Start Of Regular Production (or SORP as it’s known in the trade) of the 2022 Corvette will commence at the GM Bowling Green plant in Kentucky in early September, GM Authority has learned from sources familiar with the matter.
At present, the only Corvette C8 offered is the Stingray, which is available in Coupe and Convertible body styles and the 1LT, 2LT and 3LT trim levels. This will continue for the 2022 Corvette, though the range will add the 2022 Corvette Stingray IMSA GTLM Championship Edition, which celebrates Corvette Racing‘s sweeping success in the 2020 IMSA WeatherTech race series.
Other Corvette C8 variants will become available in the future. The first of those – the upcoming Corvette C8 Z06 – will not arrive until the 2023 model year, as GM Authority was first to report in June.
Changes to the 2022 Corvette include the addition of three new exterior paint colors, as follows:
- Hypersonic Gray Metallic (RPO Code GA7)
- Amplify Orange Tintcoat (G48)
- Caffeine Metallic (GC5)
There will also be slight modifications to the 6.2L V8 LT2 engine, though these will not affect its output of 490 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque in standard form and 495 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque if the car is fitted with the optional Performance Exhaust system.
GM’s problem with the C8 Corvette is that it can’t build enough to satisfy the enormous demand. In April, we reported that around 11,000 orders of the 2021 Corvette still had to be fulfilled, which amounted to nearly double the 6,611 units sold in Q1 of 2021. Two months later, director of Chevrolet car and crossover marketing, Tony Johnson, admitted that the automaker was “not even close” to catching up with demand. “We have more [Corvette C8] orders than we can handle,” he added.
Part of the reason for this is that Corvette C8 production got off to a rocky start. It was first impacted in 2019 by the 40-day-long UAW strike, followed by a pause in production lasting roughly two months as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Then, production was paused once again in 2021 due to supply issues, which have not been fully explained but are believed to be unrelated to the global semiconductor shortage. The situation has eased somewhat, with Bowling Green running at full production across two shifts per day since June 7th.
GM is at present attempting to fulfill 2021 Corvette orders at Event Status 3000 and above, but it might not be possible to fulfill all of those orders between now and the switchover to 2022 Corvette production. As such, some existing Corvette C8 orders will likely end up being moved to the subsequent model year.
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Comments
So the aricle say “date revealed” however you only reveal ” early September ” which is not a date only a window. You should be more accurate when writing ariticles such as since given so many interested prospective C8 owners are reading.
Oh get a grip Dale. Date or window, you’re splitting hairs.
With GM being as tight lipped as they are, be thankful GMAuthority dug this up and are reporting on it. I doubt even GM knows when they’ll start making the 2022 model year with the situation being so on the fritz.
Kate, you’re probably right…but if not even GM knows when they’ll start 2022 production, how can you be thankful that GMAuthority is “reporting” a start date? Makes no sense…
Who cares. I used to love the Corvette, I’ve had 30 of them, now you can have it, their like horses#$” their going to be everywhere. The true great sport cars are limited production for a reason all had to do with racing , the good one still are. Corvette, right, good luck.
Who cares? Production will continue to be a disaster for the buyer. I’m out!
Still loving my C6. A great car for a great price. Not sure 100K really gives you much more?????????????
As an owner of a C7, I can say that the C8 delivers:
1. A lot more refinement over the C7 and C6. I can’t stress this enough – driving the C8 delivers Cadillac-like levels of refinement and NVH, a quality no other Corvette has ever had.
2. Easier performance. The C8 is a lot easier to drive fast than prior Vettes.
3. Up-to-date tech like Wireless CarPlay and a modern infotainment system really put the package together.
4. A world-class interior. The C6 has a decent cabin, the C7 has a great cabin, and the C8 is on a whole other level.
Downsides: reduced outward visibility, price, availability, maximum usable cargo space. I outline the latter in this video:
https://gmauthority.com/blog/2021/07/corvette-c8-cargo-room-vs-corvette-c7-trunk-comparison-video/
Cadillac levels of refinement, LOL, its a sports car not sled. Have you ever owned a REAL sports car ??? Do not need guys like you. Corvette has become a feminine car, no knock to the ladies, but that is what this car has become.
