C2C3C4C6

Are large C7 inventories going slow up the C8 release?

Foosh

No, there is no relationship between current supply and a decision on when to begin production of the ME. GM will begin producing it when they feel they are ready. If there are a lot of left-over C7s when C8s start showing up at dealers, GM will help dealers with incentives to clear them out.

C7 production has been slowed to essentially meet current demand. Current inventory at the large forum dealers is also substantially down. There is isn't anything close to the over-supply we saw in the fall of 2017, which is when the big discounts were being offered.

jefnvk

Production doesn't work like that. You can't just tell a chain of supplier that someone spent 18 months setting up for a new launch "just kidding guys, give us another three months". Plants sitting idle don't make GM money, the second the last C7 order is produced and new tooling goes in, they're going to be working at capacity to produce.

Also, as many people that insist ME is going to be the death knell to the Corvette, it seems that dealers would want to hold onto existing FE inventory and sell at a premium to those folks

Darion

Aren't they building both?

PC

FLS2K

I doubt it, but there is a load of C7s at my dealer including at least one ZR-1.

ojm

Has anyone bought the base model C7 and had second thoughts?

ZishanM

Does anyone know what the actual c7 supply numbers are, is there a way to check?

I've heard varying estimates of 2-6 months.

Supersonic 427

I have a '19 1LT Base Convertible with a 7 speed manual and dual mode exhaust and could not be happier.....unless the C8 really knocks my socks off and comes in at reasonable price! I would have no qualms about buying a base C8 with a few options.

Z0Sick6

C7s will fall to high 30s to sell if the ME is the best ever. 2019 C7 will be bargain rate.... when that happens expect 2014 30-40k miles to be 25-27K

ojm

Was the duel mode exhaust an option or standard? thanks

elegant

NORTY

And THAT is the problem with Corvette. GM makes too many of them. This is why they aren't special nor exclusive. It's also why used Corvettes can be had for a song.
Now, if GM cut production to keep demand high on the C8, they'd make the Corvette a "premiere vehicle" that it deserves to be.
Yes, it's a bitchen car, but GM just makes too damn many of them.

kozmic

I completely disagree. There are already plenty of limited production cars out there that can be had. Why take one that isn't, which makes it a lot more accessible to the masses, and turn it into something that is not accessible to the masses? If you want a low-volume exclusive car, go get one... that has never been the model for Corvette, and it will be a sad sad day if that is what it comes to...

elegant

lt4obsesses

Making a lot of them is the key to it's success. The car is not suppose to be "exclusive", in fact, just the opposite, it was planned to be "inclusive". For many, Corvette is not a car, it's a way of life. Weekend cruises with fellow enthusiasts, shows, gatherings, clubs, get togethers of all sorts at all times. Road trips, vacations, all of it.

The other half of it that really drives profit for GM comes from those used Corvettes that can be had for a song. Parts and service create huge revenue numbers for both GM and dealerships. The more 'older' Corvettes on the road, the better for them, and for you. Not to mention the licensing money they get from aftermarket manufacturers of all those shiny under hood thingies boasting the crossed flags on them. Economy of scale keeps your car relatively cheap to maintain and repair. The Corvette is the high performance sports car that you can actually drive and enjoy. When GM gets too full of themselves and start trying to make the Corvette "exclusive", that will be the end of the Corvette.

As far any delay, there is no delay, because there is no car in the official sense. There was never an announced target date. The C8, in whatever form it may be, is still, simply, in development. That said, when the car is ready, they will not hesitate to reveal it to the World, regardless of how many C7's are still on the ground in inventory. GM will want to start collecting return on investment ASAP. C7's on the ground are already paid for. From a dealer's perspective, they would much rather see the profit from selling a lot of C8's at sticker or more for two years. That will more than cover moving the remaining C7's below invoice to clear them out.

Koufax

Stop making sense, It4. You're sticking out like a sore thumb.

jefnvk

The only way GM sells an "exclusive" Corvette is to actually copy Ford and make a GT-style production run, with hand picked buyers and a price tag in excess of other supercars (and well outside the average buyers price range). Even then, I bet the bulk of the buyers are American OEM fans. GM has shown no indication that they have any desire to take the best selling two seat sports car in America and make it exclusive, beyond a few special editions. There is a prestige to buying a Ferrari, a Lambo, a McLaren. There simply isn't in buying a Chevy or Ford. There is exactly zero wrong with that.

The Corvette is what it is because it has always been a very good sports car. that often punches well above its weight, priced at a point where most average folks can afford to drive one off the lot brand new. It makes literally no sense, business, pride, or otherwise, to take a sixty-five year old winning formula and toss it out the window to chase two thousand sales at $400k to make some statement few will listen to or care about.

JerriVette

Supersonic 427

It was an $1195 option (NPP)

Sub Driver

There is nothing exclusive about a corvette, I dont think you understand what that term means.