USA Today 2014 Corvette not for average Joe
01-21-2013, 07:33 PM
#1
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Member Since: Nov 1999
Location: MI
Posts: 2,073
Received 556 Likes
on
263 Posts
Cruise-In VI Veteran
USA Today 2014 Corvette not for average Joe
http://www.usatoday.com/story/driveo...scale/1852227/
(Photo: Paul Sancya AP)
TAGS
Detroit
No question about it, the new Chevrolet Corvette Stingray was the hit of the North American International Auto Show. But aside from the emotional reaction, we're only starting to realize why.
Chevy is taking it upscale.
"It was our intent to make the car more premium," says Kirk Bennion, experior design manager for General Motors. We're weren't achieving what we (needed) on the luxury-sport side of Corvette."
Translation: The present-day Corvette is viewed too much as the sports car of the average guy. Nothing wrong with that, unless you want your iconic car to be considered a worthy competitor to the Porsche 911s of the world. The target customer for Corvette is a man in his 40s with a household income in excess of $150,000. Collectors, those with three to five 'Vettes of various vintages, are key buyers for them as well.
The need to go more upscale, which almost certainly means commanding a higher price, is underscored by the detailed work that GM designers and engineers pouring into the new 2014 Corvette. The process of the creation of the new Corvette, a top priority within GM with a lot of hands involved, was explained last week in Detroit at the Autoweek Design Forum, a symposium on car design presented by the automotive weekly magazine.
For instance, the Corvette has always looked great on the outside. Now it looks even more so, with lots of little touches -- some of them controversial, like moving away from round taillights -- to improve it. But the big story on the new Corvette is its lush new interior.
A design competition within GM for the new 'Vette drew 300 sketches. No wonder. A lot is at stake.
"It's really important for Corvette to be the global icon of Chevrolet," Bennion says.
(Photo: Paul Sancya AP)
TAGS
Detroit
No question about it, the new Chevrolet Corvette Stingray was the hit of the North American International Auto Show. But aside from the emotional reaction, we're only starting to realize why.
Chevy is taking it upscale.
"It was our intent to make the car more premium," says Kirk Bennion, experior design manager for General Motors. We're weren't achieving what we (needed) on the luxury-sport side of Corvette."
Translation: The present-day Corvette is viewed too much as the sports car of the average guy. Nothing wrong with that, unless you want your iconic car to be considered a worthy competitor to the Porsche 911s of the world. The target customer for Corvette is a man in his 40s with a household income in excess of $150,000. Collectors, those with three to five 'Vettes of various vintages, are key buyers for them as well.
The need to go more upscale, which almost certainly means commanding a higher price, is underscored by the detailed work that GM designers and engineers pouring into the new 2014 Corvette. The process of the creation of the new Corvette, a top priority within GM with a lot of hands involved, was explained last week in Detroit at the Autoweek Design Forum, a symposium on car design presented by the automotive weekly magazine.
For instance, the Corvette has always looked great on the outside. Now it looks even more so, with lots of little touches -- some of them controversial, like moving away from round taillights -- to improve it. But the big story on the new Corvette is its lush new interior.
A design competition within GM for the new 'Vette drew 300 sketches. No wonder. A lot is at stake.
"It's really important for Corvette to be the global icon of Chevrolet," Bennion says.
01-21-2013, 07:36 PM
#2
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,042
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
http://www.usatoday.com/story/driveo...scale/1852227/
(Photo: Paul Sancya AP)
TAGS
Detroit
No question about it, the new Chevrolet Corvette Stingray was the hit of the North American International Auto Show. But aside from the emotional reaction, we're only starting to realize why.
Chevy is taking it upscale.
"It was our intent to make the car more premium," says Kirk Bennion, experior design manager for General Motors. We're weren't achieving what we (needed) on the luxury-sport side of Corvette."
Translation: The present-day Corvette is viewed too much as the sports car of the average guy. Nothing wrong with that, unless you want your iconic car to be considered a worthy competitor to the Porsche 911s of the world. The target customer for Corvette is a man in his 40s with a household income in excess of $150,000. Collectors, those with three to five 'Vettes of various vintages, are key buyers for them as well.
The need to go more upscale, which almost certainly means commanding a higher price, is underscored by the detailed work that GM designers and engineers pouring into the new 2014 Corvette. The process of the creation of the new Corvette, a top priority within GM with a lot of hands involved, was explained last week in Detroit at the Autoweek Design Forum, a symposium on car design presented by the automotive weekly magazine.
