FrankLP

I apologize if this has been discussed, but I was wondering why parts would be painted just to be covered in camouflage. Is painting necessary for the vinyl camouflage to stick? Or were parts painted to display a "production ready/version" of the car? Also, I'm assuming that the red we saw in the paint booth pics would be the (or one of the) colors of the reveal car.

What are your all's thoughts on this?

C7pimp

To test out paint application, colors and the verification of pre-production and production processes.

Some of the mules might not be painted under all the camo, dunno .

RapidC84B

They're testing the painting process and the robotics programming. They're looking for paint coverage and quality on the new parts shapes. Parts are very complex shapes these days with lots of coves and nooks. Would be amazingly easy to have thick or thin areas and sags etc. etc. etc.

Foosh

They wouldn't necessarily. However, we know "finished", uncovered examples are being shown to senior and trusted folks within the GM orbit.

Moreover, as others point out above, part of the development of a new model is figuring out how to produce it, which means painting among many other things.

JoesC5

Also, some parts are either molded in color or painted by the outside supplier that molds that particular part.

Bowling Green has to work with those suppliers to ensure perfect paint matches, and that can't be done at the very last minute.

FrankLP

Great points all. Thanks!