04's are really 03's

[Stan A]

The 2004 Corvette is simply left over 2003 units which GM needed to sell. The changes that have been mentioned here on CAC are simple and will be done off the assembly line. Estimate of left over units is just over 7,000 cars. Mostly hatchbacks and some Z06s and a small number of convertibles.

To re-open the assembly line for more so called 2004 units will depend on how well the XLR does and the demand for more 2004 Vettes. No one is expecting the XLR to do very well and no one is expecting a first run to come about with regards to the 2004 model.

 

[ROCKETBLOCK]

Weren't some of the 03's actually 02's? It is hard to tell when the cars are essentially the same.

 

[Rob]

I guess I find this concept kind of confusing from the standpoint of practicality. What happens to the VIN plates on the leftover 2003s as well as all of the related manufacturing documentation for each 2003 Corvette built that is considered to be a "leftover"??

 

[Stan A]

Good Question??

All VIN plates are removed and replaced with new one. This has been a common practice for years. It unlikely that any of the 2002 models managed to reached the year ending of the 2003s.

Keep in mind that the current assembly line is being used for the XLR and is expected to last thru at least November, 2003. As everyone knows both cars cannot be produced at the same time. The left over 2003 units should last until November or even longer.

The bean-counters will do anything to make money/profit. In a way, its good that there is a 2004 car at least for all Chevy dealers that sell Corvettes.

Stan

 

[Tuna]

The last time I was in the plant at BG, the Caddy XLR was being built on a separate assembly line from the Vette. GM spent a little money expanding the BG plant to add the XLR to it.

GM expects to sell only about 7000 XLR's per year while the Vette is selling 30k+. The separate line for XLR build will not be a problem with Vette production.

If by left over 2003's you mean complete cars, that would be impossible. Each and every 2003 is already spoken for by a dealer or an individual.

However, if you are saying that 2004 Vettes will be the same as 2003, well that's different. There are lots of parts in the pipeline to continue building Vettes in the C5 style for several months yet - I suppose. When the plant makes the switch over to the 2004, the VIN plate will change for sure but they will be 2004 models, not 'left over' 2003's.

Since there isn't much difference between the original 1997 and the 2004, you could say that all 2004's are left over 1999's if you stretch it.

I'll take a look later this month while I'm there and see what I can see.

 

[LongTimer]

Re: Good Question??

Keep in mind that the current assembly line is being used for the XLR and is expected to last thru at least November, 2003. As everyone knows both cars cannot be produced at the same time. The left over 2003 units should last until November or even longer.

Something isn't right here. My understanding is that the XLR has its own wing at BG and runs completly independent of Vette, except for the shared paint booths.

Is it possible that BG is retooling NOW for the C6? Could those sneeky GM boys have C6s available for sale when they show the car in January? Naw, they couldn't be that stealthy could they? We would know more by now.

 

[CFour]

The 2004 Corvette is simply left over 2003 units which GM needed to sell. The changes that have been mentioned here on CAC are simple and will be done off the assembly line. Estimate of left over units is just over 7,000 cars. Mostly hatchbacks and some Z06s and a small number of convertibles.

To re-open the assembly line for more so called 2004 units will depend on how well the XLR does and the demand for more 2004 Vettes. No one is expecting the XLR to do very well and no one is expecting a first run to come about with regards to the 2004 model.

WHAT YOU SMOKIN? I WANT SOME! :eek What about the new colors? You think they are sending them to Bubbas Body Shop for a repaint? There are 3 new colors for 2004.

 

[Ctfoodguy2000]

I find this thread not only confusing but I question the logic. I am not a GM expert, but this just doesn't make any sense to me. How can a vehicle that is built simply have the VIN removed & a new one put on?? :confused :confused

 

[Stan A]

???????????

At a full production run of the XLR the entire facility is being used. This was established last year by GM. Both cars cannot be made at the same time without major additional costs. You are confusing the C6 with this idea.

Added colors mean nothing if you have visited the plant. They can easily add colors when ever they want. You have to remember that all dealers have to special order this "race package" option at least 30 days prior to first release. Most will order earlier. Plenty of time to change and add color schemes. None of these additions require an assembly line (including the carbon fiber hood and special shocks).

This "passing on" procedure has been going for over 15 years. My 1989 had several 1988 labels still under the hood. However, most of the time the number are much smaller than what they are having to deal with this year.

