KnightDriveTV

Well that's a relief...at least the obvious outcome carries the majority.

LIStingray

I thought the obvious outcome is the ME is a Cadillac

ddlanes

sunsalem

I believe it will similar to the new NSX (small 6 cyl. TT Hybrid)

Goaty

The rumor that keeps getting reported by the rags is that the mid-engine will by a separate model from the front-engine C7 and they will both be produced for a few years. Then the C8 will switch to mid-engine a few years later and there will be no more front-engine car.

gurneyeagle

Agreed, and this should have been option #4 in the poll.

Paulchristian

FACTS:

The C7 will be the last front engine design.

The front engine will run in succession with the mid engine car until the C7 ends production, at which point the mid engine will be the only corvette platform produced.

Count on it. Go ahead and bookmark this post.

roadbike56

Interesting thread. Lots of opinions.
There is however, one fact. Previously stated on these forums, the panel manufacturer has filed an expansion plan for their plant. This was filed with the planning commission where they are located. The reason for the expansion was explained in this document. Apparently they need to expand because GM will be buying panels for a new vehicle while they continue to manufacture the current C7 panels. They will co-manufacture for about 2 to 3 years.
They didn't say what the new vehicle was, what brand it was only that the buyer of the panels would be GM. This supports that if these panels are for the ME car, and everything points in that direction, it will co-exist with the C7. They did not say what would happen to the space used for C7 panels after the 2 to 3 year period.

rsinor

With the upcoming introduction of a new twin turbo V8 XLR Cadillac there will be no need for a second Cadillac that is mid engine, twin turbo V8 now being tested by Cadillac is not configured for use as a mid engine. ME vehicle is going to be Corvette. my .02

alamo1974

KnightDriveTV

Cadillac and Corvette both have a common problem, so they are both seeking similar solutions. The problem being demographics of their buyers. Both brands need to attract new eyes and new attention.

Cadillac is focusing itself to BMW and Corvette to Porsche. These are your blueprints to how both will move forward.

Corvette needs more models, expand the lineup and attract younger buyers who want MORE. Corvette needs a better buyer experience. Guys don't want to spend 120k and get a Cobalt dealer experience.

Cadillac is targeted at younger white collar guys with families that still want excitement and the executive who wants luxury and performance. The ATS aims at the younger M3 buyer, etc. BMW found a place for i8, an ME car, in very low numbers. If Cadillac ever used the ME platform, it'd be to do something hybrid, techie, just the same.

I theorize that GM/Corvette is pushing to be a standalone sub-brand. Not to the extent that there are separate dealerships entirely, but potentially push dealers to have divided showrooms, separate entrances, etc. Will dealers who want the ME on their lot be pushed to this, in order to get allocation in the early phases? Bob Lutz spoke about how they wanted to move Pontiac to become an entirely RWD brand before the shutdown. I think a lot of things were in motion prior to the bankruptcy, that are somewhat being rekindled and reworked.

Fact is, racing is doing well for Corvette and now Cadillac. It's creating excitement for both brands that they can capitalize on and their programs are tiny compared to the german brands.

There is a large surge toward performance SUV's with Ferrari announcing it's building one. Porsche Cayenne is the strongest selling model in the Porsche brand. Corvette and Cadillac are sleepin on this sector and they shouldn't be.

I think the fact is, GM, financially has had its struggles and it needs to make very calculated moves with its investment. It didn't build on to the plant, to cut the entire Front engine corvette lineup...not a chance in hell. It's expanding the lineup for sure...and it's doing so long term.

LIStingray

The biggest flaw in your suggestion is unless you do away with 90% of the Chevy dealers: those are the ones which sell less than 10 Corvettes per year, and probably another 7% of dealers that sell less than 25 Corvettes per year - leaving roughly 100 Chevy dealers to sell Corvettes, there in no way financially any dealer could survive either splitting their showroom up or having a stand-alone showroom.
Right now the only GM dealer in the country that has a stand-alone Corvette showroom and facility is Kerbeck, and it sells 1,200+ Corvette's per year (even MacMulkin, which sells over 1,000 Corvettes per year only has a separate area in its huge showroom for Corvettes).

KnightDriveTV

You might be taking my suggestion a bit too far. I'm questioning if GM leverages allocation of the ME to dealers like Kerbeck and others who dedicate more of their property to a legit "sub brand". I'm certainly not suggesting you take Corvette out of the hands of the dealer network...absolutely not, that'd be foolish.

What I'm proposing is, Corvette as a sub-brand can elevate the buyer experience. Buying a 65k dollar stingray is one thing, but buying a 105k Z06 or 130k ME Corvette should have it's customer perks. You should feel as if you've graduated as a customer. How do you do that? Standalone dealerships would be excessive, but split showroom, expanded and separate customer service area, etc...all possible. You look at the top selling Corvette dealers and leverage allocation of the ME to those who are willing to be "top dealers" and have the showroom/customer experience for it.

Clearly the ME will be allocated, first and foremost, to the big dogs like you've named. Gm loves those guys because they move cars. GM can have a prize though, in a special ME car of limited production...nothin wrong with requiring dealers to jump through a couple hoops to get it...have skin in the game.


Just a theory brother...but if I were GM, I'd be looking to compound on the success of the Corvette brand...more models, standalone in some way, etc.

Mikado463

I voted with my heart .......

Steve Garrett

^^^ This.....

CFHay

When the C7 debuted there were rumblings of a standalone brand of sorts coming along. There were even talks of a trim below the Stingray.

sunsalem

IIRC, the GM Board voted it down...they didn't want to gut the Chevrolet division.

Larry/car

I purchased a 2017 convertible to ride out the changes planed in the next few years for the Corvette. When the assembly line stops who knows when production will actually restart. I am not sure I want a mid-engine car at a price over $100,000.

sunsalem

Contrary to what the naysayers have said, there is no good reason to assume a Corvette ME will be > $100k.

tbrenny33

I agree, i think there is absolutely a chance there are 2 or 3 ME models and the entry is priced around 70-75k placed between the stingray and Z06.