With Viper splitting from Dodge, should Corvette have separated from Chevy?

[Clams Canino]

I voted YES - but very tentatively.
First, a note to those who can not read a simple question. (sigh)
The question does not ask if Corvette should break from General Motors.
I agree that it should not.

However, with GM having lost a few brands over the last few years, I could see them offering a "Corvette dealership" to any existing GM dealer who is willing to put the training and tooling into selling Corvette. That would include (and give 1st dibs to) all the extant Chevy dealers who already handle Corvette. It would be nice marketing to see "Corvette" in big letters up on the sign post. (red and white come to mind off hand)

To those that think "Chevy Heritage" is important to the "Corvette Brand" - I have no objection to "Powered by Chevy" becoming as commonplace as "Body by Fisher" used to be.

To get more controversial (ducks now):
I also have no objection to GM reviving and reworking the ill fated Pontiac Solstice and selling it as a budget minded "Corvette Mini" of sorts. Let the marketing boys name it, but for now I'll call it a "FlingRay". (Opel GT did something similar in its day)

-W

 

[Rob99]

Leave it alone there are dealers that know the product and those that don't sell or service it well need to be retrained or they loose the chance of selling it.

 

[USA1Z06]

If ain't broke don't fix it.

 

[B747VET]

I know that when the C4 ZR1 was being developed, Dick Guldstrand strongly pushed Chevrolet to make it very unique ... a "Super Vet" if you will ... and have two levels of Corvette. Chevrolet staunchly refused. They were afraid that the Super Vet with a unique power train and body would wind up killing the standard Corvette.

Seperate the Corvette line from Chevrolet? I don't think so. There have been an equal number of times when Chevrolet almost killed the Corvette and when Chevrolet actually rescued the Corvette from extinction.

Chevrolet finally needs the Corvette and that is likely to continue. The deep pockets of Chevrolet are needed to fund R&D and probably any number of unforseen advancements in future technology. Corvette could never stand on its own independent of GM and as a seperate division of GM there would be far too many idiot MBA's in GM down the road who would have no comprehension of the historical significance of the Corvette and who would someday propose shutting down the Corvette division during a bad stretch and allowing the Cadillac Division to develop alternatives.

Keep things as they are. Does anyone seriously believe the new Viper will survivefor five years, let alone twenty more? And, exactly how many automotive technological breakthroughs has the Viper been responsible for? Maybe one or none??

Leave things as they are. There is a symbiotic relationship between GM, Chevrolet, and Corvette that needs to be nurtured, not destroyed.

 

[Mike85mph]

The Corvette would not exist if it were not for being part of Chevrolet and GM. Costs would go through the roof if all of the R&D and tooling was paid for only by the Corvette. It would be at the Ferrari price point if it had to pay for all of its development. The Viper has nothing in common with the other Chrysler or Fiat products so it makes no difference if it is a separate standalone brand.

I don't thinnk the rest of Chevrolet subsidizes the cost of Corvette. I think Corvette is as high priced as it is because it stands on its own for manufacturing.

 

[Eric]

In my 29 years of driving, I've owned 10 Chevrolets, two of them were Corvettes. Notice I didn't say that I've owned eight Chevys and two Corvettes. I won't droll on about the reasons since they've been stated already but from what I just typed I think you can see where I stand.

I may not dress up very often, but everytime I go out my car wears a bowtie.

- Eric

 

[HD2KC162]

Right wing nutcase?

I am voting with my heart, because as a purely business matter it may not make sense, but it made no sense when OBummer took over GM and screwed preferred stock and bond holders out of their equity. It makes it difficult to be a GM guy. I recently bought a Ford Escape as my business vechicle simply because it is a stockholder owned company with no govt. equity. Besides, any company that thinks the Volt is the car of the future does not deserve my business.
I still love my 96 LT4 CE, but would not consider a new Vette until the company is free of govt interference.

If it were not for PRESIDENT OBAMA and his administration's bailout of GM THERE WOULD BE NO CORVETTE being buiilt TODAY becasue there would be NO GM. You show both a lack of respect for the President and your IGNORANCE with your posting. GM has paid back the bailout money and had a very profitable year. If GM had GONE BANKRUPT as Gov. Romney advised in a WSJ Op Ed the bondholders and stockholders would have lost everything anyway.

Buy a FORD if you like, but don't blame the President for your lack of Chevrolet loyalty.

 

[nearone]

I for one hope it doesn't change.

It is tough enough to get parts which GM does not make anymore or stock. Thank God for companies like Corvette Central who somehow always seem to have what I need.

I am now at an age I don't want to crawl around under the car anymore. My GM dealer has always serviced my corvettes (72, 92, 96). At 210,000 miles I would not trust anyone else.

