Why doesn't GM just sell Corvettes at Cadillac dealers in US?
 

The Corvette has been departing it's status as a sport car and becoming more and more of a supercar... As such, I have personally heard a lot of issues with Chevy's dealers properly servicing the cars. I.E. way low oil, way over filled oil, incorrectly lifting the car, damaged rocker panels, other body damage.. etc...

With that said, that leads me to have a few hypothetical questions...

1) Why doesn't GM just sell Corvettes at Cadillac dealers? Don't they do that in Europe?
2) why doesn't GM have specialized Corvette technicians at Cadillac dealers since they naturally have to deal with hgiher end cars.. ats-v, cts-v, etc...

Sorry if this is a dumbass question, but if you buy a new Camaro, Corvette, or Silverado, can you have warranty repairs done at Cadillac dealers?

I think they have talked internally about this a lot

I think there are several reasons

1) there are different demographics between Caddy and Chevy dealers. A guy walking into a Caddy dealer isn't necessarily looking for a 2 seat sports car.

2) I think Chevy dealers like having an exclusive halo car

3) Even with the C7 GM limited the Chevy dealers who could sell them. If you didn't sell enough in the past you couldn't get the C7. They are looking for fewer dealers, not more

4) It might be rather expensive to have parts and service ALSO at Caddy dealers

But I am quite sure they will make a Caddy version of the C8 somehow. It will look different but have a lot of the same stuff with more luxury features and interior

Well... I guess my response is the Camaro is no slouch... Keep selling Camaros at Chevy dealers, and sell Corvettes ONLY at Cadillac dealers. Plus, 90% of people waking into Chevy dealers arent buying Corvettes as is right now.. the price bracket for the Corvette is more aligned with Cadillac products.

Well...I don't think it'd cost that much or be that complicated to make corvette it's own mini brand. Not that many dealers really stock Corvettes as is. Even if the c8 is only the mid engine model, I think it'd be pretty simple to only sell it at Cadillac dealers, and just shoot off Corvette into it's own sub brand. I think the fact the Corvettes are so expensive compared to most Chevy products, that it is sort of a dis-service selling it at Chevy dealers. If they sold it only at cadfilac dealers I think it would also give the Corvette a more premium allure at the same time

I think the best move is to make Corvette a sub-brand (they've already been moving in this direction, the past few Corvette gens have almost zero Chevrolet badging so you forget its even a Chevrolet).

Corvette can be a sub-brand and yet still sold and serviced at select Cadillac (preferred) or Chevrolet dealerships. Other auto manufacturers already do this.

Chevy dealers suck. They're only good for pickup trucks. Because that's how they threat your $100,000+ Corvette.
Just like Toyota did with Lexus, Corvette should be either in Cadillac or Sub-brand name.
But it's too late now. That car is being made under Chevy name and parts.

My experience is that Cadillac dealer service was nothing more than Chevy standards with higher prices (and nicer waiting rooms). That's why our 'back seat' cars have been high end Euros since the mid 1980's.

We've had over a dozen Corvettes since 1968 and the only significant 'downside' was/is having to go to the Chevy store for service. While they seem to try, that high volume 'herd' mentality is difficult to overcome. When you show up with a near $100K car, you're still just one person/vehicle in a mob scene.

Trust me..... it's VERY different at the Mercedes store, not to mention Jaguar, Ferrari and Aston Martin. Yeah, you pay a bit more, but you're treated like they really value your business and care about you AND your car.

Here's something GM could try.... At our local MB store, EVERY new hire (management through janitorial) has to go through 3 days of customer satisfaction/customer focus training BEFORE they start. It includes everything from customer etiquette, grooming, work place appearance, and customer interaction. They get paid while undergoing the training too! Why do you think their service is better? By the way, it's also a part of their incentive compensation. Heck the Chevy store doesn't teach the 'grease monkeys' the difference between a conventional and 'dry sump' oil change!

