CorsoZ06

For years I've felt GM should create some separation between Chevrolet and Corvette. Specifically, Corvette-exclusive dealerships with a greater level of panache. Well polished and trained sales people, dedicated service departments, and just a greater overall customer experience. I feel with the inception of the C8, there would have ben no better time to do this.

There is no doubt the C8 is going to attract an entirely new segment of buyer, even though the pricing has been kept "affordable." Specifically, euro-car drivers who previously would have never even considered a Corvette. The problem herein lies, there are many that fall into this category who not only expect (and deserve) a level of customer service greater than any Chevrolet dealer can provide, and, also those who are way to proud to be seen strolling into a Chevy dealership. Right, wrong, or indifferent, it's the truth.

I clearly understand the defense to this business model. From the beginning, Corvette was marketed as the affordable sports car. A world-beater for the working-man. The flagship halo to the Chevrolet brand. I get it. And it can still be all those things. But the working-man too deserves to feel as he's being taken seriously, pampered, and that the guy wrenching on his new C8 didn't just finish up an oil change on a fleet Express Van.

Any current or previous Corvette owner knows full-well the uneasy feeling of dropping off their car for service at their local Chevy dealer. And if you don't get just a little nauseous, than you are a stronger owner than I.

lemans06conv

They Kinda already do this however. Serious Corvette owners know who the GOOD, big time Corvette dealers are thanks to this forum. SADLY there are none in my neck of the woods.

Cadillac does do this to an extent. I have never been treated better than at a Cadillac dealer! At least the Caddy dealers I have been to. Besides Corvette that's the nicest car I have owned.

ZeroDark30

I have a Silverado, and for a couple years (until I relocated), it got serviced at the Cadillac/GMC dealer. Give it a try. Better lounge, better coffee, scones instead of donuts, same price for routine service. Not Brooks Brothers, but less Walmart, more Macy’s.


......Of course then the tech that just serviced that $80k Yukon Denali will certainly look down his nose at that $60k crapbox 1LT C8, right?

CorsoZ06

Umm, yeah, not so sure a Cadillac/GMC dealer is going to service a Corvette.

ZeroDark30

Forgot about the XLR already, did we?

They’ve been servicing what is basically an upbadged Corvette since 2003. Oil changes, rotations, and pad slaps aren’t rocket surgery.

Another pro-tip. When a headlight goes out, take it to the body shop desk, not the service desk. Service flat rate is over $100/hr, body shop flat rate is $44/hr. Book time don’t change.

CorsoZ06

Nope, didn't forget about the XLR (with the Cadillac NorthStar motor).

You can be the guinea pig... Pick up a C8, take it down to see Cletus for service at your local GMC/Caddy dealer, and let us know how you make out.

JALLEN4

Last year, to be in the top 50 selling Corvette dealers in the U.S., you had to sell 50 units. To sell fifty cars a year as an exclusive dealership with one product, those are going to be really expensive cars. The drive to the service department might get long depending on where you live and the servicing cost just might be a little stiff on the normal pocketbook!

What has made the Corvette a viable product for the life of the product has been the ability to sell it on the economy of scale model supported by 3,000 Chevrolet stores. Once you lose that perspective, you might as well be Ferrari or Lamborghini or some other $300,000 car. You sure as Hell are not going to be selling $60,000 units to people who stretch to make the payments!

mschuyler

Problem is an exclusive Corvette dealership would starve in all but the most densely populated areas. I'm thinking between the two Chevy dealerships in my county they might move half a dozen Corvettes per year. In Orange County, sure, but not in most places in the US/Canada.

Kappa

I can't imagine the literal revolt some dealership owners would have if GM demanded them to spend millions of dollars each to open up new stores for one car.

Not to mention the fighting between the dealers that do want to open one up and want exclusive territory.

I say leave as is.

Easy Rhino

Volume is too low for the price point.

You pay for that "experience" with a Ferrari, McLaren, or Lamborghini.

