Will Corvette Quality Stay the Same in the NEW GM
06-14-2009, 09:07 PM
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Will Corvette Quality Stay the Same in the NEW GM
Since GM is now a Government company will the quality of the cars go down. I am thinking of buying a 2010 Grand Sport in the spring and just wondering since The Govt always uses the cheapest posible supliers for parts will this be the same at GM now. Will GM use the lowest bid parts supplier and will Build and Reliability suffer as a result. I curently have a SRT8 300C and its been reliable so far not a single prob. Just curious if u think that the Corvette will suffer as a result of all the cuts GM will make.
06-14-2009, 09:25 PM
#2
Drifting
GM is not a government company. It is currently financed by the government. Big difference. I expect it to repay the government and be public once again. To do that, it needs to build high quality cars that people want.
- Mark
- Mark
06-14-2009, 09:49 PM
#5
Automakers need to have an average of 35mpg in year X. The Corvette is much closer than anything in the truck lineup.
As for quality, it may suffer depending on who still makes the decisions. Does the gov't own shares or control lending power? How much red tape do managers have?
As for quality, it may suffer depending on who still makes the decisions. Does the gov't own shares or control lending power? How much red tape do managers have?
06-14-2009, 10:19 PM
#6
Since GM is now a Government company will the quality of the cars go down. I am thinking of buying a 2010 Grand Sport in the spring and just wondering since The Govt always uses the cheapest posible supliers for parts will this be the same at GM now. Will GM use the lowest bid parts supplier and will Build and Reliability suffer as a result. I curently have a SRT8 300C and its been reliable so far not a single prob. Just curious if u think that the Corvette will suffer as a result of all the cuts GM will make.
Meanwhile, the government lets cost plus contracts that result in the most expensive fighter aircraft (F22), most expensive fighting vehicles (M1A1), toolkits containing $400 hammers, and $20,000 toilet seats.
GM has jacked up the MSRP of the C6 every year (twice a year) since the first one rolled off the line in 2004. The Corvette has the highest margin of any vehicle built by GM. It is a car that costs $20,000 to build while being sold for $55,000. GM can cut the price plenty before needing to corners on build quality (such as it is).
06-14-2009, 10:30 PM
#7
Team Owner
Member Since: Aug 2007
Location: I live my life by 2 rules. 1) Never share everything you know. 2)
Posts: 136,148
Received 2,403 Likes
on
1,366 Posts
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '16-'17-'18
06-14-2009, 10:31 PM
#8
Melting Slicks
Huh? GM has always used the cheapest possible vendors, then squeezes them even more. That's why even in good times GM suppliers are an eye blink away from bankruptcy.
Meanwhile, the government lets cost plus contracts that result in the most expensive fighter aircraft (F22), most expensive fighting vehicles (M1A1), toolkits containing $400 hammers, and $20,000 toilet seats.
GM has jacked up the MSRP of the C6 every year (twice a year) since the first one rolled off the line in 2004. The Corvette has the highest margin of any vehicle built by GM. It is a car that costs $20,000 to build while being sold for $55,000. GM can cut the price plenty before needing to corners on build quality (such as it is).
Meanwhile, the government lets cost plus contracts that result in the most expensive fighter aircraft (F22), most expensive fighting vehicles (M1A1), toolkits containing $400 hammers, and $20,000 toilet seats.
GM has jacked up the MSRP of the C6 every year (twice a year) since the first one rolled off the line in 2004. The Corvette has the highest margin of any vehicle built by GM. It is a car that costs $20,000 to build while being sold for $55,000. GM can cut the price plenty before needing to corners on build quality (such as it is).
As for quality taking a hit, I would think that's the LAST thing they want to do if they want to turn the company around.
06-14-2009, 10:36 PM
#9
Race Director
Gov't owns the majority of GM because of the bankruptcy, therefore it is gov't owned. Second largest owner is the UAW. GM is answering to the wishes and demands of the gov't, not shareholders or bondholders (both of which got screwed by the gov't). The money will enver be repaid and GM will continue its long slide down hill until congress & the people cry uncle.
06-15-2009, 12:19 AM
#11
Le Mans Master
Huh? GM has always used the cheapest possible vendors, then squeezes them even more. That's why even in good times GM suppliers are an eye blink away from bankruptcy.
Meanwhile, the government lets cost plus contracts that result in the most expensive fighter aircraft (F22), most expensive fighting vehicles (M1A1), toolkits containing $400 hammers, and $20,000 toilet seats.
GM has jacked up the MSRP of the C6 every year (twice a year) since the first one rolled off the line in 2004. The Corvette has the highest margin of any vehicle built by GM. It is a car that costs $20,000 to build while being sold for $55,000. GM can cut the price plenty before needing to corners on build quality (such as it is).
Meanwhile, the government lets cost plus contracts that result in the most expensive fighter aircraft (F22), most expensive fighting vehicles (M1A1), toolkits containing $400 hammers, and $20,000 toilet seats.
GM has jacked up the MSRP of the C6 every year (twice a year) since the first one rolled off the line in 2004. The Corvette has the highest margin of any vehicle built by GM. It is a car that costs $20,000 to build while being sold for $55,000. GM can cut the price plenty before needing to corners on build quality (such as it is).
But, Toyota and Honda are much worse and often squeezes suppliers even harder then GM. This is probably why Toyota prices have increased while quality has dipped along with sales. Toyota although not in the headlines is having major sales and quality issues.
