2014 MODEL YEAR EXTENDED?

[Richardlord]

2014 MODEL YEAR EXTENDED?

Laborsmith probably can help us here. I am wondering that given the demand and problems in order fulfillment for the 2014 Corvette, if Chevy may extend the 2014 model year. You may recall, coincidently exactly 20 years earlier Chevy did this with the 1984 model year completely eliminating the 1983 model year and extending the 1984 model year to the Corvette 2nd largest number ever produced at over 50,000 units. We essentially did not have a full 2013 model year as Chevy drastically cut 2013 production preparing and retooling for the new 2104 Corvette Stingray.

The reasons this comes to mind are as follows:

1. There already has been a 2014 price increase and how much more would there be for a 2015 model?
2. The 2015 would not be much different from the 2014 other than the announced new performance data recorder for 2015. Chevy could add this and other new options with additional costs for extended year 2014 models.
3. Chevy and dealers have told many of us that there shall not be a 2014 price increase for those of us with a 2014 on order. What happens pricewise if the problems in order fulfillment carries over into the normal 2015 model year?
4. When does Chevy normally stop a model year production moving on to the new model year? This is more of a rhetorical question as we have not yet heard much but rumors as to when the 2014 model year may end. This begs the question.
5. We have not heard much about a 2015 model. This time last year Chevy plastered information on the 2014 model all over the place. Just after Geneva, Chevy dealers were taking advance 2014 orders. Not so this year.
6. Last year, the 2014 was in all the auto shows. Where is the 2015 this year?
7. So far, the only real 2015 Corvette information is for the ZO6/ZO7 and the race version, and are the only new Vettes in the auto shows in addition to the 2014. May Chevy just sell a 2014 ZO6/ZO7 or a 2015 ZO6/ZO7 along with an extended year 2014 Stingray?
8. There is talk of a lower-priced Corvette I call Vette Light. May this be the 2015 Corvette Ray (without the Sting) while extending the 2014 Stingray? Sort of like the Tampa Bay Rays that has lost its Sting (Yes, I am a Red Sox fan).

Lots of reasons for Chevy to extend the 2014 model year - at least by 6 months. Then, introduce a short-run mid year 2015 that ends into 2016 with a spread-out mid-year price increase slopping it over for a brief time into 2016 with a short-delayed 2016 as demand begins to decline especially when prices increase.

Your thoughts – What say you?

See - http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com...ts_Price_Hike/

[laborsmith]

2014 production will go to August 8, about one month longer than normal. 2015 will start the following Monday.

If there is a "Stingray Lite" it will not arrive before the 2016 model year and like the Z06 will likely not start production until after January 1. If it happens it will be because of the carbon footprint rules which go into effect that date.

Those 2015 model year dates are subject to change but are current as far as I can tell.

Laborsmith

[Richardlord]

Originally Posted by laborsmith

2014 production will go to August 8, about one month longer than normal. 2015 will start the following Monday.

If there is a "Stingray Lite" it will not arrive before the 2016 model year and like the Z06 will likely not start production until after January 1. If it happens it will be because of the carbon footprint rules which go into effect that date.

Those 2015 model year dates are subject to change but are current as far as I can tell.

Laborsmith

Do you know when dealers shall stop taking 2014 orders and start accepting 2015 orders? I expect when Chevy stops accepting 2014 orders that should give us a better idea as to the back up it anticipates in fulfilling 2014 orders going into the 2015 model year. Is it possible Chevy could still be fulfilling and building 2014 order cars while it is producing 2015 models? Or, do 2014 orders roll-over and become 2015 orders? My dealer has promised my original 2014 price regardless what happens, and Chevy has told both of us it shall honor its 2014 original price to me. It shall be interesting to see how this all plays out by model year and price. Given the profit margin on my car that MSRPs at over $76,000 there is a lot of wiggle room to get me my car well under 2015 MSRP and still make money for both Chevy and my dealer. What happens if Chevy still has hundreds of 2014 C7s on order subject to constraints going into the 2015 model year where it has guaranteed 2014 prices? It is about 5 months until the end of August at this point, and I have been waiting for my Vert since we could order Verts that have been about 8 months or longer. I would think my 2014 C7 would be produced by the end of August, but given the demand and delays that Chevy underestimated in a number of things, like demand for Z51 and carbon fiber constraints, I don't discount anything happening at the point.

[laborsmith]

Per my memory 2014 orders will stop on May 22, then 2015 orders can go into the computer May 29 and the first consensus for 2015s is at the end of June. I think I saw the date but this time frame should answer your question.

It is rare that an order will go over but it has happened, probably for situations like yours.

I don't think the Z51's popularity surprised Chevy but the CF problems definitely did. The Z51 was on partial constraint thru the whole of the C6 first year of production. To repeat what I once posted, Chevy could have waited to have a sufficient supply of parts for the Z51 before offering it, say a year or two, or start building with what parts they could get. My belief is Chevy made the right choice.

If you are at 3000 I don't believe you will need to reorder,, you will just get a 2015 instead of a 2014, and of course you always have the option to cancel but I doubt if that is something you are considering.

Now you see why I often vow to never do a retail sold order again, a vow I have often broken so I could get exactly what I wanted.


Laborsmith