Not affordable while keeping the price point down on the Corvette.

LowRyter

Aren't Kerbeck and MacMulkin mostly Corvette sales?

imaposer

They should have dropped the Chevrolet from the name. All new model, all new marketing. No longer a chevrolet corvette, but now it's just a Corvette. Let Cadillac dealers sell them as well as Chevy. Not every dealer should sell them. Isn't there already service training and specialty tool requirements for chevy dealers to be able to sell them?

mschuyler

They actually sell everything as they are huge dealers. They sell nationally, but if you buy from them, you don't service your car with them.

ZeroDark30

No, I was offering an alternative for those euro-car owners who not only expect (and deserve) a level of customer service greater than any Chevrolet dealer can provide......Baby steps from Euro-car dealer to Cadillac dealer, on the way from pretentiousness to the humility of (gasp) walking into a Chevy dealership. At the end of the day, most Vettes are a five figure vehicle, just like all the others serviced at GM dealerships daily across the country. My suggestion was to those without the knowledge or skill to roll up their sleeves and handle it on their own.

I now take my truck to the local Chevy dealer because it’s cost effective. Cheaper to let the dealer do LOF than the purchase price of M1 and filter. If the C8 LOF is similarly priced, it will also go to the Chevy dealer. If not, it’ll get done at home. Diffs, T-case, brakes, etc. on the truck were all serviced by me. That car in my sig pic was built, not bought. If I can drop and replace a T-56 from an F-Body on jackstands, I’m fairly certain I can handle the oil change on a dry sump small block.

Signed,
Just another “Cletus” from Vehicle City

P.S. Referring to those that provide service on prized vehicles as “Cletus” is pompous and will generally result in a lower attention to detail from the technician attending to said vehicle.

Red67John

It’s never going to happen because it makes no business sense. Sure a couple dealers like Kerbeck can specialize in Corvettes while they sell and service other Chevy’s, Buick’s, and GMC products, but a typical local dealer could not exist on just Corvette sales and service. And, most importantly, the Corvette has always been, and most like always be, a Chevrolet. The Bow Tie is right there in the C8 cross flags.

roadbike56

What you're saying is make it a brand, like Caddy, Buick, and Chevrolet. Many of us on these forums agree that the complexity of the Corvette makes it desirable to have it become a brand and have dealers identified who are Corvette specialists. But as Mschyuler pointed out, there are some areas where no dealer would be willing to put up the $$$ to be a Corvette brand dealer because sales don't demand it. The only reason some Chevy dealers handle Corvette is, Chevrolet requires it. This would be true in many rural areas with thin population density. I wish I had a magic answer, but I don't.
In my instance, you'd think Cary/Apex/Holly Springs NC would be a low volume Corvette area. But our local Hendrick dealer is in the top ten. Go figure.

Obe1 GS

This would drive up the overhead costs (and get passed along in markup) with no guarantee that the mechanics would be any better.

Null Pointer

Lifted bubba trucks with hillbilly lightbars and tractor sized tires are the bread and butter vehicles for most Chevrolet dealers. Many of those trucks, fully optioned and with dealer add-ons (lift kits, lightbars, oversize tires, etc) go for more than most Corvettes. To most Chevy dealers and Chevy service departments, your Corvette is just another Chevy, while the service techs ooh and ahh over a nicely appointed and modded bubba truck.

BlueDevlZ06

Hey Corso, check out Key Chevy in CT and ask for Paul Korner in service. One of the most knowledgeable and best Corvette mechanics out there. Sales are one thing but we'll trained corvette mechanics r a true find. He's that good. Wish more chevy dealerships had guys like him. Love ur LBM C6Z. Had to part with mine for the new C7Z but I loved it.

jefnvk

Even 200-300 sales a year is a small number to operate a dealership on, and that number of sales would put you in the top fiveish of Corvette dealers. Chevy operates in volume, there simply isn't enough volume in Corvettes