Quick thought-mid engine Corvette
#21
Safety Car
No, I don't agree. The GM marketing plan calls for a high performance sports car that has a base price in the lower priced luxury class, in other words, about $55K to $60K. To suddenly move to a high end only, somewhere north of $80K or $90K would be marketing suicide. It would be saying, "Yup! Porsche has been right and we've been wrong". While the targeted buyer will change to a younger generation as you suggest, the basic plan for Corvette is etched in stone. If a mid-engine is the only platform for the future, then it will be priced somewhere around $60K to start. Maybe a two platform marketing plan is in the future. Maybe a two marque, two car plan is in the future, but Corvette will still be the more affordable high performance vehicle that's a thorn in every high priced performance cars marketing plan.
#22
Team Owner
Yeah -- what the hell is wrong with those older people anyway? Don't they know it's time to let go of what they want/like and embrace the latest trend???
Anyway, the statement that GM (and Harley) have a problem with Boomers is completely and demonstrably false. They ONLY way Boomers can influence GM (or any other company) is if GM wanted the Boomers to purchase their products. Period. If GM doesn't need Corvette sales to Boomers, then they can create a product that completely ignores what Boomers want with impunity. No problem.
Any "problem" would only manifest itself if GM's master plan for a product was not in sync with the desires of its target market. In that case, it's a lack of intelligence of the Marketing or product planning team, *not* a problem with the customers. That's just Marketing 101 stuff.
Warms the heart to see a true Corvette fan gush about his love for the marque. Hopefully other people's passions and life won't get in the way of you making some money.
Anyway, the statement that GM (and Harley) have a problem with Boomers is completely and demonstrably false. They ONLY way Boomers can influence GM (or any other company) is if GM wanted the Boomers to purchase their products. Period. If GM doesn't need Corvette sales to Boomers, then they can create a product that completely ignores what Boomers want with impunity. No problem.
Any "problem" would only manifest itself if GM's master plan for a product was not in sync with the desires of its target market. In that case, it's a lack of intelligence of the Marketing or product planning team, *not* a problem with the customers. That's just Marketing 101 stuff.
Warms the heart to see a true Corvette fan gush about his love for the marque. Hopefully other people's passions and life won't get in the way of you making some money.
Even when Pontiac and Saturn bit the dust, GM recognized that it wasn't worth keeping the two spots cars in production(relabeled), because there was no profit in them.
The Aztek was marketed towards the Boomers and it's sister, the Buick Rendezvous, was marketed towards the older group of buyers. The Aztek was ugly and priced to high for it's targeted market. The Rendezvous was priced the same but it's targeted market could afford them and the styling was much subdued, more fitting the tastes of the older buyers.
We all know what a sales failure the Aztek was, and the Buick version lived on selling to the older crowd.
Last edited by JoesC5; 01-17-2017 at 10:35 AM.
#23
Le Mans Master
GM did market a car(actually three of them) for the Boomers. The Solstice and the Sky and the Aztek. Combined sales of the Solstice and the Sky were actually pretty good but at the very low price at which GM had to sell them for, GM wasn't making any money off them.
Even when Pontiac and Saturn bit the dust, GM recognized that it wasn't worth keeping the two spots cars in production(relabeled), because there was no profit in them.
The Aztek was marketed towards the Boomers and it's sister, the Buick Rendezvous, was marketed towards the older group of buyers. The Aztek was ugly and priced to high for it's targeted market. The Rendezvous was priced the same but it's targeted market could afford them and the styling was much subdued, more fitting the tastes of the older buyers.
We all know what a sales failure the Aztek was, and the Buick version lived on selling to the older crowd.
Even when Pontiac and Saturn bit the dust, GM recognized that it wasn't worth keeping the two spots cars in production(relabeled), because there was no profit in them.
The Aztek was marketed towards the Boomers and it's sister, the Buick Rendezvous, was marketed towards the older group of buyers. The Aztek was ugly and priced to high for it's targeted market. The Rendezvous was priced the same but it's targeted market could afford them and the styling was much subdued, more fitting the tastes of the older buyers.
We all know what a sales failure the Aztek was, and the Buick version lived on selling to the older crowd.