I think if you sub branded anything, it would be all performance variants. Corvette, V series and Camaro. Have it fall under the "Performance" brand and have specialized staff. After all, V series cars now are Alpha's just like Camaro. Corvette slots in nicely. If GM wants to give it a go, I'll volunteer.

The real issue in my mind is the lack of cohesion between Performance, Sales, service and parts. I actually oversee the cars in all departments so if someone is coming in for a track prep, I see it through and discuss specs to fit what track the car is going to. Consolidating that experience helps customers quite a bit. If they don't have the house divided, they're more likely to come back.

The key is having someone who is acclimated to the cars both statistically and dynamically. Most people can study an order guide, very few can understand the handling, cooling, and driving dynamics of those platforms. Go talk to any of the "Top" Vette salesman and ask them to explain dynamic toe change or ride steer. These reasons are why people come to us. I have a National Champion SCCA autocrosser coming to trade in his car he bought from one of the "Top" vette guys because I built the car to do what he wants it to and understand the driving dynamics. He's driving 5 hours further to deal with me than he has to.

The formula is simple in my opinion. Finding the right guy to do that, different story. So far, I don't know anyone else that would be able to tackle that job.

We are fortunate in the Central New York area to have numerous Chevrolet dealers to choose from - and three of them are sponsors of our local Corvette Club. It takes a little effort on the part of the Corvette owner, but between preliminary visits to prospective dealers and service departments of choice, and networking among club members, it quickly becomes apparent which dealerships have one or more "Corvette Guys" who specialize in our cars and know what the hell they're doing. In most cases they are C7 owners themselves. Find those guys. Go there.

Thanks Al, now I know where I'll be buying my C8. Redford is a bit far but so far every Chevy dealer I've dealt with is nice but clueless or, in the case of Sundance, puts out a vibe like it's run by mobsters.


Honestly I think GM should go to the Tesla direct sales model. It gives them complete control over the presentation and customer support for their product. Dealer middle men result in a buffer between GM and product reliability and customer service. One bad dealer can turn thousands of customers away from GM cars for life. Non-warranty repairs are hidden from the engineers and the dealers love the cash flow. It's all one great sh tshow.

A GM performance brand would be the perfect beginning for GM to open their own showrooms for direct sales.

John Erwin at Greico Chevrolet in Ft Lauderdale is the best Corvette mechanic in the south. He has been there since the early 80s where we held our NCCC meets. It was Gary Fronrath Chev then.

Don't get me wrong, I hate dealers, but I think this is a bit pie in the sky. It would cost a fortune for them to go around the existing dealer network.

I think the most reasonable thing would be if they started selling Corvettes at Cadillac dealers and also had better Cadillac dealer staff... I have had relatively good experience with Lexus dealer service... How was Lexus able to pull it off?

It's no accident they brought back (and stressed it) the Stingray name. When was the last Corvette specifically (even in marketing) tied to the Stingray name?

That's why I think we will (eventually if not right away) see both a FE and ME car, both called Corvettes, but the FE one called Stingray and the ME Manta Ray or Zora (I'm betting on Zora).

From there, changing the dealer network, or splitting it (Corvette) off to it's own sub brand and selling at Caddy dealers wouldn't be an end of the world situation. I know the "local" Caddy dealer experience (at all levels) is a million times better than the local Chevy dealer.

I think the only real issue there is what makes a Cadillac staff better suited for Corvette? Outside of a few heavy hitters(Sewell Cadillac) that deal in V cars, how would the situation improve? Furthermore, what if Cadillac has a platform sharing Halo car with Corvette? It may not be confirmed but I've said since Johan took the job, we're going to end up with an R8 competitor. I know hes gone but I have a hard time thinking that there wont be a Cadillac that accompanies the C8. I have no way to substantiate that other than a guess from a guy that has been in the business for a lot of years.

I think the same challenge exists for caddy as Chevy. It's going to take someone to care to be involved at all levels of the dealer.