The way private garages come in and go out of business, I would hate to have to find a Corvette Specialist without the dealership. Equipment costs a small fortune today and it takes a dealership to afford it.

Look at the advancements on other GM brands that were first tested on the Corvette. They run an add now for The Cadillac Magnetic Suspension being copied by some foreign sportscar.

We need the GM name for the financial support to keep the Corvette at the head of the line for new technology at an affordable price.

 

[VELOCITY]

Corvette is the Flagship!

I am new to CAC but not to Chevrolet Corvettes, and I did say Chevrolet!!! I love the heritage, and the history of corvette. I love all of American muscle. Everyone has their favorites.... I also sell Chevrolet, Cadillac , GMC, & Buick. I just believe that they have been part of one another for 59 years and like fine wine it's better with time! I live it from a 99 C5 to a C6 Z06 to 2010 ZR1. I am happily married to Chevrolet and not looking to cheat, and never Divorce!!! And for the guy who said you cant find a dealership with Salespeople who know about corvettes. Call me anytime, I live this.......and so do my mechanics, parts pros, our dealer, and we even have a product specialist at our store (though we won't need him). VELOCITY

 

[Mike85mph]

I think the name should be separated from Chevrolet. Nothing else has to change except for that - they would still be sold at Chevrolet dealers - they don't have to have a separate dealership, although there should be qualifications for the dealers in order to sell them and propoerly support them. In the racing world they never mention Chevrolet anyway when they refer to Corvettes, at ALMS or whatever. That's only in NASCAR, where there are brand championships along with team/driver. Corvette would be GM's sports car division. In general, nothing has to change outside of deletion of the Chevrolet name from Corvette. Chevrolet is after all, the least expensive of GM's American car divisions. The other dealerships form other GM divisions could take on selling Corvettes too.

 

[USA1Z06]

I think the name should be separated from Chevrolet. Nothing else has to change except for that - they would still be sold at Chevrolet dealers - they don't have to have a separate dealership, although there should be qualifications for the dealers in order to sell them and propoerly support them. In the racing world they never mention Chevrolet anyway when they refer to Corvettes, at ALMS or whatever. That's only in NASCAR, where there are brand championships along with team/driver. Corvette would be GM's sports car division. In general, nothing has to change outside of deletion of the Chevrolet name from Corvette. Chevrolet is after all, the least expensive of GM's American car divisions. The other dealerships form other GM divisions could take on selling Corvettes too.

What would be the purpose of this. I don't see any advantage.

 

[VELOCITY]

Mr all knowing

You know, I have never minded knowing more about the car I'm going to purchase than anyone at a Stealership. That way, they can't blow smoke at me. The only reason I deal with them, is I can't purchase a new one any other way of which I'm aware.

I wish we were all as smart as you... Maybe you could just own your own (Dealership) and then you could just blow smoke back at them.... The all knowing customer. Blow smoke back in your own face! I bet everyone is stupid according to you! Knowing more than anyone at the dealership ! Most dealers alone have a collection of corvettes, factory trained corvette mechanics that have 30 years experience. +

Some people seem intelligent until they speak

 

[Mike85mph]

What would be the purpose of this. I don't see any advantage.

There are some people that snub their nose at Corvette BECAUSE it is a Chevrolet and they consider it on a par with the same level of quality, deserved or not (and don't forget I said that). Even the C6, as good as it is, has shared some things with Chevy's econo cars, like the steering wheel in a Cavalier. It doesn't really matter to me personally - you can't find the word "Chevrolet" anywhere on a Corvette except the cover of the manual anyway. Separation would elevate it in the hirearchy of GM vehicles, plain and simple.

 

[USA1Z06]

There are some people that snub their nose at Corvette BECAUSE it is a Chevrolet and they consider it on a par with the same level of quality, deserved or not (and don't forget I said that). Even the C6, as good as it is, has shared some things with Chevy's econo cars, like the steering wheel in a Cavalier. It doesn't really matter to me personally - you can't find the word "Chevrolet" anywhere on a Corvette except the cover of the manual anyway. Separation would elevate it in the hirearchy of GM vehicles, plain and simple.

So, it seems it's an advantage for those that like Corvette but have a problem with Chevrolet or GM. I guess you could say it's probably an advantage if you're one of those people.

 

[Mike85mph]

If it were not for PRESIDENT OBAMA and his administration's bailout of GM THERE WOULD BE NO CORVETTE being buiilt TODAY becasue there would be NO GM. You show both a lack of respect for the President and your IGNORANCE with your posting. GM has paid back the bailout money and had a very profitable year. If GM had GONE BANKRUPT as Gov. Romney advised in a WSJ Op Ed the bondholders and stockholders would have lost everything anyway.

