Future of Corvette in the Europe and the UK?
Poll: Future of Corvette in the Europe and the UK?
Total Members Polled: 28
Discussion
They need to decide what their long term strategy is, stick to it and then (most importantly) fund it. Mainly to take most of the poll headers in to account.
It seems that it may be better for them to take a leaf from the recent Infiniti launch and start small but wholly owned instead of an offical importer, concentrate where the largest amount of current GM/Corvette owners are, and think long term.
They will have an uphill struggle against brand prejudice and would need years to sort this out, they would need RHD if a UK presence, perhaps not with Corvette, but definately with the volume models. Similarly diesel needs to make an appearance in the volume models as it does with GM Europe. I guess it totally depends on the marketing position as the main draw to a US car is a V8!
Can't see it happening though, no money in current crisis and can't see the UK being a major income stream, Europe maybe, but they would have to not complete against themselves (Opel).
I think we will be resigned to importing parts and cars for a while yet, but at least there's exclusivity!
It seems that it may be better for them to take a leaf from the recent Infiniti launch and start small but wholly owned instead of an offical importer, concentrate where the largest amount of current GM/Corvette owners are, and think long term.
They will have an uphill struggle against brand prejudice and would need years to sort this out, they would need RHD if a UK presence, perhaps not with Corvette, but definately with the volume models. Similarly diesel needs to make an appearance in the volume models as it does with GM Europe. I guess it totally depends on the marketing position as the main draw to a US car is a V8!
Can't see it happening though, no money in current crisis and can't see the UK being a major income stream, Europe maybe, but they would have to not complete against themselves (Opel).
I think we will be resigned to importing parts and cars for a while yet, but at least there's exclusivity!
5 USA said:
Tom74 said:
I think we will be resigned to importing parts and cars for a while yet, but at least there's exclusivity!
Stop press! Corvette parts now available at Halfords!Well, at least I bought a pair of 22" Bosch wiper blades today which clipped straight on. (£25.98)
I actually ordered my old Haynes manual for the C4 through Halfords thinking about it.
Back onto the vote, it's pulling my heart two ways. Future for greater Vette sales is a RHD variant, and it would get them sales in Oz too for sure, maybe even more in Japan too?
Reasone I'm torn though - I prefer the exclusivity we get with Vette's too, without some barriers to ownership (dealer availability, LHD), with the price beng what it is I think they'd become rather more common...
Tom74 said:
It seems that it may be better for them to take a leaf from the recent Infiniti launch and start small but wholly owned instead of an offical importer, concentrate where the largest amount of current GM/Corvette owners are, and think long term.
I'm finding this poll rather interesting. Tom, with regards to your comment above I slightly confused as the Infiniti sites that are being opened around the U.K. aren't wholly owned by Infiniti at all, but actually by a UAE investment fund. I have it on good authority that all dealership operating losses will be underwritten by Infiniti for the first five years of operation but personally I still think it's a risk too far. Lexus are struggling in this market again with a product that is getting ever more expensive but ultimately delivering no greater brand credibility to its customers.The problem that Cadillac and Corvette face are that the volume of sales that can be expected don't warrant a large dealer network with teams of people at GM in the U.K. to service them. There simply isn't enough to do. With such an infrastructure comes the pressure to force sales into the country which simply cannot be forced and the whole package collapses shortly after. It has been seen a number of times now. We have had a formal relationship with GM for over 20 years now and I can say from experience that it runs better when we're left to ourselves. It is interesting to note that we were selling the same number of HUMMER H3's per year when they were LHD only as we were when they were available in RHD but with a 7 dealer network and the backing of GM in Luton. We actually sold more than triple the number of H2's per year before GM U.K. got involved.
Corvette's problem is slightly different however in that Corvette has three good years in ten. The first three years of a new generation are typically strong but after that the new sales almost evaporate whilst the cars then cycle down the chain to buyers of used cars. No dealer can survive off a business model like that which is why these brands need to bolt on to something else, something Infiniti should probably have given thought to, though I would guess that pride got in the way.
Interesting its a UAE fund backing Infiniti, for their sake it better not be Dubai!
I agree with your comments Mitch, what I was rather randomly saying was that if GM was to come back to the UK, they need to do it with volume products to suit the market which the halo brands, such as corvette, can tag on to to avoid the issues in your post.
And perhaps only a small dealer network backed by GM that can absorb any initial losses that a long term strategy would forsee. (Or even one following BM's model!)
I agree with your comments Mitch, what I was rather randomly saying was that if GM was to come back to the UK, they need to do it with volume products to suit the market which the halo brands, such as corvette, can tag on to to avoid the issues in your post.
And perhaps only a small dealer network backed by GM that can absorb any initial losses that a long term strategy would forsee. (Or even one following BM's model!)
I dont understand why GM think they can seriously sell volume in the UK without going RHD, which would obviously help in Australia and Japan too I would imagine. However, you guys need to remember that the bottom will completely fall out of the LHD market if they ever do start manufacturing and selling RHD!
I also think they need to sell a quality interior package as maybe a £5k option (not the ridicullous price hike that applied for the ZR1), then the likes of Clarkson would have less to moan about.
Corvette wont seriously compete with European sports cars until they adapt to the market, in my humble opinion...
Of course, the other option is for GM to sell the Corvette brand, which is one of their few profitable ones I believe.
I also think they need to sell a quality interior package as maybe a £5k option (not the ridicullous price hike that applied for the ZR1), then the likes of Clarkson would have less to moan about.
Corvette wont seriously compete with European sports cars until they adapt to the market, in my humble opinion...
Of course, the other option is for GM to sell the Corvette brand, which is one of their few profitable ones I believe.