Corvette will always be Chevrolet's halo car. That will NEVER change. smoking 420 puts strange thoughts in peoples heads ;)

I'll make it worth your while. People bring me cars from 100+ miles away just for service because we care and take our time.

The Direct sales model does lose some of the cohesiveness that I think that Corvette deserves between Service, sales, and parts. It may work but I've also sat with people for 5 hours discussing options and being questioned about my opinion regarding equipment. I like having input and helping people decide whats best for them. How mad would you be if you bought a Z07 package and spent $5000 grand more than you had to if you just wanted J57 brakes? The unfortunate part is that the order guide on Corvette is so incredibly complex and custom is that you do need some help to get it all right and not have questions.

Just my 2 cents.

I think the simple fact that most Chevy products are way cheaper than Corvettes. That fact alone is why I believe it would be smart for GM to market the Corvette for sale at Cadillac dealers (and maybe a few select premium Chevy dealers).

​​​​​The staff at a typical Chevy dealer usually do not deal with Corvettes and that is a HUGE turn off for me as a buyer. If GM made an actual effort to improve the Cadillac dealer service experience, maybe I would actually buy a brand new c8 and be more likely to use their dealer services.

Furthermore, if they were to create this "brand" of Corvette, and sell it at Cadillac dealers, there would be zero reason to build a "Cadillac" version of the c8....

​​​​​​You can't argue with the fact it's very off-putting that I would take my $150k zr1 to a Chevy dealer that usually services Chevy Malibus and impalas.... I mean come on.

From a business perspective, it makes sense to me.. if they want Cadillac to compete more with the other luxury brands, they need to improve their service across the board. And fine, leave the Chevy dealer service technicians and whatnot to be more basic and not invest a ton of $$ there.. but Cadillac is a premium brand for GM and needs some better service if they want to truly make Cadillac a better brand. The whole "corvette" becoming it's own brand and possibly being sold at cadillac dealers folds right into this.. know what I'm saying?

in summary (my speculation and suggestion to GM)
1) Chevy dealers.. leave as is
2) Make Corvette it's own "brand"
3) sell Corvettes at Cadillac dealers and possibly certain high volume, established, premium Corvette dealers
4) improve Cadillac dealer service experience, look @ Lexus dealers as model.. which in my mind includes having at least one Corvette specialist technician at each Cadillac dealer

Much as not every Mercedes Benz dealership is also an AMG dealer, the same should be enacted for Chevrolet dealers re: being able to sell/service the Corvette.

How many dealerships to this day(!) don't know that rear caster is adjustable on the C7 version, or have made the minimal investment necessary to perform an accurate alignment?

How many don't check the fluid levels; (rear diff anyone?), as they should during a PDI?

How many dealerships don't give a damn when an owner asks specifically for Mobil 1 oil; (the recommended oil btw), and only wants to dump in their 'Dextros' oil?

The C7 Corvette is such an incredible car. Build standards/materials many times are very close to 'Germanic' levels, and the 'Performance' is staggering. What the car and Corvette brand needs though is the commitment from GM, and a dealership that wishes to sell the car, to the highest standards of Sales and Service. Sadly even a good sales experience is ruined by poor after sales servicing, and it happens all to often.

Bish

Thanks, and I agree that the dealer sales method does create another layer of competition that can be advantageous for the vehicles that demand specialized knowledge. In theory all that sink or swim competition should make for great customer service but unfortunately it seems like Sturgeon's law is in full force.

You make great points and they're points I've actually made to some of my GM friends before. 90% of this, we're in lock step on.

I know a ZR1 is a chevy but it's not just a Chevy. We have one in right now for a track prep and setup. And after that, I'll take it back to the owner and pick up his new Grand Sport to do the same. The point is, the owner doesn't actually care where it's at because we're taking care of it and he knows that we know how to setup a car for him. THAT is the difference. We don't treat people differently, we treat people appropriately. That's not to minimize a Malibu or Cruze owner but to simply recognize the ZR1 and higher end clients who have differing needs.

It can be done my friend. We've proved it. I'd be happy to prove it to you as well.

As far as the Corvette brand and Cadillac Halo, this is a lot of conjecture and with so little facts actually available, I think we're both smart enough to realize that we make good points but that conversation is a rabbit hole that I don't know that I can crawl into right now.

This is a great conversation thread.

When you take the 90% of crap out of the equation, I think you'll find that the top 5-10% are probably pretty good but alas, you are correct. That's what its as important that we go out as ambassadors of the brand and not just the dealer. I'm much more on the track/performance spectrum but my family has been in Corvette's since before I was around so there is some ingrained brand in me anyway. I have an appreciation for the car no matter how it's used.

Unfortunately in my experience Cadillac dealers aren't any more knowledgable than Chevy dealers. When I bought my ATS4 Premium I knew more about it than the sales droid. He tried to tell me that it came with MRC and pointed to the different driving modes available. I had to explain that the modes only controlled throttle and tranny programming (and maybe AWD transaxle) and that MRC is only on the Premium RWD trim because GM were too cheap to develop MRC for both ATS drivetrains. I'm still not sure whether he really didn't know or if he found he could move more units with a few lies.

Right, people who want Malibus or impalas that's fine.. it's just it's not a $100k, mid engine, complex, specialized vehicle. I think you got my point and we are in agreement.



I think it'd be too costly and overall foolish for GM to produce a Cadillac branded version of the c8. They would be better off sinking all their $ in THE c8 and just make it awesome..

I always thought it was silly what GM did in the 90s where there was basically the same car under 4 different brands... How would that NOT end up costing the company more overhead. It was obvious to me at least, idk. I mean, it seems fine to have a more economy version of a high volume car and maybe a more premium one.. a la Silverado vs Sierra, etc.. but those are all hgih volume vehicles. The Corvette is pretty low volume and as such, they should go all in and just make it the best it can be under the c8 name itself (and theoretical Corvette brand so to speak)

Well part of what I said was the Cadillac dealer experience needs to be inproved across the board to have a higher standard.. GM needs to get in there and work with the Cadillac dealers to make it happen..

I mean, are they in the car business or what..? Invest in your company and grow to be a better company if you want to compete on the luxury level.. IMO..

I can let it slide if the Chevy sales guy doesn't know shit and if Chevy dealer service sucks if at least Cadillac sales and service were consistently better

This was my thought in a thread back in June as well as making it a separate brand:

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ate-brand.html

Duh.................................Beca use it is a Chevrolet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They should!

I see lots of Corvettes getting serviced at the Cadillac store

Yeah like Cadillac racing for IMSA. That makes a lot of sense too. Not.:mad:

A lot of Chevy dealers own Cadillac dealerships as well. ELCO has their Chevy and Cadillac dealerships right next to each other on Manchester Rd. in suburban St. Louis. Same for Buick and GMC dealerships. You need truck sales to make it today as a "car" dealer, so you see these "pairing-ups" all over the place now.

As far as Corvette goes, it is not like any other car GM sells - not Cadillac, Chevy or Buick. ELCO has Corvette specialists who don't service anything else. When you make an appt. with ELCO they make it when their specialists are available.

Since the bankruptcy I think you can get any GM vehicle repaired at any GM dealership. Training could be lacking if you happen to be at a Buick/GMC dealership but they have access to all of the service information and all of the general support equipment. If certain repairs require tools they don't use in servicing Buicks/GMCs they may have to tell you sorry we can't do it but in general they should be able to repair anything on any GM car as most of the parts are common.

The dealership where I get my car serviced is a Chevrolet/Buick/GMC/Cadillac shop so I do get my Corvette serviced by the Corvette Mechanic who also services my GMC Terrain and my Tahoe. He also services Cadillacs.

The quality of service really doesn't depend on the brand of car the dealership sells. it depends on the management of the dealership and what they insist their employees do. Nowadays, with many dealers selling and servicing several different brands if their Chevy dealership has poor service it is highly likely their Toyota, VW and BMW dealerships have the same poor service quality.
Bill

I'm not too keen on those two new names, I think going with the current naming convention (Stingray, GS, Z06, ZR1 and maybe the Zora at the very top or hybrid AWD) for the C8 is fine. The Manta reminds me of the Opel Manta that was around in the 70s and Zora sounds like Zorba the Greek.

I think I have an outstanding Chevrolet dealer locally, but my Cadillac dealer is a lot nicer place with less cheap cars sitting around both in the new car lot as well in the service bays. I am much less nervous leaving my new ATS-V at the Cadillac store than I am leaving my Z06 at the Chevy store.

I felt the same way when I brought my car to the dealer, for service. Then I found out, that they have a Master Tech, that only works on Corvettes. I had brought the car back to the dealer, to get something checked, shortly after I bought it, and the dealer stopped washing cars, a few years ago, as part of service, due to the California drought, a few years ago, and never started washing cars, again. They washed, my car, vacuumed it out, and the car was delivered to me with their standard generic paper license plate. They even switched that out for their "motorsports" plate. a few months later, I took it in, for the first oil change, and the same Tech worked on my car.

He drives the car back, puts it on the lift that they have setup, just for Corvettes, does all of the work, and drives the car back to detail when its done. And after the oil was changed. I got the car home, and checked the oil (dry sump) it was perfectly filled. They only offer Mobile 1 oil changes for the Corvettes, from what my service writer told me. But having one tech that is master certified to work on corvettes, and to see only him work on my car, from start to finish, and getting home, and seeing that everything was done correctly, really put me at ease about taking my car to the stealership. I also take my 2017 Cruze Hatch, there, but they run that thing through their service assembly line.

I also had the MRSC update done, and was trying to explain it to the service writer. I gave the service writer the information from the update, and he called GM to get the thing started. The tech line told the service writer that the car had to sit for 8-10 hours before it could be driven, and that they didn't recommend getting it done, unless I wanted to leave the car, overnight. Well, I asked to talk to the Master Tech, and he even told the service writer the same story, that the car could be driven, just the adjustment wouldn't be completed, until the car sat. The Master Tech, told the service writer, that the BCM had an internal clock setup for the program. I laughed inside when I heard that, but I guess it could be true. Like the car wouldn't complete the final installation task until that timer ran down.. Who knows, but, at least the tech agreed that the car could be driven. And he wrote it as such in the comments on the receipt.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...41b63c339.jpeg

That may be true in specific instances but in General it isn't true. Service quality all depends on the owner of the dealership and what they require their employees to do. It has nothing to do with the brand. If it was brand related the volume dealerships that sell cars in the more popular price ranges would be epitome's of service quality since their sales could change drastically due to competition with other dealerships of the same or other brands. In most areas of the country Cadillac dealerships are co-located with other GM brands so the dealership has sufficient volume to survive. About 30 years ago I remember a local Chevy dealership purchased the local BMW dealership. The BMW dealership had an excellent service reputation and local Mercedes owners took their cars there because the Mercedes dealership was terrible. After the Chevy dealer purchased the BMW dealership they moved it to their Chevy location and made room for it in their show room and service bays. I happened to be walking into the service area to arrange service for my Corvette when I passed by the BMW Service Manager's office and over heard a conversation. The overall site Service Manager (and Chevy Service Manager) was chewing out the BMW Service Manager about something that was done to screw a BMW Customer and that he would be fired if he ever let that happen again. He was reminded that BMW sales were a small percentage of Chevy sales and if word passed around that anybody had been treated wrongly at this dealership it would hurt Chevy sales more than BMW sales.

Bill

Well, except they ARE different dealerships, very likely located in different locations. But most importantly, they are each SEPARATE profit centers for the owner/corporation. So, if a Gen. Mgr. can make the case that providing good, or great service makes the dealership more profit, the BMW or Toyota agency may do things differently from the Chev dealer.

