ran for 15 years. Granted, there was a freshening in 1978 and then again in 1980. But counting those out - there's a 10 year solid run.
C4's were sold for 13 years. The only serious facelift was the interior change.
C5's were produced for 8 years
C6's were mfgrd for 9 years.
Considering the last three C series, the average life of a series is 10 years. For those that predict the C7 will be a short run... how do you define "short" ?
Last edited by Mike Mercury; 01-03-2013 at 03:45 PM.
01-03-2013, 04:46 PM
#3
Instructor
There were quite a few changes throughout the C3 era, 73 front end, 74 rear end, 78 back window, 80 front etc... My guess for the C7 would be close to the same as the C5/C6.
01-03-2013, 04:56 PM
#5
Burning Brakes
While the OP is asking a kind of silly question, it does bring up one thing that's been bugging me a bit on this forum:
People keep talking about how the C6 was around for so long and the C7 was delayed because of GM's financials problems and the economy and such... But nine years isn't anything abnormal for a Corvette life cycle...
People keep talking about how the C6 was around for so long and the C7 was delayed because of GM's financials problems and the economy and such... But nine years isn't anything abnormal for a Corvette life cycle...
01-03-2013, 05:10 PM
#6
Race Director
Depends on the profitability of the corporation.
I would say with additional performance models and refreshening of front and rear facias, maybe fender widths etc...another 10 year run is a fair guess.
....rumor is it's a five year run but it's a weak rumor and it all depends on sales and total corporate profit.
I'd be surprised if were any less than an 8 year run.
Jmo
I would say with additional performance models and refreshening of front and rear facias, maybe fender widths etc...another 10 year run is a fair guess.
....rumor is it's a five year run but it's a weak rumor and it all depends on sales and total corporate profit.
I'd be surprised if were any less than an 8 year run.
Jmo
Last edited by JerriVette; 01-03-2013 at 05:18 PM.
01-03-2013, 06:56 PM
#7
Depends on the profitability of the corporation.
I would say with additional performance models and refreshening of front and rear facias, maybe fender widths etc...another 10 year run is a fair guess.
....rumor is it's a five year run but it's a weak rumor and it all depends on sales and total corporate profit.
I'd be surprised if were any less than an 8 year run.
Jmo
I would say with additional performance models and refreshening of front and rear facias, maybe fender widths etc...another 10 year run is a fair guess.
....rumor is it's a five year run but it's a weak rumor and it all depends on sales and total corporate profit.
I'd be surprised if were any less than an 8 year run.
Jmo
It also depends on how the competition does, what moves they make, yatta, yatta.
01-03-2013, 07:23 PM
#9
Drifting
I remember talk on these forums when C6 came out that it was a short run C5.5 to hold us over until the true next generation car was ready. That turned out to not be the case and I don't think it will be the case with C7 either. These cars cost a good bit to engineer and thus longer runs help pay the initial engineering cost off followed by years of higher per unit profits. Any guess now is just a guess and the only reliable data we have to base that guess on is past years. 8? 9?
01-03-2013, 07:24 PM
#10
Drifting
01-03-2013, 07:34 PM
#11
Le Mans Master
Whatever the C7 lifespan turns out to be, it'll be one or two years too long
01-03-2013, 07:39 PM
#12
Le Mans Master
Sure it's impossible to predict the future, but it's still fun. I'm going to go with the average: 10 years for C7. I wonder what GM's plan is. I'd guess the bean-counters want to keep the old model going for 10 years, while the marketing and engineering groups want a new car in 6-7 years. Bean counters usually win.
01-03-2013, 08:08 PM
#13
Team Owner
The C4 was going to be a short run as GM was ready to pull the plug(because of poor sales) in 1992. The C4 only lasted til 96 because some insiders convinced GM to pony up $250 million to R&D and tool the C5. The ROI for the C5 was based on 25,000 units annually for five years. As it turned out, the C5 was a huge success and GM made a ton of money off it as they sold 238,230 of them..
Last edited by JoesC5; 01-03-2013 at 08:26 PM.
01-03-2013, 08:13 PM
#14
Le Mans Master
The shortest run for a Corvette series was 5 years; the C2. But that was sooooo long ago it has no bearing on trends in the 21st century.
The C3 ran for 15 years. Granted, there was a freshening in 1978 and then again in 1980. But counting those out - there's a 10 year solid run.
Major redevelopment from C3
C4's were sold for 13 years. The only serious facelift was the interior change.
Major redevelopment from C4
C5's were produced for 8 years
C6's were mfgrd for 9 years.
15 years total
Considering the last three C series, the average life of a series is 10 years. For those that predict the C7 will be a short run... how do you define "short" ?
The C3 ran for 15 years. Granted, there was a freshening in 1978 and then again in 1980. But counting those out - there's a 10 year solid run.
Major redevelopment from C3
C4's were sold for 13 years. The only serious facelift was the interior change.
Major redevelopment from C4
C5's were produced for 8 years
C6's were mfgrd for 9 years.
15 years total
Considering the last three C series, the average life of a series is 10 years. For those that predict the C7 will be a short run... how do you define "short" ?
Reason I believe this is, because of racing. If ISCAR stays alive, and GM is racing the Corvette like it is now, 7-9 years will be the limit of the body before a redesign is necessary to stay competitive.
Funny thats 61,326 hours 10 min 48 sec. or 83.9 months or a tad over 7 years. My conclusion as well.
01-03-2013, 08:32 PM
#17
Le Mans Master
If all GM did was reskin the exterior and update the interior every five years, and tweak the engine one of those times, they could go fifteen years between major redesigns.
But the 8-9 year cycle we have now probably gives us a better sports car.
But the 8-9 year cycle we have now probably gives us a better sports car.
01-03-2013, 10:20 PM
#18
The Consigliere
Member Since: May 2006
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In a few short years the CAFE regs are going to materially change the Corvette.
01-03-2013, 11:51 PM
#20
Safety Car
The C6 and C4 only went as long as they did because of funding delays for the early design work for C5 and C7. Both C6 and C4 runs featured some gimmicks to keep selling. The C6 gimmicks included the LS3, Grandsport, Z06 carbon, etc. The C4 gimmicks included LT1 engine and ZF trans, new interior, front/rear facia changes to look like the ZR1.
Government regulation also plays a role...for 1997, GM would have had to put $$ into the C4 to re-design the door to meet new crash standards. It would have been nuts to put that into an old car. The C5 could not be delayed further without having another 1983 style vette.
So if GM stays reasonably healthy, and the C7 sells like hotcakes, they'd like to see no longer than an 8 year run with no changes (C5). The gimmicks are expensive so it's much better to make no changes and have a shorter run if possible.
My guess is 7 years given the current climate of regulation and recovering US auto sales. I'm assuming no global disaster as we had in 2008.
Government regulation also plays a role...for 1997, GM would have had to put $$ into the C4 to re-design the door to meet new crash standards. It would have been nuts to put that into an old car. The C5 could not be delayed further without having another 1983 style vette.
So if GM stays reasonably healthy, and the C7 sells like hotcakes, they'd like to see no longer than an 8 year run with no changes (C5). The gimmicks are expensive so it's much better to make no changes and have a shorter run if possible.
My guess is 7 years given the current climate of regulation and recovering US auto sales. I'm assuming no global disaster as we had in 2008.