Quote:
Originally Posted by laborsmith
Welcome to the auto sales world. I have ordered eleven vehicles and after the first two I vowed never to go through that again. The fact that the Sonic in my driveway was ordered only proves how good I am at sticking to that vow.
There is factual info you can look at: the C7 initial allocations were based on dealer orders for the 2012 model year by the top 900 C6 dealers compressed to a half year then adjusted after three months to cover the whole model year. So if one dealer completed 500 orders for 2012 that dealer started with about that number. When the added allocations (actually guide numbers) came up in November they were adjusted to reflect the proportions from the 2012-13 model year. These proportions will stay in effect throughout the C7 production run.
The Z51 was on limited constraint through the whole of the first year of C6 production and I for one predicted it would be the same for the C7. If the number of first year C7 sales was in the middle twenty thousands (a reasonable projection given the economy) the Z51 constraints would still be there but not as limiting as now with it looking like C7 orders will be in the low thirty thousands.
The exposed carbon fiber roof is another story. But my C6 had two recalls for its removable roof panel so I am not too surprised.
Finally, allocations are a two way street: Les Stanford Chevrolet was number three in Corvette sales for decades and is what, number six now I think? They passed on some allocations (being prudent) and other dealer(s) picked them up hoping the C7 would be successful enough to justify the gamble. But Stanford did not pass on too many since it is still a high volume Corvette dealer.
I do not have the answer on a better way than what we have. I know the problem with your proposed way: how does Chevy make sure every retail sold is a bona fide order?
Laborsmith
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Well Said
As for bona fide orders, even my dealer has a problem with Chevy on this as to my order - Does not make sense to not fulfill sold orders when it can as my dealer has allocation, and not what Chevy is willing to provide my dealer even though Chevy can and does produce cars with my options as unsold lot orders to other dealers - At what point does Chevy produce my C7 as ordered where it does violate some legality? - But, this would involve some real planning and coordination -
This is like ObamaCare on wheels.
I have skin in the game, and Chevy and dealers could require the same on orders - Most of us had to put down deposits, and for a $1,000 under MSRP, I verbally promised my dealer I would not back out or it could keep the grand I put down - My local dealer has since released me from that promise given the wait, but I believe in buying locally, and so I shall stick with my dealer as long as it is treating me right as is its rep with my local Corvette Club, which I just joined - I am determined to get my C7 as ordered through my dealer - Just seems that as a sold order, I am at the bottom of Chevy's priority list to produce my C7 as ordered, and especially if it involves any bother related to production constraints.
AND, Chevy is bound to produce my C7 as ordered at the original price - However, it now has even less incentive to timely produce my C7 when it can sell lot cars and new orders at prices higher than mine - I hate to think of Chevy as doing this, but a Jaded Jedi am I at this point.