Cadillac had us hoping at the Pebble Beach Concours in 2002:

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...cb8036c1d2.jpg


https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...7db5b997a9.jpg

Household incomes on average tend to be higher near major population centers/metro areas. So it's really not that far a drive for most Ferrari owners to the nearest dealership, certainly not 8 hours for the majority...or even BMW, Mercedes owners (if they are living within their means).

My Chey dealer is great, treats me well and my car is respected by the employees there. So are the cars of the Spark, Volt and pick up owners. This is the way it should be. I am no better than the spark owner, just spent more money for my car. Most people drive what they can afford, because you drive a M/B or Jag does that mean you are better...naw and if you think you are then you will never be treated the way you think you should be. Most of us are pretty equal and as such should treat the other person as you would like to be treated. Be nice, it is really easy, and others will be nice to you.
The dealership will treat you as good as you treat them, smile, say Hi, they will respond in kind. Simple. Do good and you will be treated well and your car will be well cared for by the dealership's personnel. Of course things will go wrong at times, and if the oil is over filled it can be fixed and cleaned up. Remember that they come from the factory with some oil issues, oops, Chevrolet, Thinking about my last 4 Corvettes and the dealerships they have all been pretty good, repairs, when needed were done in a timely fashion, oi changes were OK, price was fair, those are all you can expect if you just remember to smile and treat them as you would like to be treated...Rant over.

Wrong!

Bottom line is if I buy a zr1 or c8, it is inherently a more expensive and complicated car design. I do not feel comfortable having a normal tech work on my specialized, expensive vehicle that I dropped a ton of cash on. I'm not saying I'm "better" than a silverado owner, however I AM saying my car is more likely to be damaged due to tech error than a Silverado. There's a difference, and you're making a false equivalance.

In other words, the risk of something going wrong is much lower with a more qualified/specialized technician working on the car...

Could a general handyman wire your garage..? Probably. Would I suggest you hire him to wire your garage? No, but it might go fine. I'd hire an actual electrician.

Ground clearances, jacking points, special maintenance procedures, special parts, more expensive rims that are wider and more difficult to mount tires on....

With the c8 going mid engine, this fact will become even more exteme due to the new engine packaging..

You all are making it sound like it takes a freaking rocket scientist to work on an internal combustion engine... aside from the supercharger and dry sump the basic maintenance is exactly the same as any other LS engine... Other than oil changes you really shouldn't have to go to the dealer for much of anything IMO. Brand new car, driven the way most people drive them it'll have what, 7 oil changes at like 20k miles and then they'll trade it in for something else anyway.

In other words, I get what you all are saying, but the vast majority of vette buyers aren't people like you, so it really won't matter. As a comparison, I'd bet BMW sells more of the 2/3/4 series than M cars. So you're talking... average of $40k cars compared to a handful of 100k+. Are there people saying the same things about those specialized cars at regular service centers? Basically the normal owners that gm see are people who just treat the car as whatever and then get a new one in a few years. As long as the dealer can do the basic crap who cares, itll be onto the next guy before anything major and by then it's out of warranty and chances are the next guy has somebody anyway. I drive old crap I can work on, and that way I pretty much never have to go to the dealer. That solves all the problems. I get it, but they don't really have the need. If that makes any sense at all. I'm exhausted right now and have no clue what I just wrote...

I never said it was rocket science. These techs should be able to put a Corvette on a lift without damaging it... But alas... (Go read the thread about the guy who's z06 got a chip in the rocker panel because some careless technician)

Not a good look if your company is trying to sell >$100k cars

Let's not forget that a new Silverado can easily cost more than a new Stingray today, and their V8 engines aren't so different.

On paper it seems like a great idea to sell Vettes with Caddys, but lest we forget that Chevy is The Heartbeat of America and General Motors.