Buy a FORD if you like, but don't blame the President for your lack of Chevrolet loyalty.

Not so sure I agree with you there - not wanting to get into politics, but my point is that there are numerous companies that go through bankruptcies and re-emerge becoming stronger than ever, without shutting down. I hope that large companies won't make foolish business decisions with the belief that if it goes wrong - not to worry - the government will bail them out. If GM did repay, it's only because they shut down many, many dealerships, in order to do so, and even shut down Saturn (hmmmm, not Corvette?), essentially the same thing they would have had to do to prevent or get out of bankruptcy. It wasn't like people increased purchases of GM cars because the government bailed them out. Corvette is profitable. You can't assume they would have shut it down either. It's truly bigger than all I've said here, but I can't agree that GM would have shut down forever and/or there would no longer be a Corvette (we don't really know). I love GM cars, have owned more of them than any other brand, but they got into their condition by making bad decisions and they can turn it around by making good ones. Regardless, I am glad to see GM profitable again.

 

[nearone]

Only 40% of the Students in LAUSD graduate with a diploma and I don't know about TN.

I wish we were all as smart as you... Maybe you could just own your own (Dealership) and then you could just blow smoke back at them.... Some people seem intelligent until they speak

I don't like the word Stealership either. It might come from the fact that the same car at every dealer has a different price out the door?

I don't think anything in this thread about whether Corvette should be split from Chevrolet is about salesmanship. You need to argue that in another thread.

I go to my dealership because they love Corvettes. They even wash it before they return is to me. No matter what the price, I have never had to return the car to have it reserviced because they are professionals and take pride in their work.

 

[rapid82]

Yes, and is it done yet?

Get it away from government motors, taxpayers paying pensions, and forced competition. Corvette can make it.

 

[RubiconMike]

What's the issue here? Are some people embarrassed because the parent company is Chevrolet, the "middle-American" brand. Do you think a Corvette would be cooler if it would be an independent company? I seriously doubt that Corvette could survive as an independent company. I applaud Chevrolet for continuing to fund the brand year after year, good times or bad.

For people who need a personal image boost, they can always buy a Mercedes mini-van or a BMW SUV.

One of the reasons Corvettes are affordable is because they can share tooling with high-volume cars, and Chevrolet uses the Corvette brand as their advanced R & D. That means I can buy world-class performance and a care with a serious racing pedigree for a price 1/2 to 1/3 for cars of similar performance.

PS, for those who use this thread to take a cheap shot at Obama, I suggest they spend their time studying economics and history.

Economics: look up the number of people that are employed both directly and indirectly by GM and imagine the impact on our already-stressed economy to have them all out of work at the same time.

History: It was your boy who destroyed the economy in the first place. The last time one of our guys was in the white house, he balanced the budget and had a surplus projected to pay off the national debt by 2012. Not to mention that 75% of our national debt was run up by Reagan, and Bush Sr and Jr. Stop watching Fox news and read a history book.

 

[B/STOCK]

Chevrolet salesmen should learn about the cars their selling or they should not be allowed to sell them.

Couldn't agree with you more. When I was picking options for my 2000 (was supposed to be a 99) I wasn't used to allocations & constraints. My last Corvette was a 68 and I just went to the dealer, ordered it, and eight weeks later had it. I had not kept up with Corvettes because I was running a business & bringing up two children during the 70s to 99. I asked the salesman what the Museum delivery was and without a pause told me that the car came plastic wrapped in in's own shipping crate so I would be sure to be undamaged. I told him forget it because I would not take delivery of a damaged car with regular delivery. Six mounts later I found that this small dealer had not ordered a Vette for years and could not get a allocation. I ordered from another dealer and got a 2000 since I wasted 6 months with the original dealer. I would have loved to do a museum delivery if I had known what they really were. Instead of checking to see what a museum delivery was the first salesman just made it up as he went along. BTW, in those days you could not get a Corvette brochure until the car was delivered or had to buy one for $40. They had more buyers than Corvettes those years so they were independent as hell. I didn't have a computer in 99 so I could not get the info online.

 

[bigsteff]

GM should seriously consider developing / separating Corvette service from other Chevy models. Considering the cost of the vette compared to other models, owners should be intitled to more knowledgeable service personnel and upscale facilities. We pay as much as Lexis, Audi owners but are subjected to personnel that don't know how to properly perform routine maintenance. Some service centers are little more than large gas station type garages that are poorly maintained and/or equipped. Would it be too much to ask for an internet cafe style service lounge with refreshments and heritage memorabillia? Maybe this could be accomplished by designating certain dealerships geographically as Corvette service centers with specially trained personnel and upscale accommodations .....