Aussies buy up C8s

teamzr1

Supporting vendor
How come the Aussies have already bought up all the C8s going there and none yet in the UK ?

The 1st builds of factory-built right-hand-drive Chevrolet Corvettes has sold out before they’ve even turned up in local showrooms, and there will likely be a blackout before the next Australian allocation arrives.

The 2022 Chevrolet Corvette sports-car has become a sell-out success before the first example has even been displayed on a showroom floor.

And some buyers have agreed to pay dealer delivery fees in excess of $20,000 to secure a vehicle, in some cases pushing drive-away prices beyond $200,000.

All 250 examples in the first allocation of factory-built right-hand-drive Chevrolet Corvettes are spoken for and have customer names on them – and all were bought without a single local test drive.
General Motors Specialty Vehicles (GMSV) has confirmed to CarAdvice “the initial allocation has been accounted for”.
However, the GMSV statement added: “But this is only the first allocation”.
Stated each dealer will only receive between three and five vehicles, with little flexibility in choice of colours or options.

However, dealers and it seems customers – are taking all they can get in the historic first shipment of factory-built right-hand-drive Corvettes.

For the first time in the 58-year history of the Corvette, General Motors will manufacture a right-hand-drive version of its iconic sports car North America’s answer to Porsche and Ferrari.

rhd.jpg
The latest generation is the first time the engine has been mid-mounted (behind the driver’s seat), making a right-hand-drive conversion more economical and less of an engineering challenge.

As reported earlier, there will initially be five versions of the 2022 Chevrolet Corvette, starting with a model called the 2LT priced from $144,990 plus on-road costs, a mid-grade 3LT priced from $160,500 plus on-road costs, and a flagship Carbon Edition, priced from $189,990 before on-road costs
[FYI: 145,000 AUS dollars is about $107,000 US]

A convertible version of all the 2LT and 3LT models will also be available for an additional $15,000 each – bringing the total line-up at launch to five models.

The first batch of right-hand-drive Chevrolet Corvettes is due to roll off the production line in Bowling Green, Kentucky, USA in the second half of this year before local deliveries commence either just before Christmas or early next year.

When asked if there will be continuous supply of the Chevrolet Corvette – or if the model will be sold periodically and in batches – a statement from GMSV said:

“There will be some further Model Year 2022 allocation, with Model Year 2023 to follow when production commences for right-hand drive,” said GMSV.

Left unsaid for now are any plans for the even faster Chevrolet Corvette Z06 version, which is yet to be unveiled.

When asked about industry claims some GMSV dealers were quoting between $20,000 and $40,000 in dealer delivery fees in addition to the dealer’s profit margin given the popularity of the vehicle and the initial tight stock allocation, the statement from GMSV said:
“Delivery fees are at the discretion of the dealer”.

The latest Chevy Corvette is the fastest of its breed, after switching to a mid-engine layout (for better weight distribution) and a fast-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission.
 

Rich

Administrator
Firstly. welcome back to the Forum teamzr1 - you've been away for a while.

So the Aussies get 250 cars as a first batch and we get 36 in October. It appears that Australia has a large dealer network, whereas there is only one dealer in the UK. Obviously, a Right Hand Drive is far more appealing to the UK buyers than the C7 was, and the order book is very healthy.

However, your question is best answered by GM as it is they who decide who gets what and I guess that, as should be the case for any commercial entity, it is important to satisfy home demand first.
 

Nassau65

CCCUK Member
The Australian and Japanese markets are much larger than ours for new American cars. They will be lucky to sell 50 cars in the UK a year.
 

kentvette

CCCUK Member
There has always been a general ambivalence (largely due to ignorance it must be said) towards American cars in the UK, from general public and the press, specialist and general, compared to Australia, which embraces US cars and products more. So it's understandable I think that they have shown a huge interest.

GM may actually have got that almost right, which is unusual to say the least - they have virtually no understanding of the European market or what European buyers expect from an American car. If they paid attention they could sell a lot more cars here in Europe (which doesn't include the UK now of course!)
 

teamzr1

Supporting vendor
Firstly. welcome back to the Forum teamzr1 - you've been away for a while.

So the Aussies get 250 cars as a first batch and we get 36 in October. It appears that Australia has a large dealer network, whereas there is only one dealer in the UK. Obviously, a Right Hand Drive is far more appealing to the UK buyers than the C7 was, and the order book is very healthy.

However, your question is best answered by GM as it is they who decide who gets what and I guess that, as should be the case for any commercial entity, it is important to satisfy home demand first.
Hi Rich
I guess GM having had Holden down there helps market US as to pickups, SUV and the Corvette, so I see a reason they have a path to sell to that market there
I am surprised in the UK that they would dislike a sports car like the Corvette (that is named after your boats :)

that has 60 plus years long racing history now that a right-hand drive was designed for you guys.

Interesting how Europe wants to flood the USA with their goods but goes out of their way to prevent ours being sold there :(
I sure hate to see you guys missing out on mid-engine design of the B8 and worse next year with the C8 Z06 with flat plane crank LT6 pushing 600 HP and that is without any type of boost.
 

Derek Nicol

Well-known user
GM may actually have got that almost right, which is unusual to say the least - they have virtually no understanding of the European market or what European buyers expect from an American car. If they paid attention they could sell a lot more cars here in Europe (which doesn't include the UK now of course!).

How can you say such a thing?.. GM gave us the awesome Vauxhall Zafira and the Chevrolet Matiz 😲 and then ran to the hills.

Erm, ive had a word with NASA and theyve checked their latest satellite images and theyve confirmed that the UK hasnt drifted off anywhere.. its still in the same place. ;)
 

Derek Nicol

Well-known user
Hi Rich
I guess GM having had Holden down there helps market US as to pickups, SUV and the Corvette, so I see a reason they have a path to sell to that market there
I am surprised in the UK that they would dislike a sports car like the Corvette (that is named after your boats :)

Theres actually a lot of resentment in Aus towards GM for having taken taxpayers money to keep Holden open and then closing it down anyway.. you know the Holden brand is no more?
Unfortunately we cant take the credit for the Corvette name, we borrowed it from the French.
 

Nassau65

CCCUK Member
Yes, Holdens a name from the past now in Australia. They import all their cars, nothing’s home built anymore.
 

Nassau65

CCCUK Member
New US cars in the UK has always been a niche market. Lendrums had the luxury of being in London and supplied and looked after many foreign Embassies cars, and that was a big earner. Celebrities were also another client in the new American car scene, but it was a niche market. The new C8 will be no exception.
 

Nassau65

CCCUK Member
I misunderstood initially then realised what you meant. Yes, i think Ford and Mitsubishi used to build cars there but not any more.
You would think a large country such as Australia would have a home built ( not necessarily owned) car industry. Very strange indeed.
 

Nassau65

CCCUK Member
Two of my friends stateside have Toyota Tacoma pick up ‘s possibly the largest pick up truck in the US . Proudly built in Texas by Texans. ( a factory badge on the trucks states this) one considers his Truck American, the other doesn’t. Who’s correct?? In today’s global manufacturing world who’s to say.
 

Nassau65

CCCUK Member
Unfortunately the English have been obsessed with German cars for the last fourty years.
Personally i dont get it.
I remember dad got hold of a Mercedes 450 SEL about 1980, it was a year old, it didn’t have power windows, seats or anything yet cost a bloody fortune.
 

Derek Nicol

Well-known user
Two of my friends stateside have Toyota Tacoma pick up ‘s possibly the largest pick up truck in the US . Proudly built in Texas by Texans. ( a factory badge on the trucks states this) one considers his Truck American, the other doesn’t. Who’s correct?? In today’s global manufacturing world who’s to say.

One of thems kidding themselves, Toyota is a Japanese company not American.
If you use that reasoning then General Motors must be Mexican or Chinese.
 
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