Vettes Struggling in Europe - 911 and LHD???
Discussion
From EVO -
http://www.evo.co.uk/news/evonews/208946/chevrolet...
Chevrolet Corvette
Corvette's European woes
Chevrolet Corvette's aren't selling in Europe. Seems to be related to some pesky sports car from Stuttgart...
By John Griffiths of the Financial Times 16th June 2007
On paper it looks the bargain of the century, but at General Motors’ European HQ in Zürich, mild frustration is setting in at the Corvette’s seeming inability to make a sales impression across Europe.
The situation is nowhere near as bad as at Cadillac, where European sales have fallen far, far below targets. Cadillac was stuck at only 2500 units in Europe last year – just a quarter of its 10,000-a-year target for 2009-10.
The combined effect is for GM to be looking afresh at its relations with Kroymans Corporation, the Dutch group which it appointed as importer/distributor of both brands for the region. The biggest problem is in the UK, where Kroymans’ own appointment of Pendragon as a distributor has hit strife over strategy. Insiders say GM is beginning to regret not doing the job itself in Europe.
Corvette’s European sales last year were a record 1290, but that’s not saying much – Porsche sold almost 20 times as many 911s in 2006, most of them at much higher prices than the Vette. Within the year, however, the Corvette should be even harder for European customers to resist. Power outputs are to be raised again, and there will be a number of mechanical and styling tweaks, plus a limited edition run of 250 cars created in homage to the Corvette’s Le Mans victories.
http://www.evo.co.uk/news/evonews/208946/chevrolet...
Chevrolet Corvette
Corvette's European woes
Chevrolet Corvette's aren't selling in Europe. Seems to be related to some pesky sports car from Stuttgart...
By John Griffiths of the Financial Times 16th June 2007
On paper it looks the bargain of the century, but at General Motors’ European HQ in Zürich, mild frustration is setting in at the Corvette’s seeming inability to make a sales impression across Europe.
The situation is nowhere near as bad as at Cadillac, where European sales have fallen far, far below targets. Cadillac was stuck at only 2500 units in Europe last year – just a quarter of its 10,000-a-year target for 2009-10.
The combined effect is for GM to be looking afresh at its relations with Kroymans Corporation, the Dutch group which it appointed as importer/distributor of both brands for the region. The biggest problem is in the UK, where Kroymans’ own appointment of Pendragon as a distributor has hit strife over strategy. Insiders say GM is beginning to regret not doing the job itself in Europe.
Corvette’s European sales last year were a record 1290, but that’s not saying much – Porsche sold almost 20 times as many 911s in 2006, most of them at much higher prices than the Vette. Within the year, however, the Corvette should be even harder for European customers to resist. Power outputs are to be raised again, and there will be a number of mechanical and styling tweaks, plus a limited edition run of 250 cars created in homage to the Corvette’s Le Mans victories.
Hahaha - you are getting as bad as me Marki!
The little one are crap yes.
But the Corvettes are Great cars - but they will never get the nembers and well pull out again unless the US muppets realise the Vettes must be RHD like the other little cars and the Caddy (I think that is RHD).
The Yank think all the world is LHD - when I doubt it is barely half (in terms of countries).
The little one are crap yes.
But the Corvettes are Great cars - but they will never get the nembers and well pull out again unless the US muppets realise the Vettes must be RHD like the other little cars and the Caddy (I think that is RHD).
The Yank think all the world is LHD - when I doubt it is barely half (in terms of countries).
Marki said:
Sure the Vette is probably the performance bargain of the century but it just lacks class somehow ,, when ever i see a Vette it seems to be driven buy some grey hairy chested medalion man 
Im sure they are great cars its just an image problem dont you think
I'd have a C6 Z06 over a 911 (if I had the cash and if it was RHD). Partly to be different, but I like Cubes!
Marki said:
No i would always take the 911 before the Vette , its like comparing a Rolex to a timex , one is a precision instrument the other is a basic time telling device
Partly true - I really like the 911GT3 and the Vette would need some suspesion work to get near that in terms of Dynamics - but the 7.0 really is something else.There are of course more cars in Europe than 'sales' show as things are not
helped by the £ vs $.
As the dollar is so weak, there are a fair number of cars 'sold' in America
that end up here... 'replacing' UK / European sales.
