Can't build Z06s- why introduce Eray?

[khoeysr]

My dealer posts an order tracker. He currently shows 2 Z06s at 3000. They have been stuck there for weeks. There was a third but it mysteriously disappeared, I assume one of those "recalled" orders. Only one Z06 has been built and delivered.

I am excited about Eray. I am on a list, as well as a list for Z06. But I just don't get why add more models that they can't build? Looks like I will be driving my HTC for a while, for which I am very grateful.

[Milliwatt Rob]

By introducing as many models as practical priced above the bargain priced Stingray, Chevrolet gives buyers the opportunity to pay over six figures for a Corvette. Presumably, these higher priced models have more profit than the Stingray.

The greater the proportion of customers opt for a non Stingray, the more revenue, and presumably more profit, accrue to the overall Corvette brand.

[Meldoon]

Short answer……they can and will build them…..remember slow ramp up for quality…….26 Z06’s each of last couple days. Patience?

[DavidM]

A lot of people, including several dealers I have spoken with have the same concerns. Time will tell if having these multiple models lower overall production numbers.

[John]

This post answer one of your ancillary comments but sorry not the big issue the OP raised.

There are no Z06’s that have been recalled in the typical sense that that word is used. There are however some orders that were 3000 or higher status, moved forward closer to production but then move backwards (lower number) however.

[krww06]

I agree that the GM strategy is somewhat confusing. Why bring out the E-Ray when you are still trying to produce a backlog of Z06 orders?????? I'm sure GM knows what they are doing, but I suppose time will tell.

[chevyrules]

I do not think E Ray will harm Z06 production that much. E Ray will eat into Stingray production much like Z06 is. It would be great if GM could in theory do 80 Z06's a day while they do 100 Stingrays a day, but I don't think they can even if the supply chain is 100% restored and no constraints. I think the best we can hope for with Z06 is ~50 a day which is roughly the peak that C7 Z06 hit. But who knows if GM can get C8 Z06 to that level. I think we will be lucky if C8 Z06 peaks at 40 a day. E Ray can then take another 40-60 slots leaving Stingray at 80-100 a day.

[moncal90]

Adding models to the existing line up is nothing new to the Corvette. GM has been doing it for years. The problem is the supply chain problem early on and high demand for the Stingray and now the Z06 has caused a back up that they are working to catch up on. The C8 only has a finite number of years of production, no one knows exactly how long that will be or how long the Stingray will remain in demand. GM can't just develop these new models and then sit on them till production catches up on previous models without risking the relevance of the C8 dropping off. It is what it is but to put some more perspective on production, the calendar year (January - December) 2022 saw GM making over 35,000 C8s. I'd say that's getting pretty close the claim that BGA can make 40,000 C8s a year.

[cregar]

By introducing as many models as practical priced above the bargain priced Stingray, Chevrolet gives buyers the opportunity to pay over six figures for a Corvette. Presumably, these higher priced models have more profit than the Stingray.

The greater the proportion of customers opt for a non Stingray, the more revenue, and presumably more profit, accrue to the overall Corvette brand.

What you're saying is correct, however, the issue is building them. Lets use round numbers... If GM can only make 10 Z06s a day and have 1000s of people in line, what is the point of starting ERay production? Eray will only cut into Z06 production because they come down the same line. So now what? GM builds 5 Erays and 5 Z06s? That does not equal more money. Even if GM gets Z06 production up, they still won't be able to keep up with demand for a couple of years. THERE IS NO DROP IN CORVETTE DEMAND so why introduce a new model??? The same number of Corvettes built a week will still remain the same! They are rushing Eray production and something tells me that Z06 production will be very very limited or seize in the next year.

[Top Off Action]

The more models the more demand i.e. more interested buyers one would assume on the basis of many, many decades of car manufacturers marketing strategies.

So I agree, it seems weird from that perspective as the total line of buyers will be longer. At a time when the line is already too long.

I would personally not bother to get in line with (any) product if the wait time was more the one and a half year. The automotive industry is moving so fast that one does not know if 0-60 of 2.5 is fast (or other performance numbers) is considered fast or slow in 2-4 years? The fastest EV for the roads is currently 0-60 in 1.4.

I think the reason why the E-Ray and subsequent C8 models are introduced relatively fast, is that the C8 model line was established in the previous decade, before COVID-19 and before the ultra aggressive EV push that just keeps accelerating.
This all means that GM HAS to introduce these C8 models as R&D money has already been spent!

Who here actually thinks the Corvette Team does not feel the EV pressure from Mary and Mark.

[SheepDog]

Once the customer, eventually, takes delivery the wait is forgotten, Customer focus switches to quality. Quality is the measure of success. Not speed. Plus, the assembly line is loaded, with one model or another.

Customers will forget a wait but never a lemon.

Since it will take about 9 to 12 months to rev up the new model production numbers, the Eray needs to start ASAP.

The ZR1 production should start as soon as the car is ready to go. Because it may take a (maybe) a whole year to plateau the production numbers.

Same thing for the ZORA. Start as soon as the model is ready to go. Because the increase is gradual. A year?

Some of these models take different amounts of time to build, all on the same assembly line. So they are sequenced for efficiency .

[chevyrules]

What you're saying is correct, however, the issue is building them. Lets use round numbers... If GM can only make 10 Z06s a day and have 1000s of people in line, what is the point of starting ERay production? Eray will only cut into Z06 production because they come down the same line. So now what? GM builds 5 Erays and 5 Z06s? That does not equal more money. Even if GM gets Z06 production up, they still won't be able to keep up with demand for a couple of years. THERE IS NO DROP IN CORVETTE DEMAND so why introduce a new model??? The same number of Corvettes built a week will still remain the same! They are rushing Eray production and something tells me that Z06 production will be very very limited or seize in the next year.

They all come down the same line. SR, Z06, E Ray. Why do you think E Ray will cut Z06, but not SR?

[PastaPrince]

Customers will forget a wait but never a lemon.

LOL SheepDog. That is the best line I've read on this forum in a LONG time. I may have to steal it!!! So simple and yet so 100% true!!! :-)

[meyerweb]

I suspect that, for the most part, the E-Ray and Z06 appeal to different buyers. The E-Ray will bring in customers the Z06 won't, no matter how many of the latter they build. GM is in business to make money, and adding the E-Ray to the mix, at it's current price point, will undoubtedly make the company more money.

[MajorNapalm]

The production equation will have to take into account how many people are walking away to another manufacturer due to the delays. Anyway, there is no perfect decision in business, only a best one given the trade offs.