Corvette heading to Australia?

[from oz]

Corvette heading to Oz?
www.drive.com.au

January 14, 2013 - 3:12PM

Stephen Ottley
Motoring Writer


Chevrolet is reportedly preparing a right-hand drive version of its new Corvette Stingray to be sold in Australia, but don't rush out to your local Holden dealer to lay down a deposit just yet.

According to reports from News Limited, General Motors CEO Dan Akerson and other executives have confirmed the plan to make the Corvette a global car, Akerson saying it would come "soon".

"We want the Corvette to come to Australia. I get letters from Australia all the time," Corvette chief engineer Tadje Juechter, told News Limited.

“Our primary competition sells left- and right-hand-drive, so that’s what we want to do. Our plan is to make this a truly global car. But I would say [Akerson’s] timetable is a little faster than what you’re probably thinking. It’ll be years away [rather than soon].”

Continued here

[from oz]

In all seriousness, the fact that GM hasn't prepared this car for RHD release within a year of the LHD model is plain short sightedness. All the major players in this category are available in both LHD and RHD and GM needs to step up if it wants to be that global player it oft states it is.

Plus this is the first Corvette I want. I'll never be able to afford it but I'd like to be able to see one drive past in my own country. Write that one down GM!

[Deco28]

The delay suits me just fine. Graduate this year, live like a homeless person for 2 more years, buy corvette in 2015. New life plan.

[VS Ute 5Litre]

This just isnt going to happen

If they can't justify Camaro then Corvette is out of the question when the UK doesnt require it for sale

[from oz]

My response to that is how does Audi, Ferrari, Lamborghini and all the others justify it? GM needs this car sold globally. This is their halo car. More than ever before GM needs this car to be everywhere.

[VS Ute 5Litre]

My response to that is how does Audi, Ferrari, Lamborghini and all the others justify it? GM needs this car sold globally. This is their halo car. More than ever before GM needs this car to be everywhere.

They don't have NIH syndrome and RHD Blinkers on , but then again Ferrari also has top models that are only LHD so ......

[from oz]

I'm discounting the ultra low volume cars from my example but the Corvette is not remotely that low volume, they probably sell more than the Audi R8. Give me a blow torch, I'll bloody burn those blinkers off.

[V-Car]

My response to that is how does Audi, Ferrari, Lamborghini and all the others justify it? GM needs this car sold globally. This is their halo car. More than ever before GM needs this car to be everywhere.

Hey, its GM we're talking about!
When other manufacturers ARE global, GM really needs to walk the talk about going global. We havent seen much yet.
Message to Akerson, get your head out of the sand, there really is a big world out there!
They need to take a good hard look at how Chrysler can manage it with 300's, SRT8's and Jeeps at prices much, much lower than what GM have suggested its not possible to do.

[VS Ute 5Litre]

Lt's say that this hypothetically happens and a Corvette is available in Australia

First thing is that it would most likely sell as just "Corvette" as rebadging it a Holden is ludicrus and setting up Chev for 1 model is equally ludicrus

So we have this new car

Price?

I would say about 100 -120k

[V-Car]

and setting up Chev for 1 model is equally ludicrus

Who says they will set up Chev for just one model?
The way they are pushing Chev's everywhere, they may be just as stoopid to push it on us too when VF has run its course.

[VS Ute 5Litre]

Who says they will set up Chev for just one model?
The way they are pushing Chev's everywhere, they may be just as stoopid to push it on us too when VF has run its course.

It would be utter stupidity to erase 60 years plus of history just to make it easier to introduce a Corvette

Think about it

I could see them however introducing Chev for Corvette , Camaro and perhaps Suburban and a few trucks

[from oz]

Badge it solely as the Corvette and sell it in the best Holden dealerships in Australia ala the Volt but even more exclusive. While the Chevy badge is technically there the Corvette is uniquely badged.

[VS Ute 5Litre]

Badge it solely as the Corvette and sell it in the best Holden dealerships in Australia ala the Volt but even more exclusive. While the Chevy badge is technically there the Corvette is uniquely badged.

Yep thats how i see it

At about 100-120 k it will be cheaper than importing one and converting

[jpd80]

Holden should get the job as RHD specialists in their global operations and be permitted to build
limited runs of Alpha products like the next generation Camaro ATS and CTS for RHD markets
even if that meant importing most of the parts and stampings.....

Likewise, Ford Australia with the next Mustang and a global Falcon/Lincoln MKR

[RedVee8]

I hope they do intro a RHD Corvette.