Production "push back"

[Andy Hunter]

The original production date for my C6 was to be the week of 11/01 to 11/06. (order number HRHM80) For some reason the production date was changed to 11/15 to 11/20. I know it's not a huge problem, but I'll finally get some sleep after my new car "comes home". Never had a Corvette before. Owned a few Porsches and Mustangs. I'm more excited about this one than any of the others. Thanks for the opportunity to snivel.

 

[67HEAVEN]

Patience grasshopper.

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

Andy Hunter,

After I ordered my 1999 C5 in June 1998, I sold my previous Corvette after the production date was set for the C5.

Then, the UAW workers staged a work stoppage at the Bowling Green Plant and my car's production and delivery was delayed for more than a month. The dealer and Chevrolet were NO HELP in providing information about the car order.

Against my better judgement, I still purchased the car when it was finally built and delivered. The car's quality and reliability was very, very poor. I blame part of it on the lingering resentment following the work stoppage.

Good luck on your order. Just hope the workers don't decide to strike and ignore the accepted orders of the loyal customers.

 

[Andy Hunter]

Thanks for the admonition. The car is now built and ready for shipping. Knowing this it's still like an 8 week root canal!!

 

[OLDGOAT]

didn't know that UAW workers had staged stoppages etc at Bowling Green......they never learn. With the engine already produced offshore and perhaps lots of other subassemblies how long can it be before the entire car is assembled offshore? The engine is the heart of the vette and not built in the USA. Build the car in Taiwan....heck the "GTO" is built 10,000 miles away in Australia! Who cares? The entire plant at Bowling Green could be packed up and shipped to Taiwan or South Korea or China. Anyone who doubts that the cars produced would be at least as good and possibly better does not understand the nature of modern proceduralized manufacturing methods. I did not know that the union had pulled this tactic at Bowling Green. Maybe I want a Porsche after all. These people already "earn" 3 or 4 times what other US workers doing the same labor get and at least 10 times or more the international labor rate.

 

[67HEAVEN]

....With the engine already produced offshore.......

That shore is actually on Lake Ontario. Mind you, we buy lots of cars offshore too....from south of the U.S./Canada border.

For example, my Z-71 Tahoe was built in Arlington, TX, but I still like it.

 

[Aurora40]

Maybe I want a Porsche after all. These people already "earn" 3 or 4 times what other US workers doing the same labor get and at least 10 times or more the international labor rate.

Um, if you goal is to avoid organized labor building your car, then Germany is not the place to buy from. The government is the union there, and this is the reason wages are very high. And if you think they don't strike or have resentment, you haven't been reading the news lately. There have been many labor disputes lately with German car makers.

 

[jrose7004]

Good things come to those who wait! At least thats what Mom always said!:L

 

[WhalePirot]

The day the All American sports car is built overseas is the last day I have (another) one on my wish list. I "bought American" long before it was fashionable; then quit about the time it was, because, by then, 'American' cars like the LTD were actually mostly foreign by content.

When did American workers become the enemy? I don't suppose the lower overseas production costs have anything to do with the near total lack of any worker safety or environmental concerns. Actually, I have talked with corporate heads who have learned the true costs of Chinese production, from thet of design becoming direct competition, runing desgin change costs, etc.

Remember, the crap spewed out of Chinese factories is here in a few days for you to breathe. There is a price for quality of life.

Maybe when we all work for minimum wage, all will be Nirvana. Personally, I think we'll long for the 'old days', before our Vettes are parked and we are riding the bus or our bikes, as they do in China.

 

[OLDGOAT]

points well taken. My personal decision regarding purchase of a C6 ( or any other vehicle ) is based upon features/performance and my ability to afford it. There are cars in the $150 K range that I cannot afford. For price and performance the C6 is a fantastic product. Feelings differ on what constitutes a car being "built overseas". For me the line has already been crossed since the C6's engine is not domestically produced. I'd take no additional notice if the entire car was assembled outside the US. It would not bother me in the least. The beating heart of the C6 is not a US built product. I say this not to malign the car it's just a fact. With the exchange rates the way they are we are perhaps lucky the vette is assembled in the US. The rate with the Canadian dollar has gone the wrong way in the past several months. This must be exerting some price pressure on the accountants at GM by tightening their margins on the C6. Yes, we breath Red Chinese air pollution on the West Coast of the US. Yes, you are correct, exporting our manufacturing jobs is really more about avoidance of pollution control, child labor laws , and worker safety to name a few things than saving money on wages.

 

[WhalePirot]

the C6's engine is not domestically produced.

I was not aware of that. Where is the LS-2 made?

 

[c5vetter]

The day the All American sports car is built overseas is the last day I have (another) one on my wish list. ...SNIP...

well, if you think the Corvette is a ALL AMERICAN, you better quit buying it then! Major parts of the Corvette are produced outside of the USA - this is an international market, my friend

 

[OLDGOAT]

I believe it's made in canada. please someone correct me if I am incorrect on this

 

[wwr]

Union Wages

How long do you think it took those guys to get their wages?
GM would pay $3.00 an hour if they could. Work stoppages are a two way street. Unless you work at the plant you don't know what those workers have to put up with from mangement. GM's history proves mangement hasn't been the best in their industry and their Quality Control is left up to the customer. If you don't agree just read some posts on this site. I'm waiting to the new C6 gripes anyday now. If they'd make a Corvette and leave it alone instead of coming up with all kinds of crap not needed on the car they'd have a better car.

wwr

 

[wwr]

Germany

Check out what German workers make and their benefits. You'd be real surprised.

wwr

 

[WhalePirot]

I believe it's made in canada

What? That's not a state??

Hey, I love our neighbors to the north more than most, especially knowing the warm hospitality shown to my aunt/uncle who diverted into Calgary on 9/11. \Hearing somethings on TV and from fellows, I wonder if we deserve the (mostly) warm feelings Canadians have for Americans.

The C-6 is a car, though it is easy to forget, especially given our passion for the marque and our associated expectations.

I wish we could return to the day when folks took pride in their labors; when companies were the workers and the managers, not a ticker symbol; when managers understood that if they took care of their people, the quality would be there and the customers would be taken care of. As consumers, we dictate the above when we buy based upon price alone, or upon quality and service, at an often only slightly elevated cost. I try to be a smart shopper with the long view.

As workers, we can either take pride in our work or put in our hours. My company is like others; trying to take the peoiple out of a people business and doing a great job of managing money, but a lousy job of managing people. I know which is the easier task, but also know how I sleep when I rest knowing I have done my best that day.

Did we hijack the thread?

 

[c5vetter]

>>>SNIP>> If they'd make a Corvette and leave it alone instead of coming up with all kinds of crap not needed on the car they'd have a better car.

wwr

unfortunatley, the CRAP you bemoan, is the CRAP that consumers request! You and I may not want the GPS, the HUD, etc. - but the majority of the people who buy Corvettes do - they want the Corvette equipped like their Benz, Beemer, etc.