Mello said:
I dont understand why GM think they can seriously sell volume in the UK without going RHD, which would obviously help in Australia and Japan too I would imagine. However, you guys need to remember that the bottom will completely fall out of the LHD market if they ever do start manufacturing and selling RHD!
I also think they need to sell a quality interior package as maybe a £5k option (not the ridicullous price hike that applied for the ZR1), then the likes of Clarkson would have less to moan about.
Corvette wont seriously compete with European sports cars until they adapt to the market, in my humble opinion...
Of course, the other option is for GM to sell the Corvette brand, which is one of their few profitable ones I believe.
The model for selling any volume of Cadillac and Corvette does not make sense outside of the U.S. and I would dare anybody to show me a business model for such that made any sense. Cadillac and Corvette are a niche product and are best being identified and worked with as such. I also think they need to sell a quality interior package as maybe a £5k option (not the ridicullous price hike that applied for the ZR1), then the likes of Clarkson would have less to moan about.
Corvette wont seriously compete with European sports cars until they adapt to the market, in my humble opinion...
Of course, the other option is for GM to sell the Corvette brand, which is one of their few profitable ones I believe.
I will openly disagree with anybody who suggests that Cadillac and Corvette should 'Europeanise' as this is always doomed to disaster. All car makers design their products for their home market and then tweek them to sell to other parts of the world. Working with two Italians brands has reminded me how they have a completely different engineering ideology, let alone ergonomic thinking. I'm not saying that they are bad at either, but they have their own way. Look at the controls in any high end Japanese sports car and you'll find the control layout largely useless as they have a habit of trying to emulate arcade gaming machines and computer terminals. Nothing is more ridiculously laid out than a Nissan multi-function steering wheel. Ultimately if GM tried to make their American product in a European style you finish up with cars like the BLS..........
I realised years ago that your average American doesn't understand Europe as a collection of countries with different agendas, tastes and habits; rather they think of it as a copy of the U.S. where you have different states which are all part of a harmonious whole, that all happen to share a language, currency and ideals. It goes some way to explain why they struggle to grasp what European consumers want.
I am on my second Corvette and my main reason for choosing it is exclusivity. Even if they were available I would not want a" europeanised "vette, and definately not right hand drive. It is all part of the "American Experience", and I don t even feel I need a dealer network ,I have bought a new car from BM and also imported my own C6 and both methods worked perfectly well for me. As for servicing, from my experience you are more likely to get a better deal from an independent such as Ian Goss than a Main Dealer. GM. have had a couple of goes at selling the Corvette in Great Britain and failed miserably. They should concentrate on selling Dawoos ,sorry Chevrolets, and leave Corvettes to BM and the other importers. They could also make it easier for personal importers by lifting the embargo they place on dealers in the US selling a car for export. The Vette will always be a niche model for drivers who don t want to go the BMW/Jag/Merc route and enjoy the Vette for what it is, faults an all, such as low rent interior
scs1 said:
I am on my second Corvette......
Wondered where you were hiding! Used to see your red C5 from time to time and then a few months back saw a blue C6 sporting your number plate on the motorway. Hope my eyes weren't deceiving me!Yes, BM have been around a long time. I used to stare in the windows of American Carriage in Kingston and BM in Manchester long before GM had a go at "official" Corvettes in UK. It does seem these guys just keep on going through thick and thin!
I'd wanted an American car for years before I eventually took the plunge - and I've never regretted it.
Right drive Corvettes may sell about 10% more! But the cost to make them would out-way the sales. Cadillac tried this with the STS back in 98 and again now right hand drive Cadillacs are for sale. But not being sold in thousands or even hundreds.
You may get the odd person look at a BLS diesel in RHD because they are good value with a Caddy badge on it, But the UK don't like American cars in any magazine you read.
Motor trend gave the new CTS car of the year and Autocar give it a 2 out of 5!! The UK don't like sports car with the words 7 litre V8 they like 1.8 VVT's or 3.5 V6's it's not right hand drive or the dealer network, We all love Corvettes but the UK don't,
Chrysler did it with Jeep because you had RHD and Diesel from the start and that's where Cadillac went wrong and for Corvette just sell it in a few niche dealers and people will travel.
I think Mitch said it all with Hummer how many more in RHD are sold?
You may get the odd person look at a BLS diesel in RHD because they are good value with a Caddy badge on it, But the UK don't like American cars in any magazine you read.
Motor trend gave the new CTS car of the year and Autocar give it a 2 out of 5!! The UK don't like sports car with the words 7 litre V8 they like 1.8 VVT's or 3.5 V6's it's not right hand drive or the dealer network, We all love Corvettes but the UK don't,
Chrysler did it with Jeep because you had RHD and Diesel from the start and that's where Cadillac went wrong and for Corvette just sell it in a few niche dealers and people will travel.
I think Mitch said it all with Hummer how many more in RHD are sold?
By my reckoning the split of H3's that are LHD to RHD in the U.K. is very close to 50:50. Obviously there aren't many LHD 2007's to 2009's though.
I know I'm being a pedant but we have actually been an official distributor for GM, including Corvette for over 20 years. We only source grey imports when GM embargoes particular cars from our line-up.
I know I'm being a pedant but we have actually been an official distributor for GM, including Corvette for over 20 years. We only source grey imports when GM embargoes particular cars from our line-up.
I always find it funny that BM have sold American cars in the UK for years but GM come along every decade and think they know otherwise, My view it was a bad move giving it to Kroymans in Europe and even worse that Stratstone had sole rights to the brands, I think on a service network Stratstone in Wavendon are good and Whitequay seem to be doing a good job as well but sales should just be left to some niche dealers but still sell the cars with a factory GM warranty that's what most customers want!
Gassing Station | Corvettes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff