The Bloomberg article sets up the notion that the C6 Corvette is in a sales funk that started with the global automotive recession in 2008. The premise the article makes is that the market for $50,000-$100,000 sport cars will return but not to Corvette as long as the car appeals only to the baby boomer demographic of buyers who are 50 years or older. For the C7 Corvette to break out and sell to a younger generation, GM needs to refashion the Corvette to make it more appealable to younger buyers.

Bob Lutz served GM from 2001-2010 as the Vice Chairman of Product Development and is a true blue car guy who believes in giving customers what they want. In discussing the C7 Corvette redesign, Lutz says that he rejected plans for an earlier introduction that included low-cost proposals for only modest changes and that he preferred to wait unto GM had the cash to build a car that would make a Corvette owner want to trade up.

When asked about the C7 Corvette under development, Lutz says that “it’s a much bolder and more dramatic design”. He adds “The new car will also surpass the fuel economy and performance of today’s car in all respects.”

Unnamed sources also told Bloomberg that the there are hints of Ferrari styling in the next Corvette and that it will depart from the traditional looks of the last two generations. That’s an interesting quote as it backs up what Popular Mechanics heard at the Woodward Dream Cruise.

Internal studies by GM show that buyers under 40 years old don’t aspire to drive the Corvette like the older baby boomer demographic who view the Corvette as a reward after their children have grown. To help them understand the motivations of younger sports car buyers, Chevrolet marketers have been talking to owners in Porsche clubs about their views on the Corvette.

2012 Corvette Pricing Announced!

Z06 Centennial Edition to be auctioned at Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach sale

DETROIT – Chevrolet, founded by a racing pioneer 100 years ago, celebrates its performance heritage with the 2012 Chevrolet Centennial Edition Corvette, which features a sleek black color scheme, unique design elements and Corvette’s trademark sports car technology.

The 2012 Centennial Edition package will be available on all Corvette models – including Grand Sport, Z06 and ZR1 – starting this summer.

The special package was inspired by Chevrolet’s racing-bred foundation, which continues with Corvette’s international racingexcellence and production sports ca

r prominence.

“Racing and performance are the roots of Chevrolet, a tradition carried forward today by Corvette,” said Rick Scheidt, vice president of Chevrolet marketing. “The Centennial Edition not only celebrates our 100 years, it once again pushes Corvette forward for a new generation of sports car fans.”

Chevrolet will auction a Corvette Z06 Centennial Edition at the Barrett-Jackson collector car auction in West Palm Beach, Fla., on April 9, with the proceeds to benefit the Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer. It will be the 100th 2012 Corvette off the assembly line, with a vehicle identification number ending in “00100.”

The Chevrolet Centennial Edition Corvette expr

esses racing heritage, but does so with a sleek, modern, even sinister-l ooking appearance. The Centennial Edition package comes exclusively in Carbon Flash Metallic, with satin-black graphics and unique Centennial Satin Black wheels and red brake calipers. The wheels are constructed of lightweight cast-spun aluminum and include a thin red outline around the perimeter of its surface on the Z06. The wheels are specific to the respective Corvette models, including 18-inch/19-inch for Coupe, Convertible and Grand Sport; and 19-inch/20-inch for Z06 and ZR1.

Magnetic Selective Ride Control, the world’s fastest-reacting suspension and a technology advance initiated by Corvette, is included on all Chevrolet Centennial Edition Corvette models.

The Centennial Edition also features special badges that signify Chevrolet’s racing history. A graphic logo featuring an iconic image of Louis Chevrolet appears on the B-pillars, the center caps of the wheels, and the center of the steering wheel. The seat headrests also carry an embossed centennial logo.

Aficionados will note one other small detail: The historic crossed flags badge contains a small adaptation, with “100” in place of the traditional fleur-de-lis sy

mbol, only for the Centennial Edition.

The exterior color scheme is reinforced inside the car, with the Ebony leather-wrapped instrument panel and doors complimented by red stitching on the steering wheel, seats, console and shifter. Microfiber suede accents on Centennial Edition seats, steering wheel, shifter and armrests were first used on the 2011 Z06 Carbon Limited Edition.

The Chevrolet Centennial Edition will be available on all Corvette models via order code ZLC. Pricing will be released this summer prior to the start of availability.

“Louis Chevrolet was a fearless racing pioneer who also designed our first car,” Scheidt said. “Corvette is a natural fit to honor that legacy, while creating a compelling new package for sports car drivers.”

Barrett-Jackson auction details

Chevrolet chose to debut the Centennial Edition Corvette at Barrett-Jackson to enable the auction proceeds to go to the Austin Hatcher Foundation for Pediatric Cancer. The foundation supporting children and families dealing with cancer is a key partner with

the American Le Mans Series, in whichCorvette Racing is an integral participant.

The 2012 Chevrolet Centennial Edition Corvette Z06 (VIN 100) to be auctioned is based on the production 3LZ model with the Z07 performance package, new Z06 carbon fiber hood and CFZ carbon fiber package, which includes:

• Bose premium sound system, with one-year XM subscription, navigation and USB
• Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity
• Power-adjustable and heated seats
• Memory package, home remote, Head Up Display and power-telescoping steering wheel
• The Custom Leather Wrapped Interior Package, with leather-wrapped upper instrument panels, upper door trim panels and console storage cover and red contrasting stitching
• Z07 performance package, including Brembo ceramic brakes, Magnetic Ride Control and 19-inch/20-inch wheels and Michelin tires
• CFZ package includes carbon fiber rockers, front splitter and roof
• New Carbon Fiber raised hood option for Z06, which was introduced on the 2011 Z06 Carbon Edition.