Jim Perkins (Chevy's General Manager during the C5) and Dale Earnhardt Jr. have been on the dealer side for a while now [including working with or owning both Chevy and Cadillac dealers]. I wonder what they would say?
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...a57f1d3400.png

I didn't mean it like that, I meant it as in some people think it's something truly exotic when it really isn't... just saying it and not directed at anyone. My bad.

Anyway, you can't fix stupid. :thumbs: I know mine can't go on most lifts... guessing it got high centered on the ramp? Frankly I'd be just as pissed if it were a cruze or a ZR1. I take pride in the crap I call my own.

I'm not arguing but gross negligence is everywhere. I've met a lot of dealer techs. There are very few that are actually mechanics. Generally that's where the difference lies. A tech knows what the computer tells him, a mechanic knows the car. Theres an audi dealership they just built a year or two ago, when the cars are in for service I sometimes watch them whip them around the lot because of the sheer lack of care. It's just a how fast can we get it in and out deal. Most people don't get it and that's where you have problems. They just see a car and have no sense of the worth that someone has behind it.

I actually got a guy fired on the spot at a dealership once. There was a nice 16 tahoe LTZ for sale in white diamond I was looking at. They just finished detailing it when I took it for a test ride. We got back and dad asked about the overspray on the tiny corner of the back of the bumper. The guy ignored it. About 10 minutes goes by of my cousin, father and I looking over the car and I pretty much determined the whole thing was repainted... the guy asked me how I could tell and I peeled back about a quarter sized spec of paint from the door moulding. My buddy who wasn't in at the time told me that he was told that was his last day. Dealers will do whatever they want and that one is known for actually being one of the better ones in the state. All depends on the guy who dressed up the car that day.

Based on how unimaginative GM has been lately with naming cars (e.g. Chevy Volt and Chevy Bolt), I expect to see Corvette Stingray and Corvette Slingray. :D

And enthusiasts really appreciate that type of service so I'll pause to say good show. The foriegn marques DO have nice lobbies and waiting rooms and treat you special. At those labor rates to pay for the marble floors they do make you feel special as they rob you blind. The "stealer" has gotten a very bad rap but there are a few out there that trreat the customer as gold which is all that's needed.

"nobody pays to be treated badly" Doesn't matter what service or product, customers very quickly vote with their feet and will indeed go the extra mile to see someone else who does as well.

Sting ray and Eray. I do think well see some chevy volt tech bleed into the front of the vette. just hope the super capacitor tech is ready and the batteries are kept modest.

I don't want a 4000 lb vette even if it's quicker.

I think the whole issue can be solved by the dealership. When I lived up in PA our club sponsor dealership had the best technician around. People would come from 4 states to have him work on their Vette. The dealership had him work on all Corvettes and the owners could talk to him and watch him in the first 2 bays in the shop. I've suggested this to our Corvette Club's sponsor down here in SW Florida. The owner says it makes sense and they do a lot of service. It all hinges on commitment to getting a great tech and designating an area just for Corvette service. Just saying this does work. :toetap:

I think the biggest reason is that the CORVETTE is a CHEVROLET. Just because CADILLAC is on the front door their mechanics screw up too.

I was told though that if you own a CADILLAC and it needs work the dealership loans you a courtesy CADILLAC to use until they are finished with your car.

CHEVEROLET dealers in my experience don't give customers a courtesy CORVETTE to use

Whatever model is sold it all boils down to the salesman, owner, or technician to PERSONALLY do a good job and help a customer any way they can. It's called personal pride and how a person approaches life and the job he or she is doing. In business and dealing with the public the people that do the best job usually come out on top. In the automobile industry there are just too many choices out there. Dealerships that don't recognize this lose in the long run.

The problem I've seen over the years is that almost every real good mechanic, technician whatever the title wanted to quit doing the work and be the boss. They wanted to run their own shop. This happened lots of times and the guy had his new business with his name on the front of the building. Unfortunately he couldn't hire people that cared and did the work as good as him eventually the place got a bad name and the business suffered and went broke everybody lost. Nowadays those kind of shops are hard to find if they even exist because of the cost. It's got to be expensive to provide the computer equipment, tools and the benefits that the dealers can offer.