Your numbers on the XLR are not what is coming from GM with regards to starting the run. Yes, they would like to see 7000 units sold and more but the number they project are 2500 to 3000 as of now. After viewing this car close up and comparing it to its direct competition, I personally as well as most knowledgeable automotive people believe that this model will not do well because of price and quality. You also have to remember that over 25% of all deposits made on the XLR have been returned to buyers as of May, 2003.

As to projected 2004 sales, Our GM sources teel us that they will not re-open the assembly for additional cars unless the XLR is a flop and or they sell all left overs from this past year (before March 31, 2004).

There are many rumors floating around that we see posted here and on the internet. I can only say that GM and all divisions are not in business to loose or break even. The decision to produce the 2004 was the direct results of poor sales for 2003 model.

The info we pass along is what we are told from our business contacts at GM.

Everyone have a nice day,
Stan

 

[Lee74C3]

I don't know where Stan A gets his information.

I can tell you with absolute 100% confidence that both cars will be produced for the full model year.

There is no such thing as swapping VIN plates!

He is also confused on the XLR production forecast. There is a forecast for 2004 MY (model year) orders produced in the 2003 CY (calendar year), and there is a forecast for all 2004 MY orders produced in the entire MY run... June 2003 through July 2004.

Again, 100% confidence. I won't tell you why... figure it out.

 

[Grizzly]

Building The XLR

Now what Stan A said makes a lot more sense than some of the other things I have been hearing. Build both cars on the same assembly line until the XLR flops, then there is little or no additional costs involved. Building a second line/wing for the XLR would be a major investment in a new and untried product.

Now, who's been in the plant lately that can settle this one line/two lines business?

 

[gonetobama13]

The more I read, the more confused I get. Who's right, anyway? I just ordered a 2004 coupe and was told by my salesman that production would start in July. Is this correct? If not, and I'm getting a Vette that was actually built as a 2003, shouldn't the sticker price be reflective of when it was actually built (e.g. March, 03)?

 

[Tuna]

This is a smoke screen - I don't know why but it is.

The XLR is being built on a separte line at the BG plant. It does not interfer with Vette production. So far there have been 145 XLR's produced at the BG plant. GM is going to build the XLR for some time to come.

There have been 34 2004 Vettes built so far - all preproduction and not saleable. There should be a model change over from the 2003 to the 2004 later this month of the first of next month. As I said before, all 2003 Vettes are either sold to a dealer or to an individual. There will not be any 2003's 'left over' at the plant.

 

[gonetobama13]

Thanks, Tuna. Earlier today, I received a response from the Chevrolet Customer Relationship Manager supporting your comments. He also said the following. "The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the Corvette is not yet available. The 2004 vehicles have not begun production. Production is estimated for mid- to late-July. Typically, it takes two months from the start of production for vehicles to arrive on dealership lots. Incentives will not be available until the vehicle is actually released." Granted, Chevrolet most likely already knows the MSRP and even the incentives, if there will be any. However, I feel better knowing that I will be getting what I am paying for - namely a 2004.
John K.

 

[Z51 Coupe]

I think Stan A is smoking too much Georgia weed. If what he says is "fact" then gives us the quotes from the sources. He mentions comments from GM sources, is this comments over the stalls in the bathroom where he works. Its very frustrating to hear all these "so-called experts" who blow smoke and cant support their statements with FACTS. Some of what he states may be true but seems far fetched with nothing to back it up. How about some facts Stan A????ad :confused ad

 

[CFour]

HELLO?? The XLR has its very own assembly line and crew! Just when you thought you heard it all.... :L Now I will add this, It IS possible that the 2004 model year will be cut off early maybe December or January. This would allow for about a 3 month line shut down and re tool for the 2005 model year to start producing saleable cars by April of 04

 

[LongTimer]

HELLO?? The XLR has its very own assembly line and crew! Just when you thought you heard it all.... :L Now I will add this, It IS possible that the 2004 model year will be cut off early maybe December or January. This would allow for about a 3 month line shut down and re tool for the 2005 model year to start producing saleable cars by April of 04

Yep!! Closer to what I've been thinking for a long time.

 

[Interceptor430]

Tuna is correct. The Vette and the XLR are being built on 2 separate lines. I was in the BG Plant Twice last week. Saw them both on their very own production line.

All 2003 Vettes have been spoken for, so there is no such thing as chaning the VIN from a 2003 to a 2004 on the Vette.

 

[StillDreaming]

CONFUSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What is the truth?

 

[LMN8R]

You want the truth?

You can't handle the truth!!!