As for the Corvette it gets better every year. Despite many on this forum that try so darn hard to hurt it's reputation.
Last edited by Vette Suspension; 06-15-2009 at 12:24 AM.
06-15-2009, 12:34 AM
#12
Le Mans Master
Yup there is plenty of profit in the Corvette and GM/ government motors will squeeze every penny from vendors.....who is going to argue with the government
06-15-2009, 12:40 AM
#13
Le Mans Master
I think that those $400 hammers and etc. are an overstatement as the dollars most likely go to secret projects. I doubt that there is any disclosure with regard to a budget on secret projects so the dollars get allocated (expensed) to projects on the books.
Yup there is plenty of profit in the Corvette and GM/ government motors will squeeze every penny from vendors.....who is going to argue with the government
Yup there is plenty of profit in the Corvette and GM/ government motors will squeeze every penny from vendors.....who is going to argue with the government
Great points. The government counts on both citizens and even spies being stupid and believing the $400 hammer stuff. They count on people not thinking out of the box. Some of those secret projects are incredible and must be paid for without giving away secrets. Easier just to say a toilet was 20k then a invoice for some liquid or nuclear part.
06-15-2009, 12:53 AM
#14
Melting Slicks
I say it is really too early too tell what the future of the vette will be. Anything said now is just speculation. However, since Obama is pushing to get all vehicles to have 35 mpg, there will probably be some changes but I don't think this change will be permanent. Remember in the past high hp cars were eliminated for a few years and now we have cars with over 500 hp. I hope that if hp is lowered on cars again that it is for a short stint.
06-15-2009, 01:50 AM
#15
Safety Car
Good points.
But, Toyota and Honda are much worse and often squeezes suppliers even harder then GM. This is probably why Toyota prices have increased while quality has dipped along with sales. Toyota although not in the headlines is having major sales and quality issues.
As for the Corvette it gets better every year. Despite many on this forum that try so darn hard to hurt it's reputation.
But, Toyota and Honda are much worse and often squeezes suppliers even harder then GM. This is probably why Toyota prices have increased while quality has dipped along with sales. Toyota although not in the headlines is having major sales and quality issues.
As for the Corvette it gets better every year. Despite many on this forum that try so darn hard to hurt it's reputation.
I can see this becoming a reality in the near future.
06-15-2009, 02:15 AM
#16
Le Mans Master
Last edited by Vette Suspension; 06-15-2009 at 02:19 AM.
06-15-2009, 08:28 AM
#17
Team Owner
I do not think the Govenment being a majority owner of GM will have any negative impact on quality. It is in their best interest as well as everyone elses that GM build a quailty product no matter which model it is.
06-15-2009, 08:42 AM
#18
Le Mans Master
if you look at all of their new/newer offerings closely you will find the quality to be excellent and on the same level as the japan auto makers. just take a close look. 
06-15-2009, 08:58 AM
#19
Drifting
Good points.
But, Toyota and Honda are much worse and often squeezes suppliers even harder then GM. This is probably why Toyota prices have increased while quality has dipped along with sales. Toyota although not in the headlines is having major sales and quality issues.
As for the Corvette it gets better every year. Despite many on this forum that try so darn hard to hurt it's reputation.
But, Toyota and Honda are much worse and often squeezes suppliers even harder then GM. This is probably why Toyota prices have increased while quality has dipped along with sales. Toyota although not in the headlines is having major sales and quality issues.
As for the Corvette it gets better every year. Despite many on this forum that try so darn hard to hurt it's reputation.
I think GM quality is going to improve 100%.. which is scary for ShopDog's employers..who I suspect to be one of GM's competitors. Hell... one look at the current crop of vehicles that GM has... one can see that they are already EQUAL or BETTER than their competitors.. any increase in quality at this point would simply triumph all comers.
I'm seeing money that was going to Saturn, Saab, Hummer, and Pontiac.. now going in to Chevy, Buick, Cadillac, and GMC. Not to mention the ability to actually MARKET more proficiently.
OH.. to all those under the DOOM and GLOOM futilities.. I seriously don't see your attempts at derailment via a push in the direction of misconceived hate to completely sway the purchasing might of the American people. Their attention tends to be so short sited.. that the quick BK.. and slightly longer Government involvement might be forgotten 2 days after the IPO is put out on Wall Street.
But then U do have Fox News... a truly reputable bunch
06-15-2009, 09:11 AM
#20
Team Owner
Member Since: Sep 2000
Location: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
Posts: 23,973
Received 2,063 Likes
on
1,371 Posts
St. Jude Donor '13
"Will Corvette Quality Stay the Same in the New GM"
I hope not, they need to quit cheaping out on the little stuff.
The engines are bulletproof, but everything else is really minimum quality.
Each GM car I've owned in the last 20 years, including the C5 and C6, has had more problems than all of our Toyotas combined.
Newspaper article last year said that Toyota of all builders in the U.S. pays the highest prices to their suppliers because they want stuff that doesn't break. I wish GM would do the same. Another $2,000 for a C6 that wasn't a shop queen would be a bargain.
I hope not, they need to quit cheaping out on the little stuff.
The engines are bulletproof, but everything else is really minimum quality.
Each GM car I've owned in the last 20 years, including the C5 and C6, has had more problems than all of our Toyotas combined.
Newspaper article last year said that Toyota of all builders in the U.S. pays the highest prices to their suppliers because they want stuff that doesn't break. I wish GM would do the same. Another $2,000 for a C6 that wasn't a shop queen would be a bargain.