Something tells me GM management has delayed the C8
12-06-2018, 11:14 AM
#21
Melting Slicks
I believe there is a correlation between the plant closings that Mary Berra announced, and the C8. Both are being done in the best interests of GM and it's stockholders.
The closing of plants that are way under capacity and the elimination of slow moving models will boost profits, trim down the company, make it more agile, and provide addition funds for new R&D.
So there is a delay in the C8 , so what? It only means that GM is doing it correctly, solve the problems before the car is sold.
The closing of plants that are way under capacity and the elimination of slow moving models will boost profits, trim down the company, make it more agile, and provide addition funds for new R&D.
So there is a delay in the C8 , so what? It only means that GM is doing it correctly, solve the problems before the car is sold.
12-06-2018, 11:21 AM
#22
Well, right or not, I think at least the notion that the car would be introduced at the Detroit Auto Show (like the C7 was) is pretty much a no-go at this point -- which may possibly point to some kind of delay. The various dealer videos are interpreting the lack of a Detroit introduction as a signal that it will then be done in New York in the Spring, but I don't think there is any specific knowledge about that, just some educated guesses.
A delay would be a much bigger deal at GM with these cuts going on right now, so if there are problems I imagine they have very difficult decisions to be made between budgetary and quality dictates.
A delay would be a much bigger deal at GM with these cuts going on right now, so if there are problems I imagine they have very difficult decisions to be made between budgetary and quality dictates.
The C8 doesn't HAVE to be on the road by February.
I don't believe a Detroit intro would be anything but good for the brand.
GM needs good news right now.
12-06-2018, 11:27 AM
#23
Salem, while what you say is true, there's a distinction between "concept car" intros and production car intros. The latter are usually revealed along w/ production plans and dates. GM's not ready to talk about those subjects yet.
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Corvette ED (12-07-2018)
12-06-2018, 12:38 PM
#24
Melting Slicks
True, introduction does not mean production, but once they officially unveil the car, the clock starts ticking until it goes into production. The worst thing they could do is introduce the car and then delay it. Talk about the worst PR ever. By delaying the introduction GM can say that's the way it was supposed to be, and avoid all the bad press.
Last edited by Speednet; 12-06-2018 at 12:40 PM.
12-06-2018, 12:58 PM
#25
Drifting
GM has planned for electrification for many years now so they would already have fit C8 into their long term strategy.
If there is a delay, then it's more likely to be due to the pile up of C7 inventory than any engineering challenges. If it is an engineering delay then that's great, at least they caught the problem instead of dropping a defective product on the market.
If there is a delay, then it's more likely to be due to the pile up of C7 inventory than any engineering challenges. If it is an engineering delay then that's great, at least they caught the problem instead of dropping a defective product on the market.
12-06-2018, 12:59 PM
#26
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St. Jude Donor '13
For GM to announce/reveal a new expensive “fun toy” car that only a tiny fraction of their customers can ever afford, at the same time they are laying off thousands of workers and closing other factories, would be a PR disaster which could make the current uproar seem like a bunny fart.
12-06-2018, 01:16 PM
#27
Drifting
For GM to announce/reveal a new expensive “fun toy” car that only a tiny fraction of their customers can ever afford, at the same time they are laying off thousands of workers and closing other factories, would be a PR disaster which could make the current uproar seem like a bunny fart.
Also, BGA employs nearly 1000 works to build a highly profitable product with pride. If GM can't spin that positively then they deserve bad press.
with this 100%. Thank you Foosh.
12-06-2018, 02:16 PM
#29
With all the talk of the C7 inventory piling up, does anyone know the real inventory number on the market in-stock at the dealers? That would give a much better idea of whether poor sales and high inventory of the C7s are the reason GM is keeping a tight lip about the C8.
From what I see currently, there aren't any desperate sale discounts being offered by dealers. Most of the "Sales" I've seen during the Thanksgiving sales and holiday deals were around 12% off give or take a few. It is nothing like the up to 25% off that we saw during the same time last year from a few dealers when they were trying to get rid of their inventory.