Anyways, my point was not that GM needs to market the Vette to Boomers, but rather that it is free to design and market the Vette to any market segment it chooses. Luckily GM isn't the Government and can't demand anyone to just "shut up and buy our cars!"
#24
Race Director
Member Since: Aug 1999
Location: Bluffton SC via Canton Oh
Posts: 11,354
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Yeah -- what the hell is wrong with those older people anyway? Don't they know it's time to let go of what they want/like and embrace the latest trend???
Anyway, the statement that GM (and Harley) have a problem with Boomers is completely and demonstrably false. They ONLY way Boomers can influence GM (or any other company) is if GM wanted the Boomers to purchase their products. Period. If GM doesn't need Corvette sales to Boomers, then they can create a product that completely ignores what Boomers want with impunity. No problem.
Any "problem" would only manifest itself if GM's master plan for a product was not in sync with the desires of its target market. In that case, it's a lack of intelligence of the Marketing or product planning team, *not* a problem with the customers. That's just Marketing 101 stuff.
Warms the heart to see a true Corvette fan gush about his love for the marque. Hopefully other people's passions and life won't get in the way of you making some money.
Anyway, the statement that GM (and Harley) have a problem with Boomers is completely and demonstrably false. They ONLY way Boomers can influence GM (or any other company) is if GM wanted the Boomers to purchase their products. Period. If GM doesn't need Corvette sales to Boomers, then they can create a product that completely ignores what Boomers want with impunity. No problem.
Any "problem" would only manifest itself if GM's master plan for a product was not in sync with the desires of its target market. In that case, it's a lack of intelligence of the Marketing or product planning team, *not* a problem with the customers. That's just Marketing 101 stuff.
Warms the heart to see a true Corvette fan gush about his love for the marque. Hopefully other people's passions and life won't get in the way of you making some money.
I don't see the "kids" driving $50K Corvettes but do see them driving $50K + foreign modded cars. Nor do I see them driving Harleys but crotch rockets.
#25
I think because the C7 received a name "Stingray" there will be two models. Corvette Stingray and Corvette Zora.(or whatever) I would not be surprised to see a Cadillac sibling as well. C7's are way too young to quit making them yet.
#26
Tech Contributor
Member Since: Oct 1999
Location: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Posts: 40,089
Received 8,928 Likes
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5,333 Posts
You are right about the age of Corvette owners. However, I am confused by your use of the term rally. Rallys to me mean some sort of performance event. It is rare to see a Corvette Rally (performance event) or to see an older Corvette driver even there. Most Corvette performance events have to invite owners of other marques to participate since there aren't enough Corvette owners interested in participating. They are too afraid of getting their engine compartment dirty, getting dirt on their wheels and stones in their tire treads.
Heaven forbid if anybody asks them to rev the engine up while in any gear as the car might actually go fast.
How many Corvette clubs have any sort of a performance event? Not many and they are few and far between. Most of them are meet and eat clubs that think they are busy when they run a couple of car shows each year and participate in cruises around the country side.
At 75 I find myself one of the oldest of the performance oriented Corvette owners, although I do know a few that are up to 5 years older. I still like running 150 mph accelerating up a long straight and feeling the cornering prowess of the car.
I still believe in Show and Go where you are precluded from showing your car anywhere unless you can whip out some sort of documentation that shows you actually drove it hard on a road course, autocross course or a drag strip. That is the heritage I picked up from my predecessors.
Bill
#27
Drifting
When we were kids growing up back in early seventies, my friends father always kept the hood open. I asked him why? He said to let the heat out and cool off the engine. I Thought about it but never did it. Oh well!
#28
Instructor
#31
Drifting
I think the mid engine Corvette will happen along with a Cadillac pal. I don't think the front engine car will go away. The mid engine car will be an additional Chevrolet model maybe not even badged as a Corvette. In fact it could be called the Chevrolet Grand Sport or The Chevrolet Manta Ray without the Corvette name attached to it at all. This would allow GM to have their cake and eat it too and ask a near $200K price for them and not hurt the Corvette sales or heritage in the least.
#32
The "related thread" crap on the CF app strikes again with a poster posting in the wrong thread and digging up a 2 year old different thread.
