Production build out dates for the C5

[Rick Daniel]

To: All Corvette Dealers

From: VSSM Order Fulfillment

Re: 2004 Corvette Projected Early Buildout (Model/Option)

Date: October 30, 2003


For your planning purposes, the following 2004 Corvette Models/Options are currently planned to buildout early. Since most of these Models/Options are free-flow, dealers are encouraged to take this into consideration for ordering well in advance of the final order placement. Constraints are anticipated the last few weeks on each buildout Model/Option. This plan assumes sufficient Corvette dealer allocation.


Buildout Model/Option Orders Placed & Accepted by:
70U (Torch Red Metallic) Mid-March, 2004

88U (Medium Spiral Gray Metallic) Early April, 2004

79U (Millennium Yellow) Late April, 2004
10U (Arctic White) Late April, 2004
1YY67 (Convertible Model) Late April, 2004
ULO (AM/FM Cassette) Late April, 2004
C2L (Dual Roof Package) Late April, 2004
1SA & 1YY07 (1SA Pkg. Coupe Model) Late April, 2004

86U (Magnetic Red Metallic) Early May, 2004
F55 (Magnetic Selective Ride Control) Early May, 2004
Z51 (Performance Handling Package) Early May, 2004
1YY37 (Z06 Model) Early May, 2004

 

[CFour]

Interesting,..Early build out on Torch Red?? thats a strange one you would think that would be the last paint to go early. What have been the requirements on 2004 sales vs 2005 allocation. I do remember in 1996 GM gave the most allocation to the Dealers that ordered the most 1995-1996 C4s. My dealer in Chicago at one time had over 100 96 C4s on his lot just so he could get a high allocation number for the C5. He put a HUGE sign up that said Corvettes $29.995 just to get rid of them. Another Dealer I know only got ONE 1997 C5 because of poor C4 sales figures. Now is there the same talk going around about C6 allocation vs prior C5 sales? Are they even takling allocation this time around?

 

[LongTimer]

We could infer several bits of info from this (pure speculation, of course):

1. Looks like all new colors - or formulas - for the C6. You KNOW there will be a Torch Red equivalent, why else have the early C5 stop?

2. The C6 MSRC is probably significantly different from the C5's.
F55 (Magnetic Selective Ride Control) Early May, 2004

3. The C6 Z51 components are probably significantly different from the C5's (maybe 'cause the track is wider on the C6?).
Z51 (Performance Handling Package) Early May, 2004

4. Whatever the Vert % of production is, that much C6 capacity becomes available in late April '04.
1YY67 (Convertible Model) Late April, 2004


5. Since the Z06 currently comprises about 25% of production capacity, that much C6 capable capacity becomes available in early May '04.
1YY37 (Z06 Model) Early May, 2004

 

[Tom73]

Rick, could it be taken to mean that C5 production should top in May? tom...

 

[CFour]

It also means not much changeover is going to happen at the plant from C5 to C6. This means the two cars are not a whole lot different in the way they will be assembled or in basic parts/piece/size content. Indeed it could mean C5 will finish a month early. This could just be because they will run out of needed parts from suppliers.

 

[LongTimer]

Hill already said that C5s and C6s will be produced at BG at the same time - a first for North America (application of Holden practices). I'm convenced that this is practice for the C6 Z06 production that will be very different from the coupe and vert but prodcuced on the same assembly line.

 

[CFour]

Indeed this will happen when they make the evaluation cars after Thanksgiving. They will have the two products on the same line at the same time. Well maybe a GM first, Chrysler has Two completely different platforms on the same line in Canada. Town & Country Minivans and the Pacifica 4WD station wagon they dont even share the same driveline parts.

 

[Gorgon]

Sure, but would you want to tour the Bowling Green plant and see Cavaliers sprinkled through the assembly line with the Vette?

 

[Edmond]

Rick,

Do you guys anticipate a drop in C5 sales when next summer rolls around? Do you think that C5 prices will drop?

 

[ROCKETBLOCK]

Wont there be a down time between C5 & C6? If the last C5 rolls off in June they may not start producing C6's until August. Hence the 4th quarter.

 

[LongTimer]

Hey Rocket, NICE rendering! Where'd ya get it?

Re: C5 / C6 transition. Is it in the UAW contract that they must close during the summer? If both are produced on the same line, at the same time, what is the need for a plant closure for conversion?

 

[CFour]

Well the way I hear it the line wont have to be changed much. Im guessing they might just be able to do it as a "running change". The car does not look all that different. It would be interesting to find out what % of C6s parts are really different from C5.

 

[LongTimer]

Please excuse if we've discussed this before, but did you notice how wiiidddeee the door sills are in the spy shot? Looks like wider front and rear tracks to me ...

OOPS ... Look like I just hi-jacked this thread ...

Sorry.

 

[CFour]

Also notice the C5 skins screwed over the real panels in the rear.

 

[Tru_Ice]

Looks like there also working on the NVH of the vehicle. The double seals look a little wider, plus they're not trying to add any unnecessary curve paths. You all think Cadillac has something to do with making the cockpit a little quieter.