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Corvette possibly in danger?

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Old 11-26-2018, 02:09 PM
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Jerradl1987
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Default Corvette possibly in danger?

So I was reading on multiple News Outlets that GM is closing multiple factories, and killing off multiple vehicles like XTS, IMPALA, LACROSSE, VOLT, CT6, CRUZE and some others as well. with this happening and there not being any more sightings of the ME mules running around( other than the ones we cant see at the GM proving grounds in AZ & MI) Could GM possibly put a halt to the ME car? I know GM is cutting sedans in favor for crossovers and SUV's but it is something to think about.

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11-26-2018, 02:31 PM
Foosh
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There is no evidence GM was ever remotely contemplating continued production of the C7 at the same time, thus no justification necessary. That was just a crazy theory started here on CF because of the equally crazy theory that the ME car would have a starting price of $170K. Someone's fantasy had to concoct a way for GM to make up the resultant 20-30K lost sales a year. That's about how many C7s under $70K typically sold annually.

GM is not in a crisis and is doing exactly what Ford announced 6 months ago. Both are very healthy companies, and doing what's necessary to stay that way. Normal US car sales are dying in favor of SAV/SUVs and trucks. However, sporty cars still do well, and Ford is keeping the Mustang as it's only car. Likewise, GM will keep the very profitable Corvette available in broad range of price brackets.
Old 11-26-2018, 02:15 PM
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BMadden
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They would not have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in the BG plant if the Corvette was in danger. Zero chance the C8 gets cancelled.
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Old 11-26-2018, 02:19 PM
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Jeff V.
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Corvette will be fine. They're probably just lying low right now because it would by counter to the message they're trying to put out there.

"We're downsizing the company and clearing the decks of cars so we can focus on electrification, automation, blah blah blah.....oh, by the way, here's our new 600hp mid engine supercar."

I do however think this reduces the already diminishing likelihood that we'll see the new car in Detroit in January.
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Old 11-26-2018, 02:20 PM
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The C8 will function as a halo car and help them sell cars and trucks!
Old 11-26-2018, 02:22 PM
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mjross
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You might be right about the C8 but based on what I’m hearing on the news right now, I do not see how Chevy can justify the production of the C7 at the same time. Just does not seem possible with the crisis GM is currently in.
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Old 11-26-2018, 02:24 PM
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Jerradl1987
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I agree, I think were looking at a NY auto show or even LA auto show next year.
Old 11-26-2018, 02:24 PM
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Jeff V.
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GM is not in a crisis. They're realigning the company's headcount and production to keep up with customer demands and to insulate themselves from a predicted recession. It sucks for the employees involved, but this is a good thing and it's the kind of forward thinking old GM simply wasn't capable of.
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Old 11-26-2018, 02:31 PM
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Foosh
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There is no evidence GM was ever remotely contemplating continued production of the C7 at the same time, thus no justification necessary. That was just a crazy theory started here on CF because of the equally crazy theory that the ME car would have a starting price of $170K. Someone's fantasy had to concoct a way for GM to make up the resultant 20-30K lost sales a year. That's about how many C7s under $70K typically sold annually.

GM is not in a crisis and is doing exactly what Ford announced 6 months ago. Both are very healthy companies, and doing what's necessary to stay that way. Normal US car sales are dying in favor of SAV/SUVs and trucks. However, sporty cars still do well, and Ford is keeping the Mustang as it's only car. Likewise, GM will keep the very profitable Corvette available in broad range of price brackets.

Last edited by Foosh; 11-26-2018 at 03:08 PM.
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Old 11-26-2018, 02:45 PM
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rmorin1249
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I think Ford is also going to continue to sell the Focus. GM has a lot riding on the success of the C8. If it doesn't sell in numbers large enough to keep BG busy, ??
Old 11-26-2018, 02:45 PM
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Jeff V.
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Originally Posted by Foosh
There is no evidence GM was ever remotely contemplating continued production of the C7 at the same time, thus no justification necessary. That was just a crazy theory started here on CF because of the equally crazy theory that the ME car would have a starting price of $170K.
No evidence, besides that leaked IHS Markit production forecast showing C7 engines being built into 2021, and the plant being overhauled with a flexible assembly line capable of building different cars in sequence with one another....

https://www.corvetteforum.com/articl...ines-revealed/

This all came out well before the 170k nonsense.

Last edited by Jeff V.; 11-26-2018 at 02:47 PM.
Old 11-26-2018, 02:46 PM
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sunsalem
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Corvette is and has been one of the few bright spots in GM's line up.
It's in no danger.
Old 11-26-2018, 02:56 PM
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fasttoys
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C8 is not canceled. I posted on this forum multiple times the streamlining announcement is coming before the end of the year. SUV & Trucks are the money makers Not cars and some Dopey Halo car we would all love to see GM make. That is too risky and expensive at very low volume numbers that it would make a very small dent in their profits while alienating their base that took 50 + years to build, Halo cars are fine with a company like Mclaren and Ferrari, but for GM its suicide. Look at Ford and how much trouble they are in WOW that Ford GT made a big impact.:crazy on their total profits2:
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Old 11-26-2018, 02:59 PM
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Originally Posted by rmorin1249
I think Ford is also going to continue to sell the Focus. GM has a lot riding on the success of the C8. If it doesn't sell in numbers large enough to keep BG busy, ??
Correct, but Ford announced they would not be developing a new generation car other than the Mustang. They'll keep selling current gens for as long as the sales numbers justify continued production.

