Before we go any further: no, the minds behind the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray do not plan on alienating the current and loyal Corvette customers with their marketing plans. Instead, the team looks to extend its marketing efforts to attract Porsche customers more effectively, along with other advocates of sporty European two-seaters, according to an Autoweek report.
Chevrolet, along with ad agency Commonwealth, plan to place ads for the C7 Corvette in high-profile entertainment programs, sports programs and theaters. However, no specifics were given.
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This is nothing new. GM and the Vette group has long targeted the Porsche as a benchmark.
Years ago they competed in Showroom Stock Racing vs. 944 Turbo and they would buy 928’s to tear down to study.
Today the Stingray is better poised to compete with the 911 than ever with better performance and several levels of models and prices.
They are in a good place to compete here and just need to earn the trust of the buyers with a car with a much better quality standard they used to have.
their goes my theory of corvette owners being 25yo d-swinging cowboys. i missed the mark by about 30 years.
The Corvette is an extraordinary car although their conquest sales are more likely to come from BMW Z4 and Nissan 350 ZX buyers.- despite the fact it’s an infinitely better value than the Boxter.
That is just it. 911 killer at a price of a Boxster.
FYI The BMW and 350 ZX just can compete.
The Vette is a segment connector. It is priced more in line with lesser sports cars but can play on even terms with much more expensive cars. It is a rare sports car as few companies can afford to build anything similar with out the price getting away. Thank the trucks for providing the cheap but powerful engine as the key stone here. That is why GM can do it and few others can or are willing.
Those 911 types are loyal (cult) bunch! Corvette may get a few “on the fence” non ordained . Remember a whole slew of Porsche owners are there for the “I gotta Porsche & you don’t” factor, no matter how good the Corvette is! That said, many Euro’s think American stuff is just cool, so that could be the reverse mind set of the local guys.
Oh there are types on both sides that will never change but the ones coming up can be changed very easy.
I never got the 911 thing for years as to me it was an expensive VW. But now that I have had thousands of miles in a 911 Carrera I get it. The car is easy to go fast in. It makes speed feel slow. Would I buy one today no but I get it.
The 911 has its quirks just as the Vette and negatives and positives. But today they are in nearly the same segment but the Vette is a better value.
I deal with many customers in Europe and else where that do own Corvettes. They mostly have a love of America and things American. The key to the Vette is to have a much greater global appeal and better fit the other markets. In places like the Middle East this is not an issue as they have room. Now in Japan and Europe a large car can be an issue. the removing of the larger fenders of the C5 were a help but other things still needed addressed. The C7 has addressed this.
The levels of the car can also help sell to several segments just as the 911. You can buy speed and how fast is a matter how much you spend.
The key for GM is you can still buy a Vette below a 911 price. This should give them an advantage. They need to show that they can out perform the 911 on the street and track every chance they have.
The real advantage of the 911 is their global image. While we love the Vette here it is still a mystery or misunderstood car else where. As the Global image of the Vette is built it will gain more and more status. The higher quality interior and other issues that have been repair will all play into a more positive image.
Lets face it when did we ever thing Jeremy Clarkson would be as smitten by the ZR1 as he was on his drive across Nevada. The ice is breaking and they are headed in the right direction. This is a deal that will not build itself over night but you take a little bit every year and in time you find yourself ahead.