GM to Reduce the Powertrain Warranty on Corvettes by 40,000 Miles in 2016

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GM to Reduce the Powertrain Warranty on Corvettes by 40,000 Miles in 2016

If you need a good reason to buy a Corvette Stingray or Z06 before the end of the 2015 model year, keep reading because I am going to give you 40,000 reasons why you should buy a 2015 Corvette over the upcoming 2016 model.

Earlier this month, General Motors announced a roll back to the powertrain warranty on all Chevrolet vehicles including the Corvette Stingray and Z06 to 60,000 miles from the 100,000 miles currently offered on 2015 models.

Since 2007, Chevrolet has offered a 5 year/100,000 powertrain warranty on its vehicles including the Corvette. That move was hailed by GM’s leadership who said that it proves they stand behind the quality of their vehicles. Starting in 2016, that warranty will be 5 years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first.

That means the buyer of a 2015 Corvette Stingray or Z06 will have 40,000 more miles of warranty coverage over future models.

In addition to the rollback in miles, Chevrolet will also be reducing the number of free service visits offered each year to just two visits per year in the first 2 years or 24,000 miles.

According to GM, the 5 year/100,000 mile warranty is not one of the main reasons people use to justify their purchases according to research done by the automaker.

The reasons for the rollback were detailed in a memo to dealers from Chevrolet vice president Brian Sweeney and GMC vice president Duncan Aldred:

“Through research, we have determined that when purchasing a new vehicle, included maintenance and warranty rank low on the list of reasons why consumers consider a particular brand over another,”

“As a result, we have benchmarked our competitors, reviewed our current offerings and have concluded the following modifications to align closely with our customers’ needs and expectations,” it said.

We think that GM is being short-sighted by reducing the powertrain warranties. We’d rather see them being a leader as opposed to reducing coverage which is more in line with their domestic competitors. Explaining this to potential new Chevrolet/Corvette owners that somehow reducing warranty coverage is a good thing reminds us more of the old GM than the new GM.

So with the 2015 model year rapidly coming to a close, now may be the time to pull the trigger on that new Corvette Stingray or Z06. After all, there are 100,000 reasons to say yes!


Source:
Automotive News

Related:
[RECALL] 2014 Corvette Stingrays Recalled for Misaligned Fuel Fill Pipe
GM Issues a Recall of Forty-Three 2015 Corvettes for a Suspension Issue
[VIDEO] Track Redemption for the 2015 Corvette Z06 with the First Blown Engine

 



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4 COMMENTS

  1. I am informed by Hendricks Chevrolet service manager that his GM representative takes the position that the 100,000 warranty is void if the Z06 is used on the track. Gearbox failure after 5000 miles is not warranty covered. Selling a “track capable car” without a warranty is something Chevrolet should disclose when they charge $100’000 for something this delicate. Best argument for a Porsche I’ve ever heard.

  2. UPDATE: 2015 Z06/Z07 Failed Differential: Keras Chevrolet in Memphis was able to process a full warranty claim for both transmission and differential. The differential failed on the track at Barber in Birmingham. Hendrick Chevrolet was not helpful so I brought the car back to Memphis where the GM rep approved the repair. Full replacement of the differential. No news yet on the reason for the failure. GM stepped up.

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