Spot on Alex in my opinion. Had mine for 2 months and it’s a special vehicle. No one believes it’s a Chevy. Absolutely not feminine in any way. I’ll take on any REAL sports car Joey G has in his stable.
Joey G – my daily driver is a C7 Grand Sport 7-speed, a vehicle that most would characterize as a “real sports car”. I have owned several other “real sports cars” as well. Hopefully that is good enough for you, big guy.
Either way, the point is that the C8 is much easier to live with on a daily basis than the C7, and it’s also much easier to take on long road trips than the C7. I would argue with you up and down that the C8 has become feminine… whatever that means. Have you driven one for more than a few minutes?
My order for a 2021 corvette has been in the 3000 category for more than two months. No one can give me answer why and give me hope that I’ll actually get the car. There has to be a better way to inform customers of their order. This maybe my last chevy I will ever buy. I am frustrated beyond belief.
Walt I’m in the same situation mine has been at 3000 for 3 months. When they stated that those with a 3000 status would get their car, I was excited I was going to get my car. Now they say not all 3000 status will be produced, I’m nervous now I won’t get it. This like a rollercoaster ride up and down. Now just hope for the best.
This journalist says that, not GM. Chevrolet has already said, in an authorized press release, that all Corvette orders 3000 status and above WILL be built as 2021s and they look to have them all finished the week of September 6th then cut over to 2022 production the week of September 13th.
This “journalist” is dead wrong and is making up information.
If you want to know when your car will be built email [email protected] with your name and order number and he’ll tell you when your target production week is, long before the concierge can, and even if you don’t have museum delivery.
Again, if your order status is 3000 or higher YOU WILL GET A 2021!
It worked!! Shane responded within 5 minutes of my sending an email. What is TPW? He said my TPW is 8/30…
TPW is your target production week, so if there aren’t any shutdowns etc your car should be built between 8/30 and 9/3. Congrats!
Mine was at 3000 status for awhile then got the TWP and things seemed to move along. My car was built 7/26 and I take delivery via the museum 8/23. Getting very excited, looking forward to the museum delivery.
Walt I ordered mine on 10/6/2019… Their allocations are the problem. They only take care about certain dealerships. Those of us who believed in the car are being penalized because we pick the wrong dealerships. Ive hear every excuse but the customer has come in last. Here is what I posted on their Facebook.
Shame on you Chevrolet! I order a Corvette C8 on 10/19 from Classic Chevrolet in Grapevine. Because of your terrible allocation process where you play favorites with Corvette Dealers like Kerbeck those of us have been penalized by using our reputable local dealers. I was looking forward to this car and you continually amaze me how you could care less about your customers. Even the ones who put a deposit down in the beginning !!!!! You have made this experience awful and ruined the excitement of the car. You allocations numbers don’t lie… look at the C8 groups and see how many people have been screwed by your process.!!! I will continue to post till you make this right!!!
You did not place an order, you went on your dealership’s waiting list and if they told you differently they either don’t understand the process or aren’t as reputable as you think they are.
Chevy has no clue you placed a deposit, only your dealer does. That money didn’t go to Chevy, it went to your dealership.
I went through a small local dealer that was honest about their situation, they felt they would get two more allocations for the year and had one person ahead of me. They REFUSED a deposit until my allocation came in.
Why did your dealer take your money when they didn’t know if they could get you a car?
Doesn’t sound like you should be upset with Chevy.
My 2020 order sat at 3000 for 7 months and took 13.5 months to get from order date – still was worth the wait
I am curious as to when they are going to start production on the 2021’s????
The 2022s will start down the line the week of September 13th as it currently stands. If there are any more shutdowns at Bowling Green that date will move so they can finish the 2021s they currently have scheduled.
Matt, I hope you are correct. Do you work for GM in the production of the corvette? I am having the museum delivery, and you are correct about Shane giving a TPW when the Conciere won’t. But the first TPW he gave me was 6/28 not happening texted him for update he gave TPW of 7/26 subject to change he said, are these dates just given to pacify us? I don’t mean to sound rude, but it is very frustrating.
