GM CEO says future of Corvette secure
According to Fritz Henderson, the recently-appointed CEO of General Motors, the future holds exciting things for Chevrolet's iconic sportscar. This news comes despite the admission late last year that development of the next-gen C7 Corvette platform was put on "indefinite hold, with no official or set timetable."
In a bit of good news for Corvette fans, Henderson asserts that the "Corvette pays its rent," meaning that it's a money-making operation for The General. Obviously, the longer the automaker can rely on the current C6 architecture, the more profitable it will likely be.
There's still no indication of when we'll see a new architecture underpinning the Corvette, but Henderson is quick to point out that the current C6 chassis is still an excellent unit to build off and one that's fully competitive with the best sportscars from around the world. Disagree? You've obviously never gotten behind the wheel of the latest ZR1.
[Source: Autoweek]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Phil L. 4:02PM (5/06/2009)
PMD over at Autoextremist has some other ideas. See the end of today's rant: http://www.autoextremist.com/
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tifosiotaku 6:41PM (5/06/2009)
It's cute how he's so goddamn paranoid that the Obama administration is going to kill anything fun-to-drive. He should lay off of the special brownies.
AMcA 9:19PM (5/06/2009)
HUGE sigh of relief.
Wonder if they'd get into my idea: make Corvette a semi-independent company, and sell shares. There are a million guys out there who'd kill to own a piece of Corvette. Dedicate the IPO funds expressly toward product development. Bring out the lightest, fastest, coolest Vette ever.
TigerMil 4:02PM (5/06/2009)
I dunno that Corvette pays for itself. It's a halo vehicle...I'd have to see the books. The ones GM uses for itself...not the cooked ones it shows to the IRS and the TARP weenies.
I'd bet Corvette DOESN'T pay for itself...it's a marketing vehicle (and a damn good one too...not be hatin' it!).
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Mike 4:16PM (5/06/2009)
not that it was a money maker, but they also used the Corvette Chasis for the Cadillac XLR as well.
So that had to help with the costs a little. I know not much... but every little bit helps.
The Corvette platform must be a hell of a nice platform is they can somehow keep the weight down in the 3,000lb range and still have 20" rims etc.
I can understand Ferrari getting the weight down because they can employ weight saving measures (carbon fiber, magnesium, etc) that costs a boat load. But for Corvette to be able to do it, it's an achievement and testament that they CAN do what they set their minds to!
paul34 4:24PM (5/06/2009)
I would disagree with that. Unlike the halo vehicles of other automakers, plenty of Vettes get sold. Unfortunately, most of them are the base model with autotragic, generally sold to the 50+ segment who don't know much about cars, or the female 45+ segment (although the same configuration usually gets a convertible top).
This is the big seller for GM. Come to Florida, where you see plenty all the time. Then there is also the hardcore Vette crowd, generally populated by the sub-30 crowd. These are the vehicles which generally resemble a batmobile and have a dominating presence next to you at the stoplight, and don't play around.
It doesn't sell as much as maybe a Malibu or Suburban, sure, but it also isn't as cheap as these vehicles. There's also the huge aftermarket crowd who buys all those used Corvettes out there - which someone had to buy new at some point in time.
I believe with the way the Vette is produced, marketed, and sold (price wise), its probably been one of GM's best overall vehicles. It's good that they haven't abandoned it like so many other vehicles, and then wondered why it failed.
LMBVette 4:32PM (5/06/2009)
@Paul - nice analysis...you hit the nail on the head regarding the Vette. Before the collapse of the auto-market.....30-40k Vettes were sold each and every year and they tend to only make incremental updates to the car. So the development is done up front and they go 7+ years between updated models.
I do disagree with your use of the term "autotragic". The auto tranny in the Vette performs quite efficiently....the autos are just as fast as a well driven stick. Heck, that auto tranny also does well on the track as evidenced by the CTS-V Nurburgring video(same tranny as the Vette's).
With that being said.....my Vette is a stick....no auto for me...LOL
Nick 4:53PM (5/06/2009)
The only reason the Corvette exists today is that it has always paid for itself, and continues to do so.
boost4 5:24PM (5/06/2009)
These statements where people are personifying Corvette: "it pays it's rent", "takes care of itself" wouldn't exactly make me proud to own this product. Those are nice qualities in a PERSON, but for a product; honestly I'd like to hear the that company producing it spends so much time assembling it, and overspends so much on materials that they lose money. That would be the product I'd be proud to have bought, and would communicate that I have business sense in the things that I own and in my own finances, rather than I'm supporting a company that has business sense.
Having said all that I don't think there is anything wrong with the C6.
Carlos 5:38PM (5/06/2009)
"These statements where people are personifying Corvette: "it pays it's rent", "takes care of itself" wouldn't exactly make me proud to own this product. Those are nice qualities in a PERSON, but for a product; honestly I'd like to hear the that company producing it spends so much time assembling it, and overspends so much on materials that they lose money."
That is probably the most idiotic statement I have read in a while. Why would you want to buy from a company that is losing money on its product? It wouldn't make any business sense to produce a car that continually loses money. Its because GM has been smart, oxymoron?, about how they engineer, manufacture, and produce the Corvette that it has lasted this long.
paul34 6:07PM (5/06/2009)
LMB, I certainly don't disagree with the numbers of automated transmissions in modern performance vehicles. For me, it is only "tragic" because I think it sort of goes against the spirit of hardcore vehicles; that's me, anyway. I like feeling like I'm really driving something, rather than just going along for the ride.
While I will never deny the numerical superiority of the latest torque converter design, or the greatest dual clutch tranny, or whatnot... I still like the pure feeling of three pedals and a real shifter. As a tech nerd I love seeing advanced technologies, but as something that I want to enjoy - definitely still love a screaming (or burbling!) motor, three pedals, and flicking through the gears. Even in heavy traffic, I still love a manual transmission.
Pokey 4:03PM (5/06/2009)
I wouldn't necessarily call the future of any GM product "secure" right now.
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Taglane 4:04PM (5/06/2009)
I agree. The current C6 Chassis is still very adequate. No need to rush.
But at least give me some good Recaros.
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Chase 9:20PM (5/06/2009)
This. A light exterior refresh and an interior redesign (with some killer seats) would make it a brand new car to me. No need to update the platform.
the_MVP_X 4:05PM (5/06/2009)
Yeah, when the Viper will be out, the 'vette will be the only american supercar known and sold worldwide.
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Auari 4:12PM (5/06/2009)
ya it's to bad Ford quit making the GT
the_MVP_X 4:17PM (5/06/2009)
And even worst that they didn't make this as a replacement. Ford Shelby GR-1
http://www.kamloopsford.ca/images/fun/Ford-Shelby-GR-1-Concept-FA-1280x960.jpg
paul34 4:25PM (5/06/2009)
Well, if the economy picks up in the next 10-20 years and Ford is still around and becomes profitable by then, maybe they will do another iteration of the GT. Who knows. But, that's so far out. Things will change a lot in other areas too.
the_MVP_X 4:34PM (5/06/2009)
Ford will make profit in 1-2 years. Lunches supercar in 5 years. I have a revelation and saw the future, or not just want that that future. This could be a good idea for Ford too, as a Toyobaru Coupe, Mazda RX8, Mitsubishi Eclipse and others fighter.
http://www.tcf.net/2006NYIAS/FORD-REFLEX.jpg
Red 4:12PM (5/06/2009)
GM's future aside for a second, the only problem I've ever had with the 'Vette is the interior looks and feels no better than a Cobalt's. GM's interiors improve with every new vehicle they launch these days, so I'd put money on that issue being solved.
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