C8 "Export" Package
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Joined: Dec 2023
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It's disappointing to hear that GM is intentionally not selling more C8s overseas, especially 4 years into production.
Corvette is very often overlooked/an afterthought in the overseas car media, despite being an extremely formidable competitor to the best sports cars and supercars in the world. This is why. Out of sight, out of mind.
Corvette is very often overlooked/an afterthought in the overseas car media, despite being an extremely formidable competitor to the best sports cars and supercars in the world. This is why. Out of sight, out of mind.
Last edited by Zed Sled; Dec 19, 2023 at 11:58 AM.
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Drifting
Joined: Jul 2016
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From: Keswick, Virginia
I had read somewhere (this forum?) that the plant in Bowling Green was being set up to produce new right-hand-drive Corvettes for Australia, India, the UK, South Africa, etc. Previously, customers in nations where they drive on the left had to pay an independent company to convert them. I think there was somebody on this forum who is German and purchased a new blue C8 that was made to EU specs.
It would be a darn shame if GM avoided selling new Corvettes to mainland EU customers. That's a pretty significant market and more than a few Germans would love to stretch their legs on the Autobahn - not to mention the millionaires in the Middle East who are known to enjoy driving expensive cars.
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I had read somewhere (this forum?) that the plant in Bowling Green was being set up to produce new right-hand-drive Corvettes for Australia, India, the UK, South Africa, etc. Previously, customers in nations where they drive on the left had to pay an independent company to convert them. I think there was somebody on this forum who is German and purchased a new blue C8 that was made to EU specs.
It would be a darn shame if GM avoided selling new Corvettes to mainland EU customers. That's a pretty significant market and more than a few Germans would love to stretch their legs on the Autobahn - not to mention the millionaires in the Middle East who are known to enjoy driving expensive cars.
It would be a darn shame if GM avoided selling new Corvettes to mainland EU customers. That's a pretty significant market and more than a few Germans would love to stretch their legs on the Autobahn - not to mention the millionaires in the Middle East who are known to enjoy driving expensive cars.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2016
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From: Keswick, Virginia
So did they ever go through with the plan and actually build "export" models of the C8? Did GM build any right-hand-drive models?
My wife and I moved to Germany in August of 2022 and I have yet to see a C8 over here. I have seen a C4, a C5, a few C6s and about four or five C7s so far. The C5 was a European-spec car because it had amber rear turn signals (as required here). If you see a Corvette in Germany with red blinkers in the rear, it's probably owned by an American. Under the Status Of Forces Agreement, we can drive a US-spec vehicle during our time here. That's why you see Dodge Rams, Jeep Wranglers, Ford Mustangs and some other cars with red rear blinkers. ( Even US-spec Audi & Volkswagen cars have red blinkers in the rear, while EU-spec models have amber. ) US-spec cars typically amber front parking lights, while EU cars have white or clear parking lights. Sometimes mirrors and exhaust systems are different too.
GM, Ford and Chrysler often build "export" packages for popular models that are sold overseas. Some even have a different front or rear fascia to accommodate the EU license plates - which are wider, but not as tall as those in the US.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2016
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From: Keswick, Virginia
GM apparently does build the C8 as a factory-assembled right-hand-drive model.
Watch As Right-Hand Drive 2022 Corvette Stingray Is Built (gmauthority.com)
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We know they are building them (eg. https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a4...look-the-same/), but they are building too few of them for export IMO.
The Mustang became the best-selling sports car in Germany; there's no reason the C8 and C8 Z06 wouldn't be a massive sales success over in Europe in their respective segments.
The Mustang became the best-selling sports car in Germany; there's no reason the C8 and C8 Z06 wouldn't be a massive sales success over in Europe in their respective segments.
Last edited by Zed Sled; Dec 19, 2023 at 12:41 PM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 1,921
Likes: 1,171
From: Keswick, Virginia
We know they are building them (eg. https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a4...look-the-same/), but they are building too few of them for export IMO.
The Mustang became the best-selling sports car in Germany; there's no reason the C8 and C8 Z06 wouldn't be a massive sales success over in Europe.
The Mustang became the best-selling sports car in Germany; there's no reason the C8 and C8 Z06 wouldn't be a massive sales success over in Europe.
Oh, they definitely would sell all that they could send here. I just wonder, though, if GM and Opel apparently parting ways had anything to do with fewer models being sent to Europe. I don't even think that I have seen a Chevrolet dealership here. I suppose they have them, but I just don't ever recall seeing one anywhere. Ford has had a presence in Germany for a while. Not sure about Chrysler, but they at one time used to be under the Mercedes umbrella.
