What if... the C7 gets delayed?

[KANE]

What if the same market pressures that played out in the '70s happened again to the Vette and the C7 was delayed until after gas prices went down and GM felt comfortable with releasing a new version??

It wouldn't be out of the norm, would it? Let's face it- the C3 was long in the tooth. It should have ended somewhere around 76-80 and instead the C4 was launched in 83 (very late 83!) as an 84. Really, it wasn't until Reagan was elected that economic conditions were safe for the release of a new Vette.

We're looking at another period of high gas prices, possible action by the government that will result in price stabilization as opposed to price reductions, no end in sight to high foreign oil prices, and no tapping of new domestic oil sources. Yep... its the '70s all over again after a 35 year hiatus.

Maybe the C7 will be delayed. GM announced massive layoffs and cuts to both hourly and salaried employees. They are tightening their belts just as the rest of America is too.

Much like the '70s... any permutation of the Vette is better than NO VETTE. I'm looking forward to the C7 but we'll all stay tuned as GM treads water. I just hope GM can push as many Cobalts as possible to stay afloat. Truck based SUVs aren't ikely to return anytime soon. They've gone the way of the dodo.

 

[MarkP]

From what I've heard, the C7 isn't even on the books right now. To the best of my knowledge, plans to proceed with C7 development were canceled around the same time as plans for the next gen RWD Impala and one other mid-lux model were shelved.

In my opinion, I wouldn't be surprised if we see the C6 generation run longer than the General had originally anticipated.

 

[warren s]

Considering all the problems that GM had even before the economy went into the toilet, I bet bringing out the C7 must be lower on the list now.

I hope they take their time – whenever it comes out, the quality of the C6 wasn’t the greatest and I hope there or no more issues like delaminating roofs on the Z-06.

 

[killain]

From what I've heard, the C7 isn't even on the books right now. To the best of my knowledge, plans to proceed with C7 development were canceled around the same time as plans for the next gen RWD Impala and one other mid-lux model were shelved.

In my opinion, I wouldn't be surprised if we see the C6 generation run longer than the General had originally anticipated.

To me, I am comfortable with seeing the C-6 platform continue for another five years as long as the entire brand isn't cut. I'd rather have any Corvette as opposed to no Corvette ! I'm looking forward to a 60th. Edition coming out.

 

[catbert]

Personally, I'm looking forward to the long C6 run. It will certainly be the last of the earthshaking 427s and high strung 6 litre OHVs. The next generation will be a great car, and probably will use very sophisticated horsepower strategies and configurations. But it won't be the big old hot rod V/8s most of us love so much. The Vette is almost alone in pursuing world class performance with American muscle and cubic inches versus overhead cams cubic money.

Savor your 427s boys and girls. Our kids and grandkids will probably only see them at Barrett-Jackson.

 

[vett boy]

To me, I am comfortable with seeing the C-6 platform continue for another five years as long as the entire brand isn't cut. I'd rather have any Corvette as opposed to no Corvette ! .

I agree.

 

[minifridge1138]

I agree!

 

[Corvette Blogger]

The Mid-Engine C7 is on its way!

CorvetteBlog.com is of the opinion that the Mid-Engine C7 is still very much in development. Whether it comes out as the 2012 model might be open for debate, but it is certainly on its way.

While we believe that there may never be another 638hp Corvette like the 2009 ZR1, GM's technological prowess will continue to produce awesome Corvettes for those looking for true value in their sports cars.

 

[catbert]

A rear/mid engine Vette will cost lots of continued engineering development and huge upfront tooling costs - neither of which is in the cards when both are needed to put new meat and tater cars on the road. GM needs to be kept alive with viable mass market offerings before they - or us can worry about the next world class Vette. Folks who drive Vettes, but drive foreign sedans need to have more GM alternatives to Camrys and Accords. GM also needs a world class gas sipper to battle the Prius. The Volt isn't it - it was never designed to be sold in big numbers, at least in the near future. And it will be priced north of $40K.

Save GM - save the Vette!

 

[killain]

A rear/mid engine Vette will cost lots of continued engineering development and huge upfront tooling costs - neither of which is in the cards when both are needed to put new meat and tater cars on the road. GM needs to be kept alive with viable mass market offerings before they - or us can worry about the next world class Vette. Folks who drive Vettes, but drive foreign sedans need to have more GM alternatives to Camrys and Accords. GM also needs a world class gas sipper to battle the Prius. The Volt isn't it - it was never designed to be sold in big numbers, at least in the near future. And it will be priced north of $40K.

Save GM - save the Vette!

