Paint Shop March Update - Pics & Speculation
03-19-2017, 09:58 AM
#21
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Thanks for the photos Jeremy!
Will say that some of your speculation of timing and events are accurate........... pretty certain that GM will be forced to provide more information at the Bash..........due to all the public's interest in what is happening there..........
Will say that some of your speculation of timing and events are accurate........... pretty certain that GM will be forced to provide more information at the Bash..........due to all the public's interest in what is happening there..........
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E.T.D. Corvettes (03-19-2017)
03-20-2017, 12:10 PM
#22
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Thanks to The Corvette Blogger for posting information Harlan shared at Sebring this past weekend confirming my speculation about 2018 production and paint.
See the full story and interview video here: http://www.corvetteblogger.com/2017/...hours-sebring/
Now for the news that many are wanting to know and that is what is going on with Corvette production in Bowling Green this year.
Harlan confirmed that 2018 Corvettes will be shown at the NCM Bash in April and that the order guides will be available in early April in advance of the Bash. He says that production on the 2018 corvettes will start in early June and run through all of July. Then the plant will shut down in August, September and October as it undergoes upgrades. Once the upgrades are complete, production will resume with 2018 Corvettes in November.
Regarding the new Paint Shop, Harlan says that 2018 production will start with both the old and new paint shops in operation with colors being cycled from the old to the new shop for several months before all colors are finally painted 100% in the new paint shop. Harlan comments on huge the new paint shop building is and says that its larger as it encompasses more ovens to “slow bake” the paint onto the Corvette’s composite panels. The process will be a big improvement over how the panels are currently being painted.
Harlan confirmed that 2018 Corvettes will be shown at the NCM Bash in April and that the order guides will be available in early April in advance of the Bash. He says that production on the 2018 corvettes will start in early June and run through all of July. Then the plant will shut down in August, September and October as it undergoes upgrades. Once the upgrades are complete, production will resume with 2018 Corvettes in November.
Regarding the new Paint Shop, Harlan says that 2018 production will start with both the old and new paint shops in operation with colors being cycled from the old to the new shop for several months before all colors are finally painted 100% in the new paint shop. Harlan comments on huge the new paint shop building is and says that its larger as it encompasses more ovens to “slow bake” the paint onto the Corvette’s composite panels. The process will be a big improvement over how the panels are currently being painted.
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03-20-2017, 02:27 PM
#23
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Thanks for the photo's....When I picked up my 16 in Aug of 2015 the Paint shop was still stakes in the ground....amazing how it big it actually is. I can't imagine a building that big is just for "PAINTING"
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E.T.D. Corvettes (03-20-2017)
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E.T.D. Corvettes (03-20-2017)
03-20-2017, 03:05 PM
#25
Melting Slicks
Well I for one am really confused. I was just told by two different dealers here in Indy, that the drop dead date for placing an order for a 2017 is March 24, 4 days from now. Then. . .I cannot order an 18 till June 1
Reading the statements above that's just about the time that the plant's "short" run of 18's stop for 3 months and you can't get one till November?
I want to order but can't get the deal done in next 4 days, so I've pretty much decided to get an 18. But no way I want to take delivery at NCM in November or December. Getting an 18 in June or July would be nice but if I can't even order one till June 1, then how does that work ??
Reading the statements above that's just about the time that the plant's "short" run of 18's stop for 3 months and you can't get one till November?
I want to order but can't get the deal done in next 4 days, so I've pretty much decided to get an 18. But no way I want to take delivery at NCM in November or December. Getting an 18 in June or July would be nice but if I can't even order one till June 1, then how does that work ??
03-20-2017, 03:26 PM
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^^^ I recommend calling Mike Furman (888) 737-3537. He would be able to help you with an order and questions you have about timing. I know this, there is definitely a window of opportunity to order and take delivery of a 2018 over the summer months. 
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Borntorun04/17 (03-20-2017)
03-20-2017, 08:02 PM
#28
Melting Slicks
Well I for one am really confused. I was just told by two different dealers here in Indy, that the drop dead date for placing an order for a 2017 is March 24, 4 days from now. Then. . .I cannot order an 18 till June 1
Reading the statements above that's just about the time that the plant's "short" run of 18's stop for 3 months and you can't get one till November?
I want to order but can't get the deal done in next 4 days, so I've pretty much decided to get an 18. But no way I want to take delivery at NCM in November or December. Getting an 18 in June or July would be nice but if I can't even order one till June 1, then how does that work ??
Reading the statements above that's just about the time that the plant's "short" run of 18's stop for 3 months and you can't get one till November?
I want to order but can't get the deal done in next 4 days, so I've pretty much decided to get an 18. But no way I want to take delivery at NCM in November or December. Getting an 18 in June or July would be nice but if I can't even order one till June 1, then how does that work ??
I was told cut off date 4/13 for ordering 2017. Great to hear someone from GM state 2018 production starts in June with order info early April before bash, seems like if order info out early April for 2018 you might be able to order 18 around that time they just won't start production till June. All the dealers I talked to cut off date was 4/13 for 17 but things could have changed. Question is will 2018 order info come out before 4/13 17 cut off date.
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E.T.D. Corvettes (03-20-2017)
03-20-2017, 08:28 PM
#29
03-20-2017, 08:35 PM
#30
Le Mans Master
Cool! Thanks for the update 
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E.T.D. Corvettes (03-20-2017)
03-21-2017, 01:24 AM
#31
Le Mans Master
Thanks for sharing!
There is no question you know way more than I about the Bowling Green plant but I have one thought about your point, "which allows for a supply of 2018s to be available for sale during the three month shut down." With 271 days of existing inventory would it not make more sense they wouldn't be building 2018's but instead allow the high inventory of 2017s to fill the gap during the plant shutdown?
BTW, why is it called "manifold" building?
There is no question you know way more than I about the Bowling Green plant but I have one thought about your point, "which allows for a supply of 2018s to be available for sale during the three month shut down." With 271 days of existing inventory would it not make more sense they wouldn't be building 2018's but instead allow the high inventory of 2017s to fill the gap during the plant shutdown?
BTW, why is it called "manifold" building?
Last edited by Maxie2U; 03-21-2017 at 01:43 AM.
03-21-2017, 01:57 AM
#32
Le Mans Master
03-21-2017, 09:09 AM
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Thanks for sharing!
There is no question you know way more than I about the Bowling Green plant but I have one thought about your point, "which allows for a supply of 2018s to be available for sale during the three month shut down." With 271 days of existing inventory would it not make more sense they wouldn't be building 2018's but instead allow the high inventory of 2017s to fill the gap during the plant shutdown?
BTW, why is it called "manifold" building?
There is no question you know way more than I about the Bowling Green plant but I have one thought about your point, "which allows for a supply of 2018s to be available for sale during the three month shut down." With 271 days of existing inventory would it not make more sense they wouldn't be building 2018's but instead allow the high inventory of 2017s to fill the gap during the plant shutdown?
BTW, why is it called "manifold" building?
Regarding the manifold building, it is named as such because it has a variety of functions as the in between building connecting the paint shop and the assembly building. There are a lot of bay doors in the manifold building where the various parts are brought into the plant. So the name has to do with the functions of that section of the plant.
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Maxie2U (03-21-2017)
03-21-2017, 03:21 PM
#35
Drifting
Thanks for the update!
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E.T.D. Corvettes (03-21-2017)