You are right Tooold2race. I also own a Jaguar and the experience there is completely different than what I get at my Chevy dealer, or Ford dealer. I always say, I don't own a Chevy, I own a Corvette!
But being I have a 2006 and its out of warranty, I never take it to the Chevy dealer anymore. I go to a shop near me that specializes in restoring Corvettes. They know the car inside and out, and take care of it as if its their own car. Glad I don't have to deal with Chevy anymore. I had a new 2012 Camaro that was making a grinding noise in the rear end. The Chevy mechanic told me I'm not making enough turns. He said the car needs to turn more and go straight less. So I was like, "so you're telling me I bought a car that can't go straight". Finally the service advisor looked up the Vin and found that they put the wrong fluid in the rear at the factory. Changed the fluid and the seals, and the noise went away.

Because.....CHEVROLET Corvette, not CADILLAC Corvette

:conehead

....

You both are missing my entire point. I'm not going to even bother...

I remember reading a post somewhere not sure if it was here but this guy swore he had inside information that Cadillac would have a mid engine along side Chevy. I think Cadillac will be producing a mid engine car. Do not forget the Corvette plant was converted for Cadillac to build cars I also think they will have some influence in the V8 that will be in the C8.

New wrinkle in the c8 Cadillac comment I made..

Honestly I think it'd be stupid if Cadillac basically takes c8 platform and makes it one of their models too.. I think the engineering and marketing would be better suited just selling the mid engine under Corvette as it's own brand, and selling them at Cadillac dealers. Having the c8 as a Chevy and Cadillac kind of dilutes the car's design IMO.

Just knock the c8 design out of the park and have it under it's own brand of "Corvette"

We live in interesting times
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...c02f22755f.png

I have had over a dozen Escalade's and on my 13th Corvette, I guess I am lucky, my Chevy dealer has one of the best Corvette techs anywhere, other dealerships send problem cars for him to repair, and my Cadillac dealership treats me better than my Porsche or other car dealerships.

I have wondered about this topic for years!

I own both Corvette and Cadillac. My Cadillac dealer is a CLASS act....my Chevy Dealer, well sucks. Thank god for Fourm Sponsored Dealers and Rick Conti.

Same here!

Just my 2 cents here, it looks like it all depends on the dealer and maybe location. I went to the Cadillac dealer in Alexandria VA last weekend to look at an SUV and I find it no different than a Chevy dealer, other than the vehicles offered. Same everything else, no special treatment or luxuries, same as any average dealership...

I think some of you are missing my larger point that GM needs to somehow work with the Cadillac dealers to have a higher level of service across the board. And also have at least 1 Corvette specialist at each facility. That simple.

If other Chevy dealers offer great service then fine. But I'm saying from a branding aspect, if they want to raise cadillac to be a luxury brand, they need to step up their services. Look at Lexus dealers as an example. With that said, I think the Corvette should be sold at caddillac dealers to seal the premium nature of the car.

I don't care about the fact current cadillac dealer service sucks or a "Corvette is a Chevy!".. you're missing my point. I don't care what it is now; I'm saying where they should go with it for the future

many have suggested that----a corvette on a Chevrolet showroom floor just looks more and more out of place and owners waiting in the service area hoping for the best.

I suggest you look up the XLRV.

Yeah that was a success, NOT.

The ATS-V Coupe is a sports car in my book. It storms the Nürburgring in under 3 minutes.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...496f4eda72.jpg

The ATS-V is an amazing car in my opinion, I was really looking to get one, but I was priced out and wanted the more "muscle" look. The Black one is my buddy's, driven it plenty of times, and drives amazingly, def outperforms a M3/M4, but people in the market for those only see BMW vs Cadillac in their head.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.cor...18d05fd90d.jpg
I am really curious to see what Cadillac will do with the new CT4 coming out.