When doing the tours, out in continental Europe, the Corvette is only second to
Porsche in terms of largest number of sports cars we see.
helped by the £ vs $.
As the dollar is so weak, there are a fair number of cars 'sold' in America
that end up here... 'replacing' UK / European sales.
When doing the tours, out in continental Europe, the Corvette is only second to
Porsche in terms of largest number of sports cars we see.
It's the brilliant marketing which does it..........
Everyone with a hint of petrol in their blood has at least heard of the Chevrolet Corvette. They've also heard of Cadillac. So what do GM do?
Salesman;
"Yes Sir, Chevrolet is the cheapest crappiest GM range from the far East."
"No Sir, that car's not a Chevrolet it's a stand-alone brand called Corvette."
"Well Sir, it's not entirely stand-alone because you buy your Corvette from the Cadillac dealer."
"Yes Sir, Cadillacs were those big floppy old gas-guzzlers that no one in Europe wanted but now they are sleek modern cars competing with the finest from BMW, Mercedes and Audi."
"Well yes, there is a bit of Saab in them."
"Yes Sir, we have sold some Cadillacs in UK even if you've never seen one on the road."
Customer;
"Thank you for that helpful explanation but I'm off to the Porsche dealer where they sell sports cars called Porsches and which have been called Porsches for the last 50 years. My easily impressed mates will recognise my wealth and success as soon as they see the car and there won't be any jokes about Daewoos, plastic prams, Burt Reynolds or inability to go round corners. Goodbye!"
Everyone with a hint of petrol in their blood has at least heard of the Chevrolet Corvette. They've also heard of Cadillac. So what do GM do?
Salesman;
"Yes Sir, Chevrolet is the cheapest crappiest GM range from the far East."
"No Sir, that car's not a Chevrolet it's a stand-alone brand called Corvette."
"Well Sir, it's not entirely stand-alone because you buy your Corvette from the Cadillac dealer."
"Yes Sir, Cadillacs were those big floppy old gas-guzzlers that no one in Europe wanted but now they are sleek modern cars competing with the finest from BMW, Mercedes and Audi."
"Well yes, there is a bit of Saab in them."
"Yes Sir, we have sold some Cadillacs in UK even if you've never seen one on the road."
Customer;
"Thank you for that helpful explanation but I'm off to the Porsche dealer where they sell sports cars called Porsches and which have been called Porsches for the last 50 years. My easily impressed mates will recognise my wealth and success as soon as they see the car and there won't be any jokes about Daewoos, plastic prams, Burt Reynolds or inability to go round corners. Goodbye!"
Cuban said:
There are of course more cars in Europe than 'sales' show as things are not
helped by the £ vs $.
As the dollar is so weak, there are a fair number of cars 'sold' in America
that end up here... 'replacing' UK / European sales.
This report also fails to recognise that Corvette sales increased by 26% last year and are expected to increase by at least 25% this year. helped by the £ vs $.
As the dollar is so weak, there are a fair number of cars 'sold' in America
that end up here... 'replacing' UK / European sales.
There are only 10 Corvette dealers in the UK vs. 41 Porsche dealers, with a similar ratio in mainland Europe.
Can we have more marketing please GM?
James
ParkLane said:
There are only 10 Corvette dealers in the UK vs. 41 Porsche dealers, with a similar ratio in mainland Europe.
Can we have more marketing please GM?
James
...And didn;t most of those only come on line in the last 6 months? Can we have more marketing please GM?
James
Spend some money GM, get Corvette ads on the telly now you have a great product!
5 USA said:
It's the brilliant marketing which does it..........
Everyone with a hint of petrol in their blood has at least heard of the Chevrolet Corvette. They've also heard of Cadillac. So what do GM do?
Salesman;
"Yes Sir, Chevrolet is the cheapest crappiest GM range from the far East."
"No Sir, that car's not a Chevrolet it's a stand-alone brand called Corvette."
"Well Sir, it's not entirely stand-alone because you buy your Corvette from the Cadillac dealer."
"Yes Sir, Cadillacs were those big floppy old gas-guzzlers that no one in Europe wanted but now they are sleek modern cars competing with the finest from BMW, Mercedes and Audi."
"Well yes, there is a bit of Saab in them."
"Yes Sir, we have sold some Cadillacs in UK even if you've never seen one on the road."
