We’ve been going over the 2020 Corvette build numbers in recent weeks as production wound down, tracking how many customers ordered certain options and exterior colors. Some options, like Magnetic Selective Ride Control, proved to be extremely popular, but others were much less common.
Among the least popular optional extras available for the 2020 Corvette was the personalized vehicle identification number or VIN. Out of all the 20,368 people that bought a 2020 Corvette, just 31 ordered it with a personalized VIN. That’s a fairly low number, but then again, this rather esoteric option added a whopping $5,000 to the vehicle’s price tag.
Officially referred to by Chevy as the ‘Customer VIN ending reservation’, this option allows the customer to choose the last five numbers or letters that appear in their vehicle’s VIN. For readers who may be unaware, a VIN is a 17-digit sequence of numbers and letters that are unique to a vehicle. The VIN usually contains related identifiers for the model type, engine, production facility, and other aspects of the vehicle. It’s typically used to certify vehicles for DMV registration, identify them for recalls, register for insurance coverage and for other documentation purposes.
This is the kind of option that a customer may pick if they were planning on holding onto their 2020 Corvette for a very long time. Most people probably wouldn’t bother with a custom VIN on a car that they might sell in the next five years or so, but it could be worth it on a vehicle they plan on keeping in for a lifetime. This could also be a nice option to throw on if the vehicle was a gift for someone, adding another layer of personalization to it.
Some customers also have their own unique reason for wanting a personalized VIN. We previously reported on one couple who personalized the VIN on their 2020 Corvette to match that of their rare 1953 Corvette. Now both vehicles have a VIN ending with ‘253’, which could make them a unique two-car package for a collector to purchase one day in the future.
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Comments
I wonder if GM made any money on this feature. $5k (MSRP) * 31 = $155k. Then consider the systems modifications (done by an IT contractor), documentation and publicity, coming up with a policy for selecting numbers, running the whole idea by lawyers…
Last 5 digits I’d select would be 00001, then I’d be first that year.
It’s probably really just a matter of writing several lines of code for the program that assigns the VIN to make a sequence override, and then go back to the normal sequence once that custom VIN is published, just as it does for any other regular production option, like wheels or interior color choices.
So, likely, GM is making tons of profit GM from that custom number. GM could probably have custom VINs for all of their vehicles, however 99.95% of the car buyers couldn’t care less about having a custom VIN. The only time they look at it is when it’s time to buy car insurance or titling the vehicle.
BTAIM, It might be cool if one could buy a new Chevy Silverado 3500 with a DuraMax engine with just the letters D-I-E-S-E-L, so the windshield plate would read “VIN Diesel,” LOL! I think even Vin, himself would love to have a truck numbered that way!
Another beauty by GM marketing team, i didn’t even know this option existed, i’m sure nobody knew other than people endlessly play with the customization tool.
I find a custom license plate that people can see to be of a lot more value. But if you have the money and the whim, I see no problems with it. $5000 would buy some other nice options though…
Instead of gimmicks GM needs to concern itself with better quality goes in before the name goes on!
Last 5 digits I’d select would be 00001, then I’d be first that year.