Gm Building Any More Zr1

**Jim D.** · February 25, 2009, 02:34 PM

Re: Gm Building Any More Zr1

Sorry if I offended you Tom. That wasn't my intent. Your post made it sound like everything is great in the new Corvette world and cars are flying out the door. I was only pointing out that you already have many cars and to order more of something that isn't selling that you have to pay flooring on, doesn't make sense.
I don't know your position there at the dealership but my ex was the GSM at the largest Chevrolet dealer in the area for many years and they moved 100's of Corvettes a year. It was great for me because I was the only one trusted to do dealer trades on them.
As to your comment about spring sales, I wouldn't hold my breath. I predict sales will continue to drop as the economy worsens and more people lose their jobs. Especially when/if GM files for bankruptcy.

Jim

**Tom H.** · February 25, 2009, 02:40 PM

Re: Gm Building Any More Zr1

Hey Jim, I did take a little sarcasm in your post, must have been the

at the end. No harm, no foul.

I am optimistic about the spring. I've been in the busines 25 years, and you have to stay optimistic with all of the bad press out there.

We are selling Corvettes. Not at a record pace, but I've delivered several this week and have several sold orders due to be built. I haven't stopped buying pre owned Corvettes either.

The lunch invitation is always out there, so take me up on it if you ever get to Ohio ! I think you'll see the Corvette be strong once again this spring.................... I hope !

**Kenneth G.** · February 25, 2009, 11:30 PM

Re: Gm Building Any More Zr1

Originally posted by Norm Culbert (14920)

I talked to them on Monday,,, (to plan a trip for three couples later this spring.) Production line people who survived the cuts went back for cross training and learning the new production schedules and processes with the much reduced force. Actual production line doesn't start up until March 9.

norm this is incorrect (not sure who you spoke to) ,as tom hendrick stated later in the thread, about the production line. my z06 is scheduled to go to "trim" on 2/26 or so and then be completed next wednesday 3/5. from what i was told , the line will be moving very slow as it appears my car will take over parts of 5 days to be produced. several members on this site had their cars produced in 1 to 1 1/2 days at the plant earlier in the model year so the cutbacks have greatly affected the line. i will be going for the factory buyers tour but unfortunately cant be there for 5 days of assembly of my car so it remains to be seen what i will see when i actually do get there. my car was ordered on 1/27 so i was very surprised it is in production this quickly considering the plant was closed since december and it just reopened on 2/23. how could my car possibly go into production this fast? i guess not many corvettes were ordered during this time..........

**Loren S.** · February 26, 2009, 02:33 PM

Re: Gm Building Any More Zr1

The President basically promised there other night that he wouldn't let the automakers go bankrupt because we invented the automobile. So we're looking good, unless someone fesses up and tells him the Germans invented the auto.

**Norm C.** · March 26, 2009, 03:04 PM

Follow Up to Factory Issues

Based on the info we had before (see previous post production was to start March 9th) we confirmed with the Factory as to start up dates. They confirmed production was to begin as scheduled. We added a couple of weeks to their dates just to be sure they had time to work out the kinks.

We then made reservations for the factory tour for April 9th. Again confirmed this was good. (btw... no tours on Good Friday) Based again on assurances that was a "firm" date, bought tour and airline tickets. Monday we get email stating: "Due to shifts in the production schedules, Wednesday 3/25 is the last tour date until 4/16-4/30.

Then no tours until "sometime in May".... need to confirm availability in April."

Airline cost $238per ticket, (non-refundable) add $150. to change dates, add $190 to travel on new dates = $578 PER TICKET X 5 Adults PLUS no confirmation of production/tour dates until 5 days before scheduled tour date!!

Result: This is NOT the year to plan trip for a Factory tour unless you're "in the neighborhood" anyway. HIT and MISS at best!! Of course the General is not in the tourism/factory tour business... and in these times, its a survival mode at best...... BUT,,,,,, that sure hurts..... Not spending what is more than tickets to Europe....and no assurance they're open when arriving. TRAVELERS FOR FACTORY TOURS BEWARE!!!

**Gary B.** · March 26, 2009, 03:23 PM

Re: Gm Building Any More Zr1

http://www.bgdailynews.com/articles/2009/03/25/news/news2.txt

Auto woes: 213 losing jobs
Parts manufacturer S-R closing indefinitely; Corvette
plant shutting down for six weeks

By WES SWIETEK, The Daily News,
wswietek@bgdailynews.com/783-3276

**Clem Z.** · March 26, 2009, 03:42 PM

Re: Gm Building Any More Zr1

Originally posted by Tom Hendricks (23758)

What is up with that ?? I'm a good member here who is always glad to help out. I work for the largest new Corvette dealership in Ohio. We don't park our cars on a lot, we have an indoor showroom that holds up to 80 Corvettes.

We did order more cars for stock. We will continue to do so. We always have. 36 new Corvettes isn't that many when spring hits. If you ever get in the area, stop in and let me take you to lunch and show you around. Maybe your attitude towards fellow members and dealers might change.

Might even want to keep May the 9th on your calendar open for our 20th annual Corvette show ! Usually between 500 and 600 Corvettes on hand. We always have plenty of new Corvettes to show off. Look me up !

mrs clem and i will be there for the corvette show may 9th as our corvette club CCWP from pittsburgh pa has a overnighter there every year. every year someone from our club goes home from the show with a new corvette purchased there during the show.