I agree 100% with catbert, The persent corvette is already engineered, tooled and in production. So the only thing necessary is to continue to keep up parts supplies and with each passing year, continue to perfect the car. It stands as Chevrolets Flagship. A bright shinning star to which chevy can always point and say HAY ! But right now, and in the next few years GM needs to bring to market cars THAT SELL ! I think with a great amount of confidence that corvette owners would be more than willing to continue buy the present C-6 platform, which will be slightly cheaper with each passing year and allow GM to get it's act together on other energy propelled vehicles whict it desperately needs to be competative in this market. Anything less is going to spell doom for the companies North American operations. The corvette can stand on it's own for right now, What's more important is saving the automobile company here in America. IMHO

 

[Aceves81]

We need to buy GM economy cars that are alternatives to imports like Honda, Toyota, Nissan, etc....we need to help out our economy and ailing American automakers. We need to take action now by buying domestic instead of imported crap!...I once did own a Honda Prelude, and it was the worst car I've ever owned. It was breaking down on me all the time, very unreliable. When it wasn't one thing, it was another. I finally got tired of spending all my money on repairs and got rid of it. true story.
The most reliable and trouble free car that I have ever owned was a 1977 Chevy Monte Carlo. That car had a 305 c.i. V-8....I only did oil changes and such, and never did any repairs on it. I had this car before the Honda, and after the Jap car experience, I said to myself NEVER will I buy another import again. To this day, all I've owned have been domestic models and I couldn't be happier!...thank you very much!

 

[simbadb]

C7 will surely be pushed out a few years ( 2011 or 2112) launch as was originally planned.

At present lets hope GM can survive and does not cancel the Corvette. Cancelation although a short term money saver, would be a marketing death-nell IMO

That said; We have seen the last of the High-Output Small Block V-8's. The end of an era. IMO

 

[simbadb]

Just Read; 2014 for the C7 ... If at all and most likely...

No More V8.

 

[simbadb]

GM to Log a Loss In Excess of $9 BILLION for 2008 ...

BK Filing Unavoidable !!

 

[stepho1975]

We need to buy GM economy cars that are alternatives to imports like Honda, Toyota, Nissan, etc....we need to help out our economy and ailing American automakers. We need to take action now by buying domestic instead of imported crap!...I once did own a Honda Prelude, and it was the worst car I've ever owned. It was breaking down on me all the time, very unreliable. When it wasn't one thing, it was another. I finally got tired of spending all my money on repairs and got rid of it. true story.
The most reliable and trouble free car that I have ever owned was a 1977 Chevy Monte Carlo. That car had a 305 c.i. V-8....I only did oil changes and such, and never did any repairs on it. I had this car before the Honda, and after the Jap car experience, I said to myself NEVER will I buy another import again. To this day, all I've owned have been domestic models and I couldn't be happier!...thank you very much!

What are we considering domestic? In 1977 Chevy vehicles were probably manufactured in the US. Now at most they are assembled in the US out of parts made in China. Have you owned any late model GM vehicles other than a corvette recently? They are all garbage. I've owned a 2001 Buick Regal. The made in China window motors only lasted about a year. My uncle bought an Aveo, and they had to take it back three times to get the transmission fixed. Then the sensor in the passenger side seat (that disables the air bag if someone under 100 lbs sits in it) went bad and started turning off the air bag when my 180 lbs uncle sits there. Getting repairs on any GM vehicle under warranty is like pulling nails. If US automakers want us to help them out, they better start helping the customers out and produce a quality product.

Back to the topic at hand. I doubt we will ever see a mid-engine corvette. They are always trying to design one, but they keep coming back to the fact front engine rear wheel drive vehicles look better. They have a better shape and the designers working on the C-7 know that. I think we are more likely to see an electric corvette than a mid-engine corvette hnoes

 

[vett boy]

BK Filing Unavoidable !!

I hate to say it but your correct .Ford is right there also.

There will and has to be product lines cut.

 

[killain]

I couldn't agree more with stepho1975, What GM needs to do is not focus on how many cars they build, but on QUALITY. As long as the Japanese and South Koreans are able to produce a SUV with a lot of options and lifetime warranty for around 19K we're fighting a losing battle. I see now the Chevy 'Volt' is going to increase in price due to a better battery IS NOT going to help the bottom line. I don't like imports any better than you guys. But they are beating us up on Quality and price. And in this economy, Price, Price Price is going to determine what sells and what sits. I don't know if GM has grown so bureaucratic that it no longer know what side is up( A problem the company has had for a Long, long time) But doing a merger with Chrysler without dealing with product quality is just spinning their wheels. no pun intended. Corvette has a strong following, so that should be left alone. But the focus should be on building a Impala, a hybrid fleet that runs and works excellant and is backed by a warranty worth the paper it's wrote on. The same should apply to small and midsize platforms. The biggest problem for GM is GM ! imho.

 

[Norseman]

Hmm?

If Ferrari can make it so can Corvette and GM; just get rid of the Union workers; unions and greed and retirement mediical packages have ruined GM; pride in workmanship no longer exists in a union shop. The attitukde seems to be- lets do the least amount of work to get by, and then live our retirement in a socialist society. Did anyone see the pieces on the Ferrari and Corvette factories on TV? The difference was astounding? Old world workmanship v.s. new world mass production. Granted the difference in price between the two cars is substantial but the attitude of the workers also seemed very different. I would really hate to see Corvette cease to exist. I love my Vette but if they do I'll just buy a Ferrari and use my Vette as my daily driver.:cool

 

[Victory Red C6]

What if the same market pressures that played out in the '70s happened again to the Vette and the C7 was delayed until after gas prices went down and GM felt comfortable with releasing a new version??

My guess would be that production of the C6 would continue until that time occurs.

 

[6 Shooter]

I'll drive my C5 or a C6 longer...

...it would be nice for the Chevy/BGA Folks to do some back in the day year to year re-skins! ​

L8TR - D