Just returned from two days in the plant.

[Tom H.]

Hey Everybody !

Just got home from two great days in Bowling Green with a customer and his new ZR1. Spent a great two days in the plant with the car. Hats off to the entire staff of the plant and museum who went out of their way to make this a great experience for our customer and myself.

We watched the car from the beginning stages of production clear to the finish. We watched the engine being selected from inventory, watched the VIN being stamped on it as well as the engine being bolted to the transmission and driveline. We were able to examine the front and rear suspension before it was pulled to the line as well. We folowed the car until it had most body panels installed as well as the headlights. We closed the plant down on Monday and returned today, 4-21 to see the car through final assembly.

Today we saw the front facia, hood, wheels, engine shroud and all final details installed. Shortly after 9:00 am, the car touched the ground for the first time.

At 9:19am we had initial start up. By 10:10am the car entered the dynamic brake and roll test and at 10:13am it was being sprayed with water in the leak test booth. The car passed all tests required to leave the plant right away. Then out the back door it went to wait on the transport to deliver it to BUDS.

Thanks again to all of the staff at the museum and plant. Including Lori and Gary at the museum, the plant manager, the head of the paint department, all supervisors and assembly line workers who personally greeted our group. You built us one heck of a car and we appreciate it.

A special thanks to my good friend Bruce Robel who gave us the best damn plant tour I've ever had, and I've had a ton of em !!

If you'ver never been to the plant, make it a point to go. One of the best Corvette learning experinces you can have.

[Jim T.]

Re: Just returned from two days in the plant.

I need to plan a trip to see the operations in the plant again. Did anyone mention how many more Z06's and ZR1's they know will be built as well as the coupes and convertibles?

[Tom H.]

Re: Just returned from two days in the plant.

Hi Jim !

Specific numbers were not discussed, but the plant was running at about half speed as normal. About 80 cars per day ( total ). This is a snails pace if you are on the line. The ZR1 that we were following was in the 850's VIN range. ZR1's in the 870's were just coming into the plant as frame assemblies today and should complete by weeks end.

I didn't pay real close attention to the Z06's since I was concentrating most of my attention to the ZR1's.

We did see the Competition Sport cars, the GT1's and some cool 2010's that I won't spill the beans on until GM shows them off this weekend !

[Clem Z.]

Re: Just returned from two days in the plant.

Hi Jim !

Specific numbers were not discussed, but the plant was running at about half speed as normal. About 80 cars per day ( total ). This is a snails pace if you are on the line. The ZR1 that we were following was in the 850's VIN range. ZR1's in the 870's were just coming into the plant as frame assemblies today and should complete by weeks end.

I didn't pay real close attention to the Z06's since I was concentrating most of my attention to the ZR1's.

We did see the Competition Sport cars, the GT1's and some cool 2010's that I won't spill the beans on until GM shows them off this weekend !

where are these new corvettes going as most dealers i know have plenty of stock ?

[Michael A.]

Re: Just returned from two days in the plant.

Tom
Thanks for sharing the news. Let's hope the plant can get back up to full speed. Lord knows I'm getting tired of hearing everything shutting down. It's time the world know we here in America can make some pretty incredible products AND make them well. When it comes to manufacturing, to steal a phrase from Government Motors defacto chief officer, "Yes We Can".

[Tom H.]

Re: Just returned from two days in the plant.

where are these new corvettes going as most dealers i know have plenty of stock ?

There are still sold orders. Even when we have stock Corvettes on the floor, it is impossible to have all of the combinations available. We have several sold orders in the system and several more stock units inbound for 2009.

Corvettes are selling, just not in huge volume. My inventory is down over 50% since Dec-Jan.

[Jean C.]

Re: Just returned from two days in the plant.

Tom,
Do you have any late info regarding the schedule for the Corvette line for the next couple of months? Last I heard it was a 2 week up/2 week down schedule and the line supposedly came up around mid-April.

I presume a similar plant schedule at Wixom has slowed the Z06 production.

(Im)Patiently waiting in Texas,

[Tom H.]

Re: Just returned from two days in the plant.

Tom,
Do you have any late info regarding the schedule for the Corvette line for the next couple of months? Last I heard it was a 2 week up/2 week down schedule and the line supposedly came up around mid-April.

I presume a similar plant schedule at Wixom has slowed the Z06 production.

(Im)Patiently waiting in Texas,

Charlie:

As of yesterday, the schedule was to be open the last two weeks of the month through June.

Send me your order number, I might be able to check the schedule for you.

[John H.]

Re: Just returned from two days in the plant.

GM just announced that they would be closing most North American plants for nine weeks this summer (vs. the usual 2-week July shutdown); haven't seen the dates yet.

[Henry S.]

Re: Just returned from two days in the plant.

where are these new corvettes going as most dealers i know have plenty of stock ?

I just got a call this morning from the salesman (Will) we bought our Traverse from at Jackson Chevrolet in Sullivan, Il. They had just unloaded brand spanking new ZO6, Red with Black interior. They were pretty excited, as it was the first "special" Corvette they have been able to get. Sullivan is a town in the 4000-5000 range. Will said there was a new Silver ZR1 on the truck also but wasn't sure where it was headed.

[Tom H.]

Re: Just returned from two days in the plant.

GM just announced that they would be closing most North American plants for nine weeks this summer (vs. the usual 2-week July shutdown); haven't seen the dates yet.

I bet it will start about the usual shutdown time in July. Might make things interesting when it comes to ordering new Corvettes !

I thought i had a pretty good supply in December, now it's getting down to about 20 cars and spring has sprung

[Terry M.]

Re: Just returned from two days in the plant.

I just got a press release from GM.

Bowling Green will be down and extra week -- July 13
I hope I am remembering that right. I am on a hotel computer and I can not open two windows at once so I can't cut and paste.

[Michael A.]

Re: Just returned from two days in the plant.

Terry - I think you got it right. NPR was reporting from Bowling Green tonight on the GM announcement. They said the BG employees got off easy with only 1 additional week of shut down. I believe there are 13 plants impacted with some having to endure up to 9 weeks shut down. I hate hearing that. Unfortunately I'm part of the problem. With 4 vehicles in the house (in addition to the prized possession), I've got 2 at nearly 100k miles with no intention to replace at this point in time. The other 2 have nearly 70k miles. When things do settle down, there will be quite a bit of pent up demand. I hope GM is still around to provide some of those vehicles.