Germancar1

Are you kidding? GM can't even turn a profit on a passenger car which is why they've literally given up on all of them that aren't branded as a Cadillac. They only thing they make money on is truck or SUV, which happen to be the cheapest things to build. GM is one of the worst run companies around. GM fails every so often because they don't make money on their cars. I wouldn't doubt that they lose profit on the base car and most of the sales won't be in the 80K neighborhood and the discounts will come as soon as the hype dies down. This is GM we're talking about. Fake news is a terrible catch phrase considering the dubious source.

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rmorin49

GM, like Ford and FCA have pretty much given up on sedans. SUVs are also the biggest sellers for BMW and Daimler. Why do you think BMW, Mercedes, Hyundai and Kia manufacture their SUVs in the US? It's because it's their biggest seller. Explains why the BMW 5 series and the Mercedes EClass are among the worst depreciating cars. They both lose about 50% of their value in 3 years.

Do you really think GM would sell Corvettes and lose $20K on each car? Now back to discussing the future SL.

Germancar1

None of that has nothing to do with GM losing money on their cars. The Germans have not given up on cars, GM has. Big difference. They can't make money on them. Yeah I think with a company as incompetent as GM could be losing money on every base Corvette they sell. They lose money on everything else that isn't a pickup truck or large SUV. So yes. The domestics are the only ones giving up on sedans. Uh...Mercedes and BMW were building SUVs here long before they were popular. Mercedes since 1998. Popularity came after they decided to build them here. They also build the C_Class here. They build all the GLE and GLS models for the entire world in the U.S. that was done for other reasons than popularity in the last few years. In 1998 cars were firmly in charge.

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KennyK

Agree rmorin49.

Responses after you posted this are interesting. Some cannot accept information that is contrary to their beliefs.

It is the German companies that are currently announcing massive lay offs because they are losing money

Germancar1

German car companies aren't losing on money on their everyday production cars. They're cutting costs to fund electric vehicle development. You are completely off base if you think a company like GM is the same as the Germans. Nothing could be more false. Some cannot accept information that is contrary to their beliefs - this is true and works both ways as seen here with the nonsense about the Germans losing money on cars like GM is. If so prove it. No "information" was given only opinions which you obviously chose to believe - "Some cannot accept information that is contrary to their beliefs." - some only believe what supports their beliefs.

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KennyK

Sorry you took my comment so personally. 95% of the cars I have owned are German (including my 2 current SL's and a M5) (aka Not GM) so do not confuse me with a GM fan. I was only commenting on the FACT that GM is not losing $20K on every C8 they will sell and you then starting ripping GM.

Germancar1

Can you prove that they aren't though? I mean the implication is that GM is some type of well run company like or on the order of like that of Daimler. Their inability to make a profit on passenger cars support the industry rumors.

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Streamliner

My opinion is that GM is doing something very clever here. There is a tremendous amount of push-back from life-long Vette fans over the new
mid-engined car. BUT, when folks see the amazing amount of content they can get for not too much money, many will jump at the opportunity
to get a new C8 at what really is a bargain price. GM may be losing a bit on these first cars, but they can write that off to promotion and will more
than make up for it in the not too distant future. I believe that the cars will be a huge hit and that many, if not most of these old Vette fans will want
one and that the price of these cars will go up for 2021 and not by just a few hundred dollars. AND, if you were GM, what better rumor to start
than one that says they are losing $20K on each car?? It's like pouring gasoline on an already wild feeding frenzy. Can't wait to see one in person.

Germancar1

That is the exact same thing Lexus did with the first generation LS400 and it worked brilliantly. There is no doubt the 60K price is a stunning price and will ensure it will sell briskly at first. The price will indeed rise steeply each year going forward.

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Dr. Manhattan

I just left the C8 configurator, where I "built" a convertible that was well-enough optioned that I would be satisfied with it. Mind you, Since C8s are going for full retail, it ended up costing almost exactly what I would actually pay for a properly optioned SL450 (ABC included) after a typical discount. Since GM knows a lot more than Mercedes about building to a price point, I have assume that there's just no way they're getting hurt on any of the C8s. GM told the Corvette group a couple of generations ago that they would be toast if they couldn't pull their own weight (i.e., turn a profit). They absolutely do.

rmorin49

You are spot on, Bob. I am an active member of the Corvette Forum. Based on allocations from GM dealers are now taking deposits for delivery next fall. Production begins in February with first deliveries expected in April due to long QC times for early production cars. Many dealers have no allocations left for 2020. A few large Corvette dealers, Kerbeck, MacMulkin and Criswell, still have allocations but deliveries would not be until next fall.

Orders for convertibles are even later delivery with production not starting until around May I believe. Early builds will all be 2LT and 3LT models. Folks who have orders in for base 1LT cars are not happy. Average MSRP is around $80K with all being sold for full MSRP or more. The expanded factory in Bowling Green can build about 35,000 cars per year. The production time for each car has been increased slightly over the C7 but the plant is going to operate at least 2 shifts.

I am considering an order for a 2021 model if the hoopla dies down and some discount is available. Might also look for a used 2020 for those that trade for a higher performance model when they start production. The base Stingray with 495 HP is all I need since I do not go to the track any more. If there are mechanical or build quality issues I will cancel or postpone my purchase until they are resolved.

Wolfman

It had been reported a week ago to Motortrend that GM looses $20k on any C8 Corvette under $80k list and that the $60k model will go away for the next model year. While this may change I don't find that unreasonable at all. They already have bragging rights at an incredible price point. Discounts will come in as demand will invariably cool over time.
I found the package to be a bargain and intriguing but not to be a great looking car. I would get the car though if it wouldn't be a Corvette.

rmorin49

The "report" to Motor Trend has not been substantiated by a credible source at GM. While the profit on a base no option C8 might be minimal I find it incredible that GM is losing $20k.

Wolfman

I wouldn't expect anyone from GM coming forward either. Few companies will tell you what models they are loosing money on. Bentley looses $25k on every car they sell and BMW looses a fair amount of money on their leases on quite a few models. No big deal. Their SUV sales easily offset those losses.
So I will assume that GM will loose money on a cheap car like that, especially given the R&D they will have to pay for. Making a profit will almost be impossible.