C 7 Projected Sales
07-28-2013, 04:08 PM
#42
The Consigliere
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I'm going to give Chevy the benefit of the doubt here. They certainly knew in advance how many sales they would get by having the C6 around a few more years, even if they upgraded it, versus an entire new design like the C7.
And, I wouldn't doubt that the C6 would have been discontinued anyway with new crash regulations, increased costs, obsoleted shared parts, and fleet fuel mileage standards at some point. The pressure must have been on from the top to get sales up and not drag the rest of the fleet down.
It is a business after all.
But I also agree that the Corvette is "worth" far more to Chevy and GM than just the sales. It's been the symbol of the company for years. Killing it would be like Ford killing the Mustang after the Mustang 2 fiasco. I'm sure some bean counters told the Ford exec's the Mustang was done and not worth reinvesting. It's easy to say "no" to everything. The problem is, nothing ever gets done if you do.
My feeling is that it may take 30K cars in 2 years to break even -- which I'm sure Team Corvette told GM they could do. I'm sure they do not want to be a money loser to the company. If they are, there will be no C8.
But kill it because it only got 29K cars in 2 years? Never gonna happen.
And, I wouldn't doubt that the C6 would have been discontinued anyway with new crash regulations, increased costs, obsoleted shared parts, and fleet fuel mileage standards at some point. The pressure must have been on from the top to get sales up and not drag the rest of the fleet down.
It is a business after all.
But I also agree that the Corvette is "worth" far more to Chevy and GM than just the sales. It's been the symbol of the company for years. Killing it would be like Ford killing the Mustang after the Mustang 2 fiasco. I'm sure some bean counters told the Ford exec's the Mustang was done and not worth reinvesting. It's easy to say "no" to everything. The problem is, nothing ever gets done if you do.
My feeling is that it may take 30K cars in 2 years to break even -- which I'm sure Team Corvette told GM they could do. I'm sure they do not want to be a money loser to the company. If they are, there will be no C8.
But kill it because it only got 29K cars in 2 years? Never gonna happen.
I agree. Corvette, carries its own weight on profit/loss and I bet the team has a very good idea how to keep their profitability streak going.
07-28-2013, 04:32 PM
#43
Melting Slicks
The previously posted 18 to 20K units seems ambitious but also realistic as a sales target. GM will support the vette as they always have, as a halo car for tech advances and an attention draw to the Chevy brand. So many things should have killed the vette by now: only 300 were made in its first year, then the 1970's with de- tuning and rubber bumpers, and even the recent recession and bankruptcy. It's still around, getting under people's skin for now, but when it hits the dealers in numbers it will sell itself, going to be hard to resist.
07-28-2013, 04:44 PM
#44
Safety Car
As has been stated don't take the weak economy out of the equation, as much as many on this forum think b/c some rag reviews have been good it doesn't change peoples priorities.
07-28-2013, 04:49 PM
#45
Le Mans Master
I'm sure you have noticed that discounts are already being given. As soon as the "must have it first buyers" cycle through and the pre-orders are done watch the pants come down on the pricing. The more the dealers order unsold units, the more the price will come down.
As has been stated don't take the weak economy out of the equation, as much as many on this forum think b/c some rag reviews have been good it doesn't change peoples priorities.
As has been stated don't take the weak economy out of the equation, as much as many on this forum think b/c some rag reviews have been good it doesn't change peoples priorities.
However, even in this lousy economy I think it will take more than 30,000 units before the general population gets below msrp.
07-28-2013, 04:50 PM
#46
Melting Slicks
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I'm going to give Chevy the benefit of the doubt here. They certainly knew in advance how many sales they would get by having the C6 around a few more years, even if they upgraded it, versus an entire new design like the C7.
And, I wouldn't doubt that the C6 would have been discontinued anyway with new crash regulations, increased costs, obsoleted shared parts, and fleet fuel mileage standards at some point. The pressure must have been on from the top to get sales up and not drag the rest of the fleet down.
It is a business after all.
