This is really good news. To have JD Power & Associates rank the Corvette as the best product in the GM line, in spite of the tough economic times and the push for greener, more efficient cars, is a ray of hope for the car industry. The Corvette also made Car and Driver's 10 Best Cars of 2009. And with the Z06 and ZR1 (Nurburgring Record) models continuing to catch the attention of global media, Chevy/GM need to ride the popularity of this car to the bank.
It shows that people still want power and style. The Prius has its own benefits, but it is not powerful and it is not sexy. The worst thing that GM could do in this restructuring time is to back off the development of the Corvette, emasculate it, and release some toned-down, super-efficient version. On the flip side, I don't know much about the promised, but delayed Volt, but there is no reason why they couldn't make that car fast, powerful, and "green." That is not the Corvette market, but there is definitely a desire for that. I think plenty of people would buy a stylish electric car that was easy to use and recharge, even more if that car had some kick to it. The old EV1 was apparently very fast, especially the acceleration. And just look at what Tesla has come out with. We are Americans, we love our cars, but I think we love to feel like we are driving a real car more than anything.
I have been shocked at how many people have jumped on the Prius bandwagon, seemingly out of necessity instead of desire or to feel better about themselves or better than other people. Sure, gas prices were skyrocketing, but it felt kinda like the Emperor's New Clothes where no one stood up and said "This car is ugly and boring. I'm not buying it. Give me a better option." And high-quality American muscle cars have gone by the wayside. Uber-generalization: Domestic cars in recent years have been cheap and crappy and feel that way. By comparison, when you get in a BMW or Benz or even VW, you feel like you're sitting in a car that was well-designed, well-engineered, and well-built. You feel like the additional cost of buying a foreign car is more than justified by the quality of the product. I just don't get that feeling in American cars. And don't tell me "that's like comparing apples to oranges, you can't compare a Ford to a BMW." Why not? Why can't you? Isn't that feeling the fundamental problem in all of this? Domestic cars are not competitive with imports because they aren't even on the same level. Doesn't that need to change if GM or Ford or Dodge is to succeed going forward?
Go watch a couple episodes of Top Gear (one of my favorite shows) and see and feel the passion the Brits have for cars that are impressive and inspiring and combine breathtaking beauty with exhilirating power. GM should hire Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond to restructure their product line cause I think it's that kind of love and passion that has been lost amidst a push for profit and productivity and economy.
I think the bankruptcies will be a good thing as long as the companies that emerge on the other side of these restructuring processes are better and have focus and drive. American cars had an image and purpose back in the day, but politicians and the EPA neutered them and the result was low-cost, low-quality vehicles that all look the same. I think the Corvette was the one exception (or one of the few) and I hope that GM realizes that people want power and performance and are willing to pay for it. Don't forsake your heritage, don't eliminate the one good thing you've got going for you. Go back to making exciting, badass cars that are stylish and can haul off the line.
Just found this page about the C7. Don't know what I think about the style of the nose and grille, but it sounds like the "SS" model will be quite a beast. Good work GM. Keep it up.