For instance, the Corvette has always looked great on the outside. Now it looks even more so, with lots of little touches -- some of them controversial, like moving away from round taillights -- to improve it. But the big story on the new Corvette is its lush new interior.
A design competition within GM for the new 'Vette drew 300 sketches. No wonder. A lot is at stake.
"It's really important for Corvette to be the global icon of Chevrolet," Bennion says.
(Photo: Paul Sancya AP)
TAGS
Detroit
No question about it, the new Chevrolet Corvette Stingray was the hit of the North American International Auto Show. But aside from the emotional reaction, we're only starting to realize why.
Chevy is taking it upscale.
"It was our intent to make the car more premium," says Kirk Bennion, experior design manager for General Motors. We're weren't achieving what we (needed) on the luxury-sport side of Corvette."
Translation: The present-day Corvette is viewed too much as the sports car of the average guy. Nothing wrong with that, unless you want your iconic car to be considered a worthy competitor to the Porsche 911s of the world. The target customer for Corvette is a man in his 40s with a household income in excess of $150,000. Collectors, those with three to five 'Vettes of various vintages, are key buyers for them as well.
The need to go more upscale, which almost certainly means commanding a higher price, is underscored by the detailed work that GM designers and engineers pouring into the new 2014 Corvette. The process of the creation of the new Corvette, a top priority within GM with a lot of hands involved, was explained last week in Detroit at the Autoweek Design Forum, a symposium on car design presented by the automotive weekly magazine.
For instance, the Corvette has always looked great on the outside. Now it looks even more so, with lots of little touches -- some of them controversial, like moving away from round taillights -- to improve it. But the big story on the new Corvette is its lush new interior.
A design competition within GM for the new 'Vette drew 300 sketches. No wonder. A lot is at stake.
"It's really important for Corvette to be the global icon of Chevrolet," Bennion says.
01-21-2013, 07:41 PM
#3
Burning Brakes
Member Since: Mar 2008
Location: Long Island NY
Posts: 838
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I agree, it is a winner. The haters hate the Camaro like tail lights but I want to see it in person. It will be more than the C6 but not much. The interior work alone will add to the price. I will gladly trade in my 2008 for a 2015. That first model year thing.........
01-21-2013, 07:44 PM
#4
Team Owner
http://www.usatoday.com/story/driveo...scale/1852227/
(Photo: Paul Sancya AP)
TAGS
Detroit
No question about it, the new Chevrolet Corvette Stingray was the hit of the North American International Auto Show. But aside from the emotional reaction, we're only starting to realize why.
Chevy is taking it upscale.
"It was our intent to make the car more premium," says Kirk Bennion, experior design manager for General Motors. We're weren't achieving what we (needed) on the luxury-sport side of Corvette."
Translation: The present-day Corvette is viewed too much as the sports car of the average guy. Nothing wrong with that, unless you want your iconic car to be considered a worthy competitor to the Porsche 911s of the world. The target customer for Corvette is a man in his 40s with a household income in excess of $150,000. Collectors, those with three to five 'Vettes of various vintages, are key buyers for them as well.
The need to go more upscale, which almost certainly means commanding a higher price, is underscored by the detailed work that GM designers and engineers pouring into the new 2014 Corvette. The process of the creation of the new Corvette, a top priority within GM with a lot of hands involved, was explained last week in Detroit at the Autoweek Design Forum, a symposium on car design presented by the automotive weekly magazine.
For instance, the Corvette has always looked great on the outside. Now it looks even more so, with lots of little touches -- some of them controversial, like moving away from round taillights -- to improve it. But the big story on the new Corvette is its lush new interior.
A design competition within GM for the new 'Vette drew 300 sketches. No wonder. A lot is at stake.
"It's really important for Corvette to be the global icon of Chevrolet," Bennion says.
(Photo: Paul Sancya AP)
TAGS
Detroit
No question about it, the new Chevrolet Corvette Stingray was the hit of the North American International Auto Show. But aside from the emotional reaction, we're only starting to realize why.
Chevy is taking it upscale.
"It was our intent to make the car more premium," says Kirk Bennion, experior design manager for General Motors. We're weren't achieving what we (needed) on the luxury-sport side of Corvette."
Translation: The present-day Corvette is viewed too much as the sports car of the average guy. Nothing wrong with that, unless you want your iconic car to be considered a worthy competitor to the Porsche 911s of the world. The target customer for Corvette is a man in his 40s with a household income in excess of $150,000. Collectors, those with three to five 'Vettes of various vintages, are key buyers for them as well.
