GM Cancels C8 Corvette Training for Techs and Sales People at Spring Mountain Over Coronavirus Concerns

First it was the UAW Strike…now it’s the Coronavirus or COVID-19. To say the launch of the 2020 Corvette Stingray will be memorable is an understatement!

From a Corvette Sales Specialist named “Corvette ED” on the Corvette Forum, we have learned that GM has canceled all C8 Corvette training for the techs and salespeople at Spring Mountain through the end of March over concerns of the Coronavirus.

Ed works at Fairway Motors in Hazleton Pa, and he writes Tuesday evening on the Corvette Forum:

I got an email today from GM telling me my March 23, 24 Corvette Dealer Sales Academy Sessions were cancelled [sic]. The letter says that due to the Coronavirus GM Human Resources, have decided to cancel all Corvette training for the month of March. This really sucks!!!

He continues, “I booked airfare, rental car and three nights in Vegas. I planned on going out from Pennsylvania on Friday the 20th and stay Friday/Saturday in Vegas. Sunday/Monday at Spring Mountain and then Tuesday night back in Vegas and my plane left at 10am Wednesday. I guess I have to wait and see when they start the training again?”.

The message from GM to dealers also states “We are exploring options to continue to deliver the training at a later date and will share when we have additional information”.

General Motors appears to be taking the proactive approach by limiting employees’ risk of exposure to the coronavirus as larger gatherings are now being canceled. Once we saw that Cadillac canceled the much-anticipated Lyric EV reveal scheduled for April 2nd in Los Angeles, it appears the writing is on the wall in terms of GM scaling back its participation in live events even if it means delaying the reveal of their new EV platform.

For Chevrolet dealerships to be qualified for C8 Corvette sales and service, they have to purchase the required tools ($1,500), complete the training, and then send a salesperson out to Spring Mountain for $3,500. Dealers can also elect to be a signature dealer which allows them to send a service manager or technician as well.

We’ve reached out to Chevrolet and received this statement from Brand Communications Senior Manager Kevin Kelly:

Out of an abundance of caution, we have canceled the Spring Mountain dealer training through the end of March. Our top priority is the safety of our dealers and employees. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and have been following recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization.

Currently, ALL Ron Fellows Performance Driving Schools will go on as scheduled at Spring Mountain Motor Resort and Country Club. Should anything change, we’ll have it for you.

Source:
Corvette Forum

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Official C8 Corvette Driving School at Spring Mountain To Start Classes this April