The winning bidder will also receive the Corvette Engine Build Experience program – which allows Z06 or ZR1 buyers to build their own engine alongside expert technicians – as well as the opportunity to take delivery of the car at the National Corvette Museum, in Bowling Green, Ky.

The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority approved $7.5 million in tax breaks if the plant, which makes Corvettes, goes forward with the $131 million project.

Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development spokeswoman Mandy Lambert told the Daily News of Bowling Green that the approval "outlines the state's support for the project, should it happen."

Local GM spokeswoman Andrea Hales said the company is looking at other sites for possible investment and there is no pending announcement.

United Auto Workers Local 2164 President Eldon Renaud told the Lexington Herald-Leader that he thinks the project could be the next generation of the Corvette.

GM is expected to start making the new Corvette by 2013. Hales declined to say whether the project would be the next generation of Corvette.

Records show that the project, which was characterized in a state report as mostly a refurbishment, could bring 250 new jobs with an average hourly wage of $42 including benefits.

Renaud said he's been told a new body shop would be needed to produce the next generation of the Corvette.

Bowling Green Mayor Joe Denning said the city plans to do whatever it can to ensure GM's project is successful.

"We will work to offer some incentives," Denning said. "We don't know what that may be but we'll work with them whatever way we can."

Denning said a local economic board has met to discuss incentives for the company.

"It's a very big deal and to have that number of employees possibly on board and paying taxes in the city is great for Bowling Green," Denning added.

Lambert said the state will continue to work with GM as it evaluates options.

State records show the company must maintain a base employment of 449 full-time Kentucky residents at the plant.

The plant now employs about 500 workers, Hales said.

It opened in 1981 and produced 15,791 Corvettes last year, according to GM.

2011 Corvette Color Palette Drops from 10 to 7 With New Restrictions!

Introducing Corvette Exclusive Customer's Selectable VIN Ending Option - RPO: PIN

As many of you already know, Corvette customers are unique automobile aficionados who seek to differentiate and personalize their specific Corvette model. Chevrolet feels it is important to offer a wide variety of accessories and personalization options for customers to accomplish this goal. Examples of this include the option to take delivery through the National Corvette Museum, or the opportunity to produce their Corvette Z06 or ZR1 engine through the Corvette Engine Build Experience.

These options have proven to be very popular, but some customers have expressed a desire to have a unique ending number assigned to their Corvette's Vehicle Identification Number. For example, a customer may have a classic 1963 Corvette with a VIN ending in 1400, and seeks a new Corvette with the same matching VIN ending number. Up to this point, the VIN assignment for a customer's new Corvette would have been a random process; but under a new program called Customer's Selectable VIN Ending Option, customer can request a specific VIN ending number for their new production vehicle as long as the request falls within Corvette's natural production sequence.

Similar to the Corvette Engine Build Experience (RPO: PBC), dealers who submit a customer sold order with RPO: PIN will be contacted by the Corvette Concierge. The concierge will collect the customer information and the requested VIN ending number. The concierge will then pass the information over to Chevrolet to determine whether the request can be honored within the appropriate production timing. If it is determined the request can be honored, the concierge will confirm the information with the dealer, and the order will proceed through production. When the vehicle is produced, the invoice will include a Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $5000 for the Customer's Selectable VIN Ending Option (RPO: PIN).

If the request CANNOT be honored, the RPO: PIN will be removed from the order, and the dealer and customer will have the option to cancel the order or proceed with the order's production with a naturally-selected sequenced VIN ending assignment.

It is important to note that selecting the RPO: PIN will not cause an order to be expedited or produced out of the normal production sequencing process. If the customer and dealer agree to the specific VIN ending, the vehicle will incur the $5000 MSRP charge regardless of whether the transaction between the customer and dealer is completed.

Obviously, this program is designed for the ultimate Corvette enthusiast who wishes to take personalization to another level.

DETROIT – Chevrolet announced this week that U.S. customers who purchase any model of a new Corvette through February 28 can receive free tuition at either of the two official Corvette driving schools.

This unique benefit marks the upcoming Corvette Racing season in the American LeMans Series, and adds to an unmatched set of experiences available to Corvette owners. 

Until now, the Corvette Driving School offer has been a benefit limited to the purchase of the exclusive Corvette ZR1 “supercar” model. For a limited time, it is available to buyers of any new Corvette model, from the Coupe and Convertible, to the Grand Sport and Z06 models.

Chevrolet’s official driving schools are the Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving near Phoenix and the Ron Fellows Performance Driving School at Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch outside Las Vegas.

“This special offer extends an exclusive piece of the Corvette driving experience to new owners,” says Jim Campbell, U.S. vice president of performance vehicles and motorsports. “Corvette owners have experiences open to them unlike any others, from touring the plant and National Corvette Museum, to advanced driver training, and even building their own engine.”

Buyers have one year from their delivery date to take advantage of the opportunity. Eligible customers are responsible for their own accommodations and travel, but receive access to the schools and two-day tuition for free. Customers who purchase a new Corvette ZR1 model during the program period will receive an additional third day of tuition.

Corvette remains the segment leader in the “high-sport” segment of performance cars in the United States, adding 1.5 percentage points of market share against its direct rivals in 2010.