With many settling into their respective Fourth of July celebrations, we thought it might be a good idea to reflect on some of the truest embodiments of the phrase “American Made” we could think of – the Chevrolet Corvette and the GM Bowling Green Assembly plant.
While the former is known the world over as one of the greatest American sports cars of all time, the latter doesn’t always get the credit it deserves. Since 1981, GM has produced the Chevrolet Corvette exclusively at the Bowling Green Assembly Plant in Kentucky. Since then, this 1.7 million-square-foot facility has stood watch over a number of important milestones. On July 2nd, 1992, the Bowling Green plant produced the 1 millionth Chevrolet Corvette and in June of 2003, the facility marked the 50th anniversary of the Corvette with a special edition package.
Beyond the history though, the Bowling Green Plant holds a special place in the hearts and minds of Chevrolet Corvette owners for other reasons. Some buyers elect to pick up their new Vette at the National Corvette Museum, which is located just over a mile from the Bowling Green Assembly Plant.
Earlier on in the Corvette C7 lifecycle, buyers could even elect to work with an on-site builder to put together their very own LT4 V8 engine at the facility’s Performance Build Center. It’s this sort of access and democratization that make this vehicle and facility truly stand out as American made.
Notably, the Chevrolet Corvette wasn’t always produced at the Bowling Green Plant. The first 300 examples were produced by hand in Flint, Michigan, after which production moved to St. Louis.
These days, however, Kentucky is not only the current home for the nameplate, but its future as well. Back in April, GM announced it would add 400 jobs and a second shift to the facility to help usher along production of the upcoming 2020 mid-engine Corvette C8, which will debut on July 18th.

A prototype of the mid-engine Corvette C8 at the GM Bowling Green plant
GM Authority will be on hand at the reveal event to cover the debut as it happens, documenting the evolution of this American-made icon as it rolls into an all-new eighth generation, so stay tuned. And don’t forget to subscribe to GM Authority for the latest Corvette news, Chevrolet news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
Awesome picture! And they get it, Corvette is a Chevrolet. Always has been, always will be.
Never say never and never say always…There was a time when the Vette was going to spin off into its own brand…
They should have been in gold or black shirts for Chevy or even still half red and half black like the corvette emblem.
“American Made” means made in America, which covers all the territories from Alaska to Chile. So any part made in Canada, Mexico, or any other nation south of our border is “American Made”. “U.S.A. ” means “The United Sates of America” or a Union of States of America, so it is also “American Made”.
If you want to be a real “nationalist” , change it to “U.S. Made”.
American has become in and about the United States of America, not any country in North or South America. Perhaps the U.S. stole the term “American” but ultimately that description has been widely accepted to mean the U.S.
I know how it should be, and I agree with you: everyone living between Alert and Puerto Williams is an American. It makes perfect sense. America is a massive region that encompasses 5 major languages, dozens of cultures, and over a billion people.
Unfortunately, as a Canadian, I’d resent being called an American because to us there is only 1 America.
It’s messed up, I know, but I know where you’re coming from. A pan-America vision is not only correct, but probably the best way to function outside of a fractured national bloc.
Ramon’s Ramirez
Absolutely correct, Bowling Green Kentucky is in the Americas.
BAD MISTAKE………..eliminating the front engine car!!!!!! Watch the sales & stock plummet when sales level off in Dec / Jan 2020 as everybody holds their breath. NEVER CUT OUT THE PLATFORM THAT MADE DECADES OF FOLLOWERS & SUCCESS!!!! They pulled the plug based on a MAYBE………..watch it……………
Hello Gene,
I guess you were a Corvette MID-ENGINE country mile off on your prediction.
I would not own one unless they went mid-engine and the built a car that will destroy any previous builds on track in their stock form. Not to mention should be the best selling generation ever.
Too bad we have to get rid of the stick, too many from the younger generation that just don’t know how it works and the fun you can have changing gears. But from a performance and build standpoint it had to go.
I own a Viper as well, and too bad Dodge did not reinvent their beast of a car.
When will Barra move production to Mexico or China?
Disagree with GM decision to reduce Onstar trial period. Another reason to consider another manufacturer for our next vehicle after having purchased only GM for 50 years.
I am concerned GM is elimanating production of most of their cars. With Ford and Chrysler halting production of everything but sports cars, it gives GM the opportunity to be the only domestic to offer a full lineup of cars. Once you give up that market share you cannot get it back! Wait and redesign the current lineup with new models and it should be sustainable. Trucks and SUVs are boring, no style, what if gas goes up? Electric and Atonomus cars are still two decades away from being mass produced, a black hole of R & D! GM needs to tap the brakes and make a midsize car comparable to the i phone, no shortcuts! Prove you can do it, don’t throw in the towel Mary. The General has the R & D to get it done!
Can one make a trip to Bowling Green and actually go through the order process there?
I am looking to have an experience with the pros rather than some random salesperson at the local dealer.
Love the new platform and it came just in time for my midlife crisis 🙂
Thank you
Scott Kietzmann