Let's Get SERIOUS For A Second: Why Can't GM "Corvette-ify" ALL Of Its Product Portfolio?

So, I just want to get real for one second. Although General Motors' all-new C8 Chevrolet Corvette is a mighty impressive reveal, I've got to be honest: I am SO perplexed by it.

Something has been eating at me since the Corvette's unveil.

GM's overall product portfolio really isn't that brilliant. I've said it what feels like 1,000 times at this point. GM builds trucks and high-performance vehicles well — the sporty stuff tends to be the better of the two. Everything else is suspect.

Hell, even its trucks aren't knocking it out of the park. Just look at the new Silverado, which is by and large a miss.

I've got to wonder when I see it ship the VERY compelling C8 Z51 Corvette Stingray for LESS than $60,000: Why can't GM make its other products equally as great and priced as competitively? THINK: If you go build a well-equipped, all-new Blazer it quickly hits the $50,000 mark. And it's not close to being as great as the all-new C8 is for $60,000.

GM clearly is swinging for the fences with the 'Vette. It's exciting, featuring an all-new design and all-new technology. Why can't its other products be taken as seriously and given the same treatment? If so, we reckon GM would be one ferocious product company delivering some of the most competitive autos in the industry.

Instead, we're mostly dealing with a horror show of ghastly vehicles that are overpriced and deliver rather middle of the road experiences.

runninglogan1 - 8/3/2019 1:08:40 AM

+1 Boost

They clearly put A LOT of effort into the new 'vette.

Just don't seem interested in doing the same for other lines. Even Cadillac has been disappointing lately.

Hopefully someday...

dumpsty - 8/7/2019 11:06:46 AM

+1 Boost

GM suffers from a mixed customer base.

A lot of long-time Chevy-Buick-GMC-Pontiac owners want upscale/luxury/premium vehicles with that same level of content, however that same customer base doesn't have the coin or desire to spend more for "better" overall vehicles. GM builds what its customer base will buy.

GM got reamed with the XLR. I doubt they'll make the same mistake.

PUGPROUD - 8/3/2019 8:02:43 AM

-1 Boost

Spin Corvette off as a separate public company to a) create immediate value for your shareholders, b) allow the mark to expand and grow based on its core values and strong brand name (out from under GM accountants and culture), and c) be a candidate down the road for acquisition at a large premium. After all is it not the primary responsibility of a company's board to maximize shareholder value and returns.

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 8/3/2019 8:31:24 AM

0 Boost

That begs a another question, the C8 has been done so well and is so nice, is it being sold at a loss? It is really an $80 or $100k car? But I will say I like @PP's idea of spinning off Corvette. Who knows what might be possible.

Truthy - 8/3/2019 9:08:32 AM

0 Boost

I agree with this completely. I have asked the question on here before, when shopping for a car in any category when does a GM car top your lists? Their execution is always just good enough.
This Corvette reveal and the enthusiasm of the engineers involved should be company wide.

MDarringer - 8/3/2019 10:22:21 AM

0 Boost

GM seems like its corporate ethic with mainstream cars is "OK is good enough." I don't think they have gotten past the moment where they did the design for the J car and just changed the nose cap and the tail lights to produce the Chevy Cavalier, the Cadillac Cimarron, and everything in between. "Oh let's stick a Buick badge on an Opel because that strategy worked so well for Saturn." GM wastes very little money on engine development. Then there is styling that is ugly as hell at Chevrolet and bland at Buick. All of this comes down to leadership and Mary Barra is a complete failure. They need an Iacocca that can work product magic.

As for the Corvette, it is created by a small team. The rest of the line is pissed on by dozens and dozens of people.

Truthy - 8/3/2019 12:03:31 PM

0 Boost

They should promote someone from the Corvette team to run Cadillac.

MDarringer - 8/3/2019 12:17:11 PM

+2 Boost

Take the Cadillac team down to tiny in size. Styling cannot be ugly like the CT5 or XT4 or dull like CT6, XT5, XT6. All must be brash and bold like an Escalade. NAMES NOT NUMBERS.

skytop - 8/4/2019 4:42:45 PM

+1 Boost

So Spies is considering a Buick Corvette? The Corvette is a halo car. If GM 'Corvette-ifies' all corporate brands, they will destroy the Corvette image and water down the Corvette magic.

MDarringer - 8/4/2019 8:48:53 PM

+1 Boost

If you took the Corvette team's attention to detail and focused that same intensity on a Buick Invicta EV coupesedan sized like a Model S and priced like a Model 3, you'd have something.

That same dedication could have brought the amazing Escala to fruition.

TomM - 8/4/2019 8:48:59 PM

+1 Boost

The real Question is - whether GM actually makes money at the Base Price or not. THis remains a Hao Car - and I would not be surprised if they need optioned up cars to make real money.

Even though people do not see it - the fact is we are in the age of the raised 4x4 Station Wagons - often called Suv's and others. Making the cars more like the Corvette would not do anything - cars are on the decline. AS long as Oil remains reasonably priced - people will buy Trucks (Which is what SUVs are categorized as). YOu really cannot make a truck look like a Vette.

However - I still Disagree about the Silverado - for Business. WE don't care if the interior is as luxurious as a Lincoln - we care that the Flat space between the tire hump is several inches wider and can hold a lot more than the others. WE like the Bumpers with the Foot space in them. WE still like a STEEL bed.

Yes - for the Urban cowboys - the interior is disappointing - that is something they can address.

MDarringer - 8/4/2019 9:21:54 PM

+1 Boost

Base Corvettes are a big part of the product mix. For a lot of people, attaining a Corvette is a milestone. They do not want a Z06. They wanted that long hood, V8 rumble, but not additional bells and whistles.

There is nothing in and of itself in a mid-engined design that drives up the price of the components that make the car. The base car should be profitable.

People also mistakenly assume that the invoice is what it cost to build the car. Not so. The invoice to the dealer is the cost of production plus the manufacturer's desired profit. Invoice versus list price is theoretically the dealer's profit, but rest assured that the manufacturer is NOT going to wait on dealers to sell cars to make a profit. The minute that car goes into your inventory, the manufacturer is smiling.