Keith@VetteFinders

In the news today is this story about how Corvette body panel maker Continental Structural Plastics (CSP) plans to invest $6.3 million at its Huntington, Indiana plant and will add up to 50 jobs after securing the contract to make panels for the 2015 Corvette model.

Yes, the article said it was new contract for the 2015 Corvette model, which is just about when we should expect the performance version of the C7 Corvette to be introduced.

More at CorvetteBlogger.com:
http://www.corvetteblogger.com/2012/...-2015-corvette

BlueOx

So did they fire the Omega Tool folks??

Maybe this is where they will make the 4 seater AWD C7 body panels!!

JoesC5

The article also says..."CSP says the renovated facility will be up and running by spring 2013, just in time for the seventh generation Corvette that is expected to ramp up production in the third quarter of next year."

I take that to mean the introduction of the C7(ie: 2014 MY), even though they say for the 2015 MY.

BuckyThreadkiller

I read it as Omega makes the tooling that CSP uses to make the panels.

ZL-1

Or maybe Omega's specialty is flexible bumper facias while CPS makes hard body panels.

Jinx

We all assume that higher-performance variants will follow the Z06/ZR1 model, but... maybe you're not as crazy as you seem

Now if they'll just make a wagon version of that AWD four-seater... *dream*

.Jinx

BlueOx

Yes...it's sad but true...a lot of geniuses are presumed to be crazy...

NemesisC5

This looks to be the case. This copied from Omega's website:

Why Choose Omega?
Omega has the skill, the talent, and the expertise to create the mold you need. It all begins with our greatest asset... our people. Look at what our customers have to say. You'll find them in the appliance, electronics, closure, medical, and consumer product fields. With great solutions and outstanding molds, we can meet your every challenge.

This below copied from CSP's website:

Structural Components
Exterior Body Panels
Underbody Components
Pickup Box Components
Interior Body Panels

Explains the video of automated tool on silver metalic rear facia with C7 logo...

BlueOx

I guess I thought Omega did both the molds and the panels. I mean, they can't have just now awarded CSP as the only maker of the panels, can they? There must be another company that has been making them already, right?

CPhelps

They could have had several of the companies bid on the panels and make some DVT parts (using Omega molds), and only now be down selecting suppliers.

jdmvette

Scotty!

Larry/car

You would think the body panel supplier has been selected. Although since production will not start until late summer next year, there is still time. Noticed the silver painted wheel on the red C6. Wonder what wheel design is going to be on the C7? Wheel finish? I have the polished version that was available in 2006, I still like them over chrome. Painted is a little low key, we'll see.

brentil

As most of the new media has speculated this new panel supplier for 2015 will be for a higher performance version. Thus meaning possibly carbon fiber or something else that the current supplier is not equipped to produce.

NemesisC5

Jason, good to see ya bro

HZ3

The real question for me is if we will see the performance variant in 2014 or 2015. Not MY but actual the actual year itself.

JoesC5

The only firm thing I get out of this is that the C7 will have composite body panels. Not nanosteel. Not aluminum. Not magnesium.