The need to go more upscale, which almost certainly means commanding a higher price, is underscored by the detailed work that GM designers and engineers pouring into the new 2014 Corvette. The process of the creation of the new Corvette, a top priority within GM with a lot of hands involved, was explained last week in Detroit at the Autoweek Design Forum, a symposium on car design presented by the automotive weekly magazine.
For instance, the Corvette has always looked great on the outside. Now it looks even more so, with lots of little touches -- some of them controversial, like moving away from round taillights -- to improve it. But the big story on the new Corvette is its lush new interior.
A design competition within GM for the new 'Vette drew 300 sketches. No wonder. A lot is at stake.
"It's really important for Corvette to be the global icon of Chevrolet," Bennion says.
But he did include me. An old fart and one of "......those with three to five 'Vettes of various vintages, are key buyers for them as well."
Maybe I do count in the grand scheme. Now if they would only design the C7 that I like, not what a high schooler likes.
Last edited by JoesC5; 01-21-2013 at 08:14 PM.
01-21-2013, 07:57 PM
#5
Race Director
I understand the idea but I would love to see a 1LT that was lightweight with minimal luxuries. A true base car at a reasonable price. And then walk it up from there to a high end ultra luxury model.
There are just so many 40 year olds making 150k a year out there.
There are just so many 40 year olds making 150k a year out there.
01-21-2013, 08:24 PM
#7
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Member Since: Nov 1999
Location: MI
Posts: 2,073
Received 556 Likes
on
263 Posts
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Jay Leno, the ultimate car guy "gets it"..!
Speaking about his 2002 c5 z06
http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/cars/c...tml#item=66583
[/I]Over the years, Corvette has worked hard to earn its reputation as the working man's supercar.[/I]
Speaking about his 2002 c5 z06
http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/cars/c...tml#item=66583
[/I]Over the years, Corvette has worked hard to earn its reputation as the working man's supercar.[/I]
01-21-2013, 08:26 PM
#8
Le Mans Master
I am sure that if you want what they have shown us the price will be up there say around $70-$75K Maybe even a little more . I will be fun to see once they list the MSRP and to Option list prices. Can you imagine once the performance model (what ever that is) hits the street. It maybe pushing the 6 figure range.
01-21-2013, 09:10 PM
#9
Safety Car
Member Since: Dec 2004
Location: Tucson AZ
Posts: 4,276
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes
on
4 Posts
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I am sure that if you want what they have shown us the price will be up there say around $70-$75K Maybe even a little more . I will be fun to see once they list the MSRP and to Option list prices. Can you imagine once the performance model (what ever that is) hits the street. It maybe pushing the 6 figure range.
Im guessing the 3LT will come in around the $75 - $80K
01-21-2013, 09:37 PM
#10
Le Mans Master
This is the best kind of press Chevrolet could ask for. Let's the media convince the public that this Corvette is unlike any before it, and is very upscale.
Keep up the PR, GM.
Michael
Keep up the PR, GM.
Michael
01-21-2013, 09:44 PM
#11
Team Owner
No way. That is what a gut loaded GS convertible list for now with 4LT. You are $10,000 too high. Too take it a step further, that gut loaded GS convertible has had $10,000 discounts on it for the past few years and Corvette sales are still in the toilet.
If for some chance you turn out to be right, I'd be looking for a new job if I worked in Bowling Green. Corvette would never survive at that sort of pricing. GM knows better.
If for some chance you turn out to be right, I'd be looking for a new job if I worked in Bowling Green. Corvette would never survive at that sort of pricing. GM knows better.
01-21-2013, 09:47 PM
#12
Team Owner
there are a lot more 30-50 year olds making well into six figures than you think. most spend it differently though than on cars like corvettes.
01-21-2013, 10:03 PM
#13
Minimum $150k...that's interesting, didn't someone else here say the average Corvette buyer earns between $80-$100k?
01-21-2013, 10:05 PM
#14
Scraping the splitter.
The car looks fantastic an I think they are going to do a great job of attracting their target audience, with the exception of those who feel unjustly betrayed by GM because they are trying to adjust the market to whom the C7 appeals.
S.
S.
01-21-2013, 10:34 PM
#15
Drifting
And then walk it up from there to a high end ultra luxury model.
There are just so many 40 year olds making 150k a year out there.
01-21-2013, 10:53 PM
#16
Race Director
What we been saying all along. It is not going to market to the younger set. THEY
can not afford it. Heck they do good to finance a Hyundai.