#33
Le Mans Master
I think the Corvette should stay Chevy only. Marketing a Corvette under the Cadillac name will only make the Corvette demographic appear even older to buyers of the Corvette. Second, Cadillac needs to get their house in order, and they don't need the distraction of a sports car. They've already tried and failed at selling a two seater car twice.
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#37
Intermediate
GM did market a car(actually three of them) for the Boomers. The Solstice and the Sky and the Aztek. Combined sales of the Solstice and the Sky were actually pretty good but at the very low price at which GM had to sell them for, GM wasn't making any money off them.
Even when Pontiac and Saturn bit the dust, GM recognized that it wasn't worth keeping the two spots cars in production(relabeled), because there was no profit in them.
.
Even when Pontiac and Saturn bit the dust, GM recognized that it wasn't worth keeping the two spots cars in production(relabeled), because there was no profit in them.
.
GM made money every year the plastic bodied Fiero was sold and sales averaged 74k units per year. I personally would not count out a Fiero return and it being the 2nd car built at BG. There are rumblings about Toyota bringing back the MR2 again. GM did look at moving Fiero production to Bowling Green back in 1988 before canceling the car and sending the Fiero tooling to Spring Hill to build boring Saturns. Had that happened, there could have been a production ME Vette 30 years ago.
Mary Barra's first job at GM was in the Fiero plant, she even owned a Fiero for a while. So far, she has turned her back on Pontiac and almost every other GM car except the Corvette.
Last edited by GTJeff; 05-12-2019 at 12:36 AM.
#38
CORVETTE has had a very large loyal base over the decades, because of some basics:
performance, design, price, and functionality(level of practicality).
some owners are concerned about it becoming less so on the last element- perhaps not enough space for a set of golf clubs or luggage.
these concerns seem to have been marginalized or even to the point of being ridiculed.
some have no issues and are completely willing to compromise for performance,design, price irregardless.
imo the result may fracture the base, while at the same time with a-wing-and-a -prayer hoping to attract/appeal to a more youthful set.
I hope some within the GM/Corvette organization recall when the original CORVETTE(1953) appeared on the scene. lack of functionality(basic)practicality almost killed it when the 1955-57 Thunderbirds appeared and filled the void with a corvette killing sales ratio of 16-1. -GM hasn't made that mistake since..
imo a little more interior room and very acceptable storage is not to much to ask for. actually long time corvette owners shouldn't even have to ask, since historically it has been a given.
GM learned their lesson some 60 years ago: performance, design, price alone isn't always enough.
i suspect some will be just content to cruise south beach, palm springs,palm beach, or rodeo drive
in their C8, and then go home get the c6 or c7 and take an extended weekend golf excursion.
hope the C8 does remain tried and true its roots.
performance, design, price, and functionality(level of practicality).
some owners are concerned about it becoming less so on the last element- perhaps not enough space for a set of golf clubs or luggage.
these concerns seem to have been marginalized or even to the point of being ridiculed.
some have no issues and are completely willing to compromise for performance,design, price irregardless.
imo the result may fracture the base, while at the same time with a-wing-and-a -prayer hoping to attract/appeal to a more youthful set.
I hope some within the GM/Corvette organization recall when the original CORVETTE(1953) appeared on the scene. lack of functionality(basic)practicality almost killed it when the 1955-57 Thunderbirds appeared and filled the void with a corvette killing sales ratio of 16-1. -GM hasn't made that mistake since..
imo a little more interior room and very acceptable storage is not to much to ask for. actually long time corvette owners shouldn't even have to ask, since historically it has been a given.
GM learned their lesson some 60 years ago: performance, design, price alone isn't always enough.
i suspect some will be just content to cruise south beach, palm springs,palm beach, or rodeo drive
in their C8, and then go home get the c6 or c7 and take an extended weekend golf excursion.
hope the C8 does remain tried and true its roots.
#39
Multiple packages
Multiple packages of ME will exist! $65k Base to $190k for the 1000hp Zora!
Fun times just hope look is a big winner!!!
Fun times just hope look is a big winner!!!
Last edited by faninc; 06-09-2019 at 02:33 PM.
#40
Le Mans Master
There is definitely a void in the cheap mid-engine market. We still don't know how GM will utilize the large expansion at Bowling Green and the additional workers. Perhaps, July 18 will reveal that as well.