News: GM's Henderson: Corvette's future is secure

[KANE]

...No car company can sell enough niche "retro" styled vehicles to be profitable because its simply too small a market.

They could sell enough... if the price was right, the reviews were great, and the quality was high. Lord knows Chrysler sold enough PT Cruisers! FWIW- the HHR came too late to the party.

People want affordable... then they will consider retro. People are reconsidering the idea of financing cars for 7 years- they don't want to incur debt for that long- especially when fleet sales drop values steeply and quickly.

 

[lnirenberg]

I could not disagree with you more. Are you saying that our gov't had nothing to do with the implemention more and more rules and restrictions on US car makers?? Did you ever hear of CAFE std's?? The requirement to build electric and hybrid cars that only a few want?? How about the gov't making sure the UAW gets everything they want through legislation?? Please do not take the socialist POV and blame the private sector which cannot remain private. If you want to be at war with private business along with the white house and congress I hope you know what will be on the horizon. hnoes

CAFE standards were imposed to protect car makers from themselves. Remember the gas crises ? Or we could use the European model and double (triple?)the price of gas with taxes forcing people to drive energy efficient cars. Pick your poison. Do you really think that the shortsighted management at GM, or any of the US carmakers, would have come up with a world class sports car getting mid to high 20 mpg without this? Not wanting hybrids? When I bought a car for my daughter I wanted to get a hybrid Escape but was told there was a 6 month back order (last summer) because Ford couldn't figure out how to make enough--imagine a American made vehicle that people wanted and Ford couldn't figure out how to produce enough! Boo hoo Cafe say the American automakers--I believe them after all they told us in the early 70s that unleaded gas and stringent clean air requirements had killed the performance car and lo and behold spend a few bucks on engineering from a clean piece of paper (rather than choking old engines to run clean) and we got a few decent performance engines since then. It appears Ford is the only American car company that saw the hand writing on the wall soon enough to restructure their products and development to the changing reality. I can't understand how they could have done this wearing the concrete shoes the evil government put on them what with CAFE, safety and emmissions standards and all.

 

[garpearc]

Good news about the vette...we'll see!!! But on the Camero, if anyone thinks it remotely resembles one!!!!!!! so much for retro..it's even 900 lbs heavier than the original, what's that all about???

 

[ken mohr]

There's already aftermarket companies that will use a C5 chassis to look like a '53. I doubt Chevy would touch that small niche market.
...

I think if GM did it it would worth more and hold a value. Would you buy a classic or a classic repro?

 

[ken mohr]

I don't know about that. Look at the Mustang.

 

[open air]

Future of Corvette

Just by the tone of Fritz's voice...he sounds nervous and is trying very hard to hide the fact that he is at the helm of a ship in BIG trouble. Just my read...

As for the future of Corvette...pretty safe for now in C6 form, but I would not expect any C4 to C5 type changes for the C7. I think Fritz made that pretty clear. The C5/C6 basic platform is very solid and still provides a lot of room for "tweaking" and I think that's were they will be going.

One thing to keep in mind is that Corvette is not only a profitable program for GM but it is the LION of the den and sets a precedence for the company. Without Corvette what does GM have? Please...the Camaro is nice, but it's no Corvette.

If I were running the show, here's what I would do:

1) BODY - Redesign the body using current or slightly modified chassis design. C5/C6 platform is solid and major redesign of chassis will not significantly improve performance. Perhaps bring back the StingRay or Mako Shark.

2) INTERIOR - Starting now on C6 models...MAKE MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE INTERIOR...I'm sorry I just don't buy the argument that for 8 grand (i.e. 4LT/3LZ) you can get a world class interior in the Corvette. The Corvette seats absolutely suck. Just go sit in a BMW or even a Nizzan 370Z...you'll see what I'm talking about. The Corvette's shabby interior is STILL holding the car back from being worthy of the accolades the chassis and engine deserve.

3) PAINT - Select a color pallet unique to the Corvette. That's right...this is an Iconic car and it needs Iconic paint. For example, I love Atomic Orange, but the same (or very similar) paint can be found on a Pontiac Vibe....it really cheapens the image of the LION - IMHO. Make metallic paints avail. for Base and Grand Sports (the replacement of Z51 package) - Bring back LeMans Blue, but Z06 should only be available in non-metallic paint with perhaps the exception being silver.