And the average middle age Joe, can't afford a $60K plus car either. So they need
to be honest, its for the richer younger, successful middle age guy. What "new"
corvettes have always been. Used (several years) old is for the average joe. So
the average young and old is C6 market material not C7.
When the average joe, finally buys the used C6 and coming used C7, can they afford
to keep it running. A friend went with me 2 years ago for the vettes last oil change,
Close to $100. He was like what the ****. Told wait till I take the Bimmer in !!!!
can not afford it. Heck they do good to finance a Hyundai.
And the average middle age Joe, can't afford a $60K plus car either. So they need
to be honest, its for the richer younger, successful middle age guy. What "new"
corvettes have always been. Used (several years) old is for the average joe. So
the average young and old is C6 market material not C7.
When the average joe, finally buys the used C6 and coming used C7, can they afford
to keep it running. A friend went with me 2 years ago for the vettes last oil change,
Close to $100. He was like what the ****. Told wait till I take the Bimmer in !!!!
01-21-2013, 11:15 PM
#17
Advanced
Member Since: Sep 2012
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
yeah, bunch of bull crap. I agree with jschindler. That's their marketing tag line, "if you can afford a c6 you can afford the c7". That just sounds ridiculous that their marketing target is someone making $150K/yr. I don't and I've got a 2013 C6GS 1LT (added 3LT stuff). At any rate if I made $150K/yr I'd be driving a ZR1 not a base Vette.
I think it will probably be around $57K for a base b/c you are getting more than what my GS model has and can do. They are eliminating the need/want for a GS type model anyway. I doubt seriously they will NOT want to make a Z06/R1 type variants. This car looks great but if I'm spending $80K plus then I'm not just looking for a base model Vette and I'm not that far away from a looooottt of other sports cars. I say optioned w/2LT right at $60K.
I'll have to wait a few years b/4 I'd swap out but damn....that does look real nice.
I think it will probably be around $57K for a base b/c you are getting more than what my GS model has and can do. They are eliminating the need/want for a GS type model anyway. I doubt seriously they will NOT want to make a Z06/R1 type variants. This car looks great but if I'm spending $80K plus then I'm not just looking for a base model Vette and I'm not that far away from a looooottt of other sports cars. I say optioned w/2LT right at $60K.
I'll have to wait a few years b/4 I'd swap out but damn....that does look real nice.
01-21-2013, 11:30 PM
#19
Safety Car
Member Since: Dec 2004
Location: Tucson AZ
Posts: 4,276
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes
on
4 Posts
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
No way. That is what a gut loaded GS convertible list for now with 4LT. You are $10,000 too high. Too take it a step further, that gut loaded GS convertible has had $10,000 discounts on it for the past few years and Corvette sales are still in the toilet.
If for some chance you turn out to be right, I'd be looking for a new job if I worked in Bowling Green. Corvette would never survive at that sort of pricing. GM knows better.
If for some chance you turn out to be right, I'd be looking for a new job if I worked in Bowling Green. Corvette would never survive at that sort of pricing. GM knows better.
01-21-2013, 11:31 PM
#20
Racer
Member Since: Dec 2007
Location: FL
Posts: 496
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
St. Jude Donor '09, '14
Bought my first new Vette at 21 while making a little under 50, granted it was only a 1LT and 40k. I had no issue paying it off in a couple years and being a new homeowner. But not much has changed with my work situation due the economy, except for the fact I own my house now. I don't really see a problem with affording the C7, I sold my C6 and have plenty to put down and I'll be waiting to get around invoice.
Young people can afford a Corvette if they make the correct decisions in life and stay out of debt. It may mean avoiding some recreational activities like going to bars on Friday night, but it's no problem. On the bright side, I was only paying $100 a month for insurance as well.
My dealer was selling grand sports at invoice (50k flat) when they first came out, but I'm figuring I'll be Vetteless a few more years.
I'll be aiming for a 2LT this time around, but I wouldn't pay more than 55-60.
Young people can afford a Corvette if they make the correct decisions in life and stay out of debt. It may mean avoiding some recreational activities like going to bars on Friday night, but it's no problem. On the bright side, I was only paying $100 a month for insurance as well.
My dealer was selling grand sports at invoice (50k flat) when they first came out, but I'm figuring I'll be Vetteless a few more years.
I'll be aiming for a 2LT this time around, but I wouldn't pay more than 55-60.
Last edited by J18369; 01-21-2013 at 11:38 PM.