Photo: Chevrolet
Before the Bowling Green assembly plant in Kentucky started churning out the mid-engine Corvette, the C8 already had production issues. More to the point, thousands of United Automobile Workers picketed General Motors factories for more than a month.
This is why GM had to delay the start of production to February, and since then, the U.S. automaker had plenty more hiccups. After a short halt in October, GM will stop the assembly line for a second time in less than a month on November 12th and 13th over "a temporary parts issue.”
A spokesperson assured expecting customers that normal operations should resume on Monday. “Our supply chain, manufacturing, and engineering teams are working closely with our supply base to mitigate any further impact on production,” he told The Detroit News. Due to stricter restrictions attributed to the health crisis, some suppliers just couldn’t keep up with demand.
It remains to be seen what this stoppage means for the 2020 model, which was expected to end production by December 7th. The worst-case scenario would be for some customers of the mid-engine Corvette to be switched by their dealerships to the 2021 model year, due to roll out on December 8th.
This temporary halt will also aggravate dealer markups. Speaking of which, have you heard about that guy who listed his C8 on Facebook Marketplace for $2 million? Yeah, 2020 definitely isn’t the best year to buy an all-new 'Vette.
Those interested in the 2021 Corvette can expect to pony up $59,995 including destination charge for the coupe in 1LT specification. There are, however, a few downsides to the second model year of the C8 in terms of optional extras. The ever-popular Z51 Performance Package costs $995 more than before and the front lift is $1,995 instead of $1,495.
As for the peeps who look forward to the Z06, you’ll have to wait until the 2022 model year for the sportier version to arrive in showrooms. As opposed to the small-block V8 in the Stingray, the Zee-Oh-Six will be treated to a flat-plane crankshaft V8 derived from the C8.R endurance racer.
A spokesperson assured expecting customers that normal operations should resume on Monday. “Our supply chain, manufacturing, and engineering teams are working closely with our supply base to mitigate any further impact on production,” he told The Detroit News. Due to stricter restrictions attributed to the health crisis, some suppliers just couldn’t keep up with demand.
It remains to be seen what this stoppage means for the 2020 model, which was expected to end production by December 7th. The worst-case scenario would be for some customers of the mid-engine Corvette to be switched by their dealerships to the 2021 model year, due to roll out on December 8th.
This temporary halt will also aggravate dealer markups. Speaking of which, have you heard about that guy who listed his C8 on Facebook Marketplace for $2 million? Yeah, 2020 definitely isn’t the best year to buy an all-new 'Vette.
Those interested in the 2021 Corvette can expect to pony up $59,995 including destination charge for the coupe in 1LT specification. There are, however, a few downsides to the second model year of the C8 in terms of optional extras. The ever-popular Z51 Performance Package costs $995 more than before and the front lift is $1,995 instead of $1,495.
As for the peeps who look forward to the Z06, you’ll have to wait until the 2022 model year for the sportier version to arrive in showrooms. As opposed to the small-block V8 in the Stingray, the Zee-Oh-Six will be treated to a flat-plane crankshaft V8 derived from the C8.R endurance racer.
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