rmorin1249

http://www.thedrive.com/sheetmetal/1...pular-corvette

Sales will tank if limited to a $80k+ C8 IMHO.

Kent1999

Totally agree. Corvette production cannot be sustained as a sub-10,000 units a year car. GM would then kill it because of "slow sales". There is a reason GM produces the Stingray as well as the Z06/ZR1 -- I think it is because they can't keep BG open just on the sub-10,000 annual sales figures that the "starts at $80,000" Z06 provides.

EDIT TO ADD: We still don't know for sure if the mid-engine is actually going to replace the C7 as *the only* Corvette, or whether it's a separate stand-alone "King" model to be sold alongside the front-mid-engined Corvette, displacing only the top Corvette (ZR1) models. Just because we are calling the ME the "C8" doesn't mean it is the sole successor to the line.

mschuyler

OK. I read the article. It's obvious the author got hold of the latest statistics posted at the NCM and is just repeating them in text form. He may be waxing eloquent on his repetition of the "take rates" for various options such as verts vs coupes or manuals vs. autos, or 1LT vs 3LT, but he fails to analyze any one of them beyond the basic stats. There are reasons for those "take rates" that go beyond user demand. That includes the biggest one, which is dealer demand. GM does not sell to consumers; it sells to dealers. If you want to see what consumers really want, let's see the stats for consumer-ordered cars. Also, the author barely touches on his main point, and that is that a mid-engine will make sales tank. He's assuming quite a lot here with no real evidence at all because, frankly, he has no idea what the mid-engine will sell for. His analysis is simplistic at best and is simply a Happy Talk article with no real substance. Anyone here on these forums could do a better job at discussing the mid-engine vs, the C7.

Maxpowers

Does anyone know if this stat is available?

Corgidog1

The longer GM keeps producing the C7, the longer a new corvette buyer will have the opportunity to drive a car with a long front end and see that gloreous view from the driver's seat and shift gears at the same time.

patentcad

Duh.

fsvoboda

I appreciated this post; however, it's also true that dealers are very good at predicting what consumers actually want. The consumer-ordered cars are based on individuals' particular interests. The dealers order what is likely to appeal to their buyers. When I bought my C7 there were are least eight or ten cars on the lot that fit what I wanted, differing only in minor details, mostly of color which I could judge by seeing them in person.

mschuyler

Agreed, but dealers skew the data. They low-ball the cars they buy fearing they can't sell anything but Arctic White with 1LT black interiors. They're worried that they won't be able to sell a more expensive 3LT kalahari interior so they don't take a chance or gamble. So along comes the type of buyer who has never ordered a car and may not even know he CAN order a car from a dealer who doesn't have an allocation anyway. Most buyers, I venture to say, are not like people on this forum who have memorized the Chevy build site options. Besides, the buyer doesn't want to wait for an order and the dealer wants to sell a car TODAY. So the buyer figures his choice is between the two or three Vettes the dealer has on the lot. The deck is stacked against the buyer because the whole game is to get you to buy TODAY. The buyer is faced with choices restricted by unimaginative dealers. I believe an analysis of 'ordered cars' would reveal a much different mix of what people would buy if they felt they had the freedom to do so.

tarepas

I agree that this would change the reality of sold orders!! The C7 I WANTED was not on lots. 2015 Atlantic Edition. Most buyers accept what is on the lot for instant Gratification !!

CP

I have yet to see an announcement from GM that the mid-engine car is even going to BE a Corvette. If there has been an announcement from GM, please provide a link.

You may see mules with Corvette body panels but that may be for convenience. Remember the Cadillac XLR was made in Bowling Green, too.

Dcregar

We can all speculate what the ME will be but, only time will tell.

JimNeedsC7

Yes, I agree that people have run off into panic mode when only GM knows what the future holds for the current platform..

I also think that for GM to abandon the C7 platform entirely would be insane. There has never been a better looking or better performing car made by anyone, anywhere in the world before the C7, which did not cost many times more money. Corvette currently owns this market for affordable, drivable super cars and to walk away would be well - insane.

JK 23112

I heard somewhere (do not remember the on-line source) that the new mid-engine Corvette was going to be called the "Zora" -- but I am not really sure that would appeal to non-Corvette people.

Anyway, I am likely "stuck" with my 2017 for awhile.....and that is quite fine with me.

AORoads

I think whoever wrote that article is just a pill with no real knowledge and very little ability to interpret or expand on data. That said, ordered cars by actual end users may or may not be indicative of real buyer-preferences, but it's probably a lot closer. Dealers are somewhat risk averse esp. since it's their money not free cars until they are sold.

There's been so much dis- or misinformation re C8, C7, ME, Cadillac, V6, V8, turbo, AWD, 4.2L, 5.X L, DCT, etc. that who the hell can say anything definitive right now would be a true prophet. I guess there is/are people on the inside of GM who "KNOW" ---really know the what, when, etc. But "WE" in the general public don't.

So, my guess is the C7 will continue on. For awhile. And there will be a C8. Eventually. There may even be a ME model. Of some make/brand. And GM will continue on. I hope.

rmorin1249

Good point and I agree. I think there is a 50/50 chance the ME could well be a Cadillac. The brand needs some excitement and their strong foray into racing is an indication they want to attract and younger and performance oriented buyer. As others have said, time will tell.

Skid Row Joe

Tony,

My 2017 base convertible with 3LT & MSRC, Listed for over $76K. What's the big deal for $4K?

The only things that I may not want to buy a new C8 for, would be if the mid-engine is reported to have too many problems, only comes in a hardtop, or only comes with the auto transmission only. Other than that, $80K or even $100K+ doesn't price me out of the ballpark. I'm good!

phil hunter

I agree with mschuyler. The vast majority of dealers have no idea what people will want. They act in their own best interests, not necessarily what the customer would like. You either take what the have or order what you want and wait.


Phil

DSOMDream

This is why GM is reluctant to come out with bold new colors.Why do some colors become available mid year and are dumped mid year. Dealers order only the sure thing. Check my avatar. Deposit and customer order. Paul

sunsalem

For more than 60 years, GM has had a Corvette in their line-up.
At this point, it's safe to say they know what they're doing.

Yes, there is an ME coming...but GM has been incredibly tight-lipped about all things ME.
Until we start getting some official info out of Detroit, enjoy the summer with plenty of cold ones and catch as many IMSA races as you can while cheering on Corvette Racing's C7.R as it defends its title.

bankers1

I think they will follow Ford's lead, stop ALL "Cars" and produce Trucks, SUV's and the Mustang.
While we are talking production, where do I find Production COLORS for 2017.
Been told White had 18% and the 2 Reds combined had 20%, so what's left with 72% ??