GM also isn't offering any real incentives for Corvettes which doesn't make sense if they are desperate to get rid of them.
From what I see currently, there aren't any desperate sale discounts being offered by dealers. Most of the "Sales" I've seen during the Thanksgiving sales and holiday deals were around 12% off give or take a few. It is nothing like the up to 25% off that we saw during the same time last year from a few dealers when they were trying to get rid of their inventory.
GM also isn't offering any real incentives for Corvettes which doesn't make sense if they are desperate to get rid of them.
Last edited by GOC; 12-06-2018 at 02:33 PM.
12-06-2018, 02:22 PM
#30
However, recently GM announced that the BG plant would not open for tours next January, and that the opening date for tours was yet to be determined. That tells me that a 2019 Detroit introduction is no longer happening, which indicates a delay in the introduction and production start up of the ME C8. There you have it!
12-06-2018, 02:37 PM
#31
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12-06-2018, 02:40 PM
#32
Ronnie,
There's certainly some logic there. It's quite possible a Detroit unveil was a working target within the Corvette team many months ago.
There's certainly some logic there. It's quite possible a Detroit unveil was a working target within the Corvette team many months ago.
12-06-2018, 02:51 PM
#33
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St. Jude Donor '13
It was never planned to be announced "at the same time" as the layoffs. The plan was for the New York auto show that starts March 30th.
Also, BGA employs nearly 1000 works to build a highly profitable product with pride. If GM can't spin that positively then they deserve bad press.
Also, BGA employs nearly 1000 works to build a highly profitable product with pride. If GM can't spin that positively then they deserve bad press.
The closings and layoff were announced around the beginning of December, it will be weeks/months/years before all of that is finished.
If we start seeing interviews on the evening news with kids whose Daddy was laid off before Christmas while GM is making millions, there's no way they will be able to spin that in a positive direction.
How many reporters, especially the TV types, even understand the concept that a company must make a profit and continue to do so over time, to continue those well paying jobs?
12-06-2018, 06:17 PM
#34
True, introduction does not mean production, but once they officially unveil the car, the clock starts ticking until it goes into production. The worst thing they could do is introduce the car and then delay it. Talk about the worst PR ever. By delaying the introduction GM can say that's the way it was supposed to be, and avoid all the bad press.
However and IMO, the C8 program should be further along than that.
Some of it was started before the bankruptcy...
Here is what makes total sense to me. When it was announced that the BG plant was closed for tours beginning in June of 2018 ( or was it June of 2017?), it was also announced that the plant would reopen for tours in January of 2019. Logically, doesn't that indicate that the ME C8 would be introduced in January of 2019 at the Detroit show?
However, recently GM announced that the BG plant would not open for tours next January, and that the opening date for tours was yet to be determined. That tells me that a 2019 Detroit introduction is no longer happening, which indicates a delay in the introduction and production start up of the ME C8. There you have it!
However, recently GM announced that the BG plant would not open for tours next January, and that the opening date for tours was yet to be determined. That tells me that a 2019 Detroit introduction is no longer happening, which indicates a delay in the introduction and production start up of the ME C8. There you have it!
BTW, the suspension of tours started in June 2017 and was slated for 18 months.
https://www.automobilemag.com/news/b...urs-18-months/
Last edited by sunsalem; 12-06-2018 at 06:17 PM.
12-06-2018, 06:45 PM
#35
Le Mans Master
12-06-2018, 07:17 PM
#36
Race Director
With all the talk of the C7 inventory piling up, does anyone know the real inventory number on the market in-stock at the dealers? That would give a much better idea of whether poor sales and high inventory of the C7s are the reason GM is keeping a tight lip about the C8.