But I also agree that the Corvette is "worth" far more to Chevy and GM than just the sales. It's been the symbol of the company for years. Killing it would be like Ford killing the Mustang after the Mustang 2 fiasco. I'm sure some bean counters told the Ford exec's the Mustang was done and not worth reinvesting. It's easy to say "no" to everything. The problem is, nothing ever gets done if you do.
My feeling is that it may take 30K cars in 2 years to break even -- which I'm sure Team Corvette told GM they could do. I'm sure they do not want to be a money loser to the company. If they are, there will be no C8.
But kill it because it only got 29K cars in 2 years? Never gonna happen.
And, I wouldn't doubt that the C6 would have been discontinued anyway with new crash regulations, increased costs, obsoleted shared parts, and fleet fuel mileage standards at some point. The pressure must have been on from the top to get sales up and not drag the rest of the fleet down.
It is a business after all.
But I also agree that the Corvette is "worth" far more to Chevy and GM than just the sales. It's been the symbol of the company for years. Killing it would be like Ford killing the Mustang after the Mustang 2 fiasco. I'm sure some bean counters told the Ford exec's the Mustang was done and not worth reinvesting. It's easy to say "no" to everything. The problem is, nothing ever gets done if you do.
My feeling is that it may take 30K cars in 2 years to break even -- which I'm sure Team Corvette told GM they could do. I'm sure they do not want to be a money loser to the company. If they are, there will be no C8.
But kill it because it only got 29K cars in 2 years? Never gonna happen.
07-28-2013, 06:33 PM
#48
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Stock market at all time highs
Home prices at 5 year highs, 10% rise in value in past year alone
corporate earnings at record levels
unemployment at 4 year low
household income at multi-year highs
... the "economy" card should not be used any more. That is outdated and not relevant anymore. If "good economy" means making a living at the peak of an unrealistic economical bubble like it was back in 2006/2007, then you will always think the economy is "bad". Truth is, the economy is normal. Smart people making money, stupid people still poor.
Home prices at 5 year highs, 10% rise in value in past year alone
corporate earnings at record levels
unemployment at 4 year low
household income at multi-year highs
... the "economy" card should not be used any more. That is outdated and not relevant anymore. If "good economy" means making a living at the peak of an unrealistic economical bubble like it was back in 2006/2007, then you will always think the economy is "bad". Truth is, the economy is normal. Smart people making money, stupid people still poor.
Last edited by WhiteAndBlackC7; 07-28-2013 at 06:35 PM.
07-28-2013, 07:20 PM
#50
Stock market at all time highs
Home prices at 5 year highs, 10% rise in value in past year alone
corporate earnings at record levels
unemployment at 4 year low
household income at multi-year highs
... the "economy" card should not be used any more. That is outdated and not relevant anymore. If "good economy" means making a living at the peak of an unrealistic economical bubble like it was back in 2006/2007, then you will always think the economy is "bad". Truth is, the economy is normal. Smart people making money, stupid people still poor.
Home prices at 5 year highs, 10% rise in value in past year alone
corporate earnings at record levels
unemployment at 4 year low
household income at multi-year highs
... the "economy" card should not be used any more. That is outdated and not relevant anymore. If "good economy" means making a living at the peak of an unrealistic economical bubble like it was back in 2006/2007, then you will always think the economy is "bad". Truth is, the economy is normal. Smart people making money, stupid people still poor.
If you think this economy is normal...
07-28-2013, 07:22 PM
#51
Instructor
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Unemployment and under employment still over 10%. National debt almost doubled since 08 (need to raise the debt ceiling again), government deficit spending of 800 billion a year,over 100 million on food stamps, ACA health care fiasco, just to name a few.
If you think this economy is normal...
If you think this economy is normal...
07-28-2013, 07:28 PM
#52
I live and do business in California with many companies. Things are booming out here, people are doing well. A $50-60K car is the norm here. I don't know anything about Minnesota, except the state gets snow sometimes, but I think maybe the economy issues you are stating may be isolated to your state.
I'm not going to hijack this thread but I suggest you go over to PRC and start a thread on how great the economy is....