**Tom M.** · March 26, 2009, 05:02 PM

Re: Gm Building Any More Zr1

Originally posted by Gary Bishop (11994)

http://www.bgdailynews.com/articles/2009/03/25/news/news2.txt

Auto woes: 213 losing jobs
Parts manufacturer S-R closing indefinitely; Corvette
plant shutting down for six weeks

By WES SWIETEK, The Daily News,
wswietek@bgdailynews.com/783-3276

What about after 2009 ?

**Norm C.** · March 26, 2009, 07:32 PM

Re: Follow Up to Factory Issues

Originally posted by Norm Culbert (14920)

Based on the info we had before (see previous post production was to start March 9th) we confirmed with the Factory as to start up dates. They confirmed production was to begin as scheduled. We added a couple of weeks to their dates just to be sure they had time to work out the kinks.

We then made reservations for the factory tour for April 9th. Again confirmed this was good. (btw... no tours on Good Friday) Based again on assurances that was a "firm" date, bought tour and airline tickets. Monday we get email stating: "Due to shifts in the production schedules, Wednesday 3/25 is the last tour date until 4/16-4/30.

Then no tours until "sometime in May".... need to confirm availability in April."

Airline cost $238per ticket, (non-refundable) add $150. to change dates, add $190 to travel on new dates = $578 PER TICKET X 5 Adults PLUS no confirmation of production/tour dates until 5 days before scheduled tour date!!

Result: This is NOT the year to plan trip for a Factory tour unless you're "in the neighborhood" anyway. HIT and MISS at best!! Of course the General is not in the tourism/factory tour business... and in these times, its a survival mode at best...... BUT,,,,,, that sure hurts..... Not spending what is more than tickets to Europe....and no assurance they're open when arriving. TRAVELERS FOR FACTORY TOURS BEWARE!!!

After reading Gary's post with the two articles on lost jobs,,,, kinda makes our mess seem a lot more trivial in comparison. As one who has a 30+yr career in Commercial Real Estate lending,,,,, we can relate to the auto, banking, investment, building....etc etc etc.... industries!!

**Brett H.** · March 26, 2009, 07:42 PM

Re: Gm Building Any More Zr1

After working for GM in a management role, I would not be surprised at all to see "drop dead dates" for production to be pushed back. Especially with cross training of the UAW in other jobs. Yes, the line will be significantly slower. The slower production moves, the more number of UAW folks will be called back to work. Been there, done that.........

Hopefully, the ZR1 will live strong.

**Clem Z.** · March 26, 2009, 08:12 PM

Re: Gm Building Any More Zr1

my dealer tells a lot of corvette sales are leases and GM right now wants nothing to do with leases as GMAC cheapest lease rate is 12%. a lot of all new car sale were leases,drive a new impala for $198 a month, and that is why there are so many used corvettes and cars for sale as it is time to bite the bullet. the auto auction lots are full of late model used cars that nobody wants.

**James H.** · March 26, 2009, 09:33 PM

Re: Gm Building Any More Zr1

Dont you think they'd sell more ZR1s if the dealers would stop marking them up 40k...
Z06s are going for 10-12k below sticker, I know people were paying 10k premium when they first came out but with GM in such troubles, wouldn't you think GM would encourage dealers to sell more ZR1s at MSRP than less units at such a high markup.
But what do I know... although if I could order a ZR1 at dealer cost, I'd be all over that.

**Clem Z.** · March 27, 2009, 07:30 AM

Re: Gm Building Any More Zr1

Originally posted by James Hummel (47065)

Dont you think they'd sell more ZR1s if the dealers would stop marking them up 40k...
Z06s are going for 10-12k below sticker, I know people were paying 10k premium when they first came out but with GM in such troubles, wouldn't you think GM would encourage dealers to sell more ZR1s at MSRP than less units at such a high markup.
But what do I know... although if I could order a ZR1 at dealer cost, I'd be all over that.

the dealers are trying to make up the profit on the ZR1 that they loose selling the std corvette at a big discount

**Clem Z.** · March 29, 2009, 01:35 AM

Re: Gm Building Any More Zr1

this could be your answer.
Subject: : Bad Corvette Factory News

Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Auto woes: 213 losing jobsdirector for the plant.

Employees were informed of the shutdowns Monday. Corvette sales are down 50 percent from last year, and the news did not surprise workers, Hales said.

**Chris E.** · March 29, 2009, 07:49 AM

Re: Gm Building Any More Zr1

Originally posted by Jim Durham (8797)

I can't see many dealers jumping in to place orders. Corvette sales were down 58% in Jan. and here's what is already sitting on the ground unsold. Over 8500. At the Jan. selling rate, that's over a 9 month supply.

2009 Corvette Inventory Breakdown:

Corvette Coupes - 3,825
Corvette Convertibles - 1,061
Corvette Z06 - 1,592
Corvette ZR1 - 17

2008 Corvette Inventory Breakdown:

Corvette Coupes - 769
Corvette Convertibles - 711
Corvette Z06 - 530

Amazing that the current inventory of Z06s is 50% MORE than the current inventory of convertibles......(09 models only)

Gm Building Any More Zr1

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