GM's answer to sagging Vette sales

[catbert]

Deja Vu

Seems like the Doctor Olds has made his rounds at GM and lobotomized all the management newbees at the General. Seems the Vette's scary sagging sales will be corrected by a price increase on both cars and equipment - except for the ZR1, which will get a price drop. How's that for the kind of stupidity that lead to the demise of the old General.

Here's some details from Autoweek:

According to information given to dealers, the sticker price for base cars is going up by between $480 and $1,150, depending on the model.
There is one big exception--the sticker price of ZR1 is decreasing by $75, to $112,500, including the $975 shipping charge.

Prices for equipment groups and options are also increasing. The 2LT group regular and Grand Sport coupes will go from $1,195 in 2011 to $2,095 for the 2012 model.


Likewise, the 3LT package will go from $4,205 to $5,995, and the 4LT package will jump from $7,705 to $9,495.

Unbefreekinglievable

We are doomed.

​

 

[Tuna]

The prices go up every year, so this isn't that big of a surprise.
With the economy in a tail spin, Vette sales are way down. Either they sale more Vettes or the prices will continue to go up.

 

[catbert]

Actually, Vette prices don't take the kind of hike that GM plans for 2012. But that isn't the point. The point is that raising prices always means lower sales, unless the product is hot, and the Vette isn't hot. If lower sales always mean higher prices, and higher prices mean lower sales, then the cycle will mean the end of the Vette.

The C7 will surely mean greater interest in the Vette, but I suspect even more buyers will be priced out of the market when its price is announced. The trend doesn't look promising, because the Vette has never been a wealthy buyers car.

 

[NORTY]

Have you looked at car prices from all manufacturers? All the cars are going up. Especially the "entry" level models. Now that the "cash for clunkers" has destroyed the used car market, the rest of the used cars are commanding premium pricing. This is crossing over to new car sales since the supply is reduced. (The Japanese E-quake didn't help matters either.)

Case in point~
My mom bought a Camry new in 2007 for $16,500 OTD. The same car now ( 4 years later with 65,000 miles) is $21,988 at the same dealership.

Funny anomoly~
Those that own Corvettes, wish that the prices were higher.
Those that want a Corvette, wish the prices were lower.

I guess it all depends on which side of the glass you are lookin' thru...:eyerole

 

[LLC5]

Have you looked at car prices from all manufacturers? All the cars are going up. Especially the "entry" level models. Now that the "cash for clunkers" has destroyed the used car market, the rest of the used cars are commanding premium pricing. This is crossing over to new car sales since the supply is reduced. (The Japanese E-quake didn't help matters either.)

Case in point~
My mom bought a Camry new in 2007 for $16,500 OTD. The same car now ( 4 years later with 65,000 miles) is $21,988 at the same dealership.

Funny anomoly~
Those that own Corvettes, wish that the prices were higher.
Those that want a Corvette, wish the prices were lower.

I guess it all depends on which side of the glass you are lookin' thru...:eyerole

Another contributing factor for all new car prices going up will be the CAFE mandates for the manufacturers. These higher mileage vehicles will not come free or cheap to the consumers.

 

[Hib Halverson]

Another contributing factor for all new car prices going up will be the CAFE mandates for the manufacturers. These higher mileage vehicles will not come free or cheap to the consumers.

"LLC5" gets the Thursday afternoon "Beacon of Reality" Award.

 

[catbert]

I wonder how emissions regulations cause the price of an interior option to go up $2,200?

 

[LLC5]

I wonder how emissions regulations cause the price of an interior option to go up $2,200?

There must be a lot of unburned fuel in those plastics.