4) ENGINE - Continue to develop and improve the LS3. Start with 4 valves per cylinder, improve airflow and stick to supercharging for extra performace packages. Don't get me wrong...I love the 7.0 Litres in my Z06, but I don't see it as a long-term play for GM or any car company for that matter.

These changes should not cost a ton of cash and would create the separation from the pack and desire the next Corvette deserves. I'm sure not everyone agrees with me on all these points, but that's why we have a forum.

I'll shut up now.

 

[Evolution1980]

As a note to those wanting to post their ideas in this thread... I can see this thread turning into a political back & forth thread. That's OK, but remember two things before you hit that "POST" button.
1) This thread is about the future of the Corvette and not necessarily about who is/was our elected government officials and their policies.
2) Keep your comments civil towards one another. The quickest way to get this thread locked is to turn it into a member-bashing free-for-all.

 

[Cruza]

I hate posting this, but it's just a sign of the times!!!!!! :W hnoes

 

[njlouc]

IMHO - If you want to really count the beans, you will find tht the Vette is NOT profitable at all. I would think that most enginering and other "cutting edge" areas are written off as R&D and come off the Corporation expenses. If they were totally stand alone (as they are built/engineered now) they would lose big. A c7 would never make a stand alone profit under this leadership.

A concept that has always puzzled me is that Gm has made MANY plastic bodied cars and has always said that this allows flexibility in styling, but they rarely use it. Look at the Fiero. They changed a few body components once and the car died. Chevs, Buicks, etc. have plastic fenders and they dont restyle. Saturns could have been changed many times, but they didnt. The Vette should be the easiest, but the C5/C6 have had little to no changes over the years.

 

[jimmyb]

Is there any way to get a complete transcript of this interview? Because, like others, I didn't hear ANYTHING about the C7 moving forward, development wise in this little snipet.

Jimmy

PS. Why is the Camaro being discussed in this thread???????

 

[MARLTON LT-4]

CAFE standards were imposed to protect car makers from themselves. Remember the gas crises ? Or we could use the European model and double (triple?)the price of gas with taxes forcing people to drive energy efficient cars. Pick your poison. Do you really think that the shortsighted management at GM, or any of the US carmakers, would have come up with a world class sports car getting mid to high 20 mpg without this? Not wanting hybrids? When I bought a car for my daughter I wanted to get a hybrid Escape but was told there was a 6 month back order (last summer) because Ford couldn't figure out how to make enough--imagine a American made vehicle that people wanted and Ford couldn't figure out how to produce enough! Boo hoo Cafe say the American automakers--I believe them after all they told us in the early 70s that unleaded gas and stringent clean air requirements had killed the performance car and lo and behold spend a few bucks on engineering from a clean piece of paper (rather than choking old engines to run clean) and we got a few decent performance engines since then. It appears Ford is the only American car company that saw the hand writing on the wall soon enough to restructure their products and development to the changing reality. I can't understand how they could have done this wearing the concrete shoes the evil government put on them what with CAFE, safety and emmissions standards and all.

First, of all anyone that does not have the stomach to accept that this has become political should tune out now. When the gov't takes a financial stake in US automotive mfg's and fires CEO and implements mandatory standard...THAT IS POLITICAL!!!

Second, I become very suspicious of people who support gov't "protecting" business from itself. What qaulifies the president or anyone in congress to run a car company?? They do such a good job with everything else they touch ie. Barney Frank and no doc loans.

Third, when gas was $5.00 a gallon people bought hybrids. Not now at $2.00. Give it time, if this is the only way to force these pieces of crap on us they will add $3.00 tax. That would probably make you happy because the gov't will be protecting us from ourselves.

 

[Key West Jack]

The way I see it GM is done, just like Chrysler. Once the brains from the government take over, the market is no longer considered, and political issues control. The current administration has to repay its political debts to the unions. GM will not die quickly but will do so slowly like the British auto industry. That means more tax dollars to support a political GM and not a market oriented GM. Lets see what other government entities have gone this way, Fannie, Freddie, the post office, the VA, public education, public housing ...

 

[damoroso]

Just briefly, IMHO the problem with goverment running anything (especially business) is that they've proven beyond doubt that they are incapable of effective business managment. Pick the department, agency or program and it's rife with inefficiency and budget mis-managment. At the same time I'm truely thankful that we have our system of government as compaired to the alternatives all things considered.

The UAW shares as much blame for GM and the others current position as the company managment does. I don't think we should really get into that here though....

