Governor Steve Beshear today visited the Corvette Plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky to ceremonially sign House Bill 104, which designates the Corvette as the official state sports car of Kentucky. “Sports car enthusiasts have been in love with the Corvette since it was first unveiled in the Motorama show in New York in 1953,” said Gov. Beshear. “For nearly 30 years, Kentucky has been the exclusive home of this iconic sports car. Today, we proudly honor this fine example of American ingenuity by designating the Corvette as Kentucky’s official state sports car.”

By the numbers:

• 471 employees build the distinctive high-performance vehicles.
• Approximately 50,000 people visit each year to watch the manufacturing process at the Bowling Green Assembly Plant.
• 150,000 visit the National Corvette Museum, located directly across the street from the Plant, which attracts Corvette enthusiasts from all over the world.

“This is an exciting day for Bowling Green and the entire state of Kentucky as we celebrate the Corvette as the state’s official sports car,” said Rep. Jody Richards, of Bowling Green. “This passage of this legislation during the legislative session and the ceremonial bill signing that is being held today highlights the importance of the Corvette Assembly Plant to the Commonwealth and especially to the south central region of our state.” “I am pleased that we were able to move legislation through the lawmaking process during the 2010 session to highlight the importance of the Corvette Plant to Kentucky’s economy,” said Sen. Mike Reynolds, of Bowling Green. “Bowling Green continues to become more of a tourist destination. Therefore, drawing attention to our community and the Corvette’s unique role in our American heritage can only boost economic development in our area. The Corvette has become a tangible symbol of our Commonwealth and I am grateful that Governor Beshear has taken the time to come to Bowling Green to make that symbolism official.”

Kentucky ranks third in total light vehicle production, placing it at the hub of “auto alley,” the strip of middle America that stretches from Michigan into the deep south. In fact, 9.8 percent of all cars and trucks produced in the United States are manufactured in Kentucky. As of early June 2010, more than 64,600 people work in Kentucky’s 418 auto-related industries.

CorvetteBlogger — May 14, 2010 — Corvette owners who visited the Corvette Museum’s C5/C6 Bash on May 1, 2010 had a chance to meet several GM Managers who oversee Tadge Juechter and the Corvette Team. Here is an introduction of Randy Schwarz, Vehicle Line Executive, Global Rear Wheel Drive and David Leone, Chief Engineer, Global Rear Wheel Drive.

Corvette Tour Delivery Options

Source: Chevrolet’s YouTube Channel

General Motors draws on global designers for the new Chevrolet Corvette
By RICK KRANZ, AUTOMOTIVE NEWS

For the first time, General Motors studios across the world have submitted design studies for the next-generation Chevrolet Corvette.

Late last year, Ed Welburn, GM’s vice president of global design, invited GM’s 10 styling studios to submit design proposals.

Some “were absolutely phenomenal,” Welburn said. “There is a lot to pick from. The direction that we take is very important, and the decision has not been made.”

Global input on the Corvette’s design is one of several steps GM is taking to attract buyers in Europe, where the car has little appeal, and young U.S. buyers who favor imports.

“We have challenges in the States with the Corvette,” Welburn said in an interview at the Geneva auto show. “The average age of the customer is really rising.”

The current average age of a Corvette buyer is 54, according to the Power Information Network, a unit of J.D. Power and Associates.

Corvette sales are in a tailspin. Last year 13,934 were sold in the United States, down 48 percent from 2008.

The current Corvette debuted in the 2005 model year. Prices range from $49,880 for the base coupe to $107,830 for the ZR-1. Both prices include shipping.

A redesign is due in two to three years, industry sources say.

Corvette critics often cite the sports car’s size, saying it looks big. They also point to what they say is a cheap-looking interior.

Welburn admitted the interior has a problem: “The execution, materials selection–it’s got to be a much better interior. Our customers desire that.”

Welburn said today’s Corvette is about the same size as the Porsche 911, but the styling makes it look bigger. “We have to develop a design that feels trimmer, meaner, to go along with the incredible performance that the car has,” he said.

In addition to styling, content, pricing and marketing strategy are under discussion, he said.

“It is a key time in the development of the Corvette,” Welburn said. “There is a lot of debate and a lot of study on the bandwidth of Corvette.”

But, he added, “It can’t mutate into something that gets so far away from Corvette that it is no longer a Corvette.”

AutoWeek | Updated: 03/08/10, 9:41 am et

Article URL: http://autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/201003080902/CARNEWS/100309934

Source: Automotive News