According to foreign media reports, GM confirmed that due to the shortage of parts caused by the epidemic, the Chevrolet Corvette C8 will stop production for a week.
GM spokesperson Kevin Kelly said: “Due to the temporary supply of parts and components, our Bowling Green plant in Kentucky will suspend production for one week from October 12. Our supply chain, production and engineering teams are all in contact with the supply base. Close ties to reduce further impact on production.”
Kelly said: “We are not going to specify which parts are in shortage.” However, he revealed that Corvette’s inventory is very limited because most vehicles have been booked before they reach the dealership.
Corvette production has experienced many bumps. Earlier this year, Chevrolet had to stop the supply of some carbon fiber exterior products “due to the suspension of parts supply.” Customers who ordered a visible carbon fiber ground effect (5VM) kit were told that their cars would not be equipped with such a kit. The good news is that this problem is expected to be resolved before the 2021 model is put into production, and the start of the 2021 model will be delayed from December to next year.
In addition, GM also promised to extend the production of the 2020 model year from November to December to alleviate production delays and inventory shortages caused by the UAW strike last fall and the 2020 new crown blockade.
Before the outbreak, Chevrolet expected to produce approximately 40,000 Corvettes in 2020. As of February, Chevrolet has received 45,000 pre-orders on its online website. Now, according to Corvette Blogger, Chevrolet plans to produce 20,181 Corvettes this year. GM declined to provide production targets.
GM said that in the third quarter of this year, Corvette sales rose 33% year-on-year to 6,355 units; so far this year, sales of the car have fallen 13% year-on-year to 12,634 units.