07-28-2013, 07:30 PM
#53
Team Owner
07-28-2013, 07:32 PM
#54
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If you think that the economy is so bad and 30,000 C7 sales wont happen, explain how Tesla is on track to sell almost 20,000 Model S sedans that have an average price of over $100K?
07-28-2013, 07:34 PM
#55
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Unemployment and under employment still over 10%. National debt almost doubled since 08 (need to raise the debt ceiling again), government deficit spending of 800 billion a year,over 100 million on food stamps, ACA health care fiasco, just to name a few.
If you think this economy is normal...
If you think this economy is normal...
Like it or not, your BMW SUV does a lot of what a sports car can do and feel like-- and still take the kids to school or pick up the groceries. And they cost the same if not more than the Corvette.
Do you know what Porsche's best seller is? The 911? Nope. It's the Cayenne.
07-28-2013, 07:39 PM
#56
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Although I agree the economy is one factor, there's been a softening in the market for 2 seat sports cars for years in favor of sports sedans. There's more competition now for those who want more than just a people mover. People want more practicality.
Like it or not, your BMW SUV does a lot of what a sports car can do and feel like-- and still take the kids to school or pick up the groceries. And they cost the same if not more than the Corvette.
Do you know what Porsche's best seller is? The 911? Nope. It's the Cayenne.
Like it or not, your BMW SUV does a lot of what a sports car can do and feel like-- and still take the kids to school or pick up the groceries. And they cost the same if not more than the Corvette.
Do you know what Porsche's best seller is? The 911? Nope. It's the Cayenne.
Corvette sales are strictly affected by interest in 2 seater sports cars. Practicality has always been the 2-seater's enemy.
In the days of Jeep SRTs, Porsche Cayennes, and BMW X5-M's the 2 seater Corvette typically appeals to those looking for a weekend toy rather than a practical daily driver, especially those with kids. I feel the economy could be doing 10X better than it is now, and it wouldn't matter too much because it comes down to the actual interest in the vehicle more than anything. Hell, even auto loans are the cheapest they have been in decades!
I have a Chevy Silverado, BMW X5-M, and will now have the C7 Stingray. The SUV is just not the same as a 2 seater sports car. The Stingray will be my weekend warrior... I just cannot do the "Jack of all trades / master of none" thing with a performance SUV, and that is why my wife drives the X5-M. It's fun when taking the kids places and I am driving it, but there is no replacement for a sports car.
07-28-2013, 07:41 PM
#57
Le Mans Master
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Yes, let's not hijack it. Let's stay on topic.. and I assure you C7 sales will be very good. We are not talking about a $100K car here, but a $52-70K vehicle.
If you think that the economy is so bad and 30,000 C7 sales wont happen, explain how Tesla is on track to sell almost 20,000 Model S sedans that have an average price of over $100K?
If you think that the economy is so bad and 30,000 C7 sales wont happen, explain how Tesla is on track to sell almost 20,000 Model S sedans that have an average price of over $100K?
I don't think the economy will restrict sales much. It's the size of the market that's changing. There are just fewer people who still want or can justify a dedicated 2 seat sports car.
07-28-2013, 07:41 PM
#58
Although I agree the economy is one factor, there's been a softening in the market for 2 seat sports cars for years in favor of sports sedans. There's more competition now for those who want more than just a people mover. People want more practicality.
Like it or not, your BMW SUV does a lot of what a sports car can do and feel like-- and still take the kids to school or pick up the groceries. And they cost the same if not more than the Corvette.
Do you know what Porsche's best seller is? The 911? Nope. It's the Cayenne.
Like it or not, your BMW SUV does a lot of what a sports car can do and feel like-- and still take the kids to school or pick up the groceries. And they cost the same if not more than the Corvette.
Do you know what Porsche's best seller is? The 911? Nope. It's the Cayenne.
I think thats one of the problems when you're marketing a high end two seat sports car to younger families. I know several youngsters in that income level but their two and three kids keep them from even thinking about a car like a Corvette.
07-28-2013, 07:43 PM
#59
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The average new Ferrari buyer has 5 cars. Any wonder why they get driven so little and only on weekends?
07-28-2013, 07:45 PM
#60
Race Director