Customer;
"Thank you for that helpful explanation but I'm off to the Porsche dealer where they sell sports cars called Porsches and which have been called Porsches for the last 50 years. My easily impressed mates will recognise my wealth and success as soon as they see the car and there won't be any jokes about Daewoos, plastic prams, Burt Reynolds or inability to go round corners. Goodbye!"
That is simply perceptively accurate genius! Everyone with a hint of petrol in their blood has at least heard of the Chevrolet Corvette. They've also heard of Cadillac. So what do GM do?
Salesman;
"Yes Sir, Chevrolet is the cheapest crappiest GM range from the far East."
"No Sir, that car's not a Chevrolet it's a stand-alone brand called Corvette."
"Well Sir, it's not entirely stand-alone because you buy your Corvette from the Cadillac dealer."
"Yes Sir, Cadillacs were those big floppy old gas-guzzlers that no one in Europe wanted but now they are sleek modern cars competing with the finest from BMW, Mercedes and Audi."
"Well yes, there is a bit of Saab in them."
"Yes Sir, we have sold some Cadillacs in UK even if you've never seen one on the road."
Customer;
"Thank you for that helpful explanation but I'm off to the Porsche dealer where they sell sports cars called Porsches and which have been called Porsches for the last 50 years. My easily impressed mates will recognise my wealth and success as soon as they see the car and there won't be any jokes about Daewoos, plastic prams, Burt Reynolds or inability to go round corners. Goodbye!"
Seriously, James and Le Man, send a link to this thread to the decision makers at GM Europe.
Corvette needs to be a stand alone brand and disassociated as completely as possible from the left over Daewoo garbage.
Cadillac won't make it in Europe. The competition is too fierce.
But Corvette could; it just needs the right type and amount of marketing.
Your website for instance, should not be hosted on that cheap hosting service and could do with a complete revamp.
Let me know if you need help writing some blurb!
Ok, opening a can of worms and NOT trying to make your job harder, but this is a fact that
is inescapable right now with perhaps a 100,000 reasons why, but here is an open question
to the Stratstone guys.
With the pound being so much stronger than the dollar for a while now, does that not effect the
price you buy in at and could that not be reflected in UK prices?
I know GM has to look long term and fix their prices to you, but where is all the 'extra money' going
with American cars selling for the same amount in dollars as pounds?
Example (Prices from a US dealer site)
New 2007 In Stock Corvette Coupe $48,175 - $58,760 = £24,138 - £29,441
Add 30% (shipping, tax and VAT etc) = £31,379 - £38,273
Currently if bought new in the UK
£46,685 - £55,085
So $48,175 - $58,760 vs. £46,685 - £55,085 and even when imported, purchaser could save around
£15,306 - 16,812.
Like I say, I know you must all be frustrated by this, but is there nothing that can be done to
lower the price gap to boost UK sales?
is inescapable right now with perhaps a 100,000 reasons why, but here is an open question
to the Stratstone guys.
With the pound being so much stronger than the dollar for a while now, does that not effect the
price you buy in at and could that not be reflected in UK prices?
I know GM has to look long term and fix their prices to you, but where is all the 'extra money' going
with American cars selling for the same amount in dollars as pounds?
Example (Prices from a US dealer site)
New 2007 In Stock Corvette Coupe $48,175 - $58,760 = £24,138 - £29,441
Add 30% (shipping, tax and VAT etc) = £31,379 - £38,273
Currently if bought new in the UK
£46,685 - £55,085
So $48,175 - $58,760 vs. £46,685 - £55,085 and even when imported, purchaser could save around
£15,306 - 16,812.
Like I say, I know you must all be frustrated by this, but is there nothing that can be done to
lower the price gap to boost UK sales?
Marki said:
No i would always take the 911 before the Vette , its like comparing a Rolex to a timex , one is a precision instrument the other is a basic time telling device
Have you ever owned a rolex,the one thing they don't do well is keep good time !.also I wonder what the ratio of engine and gearbox replacements are between 911 and corvette ? The problem with precision is that it needs more maintenence to remain precise. Don't get me wrong I've had corvettes(C4,C5 ZR1) and I have had 911's (964,996)and they come from two completley different attitudes to car design.I like them both but the Corvette has got more SOUL man !
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