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In a way, it is shocking that GM after 66 years, is changing from a front engine Corvette to a mid engine one. But for many reasons they have done so, starting with just two laws of physics that help ME’s over FE’s, e.g., a lower center of gravity and by having the motor clearly and fully located within the car’s axles, a resulting lower polar moment (easier turning capability). From an excellent article by Andy Bolig on CorvetteOnLine, in which he interviewed ex Corvette and Cadillac race car driver, Andy Pilgrim, Andy made the following excellent two points — both based on purely science.
https://www.corvetteonline.com/featu...gine-corvette/
However, putting aside for a few moments just science, let us quickly look at the following five critical socio-economic/demographic factors as major contributors as to why GM is looking at brand conquests as a major consideration in now choosing a ME Corvette instead of continuing on with a FE Corvette.
All these factors lead to an imperative need for the ever-declining pool of potential, repeat Corvette car buyers to by replaced by an even larger number of “brand conquests”(defined as those new-to-the-brand buyers who heretofore have not owned a Corvette, with, most desirably, those brand conquest buyers being younger buyers).
Is GM hoping for, in fact banking on a significant number of brand conquests realistic? Especially when for the first time in over a decade, GM will be adding a second shift to the Bowling Green Assembly line to assemble the C8, e.g., their betting on increased Corvette sales.
At a Cars-and-Coffee last September, having brought my C7 VY Z06, three Porsche owners stopped by. We had a moderately short, but fun conversation. Later I wandered down to their three Porsches (whose owners were in their early 50’s, with one now owning his 7th sequential one , one his 5th, one his 4th). They volunteered that for the first time in their life, “we are probably getting a Corvette, the upcoming mid engine one.” Clearly, they had talked among themselves extensively about this subject several times earlier. When I inquired further, noting the excellent engineering and fit-n-finish of all Porsches, while they all agree with that, they each separately said something like, “Porsche pricing is out of control.” Of course at that time none of them they had any idea then that the following year new 911/912 would start at +$7,000 over the 911’s then being on sale. [BTW, in the last week, I “built and priced a 911/912, 2WD, and despite its having just 443 HP, 390 TQ, I gave up at over $150,000 — yet still leaving more than a few options on the table.]
I just talked with a top Corvette dealer yesterday and asked him whether he was personally experiencing brand conquest buyers getting onto his C8 deposit, pre-ordering list; he replied he had quite a few current Porsche, and even Lambo, Lotus, Maserati owners, and also super expensive BMW/Audi owners now on that list, and this time for the C8 he has many more such brand conquest buyers than he ever had before for a previous next generation Corvette. Even has a couple of Ferrari owners looking for a Corvette ME as a daily driver.
Separately on another forum, also yesterday:
This preliminary, though admittedly non-scientific news about the C8 attracting a large number of brand conquest buyers, is very positive. Let’s hope this becomes a tidal wave to support GM’s major change from a FE to a ME Corvette, including and equally important, that the staggering C8’s good looks at its reveal and its other major new, improved components, contribute significantly to the mid engine Corvette’s future being super healthy.
GM is counting on exactly this happening!
Originally posted by Andy Pilgrim
However, putting aside for a few moments just science, let us quickly look at the following five critical socio-economic/demographic factors as major contributors as to why GM is looking at brand conquests as a major consideration in now choosing a ME Corvette instead of continuing on with a FE Corvette.
- The current Corvette buyers average 61 years old; many fear that is increasing.
- The income level of the overwhelming majority drops significantly at retirement.
- Due to physical limitations, many in their 60’s/70’s are no longer buying a Corvette. Specifically, in my talking to quite a few in that group over the past roughly five years, due to all three preceding factors, many have said that their current Corvette is the last one they are buying due.
- The number of our Corvette competitors is growing, especially this year — each with unique and strong asset factors.
- The total number of sports cars sold each year is declining.
All these factors lead to an imperative need for the ever-declining pool of potential, repeat Corvette car buyers to by replaced by an even larger number of “brand conquests”(defined as those new-to-the-brand buyers who heretofore have not owned a Corvette, with, most desirably, those brand conquest buyers being younger buyers).
Is GM hoping for, in fact banking on a significant number of brand conquests realistic? Especially when for the first time in over a decade, GM will be adding a second shift to the Bowling Green Assembly line to assemble the C8, e.g., their betting on increased Corvette sales.
At a Cars-and-Coffee last September, having brought my C7 VY Z06, three Porsche owners stopped by. We had a moderately short, but fun conversation. Later I wandered down to their three Porsches (whose owners were in their early 50’s, with one now owning his 7th sequential one , one his 5th, one his 4th). They volunteered that for the first time in their life, “we are probably getting a Corvette, the upcoming mid engine one.” Clearly, they had talked among themselves extensively about this subject several times earlier. When I inquired further, noting the excellent engineering and fit-n-finish of all Porsches, while they all agree with that, they each separately said something like, “Porsche pricing is out of control.” Of course at that time none of them they had any idea then that the following year new 911/912 would start at +$7,000 over the 911’s then being on sale. [BTW, in the last week, I “built and priced a 911/912, 2WD, and despite its having just 443 HP, 390 TQ, I gave up at over $150,000 — yet still leaving more than a few options on the table.]
I just talked with a top Corvette dealer yesterday and asked him whether he was personally experiencing brand conquest buyers getting onto his C8 deposit, pre-ordering list; he replied he had quite a few current Porsche, and even Lambo, Lotus, Maserati owners, and also super expensive BMW/Audi owners now on that list, and this time for the C8 he has many more such brand conquest buyers than he ever had before for a previous next generation Corvette. Even has a couple of Ferrari owners looking for a Corvette ME as a daily driver.
Separately on another forum, also yesterday:
Originally posted by sly1
GM is counting on exactly this happening!
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