Corvette Sales Still Slow
08-20-2009, 11:49 PM
#1
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St. Jude Donor '13
Corvette Sales Still Slow
Looking at the Jeff Hardy calendar, June 15 had 5406 08-09 Corvettes sitting on the lots, by August 15 that number had only decreased to 4220. Two months for less than 1,200 cars works out to an annual rate of only about 7,000 cars per year. The more recent rate for Aug 1-15 is even slower.
Sure, there were a few leftover 2009's delivered during that period, and a few 2010's. And maybe some people have done the "cars for clunkers" thing instead of buying a new 'vette. But the existing Corvettes are mostly being sold at huge discounts, often well below invoice.
It looks like the recession isn't over yet. One of our local clubs postponed their BG trip because the factory won't be open, so no tours. Has anyone heard the Sept & Oct production schedule for Bowling Green recently? .
Sure, there were a few leftover 2009's delivered during that period, and a few 2010's. And maybe some people have done the "cars for clunkers" thing instead of buying a new 'vette. But the existing Corvettes are mostly being sold at huge discounts, often well below invoice.
It looks like the recession isn't over yet. One of our local clubs postponed their BG trip because the factory won't be open, so no tours. Has anyone heard the Sept & Oct production schedule for Bowling Green recently? .
08-21-2009, 01:28 AM
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Looking at the Jeff Hardy calendar, June 15 had 5406 08-09 Corvettes sitting on the lots, by August 15 that number had only decreased to 4220. Two months for less than 1,200 cars works out to an annual rate of only about 7,000 cars per year. The more recent rate for Aug 1-15 is even slower.
Sure, there were a few leftover 2009's delivered during that period, and a few 2010's. And maybe some people have done the "cars for clunkers" thing instead of buying a new 'vette. But the existing Corvettes are mostly being sold at huge discounts, often well below invoice.
It looks like the recession isn't over yet. One of our local clubs postponed their BG trip because the factory won't be open, so no tours. Has anyone heard the Sept & Oct production schedule for Bowling Green recently? .
Sure, there were a few leftover 2009's delivered during that period, and a few 2010's. And maybe some people have done the "cars for clunkers" thing instead of buying a new 'vette. But the existing Corvettes are mostly being sold at huge discounts, often well below invoice.
It looks like the recession isn't over yet. One of our local clubs postponed their BG trip because the factory won't be open, so no tours. Has anyone heard the Sept & Oct production schedule for Bowling Green recently? .
08-21-2009, 01:36 AM
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Looking at the Jeff Hardy calendar, June 15 had 5406 08-09 Corvettes sitting on the lots, by August 15 that number had only decreased to 4220. Two months for less than 1,200 cars works out to an annual rate of only about 7,000 cars per year. The more recent rate for Aug 1-15 is even slower.
Sure, there were a few leftover 2009's delivered during that period, and a few 2010's. And maybe some people have done the "cars for clunkers" thing instead of buying a new 'vette. But the existing Corvettes are mostly being sold at huge discounts, often well below invoice.
It looks like the recession isn't over yet. One of our local clubs postponed their BG trip because the factory won't be open, so no tours. Has anyone heard the Sept & Oct production schedule for Bowling Green recently? .
Sure, there were a few leftover 2009's delivered during that period, and a few 2010's. And maybe some people have done the "cars for clunkers" thing instead of buying a new 'vette. But the existing Corvettes are mostly being sold at huge discounts, often well below invoice.
It looks like the recession isn't over yet. One of our local clubs postponed their BG trip because the factory won't be open, so no tours. Has anyone heard the Sept & Oct production schedule for Bowling Green recently? .
Do you think the new Camaro being released for sale may have done some damage to new Corvette sales?
08-21-2009, 04:30 AM
#5
Burning Brakes
yea, and considering that they make about 25k(?) a year... lots more than they sell. I think if they lower the production, the prices would hold up a lot better, and it would the car a more exclusive factor. my 02c
08-21-2009, 06:29 AM
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I'm not so sure that this analysis is valid. Since they have been producing cars, what those numbers would indicate is that they have been selling cars faster than they have been producing them resulting in a decrease in existing inventory. I believe that the sales rate has been stronger than you figures indicate.
