The GREAT Debate: Should GM Leverage The Corvette Nameplate And Create A Sub-brand A La Ford's Mustang?

The GREAT Debate: Should GM Leverage The Corvette Nameplate And Create A Sub-brand A La Ford's Mustang?
It was only Sunday this past week that the Ford Mustang Mach-E went from concept to reality. It's been an amazing launch for the Blue Oval and I think it's safe to say we're excited to see what's in store for the Mustang sub-brand.

Even if naysayers are freaking out about it using the Mustang name.

It turns out some of Wall Street's most informed analysts have been spending some time taking a look at General Motors. More specifically, the Corvette.

According to reports, the team at Morgan Stanley is suggesting it would be wise for Chevrolet to create a Corvette sub-brand, which could boost its value from $2 billion to $12 billion.

Of course, our savvy Spies have known this for quite some time and it's been a topic of debate at AutoSpies in recent years and months.

So, this leaves us wondering: IF you were calling the shots at GM, would you push for a Corvette sub-brand? Or should the Chevrolet team refrain from sullying the Corvette name?

What say you, Spies?


...With the release of the new mid-engined C8, auto industry analysts say GM could diversify and generate huge sales by expanding the Corvette from a single model to a sub-brand - potentially worth as much as $12 billion. Seeing as other sports car brands are expanding their lineups with SUVs, it could be something GM will actually pursue...

...GM CEO Marry Barra recently stated that GM will “look at a variety of things as we go forward and we recognize the strength of the Corvette brand.” She said she appreciates that analysts “think our Corvette franchise is very strong” and didn’t rule out the Corvette SUV...

 


Read Article

MDarringerMDarringer - 11/23/2019 12:53:47 PM
-7 Boost
A Corvette Mako (think Macan) would be a genius move, but it COULD NOT be a glorified Equinox like the XT4/5.


Agent00RAgent00R - 11/23/2019 2:06:35 PM
-6 Boost
Well said!


TruthyTruthy - 11/23/2019 6:54:49 PM
-6 Boost
Right. The execution has to be outstanding. The Cayenne and Mecan are both exceptional vehicles. There is little evidence of GM pulling this off. Think XT6.


TomMTomM - 11/23/2019 1:41:24 PM
+10 Boost
I don't consider the Corvette Name to be on the same level as the Mustang = that is the Camaro Territory. Corvette is the great American Super SPorts car - and I believe that diluting that name with a bunch of other body styles would be just plain wrong. Add in that the platform the Camaro is on could be used for other styles - but the Corvette would not - so the cost of adding additional body styles would be a ground up proposition. And if they used the Camaro Alpha Platform for another Corvette style - it would bring down the level of the Corvette to the Camaro - a disaster

This one is clear to me - the Corvette should be a one and only.

However - THERE was a time when GM had the best stylists in the world - and they could produce a stunning new Camaro on the Alpha 2 Platform and then add an SUV as well


Car4life1Car4life1 - 11/23/2019 5:13:22 PM
+11 Boost
Exactly, just like Porsche wouldn’t dare name the Cayenne a 911, or Benz wouldn’t name the GLE an SL, certain names/brands like movies and songs are so iconic you wouldn’t dare “remix” them, leave the original alone


MDarringerMDarringer - 11/23/2019 5:14:43 PM
-10 Boost
I wonder if TomM is the Tom of Bob and Tom because when he opens his mouth bullshit comes out.


xjug1987axjug1987a - 11/23/2019 7:12:40 PM
-5 Boost
I agree in principle, Corvette is THE name, so Corvette Mako (Macan) is appropriate. Corvette LeMans/Monza/(something that denotes fast) for a larger SUV (Cayenne). While Mercedes and Porsche didn't use SL or 911 as the mfr already has established cache, thus Corvette, "the brand" is needed. Whereas the Mustang Mach-E is a Ford and doesnt aspire to be a Lincoln....yet.


CANADIANCOMMENTSCANADIANCOMMENTS - 11/23/2019 4:54:55 PM
-7 Boost
A) Happy to send along this article to Autospies ..GM WTF?
B) Yes Corvette should absolutely create an SUV or two
C) They could even create a sedan or two
D) The CEO and head of sales are just plain wrong refusing to do this



Agent00RAgent00R - 11/23/2019 7:02:32 PM
-4 Boost
My apologies, Canadian! I forgot to give you a shoutout and a thank you.

Will not let it happen again.


valhallakeyvalhallakey - 11/23/2019 10:53:44 PM
-2 Boost
Definitely agree with the above comments. Don't do it unless you do it right.


MDarringerMDarringer - 11/24/2019 9:36:24 AM
-8 Boost
So Porsche should only be the 911?


MDarringerMDarringer - 11/24/2019 2:15:30 PM
-7 Boost
No. YOU are. Porsche has crushed your assertion.


CANADIANCOMMENTSCANADIANCOMMENTS - 11/24/2019 10:19:32 PM
-6 Boost
If Lamborghini, Rolls Royce, Bentley and very soon Ferrari have an SUV, it's time to get over it and for Corvette to grow into a brand and be worth every penny of the $12B that analysts think it will be worth.


carloslassitercarloslassiter - 11/24/2019 7:41:53 PM
-1 Boost
I have zero faith in GM's ability to execute this idea well. They'd end up doing exactly what Darringer warned against - namely sticking the Corvette name on a restyled Equinox.


TruthyTruthy - 11/25/2019 9:07:13 AM
-1 Boost
Cadillac is already supposed to be a luxury/performance brand. GM seems content to let Cadillac languish as squared-off Buicks.
If they really wanted to have Cadillac be successful the XT4/5/6 would not be cut and paste projects.


MDarringerMDarringer - 11/25/2019 9:19:52 AM
0 Boost
Cadillac is a luxury brand. Convincing buyers that Cadillac is a performance brand has been a complete failure.

My greatest fear of a Corvette crossover is that it would just be yet another Equinox.


TruthyTruthy - 11/25/2019 9:34:58 AM
0 Boost
I agree. If they would let the Corvette team do a new SUV from the ground up it could be a real success.
Agree too that Cadillac should have stuck with their heritage and built luxurious cars.
Their attempts to straddle the fence have not been convincing. A Corvette performance brand would free Cadillac to be a true luxury brand.
Then kill off GMC and Buick.


SuperCarEnthusiastSuperCarEnthusiast - 11/25/2019 11:38:12 AM
+8 Boost
Nobody would want a Corvette crossover like a Porsche Cayenne Turbo or a MB GLE 63 or BMW X5M Competition. Market does not exist!


TruthyTruthy - 11/25/2019 12:11:51 PM
-6 Boost
The examples you cite prove otherwise.


MDarringerMDarringer - 11/25/2019 12:16:20 PM
-6 Boost
I'll take that bet. A Corvette Mako would be sheer genius.


TruthyTruthy - 11/25/2019 5:41:41 PM
+1 Boost
I like that name.


Copyright 2026 AutoSpies.com, LLC