Our friends at the MidEngineCorvetteForum.com got some interesting news this afternoon that we wanted to share as well regarding the Corvette Assembly Plant, which is planning an extended closure around the Christmas and News Years holidays. Here is what they have told us:
In an official written communication to Bowling Green Assembly Plant employees, GM stated that the Plant will be closed starting at the end of second shift, Friday, December 13th and not re-open until the start of first shift Monday, January 6th. While this is current accurate information, GM’s schedules are always subject to change as conditions warrant.
Typically, the assembly plant workers have taken one or sometimes two weeks off over the holidays, but never have we seen three weeks off during normal production. Our belief is that the extra week of closure is directly attributable to excess numbers of C8 Stingrays that have been piling up on the lots of Chevrolet dealers across the country.
GM recently announced employee pricing was now available for the Corvette Stingrays, but it may be time to begin offering some cash or financing incentives for the car for retail buyers. We’d like the see a special finance rate of 2.99% or 3.99% for new Corvettes, or some cash back that can be used for a down payment. We also would like to see some additional production numbers for the E-Ray and Z06 which still remain in demand, as well as some additional Stingrays for export. And of course, adding the 2025 ZR1 to the mix would also help decrease the Stingray’s available numbers as well.
We’ve also see that slowing sales is not just a problem for the Corvette, as both Ford and Stellantis have done layoffs at selected plants over the last few weeks as automakers are dealing with excess product while also shifting their focus away from EVs and back to more profitable ICE and Hybrid-powered vehicles.
Source:
MidEngineCorvetteoForum.com
Related:
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This is okay. These chaps have been going at Warp 10 since C8 production began. They’ve earned some quality time off; Bowling Green and the surrounding areas are great places to be for the holidays!
Corvette BG might also be reconfiguring or upgrading assembly lines. I worked 10 years for GM as a Skilled Tradesman Millwright and this time of year I always volunteered to work OT for the work types I mentioned. Made for a very good Christmas as my wife agreed with this strategy. I was already being paid off for the holidays and working these holidays was double time on top of it.
Thanks Bidenomics
Our belief is that the extra week of closure is directly attributable to excess numbers of C8 Stingrays that have been piling up on the lots of Chevrolet dealers across the country. Well if this is the case, maybe lower the cost of the Stingrays a couple grand. Here in Arizona they are still being marked up.
They are not making the right mix likely since the parts aren’t available for E-Rays.
The coming economy of pig-face Donnie isn’t going to help them.
Prices have plummeted on C8’s, depreciation is killing resales & trade in value. Close the plant for a year until the new administration can fix what the last administration broke.
A memo to Ms. Mary Barra and Mr. Mark Reuss:
Topic: Current Slow Sales of new Corvette Stingray Vehicles – 3rd & 4th qtr 2024
Here is a great solution to the current Stingray Production/Sales issue – immediately reduce the base costs of all three trim levels, 1LT, 2LT, 3LT in both Coupes and Convertible Stingray back down to match the introduction base costs, i.e. $ 59,995 for the base 1LT Coupe that you told the World about as the Corvette’s signature value-play: supercar performance for an affordable price.
Do you remember these guys:
“This is as good a value as any performance car ever,” raved Kelley Blue Book auto analyst Karl Brauer.
Added Reeves Callaway, founder of the renowned Callaway Cars that modifies and races muscle cars: “Corvette has cracked the code. No other automaker does better a great auto at a low price.”
Both of you can NOT blame the Corvette Suppliers for the added yearly cost increases due to the Covid Virus beginning in December of 2019 as the Suppliers had given you their cost sheets for the entire Corvette way before the introduction ceremony in Orange County, CA on July 18, 2019. The UAW Assembly Plant workers did not get their pay raise until October 30, 2023. It seems that General Motors GREED has taken over the Corvette pricing.
From the Corvette Press Release:
GM delivered on its promise of a starting base price of less than $60,000 with the base LT1 2020 Corvette Stingray coming in at $59,995 including $1,095 delivery. The new Corvette will offer three trim levels initially, the 1LT, 2LT and 3LT. The 2LT model has an MSRP of $67,295 and includes features like navigation, color head-up display, premium audio and a performance data recorder. The top 3LT will retail for $71,945. All prices include $1,095 delivery.
To refresh everybody’s memory – please see the video:
https://media.gm.com/media/intl/en/chevrolet/bcportal.html/currentVideoId/6066202016001/pnId/3/typeId/c/currentChannelId/Most%20Recent.html
HEY MARY AND MARK, JUST LOWER THE DAMN MSRP ON ALL CORVETTES SO YOU CAN BUILD MORE TO SELL MORE!
And quit adding stupid stuff like the required Mobile Service Plus (Invoice $545 / MSRP
$599) that a Corvette Owner does not need to enjoy his new beautiful Corvette!
MobileService+ is a suite of service conveniences for 3 years – Mobile Service, Pick-up & Delivery with loaner, Loaner with Drop off and One Touch Support. MobileService+ van will come to your home to perform select services or pick up your vehicle and return it once the service is completed at the dealership. Cost of part and labor are not included., (Required and only available for dealers in California who have a BFU of 284. Requires TRE or SRE order types.)
Thanks for listening.
Who thinks that 2nd shift production is going away ? There’s been some talk around the water cooler.
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