08-21-2009, 07:40 AM
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St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09
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I'm not so sure that this analysis is valid. Since they have been producing cars, what those numbers would indicate is that they have been selling cars faster than they have been producing them resulting in a decrease in existing inventory. I believe that the sales rate has been stronger than you figures indicate.
Last year the inventory in the field (Jeff Hardy) for this date shows over 9000 cars. It's less than half that now.
08-21-2009, 07:50 AM
#8
Team Owner
My local dealer Jack Schmitt of O' Fallon IL has the same 3 2009 vette's sitting on their showroom floor over 6 months now.
Times are tough cars like the vette. They are a WANT not a NEED.
Times are tough cars like the vette. They are a WANT not a NEED.
08-21-2009, 08:25 AM
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08-21-2009, 08:39 AM
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GM Car Deliveries
___________July______________YTD
________2009__2008___%__2009___2008__%
Corvette__966_1,870_-48.3_8,464_16,824 -49.7
___________July______________YTD
________2009__2008___%__2009___2008__%
Corvette__966_1,870_-48.3_8,464_16,824 -49.7
Last edited by jc9767; 08-21-2009 at 08:49 AM.
08-21-2009, 08:46 AM
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St. Jude Donor '13
I'm not so sure that this analysis is valid. Since they have been producing cars, what those numbers would indicate is that they have been selling cars faster than they have been producing them resulting in a decrease in existing inventory. I believe that the sales rate has been stronger than you figures indicate.
Can anyone tell how many Corvettes were actually delivered to dealers during June 15 to Aug 15?
I suspect that the new Camaro has reduced Corvette sales a little, but only a little. The Camaro is a great car but it fills a different market from the 'vette.
08-21-2009, 08:56 AM
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St. Jude Donor '13
If this continues, we may end up with a lot fewer dealerships than GM intended.
08-21-2009, 09:13 AM
#15
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I'm sure this is a regional thing. Unemployement for Illinois was just announced as 10.4%. I'm sure other parts of the country are doing better.
08-21-2009, 11:16 AM
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The dealer I went to shopping Vette leases had the SAME 08 on the floor from LAST June 08.
08-21-2009, 11:33 AM
#18
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The market for new vettes is going to remain very soft for at least another year. People simple don't have the money to buy right now. I'd love to upgrade but not at what it's going to cost me... 
I'm sure there are many more like me that would love a new vette but simply can justify nor afford taking such a huge hit. I believe sales will improve over time but the days of 35,000 units a year might be gone for good....
I'm sure there are many more like me that would love a new vette but simply can justify nor afford taking such a huge hit. I believe sales will improve over time but the days of 35,000 units a year might be gone for good....
08-21-2009, 01:58 PM
#19
Looking at the Jeff Hardy calendar, June 15 had 5406 08-09 Corvettes sitting on the lots, by August 15 that number had only decreased to 4220. Two months for less than 1,200 cars works out to an annual rate of only about 7,000 cars per year. The more recent rate for Aug 1-15 is even slower.
Sure, there were a few leftover 2009's delivered during that period, and a few 2010's. And maybe some people have done the "cars for clunkers" thing instead of buying a new 'vette. But the existing Corvettes are mostly being sold at huge discounts, often well below invoice.
It looks like the recession isn't over yet. One of our local clubs postponed their BG trip because the factory won't be open, so no tours. Has anyone heard the Sept & Oct production schedule for Bowling Green recently? .
Sure, there were a few leftover 2009's delivered during that period, and a few 2010's. And maybe some people have done the "cars for clunkers" thing instead of buying a new 'vette. But the existing Corvettes are mostly being sold at huge discounts, often well below invoice.
It looks like the recession isn't over yet. One of our local clubs postponed their BG trip because the factory won't be open, so no tours. Has anyone heard the Sept & Oct production schedule for Bowling Green recently? .
Recession over? Oil is going up and so is unemployment. We are in serious trouble folks. Serious trouble.