From what I see currently, there aren't any desperate sale discounts being offered by dealers. Most of the "Sales" I've seen during the Thanksgiving sales and holiday deals were around 12% off give or take a few. It is nothing like the up to 25% off that we saw during the same time last year from a few dealers when they were trying to get rid of their inventory.
GM also isn't offering any real incentives for Corvettes which doesn't make sense if they are desperate to get rid of them.
From what I see currently, there aren't any desperate sale discounts being offered by dealers. Most of the "Sales" I've seen during the Thanksgiving sales and holiday deals were around 12% off give or take a few. It is nothing like the up to 25% off that we saw during the same time last year from a few dealers when they were trying to get rid of their inventory.
GM also isn't offering any real incentives for Corvettes which doesn't make sense if they are desperate to get rid of them.
It should be pointed out that the FORUM decided (assumed) that Detroit 2019 was going to be the reveal....there has not been a peep from GM.
I am not convinced that the intro is going to be at ANY car show. With something this big, why not do a stand alone event?
Last edited by jimmyb; 12-06-2018 at 07:20 PM.
12-06-2018, 08:21 PM
#37
Safety Car
First, see have zero evidence that the ME is going to be delayed.
Second, as to a stand alone reveal option, lets says your attendance is beyond spectacular and you have 25,000 attendees. That pales in comparison to the average 1,100,000 annual New York Auto Show attendance.
The exception to that could be the Indy 500 where attendance is 250,000, the average U.S. television audience is 4,900,000 with an additional 2,000,000 estimated worldwide watchers. Have a public reveal the night before, charge attendance, have a named performer like Bruce Springsteen, and through in race tickets, and might this be the reveal choice.
With the ME the highly-probable Pace Car for the May 26th event, that could be a winning place for the reveal.
Still, I think not.
Second, as to a stand alone reveal option, lets says your attendance is beyond spectacular and you have 25,000 attendees. That pales in comparison to the average 1,100,000 annual New York Auto Show attendance.
The exception to that could be the Indy 500 where attendance is 250,000, the average U.S. television audience is 4,900,000 with an additional 2,000,000 estimated worldwide watchers. Have a public reveal the night before, charge attendance, have a named performer like Bruce Springsteen, and through in race tickets, and might this be the reveal choice.
With the ME the highly-probable Pace Car for the May 26th event, that could be a winning place for the reveal.
Still, I think not.
Last edited by elegant; 12-06-2018 at 08:34 PM.
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jimmyb (12-07-2018)
12-06-2018, 08:45 PM
#38
Melting Slicks
At the risk of my entire business I am compelled to disclose some inside information specifically addressing the current rumors and speculation surrounding the possible delays of the Corvette Manta Ray in hopes this will quell the possibility of any further significant distress and disappointment across the Corvette fan base and most importantly the membership herein.
There will be no delays of the new car and the launch will go on as planned and in the venue as has been previously selected. All testing has been completed and the car has surpassed all established benchmarks and expectations. In fact, it is so good any and all pre-announce marketing efforts have been placed on temporary hold until 45 days prior to the specified launch date. Hold onto your hats gentlemen and gentle ladies. The Eagle will be Landing soon.
There will be no delays of the new car and the launch will go on as planned and in the venue as has been previously selected. All testing has been completed and the car has surpassed all established benchmarks and expectations. In fact, it is so good any and all pre-announce marketing efforts have been placed on temporary hold until 45 days prior to the specified launch date. Hold onto your hats gentlemen and gentle ladies. The Eagle will be Landing soon.
12-06-2018, 08:53 PM
#39
Race Director
37 days until the detroit auto show.
we will find out then.
we will find out then.
12-06-2018, 08:58 PM
#40
Burning Brakes
GM is "holding" off on the ME because of all the unsold C7s on dealer lots. No mystery here. Its pretty simple. The biggest generational change is coming. Revealing too soon will be the dagger in the heart of C7 sales. The C7 will be old news over nite. The high volume dealers know this. But, of course, are not saying it.