Questions about ordering a 2021 C8

[docprego]

Due to a current lease I'm in my plan is to order a 2021 model for delivery in October or November of 2020.

I ordered my C7 in April and took delivery in August, would the C8 be similar? If I put my order in approximately in August, could I realistically expect to take delivery of a 2021 in October or November?

Also do you think we can count on supplier pricing for the 2nd model year? I believe the C7 offered supplier pricing towards the end of the first model year.

Thanks!

[John]

**** good questions, but do not know if we yet know any answers. While I say two people claim the 2020 model year is a shortened one, and if so the 2021 model year might start production roughly around next September, we just do not have confirmation of that yet.

As to supplier pricing, when might it first be offered by GM, and then “seconded” by a dealer accepting the program, what if not only is 2020 sold out, but 5,000 could not get one even with the two shifts. I think it is too soon to predict when that program would be starting. Perhaps a timing re-do of the C7 process???

However, I can help a little re ordering timing, and that is if the 2020 MY is not a full twelve months, I would personally be now be talking to dealers who have 2021 MY order lists already started.

I am on both a 2020 list, and a 2021 list with Mike Furman @ Criswell. Last time I talked with Mike he had about 25 on his 2021 list — with almost all of those thinking they were getting on a Z06 list (but Mike care’s less which Corvette one orders when “your time and date stamped” name comes up next on his “allocation to award” list.

I do not know of any other 2021 lists started by forum dealers (at least not yet).

[docprego]

**** good questions, but do not know if we yet know any answers. While I say two people claim the 2020 model year is a shortened one, and if so the 2021 model year might start production roughly around next September, we just do not have confirmation of that yet.

As to supplier pricing, when might it first be offered by GM, and then “seconded” by a dealer accepting the program, what if not only is 2020 sold out, but 5,000 could not get one even with the two shifts. I think it is too soon to predict when that program would be starting. Perhaps a timing re-do of the C7 process???

However, I can help a little re ordering timing, and that is if the 2020 MY is not a full twelve months, I would personally be now be talking to dealers who have 2021 MY order lists already started.

I am on both a 2020 list, and a 2021 list with Mike Furman @ Criswell. Last time I talked with Mike he had about 25 on his 2021 list — with almost all of those thinking they were getting on a Z06 list (but Mike care’s less which Corvette one orders when “your time and date stamped” name comes up next on his “allocation to award” list.

I do not know of any other 2021 lists started by forum dealers (at least not yet).

Are you saying that potentially 2021 production might start in September of 2020? Holy cow if that's the case how will I ever get a C8 for my projected October-November timeframe?

If that's the case I'd HAVE to go with a 2020. However I am all but certain the 2020 allocations will all be gone if I have to wait until April-May to order one for October-November delivery.

Am I understanding correctly?

[John]

I noted that we have seen two posts (total on all forums) predicting that 2021 production will start in September or October, but personally I have not even heard a single no birds whispering to support that. Also, since the dealerships were given two allocation periods, the first one three months, the second one for the following nine months, that would tend to counteract those two posts. However, let us say that they are correct, might GM allow dealers for their last few months to jump to the head of the 2021 ordering line for the Stingray?

Sorry docprego, we have not even reasonable rumors at this point in time. But this question fo you and others, since deposits are refundable, what harm would it do you, to be on 2020 and 2021 lists (minus the $1.00 interest total \you would get by leaving on the table re your $1,000 deposit no longer being in your savings account).

If/when we learn more, I will insure you are advised.

[mjw930]

John,

I’ve been one of those commenting on 2020 being a partial year and that’s because they said available early 2020. That means at least 3 months of deliveries that typically happen during a MY run (Oct., Nov. and Dec.) aren’t happening.

Is there any precedence in Corvette history where the MY on Corvette didn’t follow the corporate MY switchover (Oct) for the 2nd year of a generation? I don’t think there is so I only see 8 or 9 months of deliveries, Jan - Sep, for the 2020, aka a short MY run.

If I recall the last MY orders go in July and August starts the next MY order cycle, I’m not sure why GM would change that next year.

Just my take and I don’t have a dog in this hunt, I’m just looking at the calendar. The dealers would know so a simple phone call will get the answer.

[John]

Good analysis. I will ask.

[docprego]

I emailed several large Corvette dealers yesterday asking them how I could best prepare for October 2020 delivery of a C8.

