Since the beginning of the year we’ve been following the “project improvements” that were scheduled for the Corvette Assembly Plant in the first half of 2025. The plant has already closed for three of the four weeks planned for downtime with the final closure happening the week of May 19th.
The rumor has been that these updates to the assembly line are being made to emphasize widebody production and over the last few weeks we’ve seen the Z06 outproducing all other models. Unfortunately, volume has dropped off from their previous highs, and the plant just underwent a round of staff reductions.
Our friends the MidEngineCorvetteForum.com tell us that 31 BGA employees were laid off while another 43 senior employees with 25 years or more experience selected an early retirement buyout with their employment ending on June 1st. The buyout offer reportedly includes a $50K bonus as well.
“Bowling Green Assembly has notified a small number of employees of an indefinite layoff as a result of operational changes at the plant,” plant spokeswoman Rachel Bagshaw said in a statement. “Impacted employees may be offered employment opportunities at other GM locations, which includes relocation assistance as applicable.
Below is a copy of the letter from UAW Local 2164 Chairman Jason Watson who confirmed to membership that 31 Seniority Members were placed on Indefinite Layoff Status and their final day was Friday, April 25th.
During the NCM Bash, we had the opportunity to ask a question to Plant Director Ray Theriault about the changes that have been made inside the plant, as well as what the planned “line rate” would be for the cars moving forward. Ray acknowledged that changes were made but refused to elaborate more on the topic, and he declined to comment on current production rates and volume.
However, thanks to Roger Kiel’s Production Tracker on Facebook, we can see that production levels are extremely lower than they were before the assembly plant did its two-week closure at the end of March. Whereas the assembly plant was previously producing between 140-180 Corvettes per day, the daily production over the last three weeks has ranged from 29 to 94 cars total.
We are still sad to learn that those 31 individuals who dedicated themselves to building Corvettes at the Bowling Green Assembly Plant will no longer have the opportunity to do so. We thank you for your service to our favorite sports car and hope you are able to quickly move on to other endeavors.
Source:
MidEngineCorvetteForum.com
Related:
Corvette Assembly Plant’s UAW Bracing for Potential Loss of Workers as Corvette Plant Plans to Slow Production
The Corvette Assembly Plant Will Be Closed During These Upcoming Weeks
[RUMOR] Is Chevy Preparing for Production of a Widebody Grand Sport C8?
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Nobody wants to admit we have been in a recession for a couple of years. Real estate is down, company layoffs, and tons of auto inventory. Where I live the local Range Rover dealership leased a lot 5 miles away and has easily 50-75 new cars stored. Maybe they don’t want customers to see the true picture and ask for a discount.
Not just effects of a recession. This is long term from GM having so many component suppliers overseas when tariffs hit. GM’s sins of the 1990’s are finally coming home to roost.
Supply has exceeded demand. With a large supply of used C8’s now available, the price increases for the new models has lessen demand. While, the Z06, ZR1, the possible Zora, all represent great performance cars, the affordability both in initial cost and maintenance is getting out of reach for many of their former buyers.
A sad commentary indeed. I paid $155,00 for my brand new 2024 C-8 Zo6 convertible, but traded it in on a C-7 for $114,00 The loss in market value was like an avalanche. 40G loss in 15 months.
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