Coupe vs HT ‘Vert Timing

[John]

Let us assume that just like the first C7 being delivered near the very end of Summer, 2013, specifically that September 20th, that as a rough ballpark we start by assuming that initial C8 deliveries would also be in that rough time period. [Of course, the relevant word is “assume.]

Secondly, and hardly an assumption, we have seen repeated spy pictures showing us that both a coupe and a HT convertible (“Spyder”) are being both developed.

What are your thoughts as to whether when the customer 2020 ME’s start to be built, would they build coupes and HT convertibles at the same time, or do you think that one would pre-date the other’s manufacture? And if the later, any conjecture as to what that time interval might be?”

[JB]

Build it at the same time. No reason the two vehicles could not be released at the same time.

just a guess though...

from a marketing and sales perspective a slight delay would probably be somehow beneficial.

[ltomn]

I don't care when they build them: together or on opposing days. However, my humble opinion is that there will be two models (FE and ME) and they will be both built in GB.

[Frenzy36]

One would think with todays technology they could be produced at the same time. However I don't know for certain. Possibly someone who has worked in the plant could chime in?

[John]

I have not worked in BGA, but in a major OEM assembly plant in the 1960’s, and even then we were assembling sedans and convertibles back to back.

The ME coupe and the HT convertible can be built at the same time, even nose-to-tail going down the assembly line, as convertibles and coupes were so built during the C5, C6 and C7’s generations.

[RoketRdr]

The difference we're seeing right now that is different from past history is that GM has already let us see that they've built both cars and have been opening testing both of them. They also did some test manufacturing runs a couple of months ago which produced both cars. No reason why they cant introduce both at the same time and it looks like that's what they intend to do. But like JB said, there's definitely a financial and marketing benefit to separating the launch of each.

[John]

Good reasoning and analysis. Thank you RoketRdr!

[MidEngine]

Not asking for much, just a joint reveal so we can see them both at the same time. What a powerful auto event that would be, and would the world’s auto media have so much to go ga-ga over, let alone all Corvette lovers.

Just a guess about their production, that they would start roughly a month apart. Nothing to base that on, other than teaching complex, sequential assembly tasks is best done one at a time.

[Ssscooter66]

I have not worked in BGA, but in a major OEM assembly plant in the 1960’s, and even then we were assembling sedans and convertibles back to back.

The ME coupe and the HT convertible can be built at the same time, even nose-to-tail going down the assembly line, as convertibles and coupes were so built during the C5, C6 and C7’s generations.

I'm thinking this is exactly how they'll be built ...

[whl3]

From an initial QC standpoint, they may first want to first concentrate only on the coupe, both from a production and inspection of fully assembled cars standpoints. Late summer, fall, and winter, are typically not good seasons for selling convertibles. Of course a HT Vert is an all together different animal than is a Rag Top Vert.

[John]

Here’s a few historical facts I just looked up, that of course could have absolutely nothing to do with the ME HT convertible.

The Stingray coupe was revealed on 1.13.13, and the Stingray convertible was revealed in Geneva exactly two months later. As far as production, the C7 convertibles started to be assembled about 3 1/2 months after the Stingray coupes.

I can not imagine a similar 3 1/2 month HT production delay, perhaps half that amount, perhaps just one month???