One responded very quickly, literally at 6 a.m. his time, initials MF. Another responded next day, the dealer I bought ny C7 from in Rhode Island. The 3rd hasn't responded yet, we'll give hime some more time and shall remain nameless.

The two that responded both advised me that I could place a deposit. One said the was receiving 600+ allocations, the other 1172!

One of the dealers talked about how they needed to see what the order cycle would be before they could talk about my potential October 2020 delivery. The other simply said to leave a deposit if seeking delivery then.

Neither was a completely firm plan but it seems to me with that many allocations even if I waited until about April-May they would probably still have allocations left and that would set me up for October delivery.

What's your take on all of this? Am I out in left field or am I seeing the picture clearly?

[John]

IMO, you are very smart to be asking these questions now. Here’s my take looking into the cloudy crystal ball.

* Even with adding a second shift at BGA, there will be many, many, many thousands who wanted to own a 2020 C8, who could not get one. All of these folks will be lining up to buy a 2021. Already some dealers have told their customers that, “sorry I not only have deposits on all my first year allocations, but waiting lists to take any spots that become available.

* I have talked with three dealers near me who are sold out for the entire 2020 allocation year.

* Since most dealers’ deposits are refundable, I guess I would ask you, “of what harm would there is putting your deposit down now with a dealer you trust — other than $1.00 in savings account lost interest.

* There are also dealers who will, “slide a customer’s order backwards,” if the allocation for your order comes up before you are ready. This is extra work for a dealer, but again some of the best do this. They are not going to keep doing this over and over, but if one is reasonable and does not ask more than one time for a one or two month postponement if your allocation were to come up early, I believe they would try and work with you — especially since they could move your allocation to the next person on their C8 priority list.

I have had my second C8 deposit, for a 2021 or a 2022, down for about two years (way behind my 4 1/2 years long deposit for my 2020 C8).

[docprego]

Does anyone have any updated opinions on how I should proceed to secure a C8 for November 2021 delivery?

I reached out to all the major dealers and really none offered me a concrete answer.

Thanks.

[John]

I wish I knew. Here’s some major unknown issues and probably the reason why not even the best are able to venture a specific answer.

How will the initial production ramp up go (including whether the initial QC hold would be two weeks, four week or six weeks)? How many C8’s will be made the first year and when does the first year end?

How many will be sold, not just the initial sales rate, but how many will continue to be “demanded above the supply rate” starting four or six months from now?

When does the 2020 MY year end?

Lacking any closer than ballpark answers to those questions, I do not know how one could create a definite November delivery. Sorry.

If you are looking for a possible approach, get a dealer who has good allocation, who would take your deposit know and also would confirm that they continue to keep sliding your order backwards as needed to not deliver yours before November.. As a hypothetical, if a dealer now has a bunch of deposits and a known amount of allocations and were to say, based on what they believes will be happening, “I believe I if you gave me a deposit today, I would get your C8 here at my dealership around the end of summer.” Would that dealer be willing fir that timing actually happened, to keep sliding your order’s formal placement backwards, and place it no sooner than September 15th?

With so many unknowns, candidly you are asking for a lot from even the most experienced of dealers right now.

[docprego]

I wish I knew. Here’s some major unknown issues and probably the reason why not even the best are able to venture a specific answer.

How will the initial production ramp up go (including whether the initial QC hold would be two weeks, four week or six weeks)? How many C8’s will be made the first year and when does the first year end?

How many will be sold, not just the initial sales rate, but how many will continue to be “demanded above the supply rate” starting four or six months from now?

When does the 2020 MY year end?

Lacking any closer than ballpark answers to those questions, I do not know how one could create a definite November delivery. Sorry.

If you are looking for a possible approach, get a dealer who has good allocation, who would take your deposit know and also would confirm that they continue to keep sliding your order backwards as needed to not deliver yours before November.. As a hypothetical, if a dealer now has a bunch of deposits and a known amount of allocations and were to say, based on what they believes will be happening, “I believe I if you gave me a deposit today, I would get your C8 here at my dealership around the end of summer.” Would that dealer be willing fir that timing actually happened, to keep sliding your order’s formal placement backwards, and place it no sooner than September 15th?

With so many unknowns, candidly you are asking for a lot from even the most experienced of dealers right now.

Thank you John. I guess placing a deposit is the best thing I can do at this point.

Appreciate your feedback.

[Maxster]

Due to a current lease I'm in my plan is to order a 2021 model for delivery in October or November of 2020.

The current pricing may not even hold for a full year