Originally Posted by Jeff V.
No evidence, besides that leaked IHS Markit production forecast showing C7 engines being built into 2021, and the plant being overhauled with a flexible assembly line capable of building different cars in sequence with one another....

https://www.corvetteforum.com/articl...ines-revealed/

This all came out well before the 170k nonsense.
LT engines are used in Camaros and the CTS-V. It could be offered in the base ME, in a hot truck and as a crate engine. Continued LT engine production does not mean they are for C7 use in 20 and beyond.

And yes, the skillet method makes an assembly plant much more flexible for quick product change-overs. It also makes things more efficient to build many different configurations on the same platform.

Last edited by Foosh; 11-26-2018 at 03:14 PM.
Old 11-26-2018, 03:11 PM
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ArmchairArchitect
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See the other C8 thread (recession thread)- this is a redundant topic.

No need to get all doomsday. This is being done to optimize/bring efficiency and reduced demand for sedans as compared to utilitarian cars in general, not because the company is struggling. Just look at the share price- it's skyrocketed (+6%) based on this news.

https://finance.yahoo.com/m/42a04ea9...s-on-plan.html

“GM is actually a tad late to adjusting its product line and production capacity to the dramatic car-to-utility shift,” she said. “(Ford Motor Co.) and (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV) already revealed their plans to largely abandon traditional cars. We had expected GM to follow suit, especially in light of 2019’s labor talks with the UAW.”

Please actually READ the news (the body, not just the headline) and the reasons for the company decision before creating fear-mongering threads on here.

Last edited by ArmchairArchitect; 11-26-2018 at 03:15 PM.
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Old 11-26-2018, 03:18 PM
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Jeff V.
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The cited quantities weren't Camaro engines or truck engines or crate engines. The report called out production of 6.2L engines specifically for the Y1BC (C7) platform into 2021.

There were some things in that report that have also been proven wrong over the last year. So the contents aren't 100% gospel truth. But it's a respected and well sourced industry report, so you can't discount the entire thing.

They're not going to move Camaro and CTS-V production to the upgraded Bowling Green assembly line. There's also been rumors the body panel supplier has contracts to supply production quantities of parts (not service spares) through 2021.

All I'm saying is, there's actual evidence for overlapping C7 and ME production. It's not just some fantasy dreamed up solely to support the 170k BS.
Old 11-26-2018, 03:27 PM
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I wasn't implying they'd be moving Camaro and CTS-V production to BGA. I was just responding to continued production of the LT engine. In the time that has passed since publication, it does not appear that the report was accurate with regard to dedicated LT production for C7. As you said, many things have proven to be incorrect in that article.

My skillet comment was only about the reconfigured modern plant being a great investment in the future to build anything should it be necessary to make more radical changes. However, it's very hard to build a financial case for producing both an aging FE (C7, with rapidly slowing sales) and ME Corvette models at the same time. It's much easier to make a business case to build low and high price versions of an all new ME platform and certainly feasible to do so.

Last edited by Foosh; 11-26-2018 at 03:31 PM.
Old 11-26-2018, 03:28 PM
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Originally Posted by mjross
You might be right about the C8 but based on what I’m hearing on the news right now, I do not see how Chevy can justify the production of the C7 at the same time. Just does not seem possible with the crisis GM is currently in.
Bloodbath at GM. C8 will make it, but maybe its the last Corvette ever. GM itself may not be around in 10 years to build the C9.
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Old 11-26-2018, 03:30 PM
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Jeff V.
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Originally Posted by Foosh
I wasn't implying they'd be moving Camaro and CTS-V production to BGA. I was just responding to continued production of the LT engine. In the time that has passed since publication, it does not appear that the report was accurate with regard to dedicated LT production for C7. As you said, many things have proven to be incorrect in that article.

My skillet comment was only about the reconfigured modern plant being a great investment in the future to build anything should it be necessary to make more radical changes.
It looks like you were at least entertaining the idea of a 2 model lineup this time last year.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1596073544
Old 11-26-2018, 03:34 PM
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I'm far from a rigid thinker. I was also trained as a scientist, and as evidence accumulates over time, I'm entirely open to a change of view.

On the C7 body panel contract through 2021 rumor, in my career we negotiated contracts on aircraft with both firm orders and with purchase options through a future, sometimes distant date. That did not commit us to exercising said options. That body panel contract was also negotiated some time ago, and plans frequently change.

Last edited by Foosh; 11-26-2018 at 03:46 PM.
Old 11-26-2018, 03:50 PM
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It would appear that a primary issue for the auto makers is what to do with sedans, sales are sharply down as crossovers fill the need. GM has been holding onto the prospect of continuing to build sedans but to what degree? I live not far from the Lordstown plant that makes the Cruze, they are working a single shift and its looking like they will not survive long term. They are trying to get another model to build but will GM Corp spend all that investment to re-fit, time will tell. So with people not buying sedans and factories employing thousands of people to build em the outlook is poor for those models and workers.

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