What does Corvette have to do in Europe?
Discussion
I am interested in how the Corvette is perceived in Europe, and what Chevy would need to do to make the car a serious competitor for sales in Europe.
For example, from another thread:
I have a question. Does being a LHD car affect the car's legal status with regards to it's being offered in Europe? For example, can it be sold only in limited numbers, or in certain circumstances? I know in Australia, the car cannot even be registered or driven until it is converted to RHD, and that has started an whole industry of companies that do that service. I realize you can drive the car there (Europe?), but is there anything special about its status, any limitations?
But in a larger sense,
I have heard the Europe is a major consideration in the Corvette's design, and that they want badly to be more accepted "over there". A good thing, I'd say. So if LHD is a big problem, then I believe it will be addressed, at least at some point.
What else do they have to work on?
Regards, Art in Baton Rouge, LA, USA
PS.. This is an interesting item, think I'll move it to a new thread "What does Corvette have to do in the European Market?"
>>> Edited by ZR1991 on Saturday 3rd January 18:04
For example, from another thread:
I have a question. Does being a LHD car affect the car's legal status with regards to it's being offered in Europe? For example, can it be sold only in limited numbers, or in certain circumstances? I know in Australia, the car cannot even be registered or driven until it is converted to RHD, and that has started an whole industry of companies that do that service. I realize you can drive the car there (Europe?), but is there anything special about its status, any limitations?
But in a larger sense,
I have heard the Europe is a major consideration in the Corvette's design, and that they want badly to be more accepted "over there". A good thing, I'd say. So if LHD is a big problem, then I believe it will be addressed, at least at some point.
What else do they have to work on?
Regards, Art in Baton Rouge, LA, USA
PS.. This is an interesting item, think I'll move it to a new thread "What does Corvette have to do in the European Market?"
>>> Edited by ZR1991 on Saturday 3rd January 18:04
Followup: If you don't find it inconvenient, I am moving this to the "Corvettes" forum. I would appreciate it if you would add your thoughts to the discussion, this is always a hot topic around here (USA), where a lot of "old" Corvette fans think the car should be made "just for them". My opinion is the Corvette is good enough to compete anywhere, and changes made to make it more successful in the rest of the world untimately make it better for the USA as well.
The thread is here
http://corvettechat.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?t=74261&f=100&h=0
Regards.
>> Edited by ZR1991 on Sunday 4th January 16:07
The thread is here
http://corvettechat.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?t=74261&f=100&h=0
Regards.
>> Edited by ZR1991 on Sunday 4th January 16:07
Being LHD is nothing to do with ability to sell in Europe. You can sell as many as you can make.
When they introduced the Corvette into Europe, it was received reasonably well but they failed to follow it up. The C5 was a good car but perhaps lacked the handling finesse of the best European cars. Chevy remedied all the faults with the Z06 but never actually sold it in Europe - probably because sales figures didn't justify it and perhaps because it's not the best looking car in the world compared to the stock C5.
Accordingly, all Europe ever got was a stock C5 and that's what it gets judged by. The UK was a different market and Chevy were never going to crack it with LHD cars. Visibility limitations were the principal problems.
However, in any country in Europe, the Corvette has always suffered because of it's price. It's cheap in America but it's not cheap here. You'd pay around £35000 - £40000 for a C5 and up to £52000 for an imported Z06. Not sure about Europe but I imagine adding all the transit costs would make them similarly expensive.
The true measure of the Corvette lies in the Z06 and cars tested in the UK liked the car but the dealer numbers were thin, most of them didn't have a clue and overall, buyers weren't prepared to take the risk.
In summary, great car, rubbish dealer network and backup, made even worse now the current structure for warranty work etc has been surreptitiously ditched, leaving owners on their own.
There is a fierce loyalty to American cars by a lot of UK drivers. We have shows attracting over 5000 American cars. These people will always buy American cars. The trick is converting the rest.
When they introduced the Corvette into Europe, it was received reasonably well but they failed to follow it up. The C5 was a good car but perhaps lacked the handling finesse of the best European cars. Chevy remedied all the faults with the Z06 but never actually sold it in Europe - probably because sales figures didn't justify it and perhaps because it's not the best looking car in the world compared to the stock C5.
Accordingly, all Europe ever got was a stock C5 and that's what it gets judged by. The UK was a different market and Chevy were never going to crack it with LHD cars. Visibility limitations were the principal problems.
However, in any country in Europe, the Corvette has always suffered because of it's price. It's cheap in America but it's not cheap here. You'd pay around £35000 - £40000 for a C5 and up to £52000 for an imported Z06. Not sure about Europe but I imagine adding all the transit costs would make them similarly expensive.
The true measure of the Corvette lies in the Z06 and cars tested in the UK liked the car but the dealer numbers were thin, most of them didn't have a clue and overall, buyers weren't prepared to take the risk.
In summary, great car, rubbish dealer network and backup, made even worse now the current structure for warranty work etc has been surreptitiously ditched, leaving owners on their own.
There is a fierce loyalty to American cars by a lot of UK drivers. We have shows attracting over 5000 American cars. These people will always buy American cars. The trick is converting the rest.
What's the differences in looks with the base C5 Corvette and the C5 Corvette Z06? The only I know of is that the Z06 has the notchback. You said the C5 Z06 didn't look as good as the C5.
Visibility limitations were the principal problems.
Customers - sometimes I wonder when they can be satisfied. Cars like Lamborghinis, Ferraris, Porsches, TVRs have had visibility problems, but they usually sell well. Some customers -
It's cheap in America but it's not cheap here. You'd pay around £35000 - £40000 for a C5 and up to £52000 for an imported Z06.
y to American cars by a lot of UK drivers. We have shows attracting over 5000 American cars. These people will always buy American cars. The trick is converting the rest.[/quote]
Chevy remedied all the faults with the Z06 but never actually sold it in Europe - probably because sales figures didn't justify it and perhaps because it's not the best looking car in the world compared to the stock C5.
That's a bargain to me. I don't know of any cars that can come close to that in value, and having an ok interior, good reliability etc.
Visibility limitations were the principal problems.
Customers - sometimes I wonder when they can be satisfied. Cars like Lamborghinis, Ferraris, Porsches, TVRs have had visibility problems, but they usually sell well. Some customers -
It's cheap in America but it's not cheap here. You'd pay around £35000 - £40000 for a C5 and up to £52000 for an imported Z06.
y to American cars by a lot of UK drivers. We have shows attracting over 5000 American cars. These people will always buy American cars. The trick is converting the rest.[/quote]
Chevy remedied all the faults with the Z06 but never actually sold it in Europe - probably because sales figures didn't justify it and perhaps because it's not the best looking car in the world compared to the stock C5.
That's a bargain to me. I don't know of any cars that can come close to that in value, and having an ok interior, good reliability etc.
It is a relative bargain but it's never nice knowing someone somewhere else gets the car for a fraction of what you're paying.
When I said the Z06 wasn't the best-looking car in the world, I meant the hardtop with it's awkward butt. Europe only gets the C5 targa unless they're imported by private companies or individuals. Personally, I also don't think much of the looks of the Z06 wheels, however light they are.
When I said the Z06 wasn't the best-looking car in the world, I meant the hardtop with it's awkward butt. Europe only gets the C5 targa unless they're imported by private companies or individuals. Personally, I also don't think much of the looks of the Z06 wheels, however light they are.
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