waxrbox

Hello. I just purchased my eighth Corvette (fifth new, but the first that I have ordered to my custom specs). My excitement turned to disappointment when I walked the car when I got it home (picked up after dark). I was going to mount the front license plate frame, and looking in thru the front grille I saw black plastic trim parts sticking up - not connected as they were supposed to be. When I took it back to the dealership to report the issue I was told that they would need the car to pull off the front bumper fascia to fix the problem. On a new car with 3.5 miles. It's unfortunate that quality control checks at the plant obviously did not catch this issue. I am only hoping that the front fascia does not now get scratched or chipped in the repair process, leading to paint work. Pretty bad on a car with a MSRP of over $100k.

jvp

This doesn't belong in "Ask Tadge" as that section isn't meant as a "customer satisfaction and feedback" mechanism for GM. If you're displeased with your Corvette, let your dealer know, or perhaps call GM's 800 customer service number for help in resolution.

davepl

Meh... it happens. The only disappointing thing to me is someone on the line probably knew they screwed up but didn't care.

I know nothing about UAW union issues but I know the Corvette plant looks VERY unprofessional compared to the European plants. At least they could all wear the same color T-shirt or something. I think it leads to pride in workmanship, so that when you cross-thread a bolt, you stop the line or mark it or do something....

At least notate the car so it gets fixed at inspection or PDI.

All that said, one bolt doesn't make a lemon, don't let it unduly color your opinion of the car. No mechanical device is perfect, and they have a whole dealer network set up dedicated to fixing stuff like this.

TrackAire

I know nothing about UAW union issues but I know the Corvette plant looks VERY unprofessional compared to the European plants. At least they could all wear the same color T-shirt or something. I think it leads to pride in workmanship, so that when you cross-thread a bolt, you stop the line or mark it or do something....

I know I felt the same way when I toured the Viper plant....no uniforms, exposed rivets on jeans, belts, etc. Sigh....although I do feel that the quality control on a Viper is probably a little better than a mass produced car, I still felt the employee dress code was way too lax for my liking.

jdmdohcpower

My was of the first received, 12/10/2015
I had stupid issues also. Remember, as great as this car is, is still a GM and you will most likely find little things like this. It's a small issue to fix so I guess be thankful you weren't the guy who's motor blew leaving the dealership.

Rguy271

You guys dont like the builders of you car wearing Levi's and budweiser shirts? Im baffled!

RACE U

It wasn't the budweiser shirts that bothered me, it was the holes in the shirts that didn't look good. ;/.

SilveradoSS500

Don't even get me started ha... How about the tape line on the painted sides of CF roof...

Allan Gibbs

Where their t shirts at least ironed?

diverman

waxrbox

While I was stating my displeasure, I probably should have worded It such that I was questioning Tadge on what the current QC process was, and wondering if this should have been caught during that process. As a follow on QC question, when these things slip thru the plant and the dealers are on the hook to repair them, how/does this information make it back into the plant system to review/prevent these issues from reoccurring? Since I have toured the plant on many occasions dating back to C4 days (and I don't mind that they wear jeans, as long as there are no rivets, lol) I have seen them pull cars when they roll off the line and repair them onsite. It is pretty visible and when the bumper cover was being fitted it was sticking out like a sore thumb and it should have been fiixed, or denoted and pulled out when it rolled off the line to correct, and if their assumption is that the dealer is supposed to correct these issues before delivery to the customer, they should have been notified of this issue and removed the bumper cover and repaired before I took delivery.

OVR60

The question about plant workers wearing uniforms came up a few years ago at the Museum Bash and Tadge gave his usual long winded answer that ended up with cost and an unnecessary expense for GM.

OLD_GOAT

Just tell black and white, he has a whole army of lawyers at his disposal.

tzoid9

Trust me....that's a BS answer of the first order.

PLRX

After I've read many threads, seen photos, and my Z06 I say Quality Control in Bowling Green is like our government...totally corrupted.

b4i4getit

Its largely a hit or miss situation when you order a new Corvette. I have always purchased my cars off the dealer lot where I was able to inspect the vehicle before even considering a purchase. You don't get that luxury when you order a car. I do agree that they should not be letting some off these cars leave the plant. I never understood why it seems the QC inspectors are on vacation a lot.

feeder82

Well lets see, the european plants are unionized also so I don't think that's the problem, and the Germans move there plants here for cheap labor, maybe there's a correlation here. Since GM'S bankruptcy most of the workers are making $15 per hour. And they used to get paid about 30. What do you really expect.

davepl

Average UAW salary in the US is $29 raw before benefits. For that to be true someone's got to be making $44 per hour for every one of your $15 per hour people... or there can't be many $15 per hour. Of course I can't get stats localized to Chevrolet or Corvette production.

STL94LT1

In the 2015 GM national contract hourly workers start at $17/hour and top out in 8 years at $29/hour. Everyone hired before 2009 make around $30/hour. There are also 5% and 10% shift premiums.

Also, I work at GM's Wentzville Assembly center and uniforms are provided.

feeder82

It doesnt matter, after you cut wages and benefits almost in half and expect the same results your fooling yourself, and isn't just autos.