2020 C7 Model?

[John]

Will the C7 continue for another year as this article “speculates” (their word), or is it toast the second the factory re-tools for C8 production?

Think it is time for another poll, for our last one on this was a while ago, so a poll with be coming shortly should you wish.

C7 Corvette May Soldier On Through 2020

• BY ANTHONY ALANIZ
• — MAR 1, 2019

The mid-engine C8 Chevrolet Corvette is coming eventually. When that will be remains a mystery. However, as much of the automotive industry is focused on the mid-engine Corvette—a car that’s been rumored for decades—there’s been little discussion about GM’s plan for the current-generation C7 Chevrolet Corvette. A new post on Corvette Forum suggests General Motors could continue to produce the C7 Corvette through 2020; however, the details are sketchy, and there’s plenty of speculation to go around.

A GM internal document initially posted onto the forum makes it appear that GM is at least considering producing the C7 Corvette into the 2020 model year. The document lists C7 production for 2020 as TBD (to be determined). That could mean a litany of different things, sadly, and all we can do is speculate about what the automaker plans to do with the current-generation Corvette it introduced back in 2013.



GM could be waiting to decide what to do with Corvette production based on the development of the C8 Corvette. Previous reports indicated C8 Corvette production would start in 2019 with the model hitting the market as a 2020 model. However, problems have plagued the development process that has allegedly delayed its rollout.

In December 2018, we reported the C8 Corvette was delayed six months due to an electric issue. News of the delay came days after GM said it would not unveil the mid-engine Corvette at the 2019 North American International Auto Show. Rumors suggested C7 Chevrolet Corvette production would end in August 2019 with C8 Corvette production staring a month later. However, a new rumor suggests production won’t start until December of this year, three months later than previously believed.

If the document is accurate, then GM could be tying its decision on C7 Corvette production to the development of the C8 Corvette.

GM may have recognized that a mid-engine Corvette may not be for everybody, and selling the C7 Corvette with its traditional layout alongside the revolutionary C8 could keep a broader audience happy. That said, C7 Corvette inventories have been piling up. So as much as we would love to see two Corvettes on the market, demand for the traditional model appears to be waning.

Read more: http://gmauthority.com/blog/2019/03/...#ixzz5gxYId2iQ

[JB]

At this point Im like ok...whenever the c8 releases is ok...

this year.....next year ...whenever...

at this point i can wait the year or two...

my present corvette is serving me well Just as many of us have..

thanks for the heads up..

[Chilidawg1]

If there are plans to continue building the C7, I am surprised that as of 3/10/19, 13 to 15% discounts are available on existing stock (reported to be as high as 9,000) units and new customer orders.

[JoeCT]

Well, I’d like to cast my vote for a 2020 C7. I’m sure there are reasons of which I would not be aware that make this a very complex decision but whether there is or there is not a model year 2020 C7 will be something of a “tell“ about whether we’re going to see a C8 in this calendar year. If the C8 is not coming this calendar year, would you just keep creating “2019“ C7’s for what is headed toward two years? If there is to be a 2020 model year C7, that could mean the C8 is not imminent or it could mean there will be overlap.

As I finish this post, I realize anything is possible and so I haven't added any new insight. Sorry, I guess I’m just bored waiting another week or two to wake up by Stingray

[John]

Joe, we are all eagerly awaiting confirmed news. Personally, I doubt we will hear a single word at the BASH, especially as there are not new Corvette product walk around even scheduled — which as we know would break a roughly 20 year process of revealing next year’s Corvette at the BASH (exception that new Corvette generations are revealed elsewhere).

So if no new 2020 C7 is shown at the BASH, might that help some conclude that there is not going to be a 2020 C7? Or will those who are sure there will be a 2020 C7, be instead believe thinking it will be revealed along side the 2020 C8 at this summer’s reveal.

[Milliwatt Rob]

There must be a number of unique parts in the C7 that either have to be made in house, or purchased from outside suppliers. When a model production run is coming to an end, those supply arrangements have to be curtailed.

Some products, when there is a transition from one model to a newer model, either try to use up the inventory of old parts, or if they run short of parts for the old model, use some intended for the new replacement product. I own a couple of firearms like that. Maybe some of the very last C7 cars made will have a 500 horsepower V8? (wishful thinking)

I cannot see GM building and marketing a FE Corvette and a ME Corvette simultaneously. They have a good supply of already built C7 cars for those who prefer them.

[John]

IF there is soon starting some new options constraints of C7 options, that would be announcing to the world that the C7’s last year would be 2019. Conversely, if we make it through April and May without progressively more constraints, that would strongly suggest that C7’s will continue forward for a while longer.

[meyerweb]

Maybe some of the very last C7 cars made will have a 500 horsepower V8? (wishful thinking)

Unlikely. GM would have to completely redo all the emissions and mpg testing to certify the new engine in the c7, which isn't cheap.

But they do need to maintain a supply of replacement parts for existing C7s, so manufacture of C7 components won't necessarily stop with the end of C7 production.

[John]

You are right for here is a practice in the auto industry called “replacement rate,” referring to keep making, at least for a certain amount of time, rear fascias (rear end accidents), alternators, and similar.