I have no affiliation with Chevrolet, just try to stay informed with everything. I think it’s important to state the “T” in TPW stands for target. The reason the concierge won’t give you the target production week until you hit 3400 status is it’s too subject to change until your order is scheduled and broadcast to production. The plant shutdown for 3 weeks in June so it’s understandable your TPW would shift. Mine went back 4 weeks and then, later, moved up a week. You’re about a month ahead of me right now, but what’s really important is you’re > status 3000 which means you WILL get a 2021. Chevy has already said they will build ALL those accepted orders as 2021s, regardless.
Thank you, I try to stay informed but you never know when things are published if they are correct. By Mid September we should all have our vehicle.
No doubt, we certainly should! I’ll be doing museum delivery as well, can’t wait. My first time at the museum and my first new Corvette. I restored a 77 and a 72 years ago, both long gone. I’m extremely excited.
Best of luck, maybe I’ll see you getting your car on the delivery webcams!
That will be great! Looking forward to having my 2022 by Dec 1!!
Did you get your Corvette on December 1?
Whatever Katy
Typical loser response.
You have no counter argument so you switched to using a familiar tone with me as if you know me. Too bad for you, that does not further your ill founded agenda but it actually diminishes it. Don’t be that guy.
I was told the wait would be about 6 months to a year when I put my order in last June, my HTC is being built Monday 7-12 , Museum delivery 7-26. Not to far off with all the crazy stuff going on in the world. I’m STOKED!!
Did the Museum Delivery last Monday (7-26) ,great experience! Loving my Torch Red Z51 HTC
13 months, not bad at all! How long did it take for your status to be upgraded during the waiting process? What state is your dealer located in?
Tennessee, ordered late June of 2020, took until March 23rd to go to “3000” status, got word first of July that my build date would be 7-12, emediately set up my museum delivery for 7-26, got it-love it!!
My 2020 convertible was ordered right after the reveal in 2019, got built on 09.28.2020, and brought home on 10.15.2020. All I can say is that the wait is worth it!
Ordered a 2020. Later told I had to reorder as a 2021. Ordered a 2021 when first able to, then told order cancelled, had to reorder as 2022. Tired of GM bs. Ordered Porsche 911 GTS. Scheduled to receive at the end of August.
I was so looking g forward to a new C8 I built on line and put a deposit down with the dealer and now they cannot even tell me if “my order will be accepted by GM”. Know what? They can shove their C8 where the sun don’t shine and I’ll retrieve my deposit and give business to a manufacturer who will show gratitude for the order maybe Porsche for a 718 Spyder.
The design of the mid engine is going to be a maintenance NIGHTMARE!
Love the radiator behind the front wheel wells. Stone and debris will pop a hole sooner or later. How about how they snake the radiator hose through the center of the frame to get to the engine . Have fun replacing that puppy. DISASTER
Still waiting for mine. Got switched to a ’22 order when ’21 production stopped. Order confirmed with GM. Just waiting for 22 production to start. Getting close, hopefully end of this year… 🤞
Ordered a 2020, cancelled, told to reorder for 2021. Order cancelled for 2021, again told to reorder for a 2022. Tired of GM bs. going for Porsche 911 GTS. Will still have to wait but never heard of orders being cancelled and told to reorder for next years model costing more.
I ordered my mine 2 years ago today and still no car . I am at 3000 and they said I will be getting the car before the 22s .hope so.
I’m another 3000 status buyer 5 months now, Why can’t GM keep buyers be better informed on when their car is being built. Already planning to do my own mesh radiator modification to protect the radiator from the serious problem of damage from rocks. Why hasn’t GM come out with their own recall modification by now. All the dealers know about it. I’m hoping GM does before mine is built.
Ron-
Remember that the rear shock towers accumulate water so those need covers as well.
It seems odd to me that with all the demand for the C8’s, and all the improvements in manufacturing, that the current unit production forecast for 2022 is only half of what they produced in 1976, for a less desirable C3.
Ordered a 2020 February 4 of 2020 got a 2021 in March this year my dealer honored the 2020 price I like the car so much I ordered a 2022 exactly the same way Z51 3LT convertible all to do with the dealer it’s ordered from
Which dealer honored their 2020 prices?
My 2020 Order was cancelled. My 2021 Re-Order was cancelled. My 2022 order is in! Bought a BMW Convertible .
Can’t keep waiting. Wasted 2 years already.
DO NOT SEND ME ANY MORE GMAUTHORITY EMAILS [email protected]