As for our beloved corvette... I simply DO NOT trust the government to makes sound decisions, and with the people appointed they have only two things in mind ....(the "Car Zar" was a frigg'n DNC Fundraiser and hasn't run any business before!!!) First, secure the current political parties powerbase, wide and deep. That means supporting organized labor and the progressive movement (special interests) as much as possible. And secondly, controlling as much of the private sectors ability to earn and create wealth, building (or increasing depending on your perspective) a greater dependancy on the government. Have you seen the "Deal" the administration is pushing for Chrysler?!?!?! Are you kidding??

Wait till they get to GM. Say goodbye to the corvette as we know it.... It's not a politically correct car....

 

[njlouc]

Let's look at the situation very simply. You (GM) are on a food line awaiting some soup(govt cash). But you say to the propretiator (the soup spooner) please wait up for my soup while I polish up my corvette. moral: when you are broke, and asking for a govt handout you cannot wave a corvette in a politicians face!!

What I see happening, and it is becoming more obvious every day, is that the C7 will never happen. The C6 will be produced until GM finally dies as we know it. Then (maybe) you will see a C6rev1 which would be a rebadged solstice. The next option - and most kind would be to sell off Corvette and the BG plant, and producing it as a limited production race style car. If that happens the new company could never afford major c7 changes. This would cost big$$.

 

[open air]

Corvette's Future

You guys are depressing me.:eyerole

I agree that the Obama administration has no clue how to run a car company and should limit it's roll in making business decisions for GM...but right now what are the choices? Chapter 11 pre-pack is probably the best thing that can happen to GM right now.

I also agree that we should not be waiving Corvettes in the face of politicians when begging for cash...However, I do believe that the Corvette will survive and that we will have a C7 someday. It's and Iconic car and inspires a lot of other buyers to the brand...even if they're not buying a Corvette.

Politics aside...GM is in deep right now. It's going to take a lot of time and concessions by Unions and Bond holders alike to see things through. The Corvette may not be priority one right now, but I believe it is a priority for GM. If it gets smaller and tighter in the future, who really cares? Resources are scarce and cars need to get smaller. Remember, the car started out as a straight 6, small two seat convertible with very few amenities. So if the C7 returns as a supercharged V-6, convertible only sports car....I'll still be in line for one.

 

[hoosierdaddy]

The future of the Chevrolet Corvette is secure, General Motors CEO Fritz Henderson says, even has GM dramatically slashes its size and costs.

Good news, under the circumstances I think we will all be more than happy to wait until GM gets back on its feet; but the Corvette needs to live on too

Bill

 

[hoosierdaddy]

GM Until Death, theirs or mine. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

CAFE standards were imposed to protect car makers from themselves. Remember the gas crises ? Or we could use the European model and double (triple?)the price of gas with taxes forcing people to drive energy efficient cars. Pick your poison. Do you really think that the shortsighted management at GM, or any of the US carmakers, would have come up with a world class sports car getting mid to high 20 mpg without this?

Here, here and I am a die hard GM fan all the way!

Bill

 

[yellowsubmarine]

The way I see it GM is done, just like Chrysler. Once the brains from the government take over, the market is no longer considered, and political issues control. The current administration has to repay its political debts to the unions. GM will not die quickly but will do so slowly like the British auto industry. That means more tax dollars to support a political GM and not a market oriented GM. Lets see what other government entities have gone this way, Fannie, Freddie, the post office, the VA, public education, public housing ...

We may not like politics in this forum, but the simple fact that Fritz Henderson is CEO is political. Remember, the Obama administration "asked" Rick Wagoner to step down. Then, Obama revealed HIS plans for the restructuring of the auto industry. Our Corvette is the result of free market capitalism - its demise will be the result of that word I used in a previous post. Fritz may be at the helm, but anyone who knows anything about helmsmen knows they don't give the orders - they take them. I'm sure that none of us wants to see Corvette go away. But, I don't think we want to see government running the auto industry either. I don't believe the Chevy bowtie will look good affixed to a brownshirt.

 

[C2C3C4C6]

Biden owns a '67 Vette...if his buddy kills the Vette then we should take it off him!

 

[raidoman]

corvette Survival

My feeling is that they will say anything right now to keep us Corvette lovers quiet. My bet is that Obama, Pelosi, Reid and the other car haters in Congress will declare the Corvette "irrelevant" at some point and shove us into underpowered little green deathtrap hybrids. After all, it will be "their" company to run as they wish building what we "should" be driving because they know best.