2005 C6 Convertible Power Top Issues

[Rob]

To: All Chevrolet Dealers

From: VSSM Order Fulfillment

Re: Corvette – Power Convertible Top

Date: January 4, 2005

Due to supply challenges surrounding the power convertible top on the Chevrolet Corvette, many orders have slipped back significantly in the production schedule. In an effort to minimize wait time for the highly desirable Corvette Convertible model, we are returning approximately 100 stock orders (currently scheduled for February 28 or later production) to the dealer's placed tab in VOMS.

Dealers interested in expediting production of these units may remove the power top option (CM7) from the order. Based on the current Convertible assembly plan, orders which have the power top option removed should be produced sometime in mid to late February. If the power top option is not removed, the order will likely not be built until late March/early April – based on current production plans. Please note that changes in the Convertible ramp up may affect these production estimates.

Dealers will have until Tuesday, January 11, 2005 to change these orders. All orders will be moved back into the production system at that time. The list of returned orders is attached to this message.

If you have sold orders where the customer would rather expedite the order than wait for the power top option, please contact the Dealer Business Center and arrange to have the option removed from the order.

 

[juvatpilot]

It would appear that convertible production problems surround more than just those orders for the power top version. Just reviewed a thread on another forum which indicates that, for at least the next week, NO orders will be accepted for convertibles . . . irrespective of top type! Would really like to know what gives with GM and the convertible C6 production.

 

[psimms]

Rob
Sorry to hear about power top delay on new C6 verts. I have one on order with Woodfield Chevy and they were to late in their response to cancel power top. Somebody did not come to work for a few days to make response in the time limit. Now, I have no idea when I will get my C6. Woodfield has not given me a build date, just that I am 13th on their list.

I am in a bit of a quandary, since the vert. season will be over by April 1 in Florida (to hot & humid after that) I don't know if I should cancel the order for the 2005 and reorder a 2006? The way it sounds I might not get the 05 until July or later and it would only be a new car for 6 months or less. Problems, Problems.

Sorry if this is not the right person or place to be addressing this issue but I am new to this forum. Thanks for your help.

I have been reading this forum for several weeks and think it is top rated with a group of great people.
psimms

 

[6 Shooter]

Rob
Sorry to hear about power top delay on new C6 verts. I have one on order with Woodfield Chevy and they were to late in their response to cancel power top. Somebody did not come to work for a few days to make response in the time limit. Now, I have no idea when I will get my C6. Woodfield has not given me a build date, just that I am 13th on their list.

I am in a bit of a quandary, since the vert. season will be over by April 1 in Florida (to hot & humid after that) I don't know if I should cancel the order for the 2005 and reorder a 2006? The way it sounds I might not get the 05 until July or later and it would only be a new car for 6 months or less. Problems, Problems.

Sorry if this is not the right person or place to be addressing this issue but I am new to this forum. Thanks for your help.

I have been reading this forum for several weeks and think it is top rated with a group of great people.
psimms

Welcome to the

That is quite a decision . . .

I'd probably wait for a 2006 if it's going to be that late for your 2005 delivery.

Later . . . . . .
6 Shooter

 

[OLDGOAT]

The vert shortage could just be part of the marketing strategy. Sales for coupes have not been as strong as in the C5 intro. Making verts hard to get will/might induce some to shift orders to coupes or buy from dealer stock of all option cars ( with higher margins ). Vert shortages might even make coupe prices rise somewhat.

Perhaps GM is shifting production to the Cadillac? Does it use the same vert top mechanism? It's all about marketing strategy. I have to believe that GM is not having any "problems" with supply or performance of the required parts and assemblies for the vert. It's just part of the program. You'd have to be a fly on the wall of their marketing planning meetings to know the whys of the situation.

 

[Gorgon]

The vert shortage could just be part of the marketing strategy.

Please get a grip. Not shipping units to fill orders does not help any of the parties involved.

 

[jimmyb]

I did not order a power top on my car but if I did I would be hot right now. As Rob's thread showed, power tops were (?) a problem, to the point of giving customers the short window to change their order to a manual top to avoid a delay till late March/early April. Now, Chevrolet is showing limited power top availability on cars to be produced in late February. What gives?

 

[psimms]

jimmyb
The salesman said do not change order let power top stay. GM will have problem fixed by Feb and orders will be filled. He still has not given me a build or delivery date. Has your dealer given you any kind of dates?
psimms

 

[jimmyb]

My target production week starts today (1/24) with an event status code of 3400 so my dealer is expecting my vin number early this week. My car is a manual black top and was ordered on 9/18/04, understanding that convertible production would not begin until November. My advice would be to stay on your dealer to see if you can get in this February build. You need to ask your dealer if he has allocation for convertibles (my dealer did NOT when he ordered my car, he got the order accepted somehow), and then start asking what "event status code" your order is. The Event status codes are as follows:
1100-Order placed at dealer
1101-Order accepted by GM
2001-Order generated to dealer
2005-Order replaced with GM prospec. order
2500-order sent to production, preferenced
3000-Order accepted by production control
3100-Order available to sequence (target prod. week more stable now)
3300-Order selected for production by assembly plant
3400-Order broadcasted for production
3800-Vehicle produced
4150-Vehicle invoiced to dealer
4200-Vehicle shipped
5000-Vehicle delivered to dealer
6000-Vehicle delivered to customer
If you don't get in the February or March build, you may want to consider waiting for a 2006 (although you would have to have the patience of Job to do that!) Good luck.
Jimmyb