2020 Chevrolet Corvette C8 production delayed by UAW strike

MANILA: The much anticipated mid-engine Chevrolet 2020 Corvette that debuted with much hype is off to a rough start—and it hasn’t gone on sale yet. The ongoing strike of the United Automobile Workers (UAW) threatens to delay production. And although negotiations are currently in progress, there is yet any real resolution that can be seen on the horizon.

On September 16, an estimate of 48,000 members from over 31 General Motors Factories and 21 other related facilities across the United States simultaneously walked out on their jobs. The UAW is demanding for better healthcare, wages, and job security as GM continues to improve its sales and post record profits. The ongoing strike, now in its fourth week, is the company’s longest nationwide walkout since 1970.

Needless to say, the strike is causing a slowdown in production and creating a ripple effect. A couple of sources familiar with GM’s production plan said that the company is forced to delay the production of the Corvette C8 as it tries to catch up on manufacturing the current model to fulfill pending orders for C7. Then the plant will have to retool in preparation for the assembly of the C8.

Although GM has not disclosed how many temporary employees were hired to replace the strikers, some speculate that the slowdown in production is already eating away GM’s already-built inventory.

But a GM spokesman insists that it’s still too early to assume that the launching of the C8 will be delayed, “as we’ve previously stated, Chevrolet Corvette Stingray production begins in late 2019 and convertible production follows in late first-quarter 2020. It’s too early to speculate on production timing impacts on any of our vehicles due to the UAW work stoppage.”

The Chevrolet 2020 Corvette mid-engine model is the biggest design shift in the Corvette’s 66-year history. GM has started taking preorders for the eight-generation Corvette in August and has a dedicated team answering all customer queries about the sports car. At the time of writing, there are already 37,000 orders for the C8 Corvette which are slated to be delivered by January 2020.

If the strike drags on, it’s not just the Corvette that gets affected. If you’ve ordered a Silverado, Sierra, Tahoe, Suburban, or a Camaro, expect some delays if your unit is not in the already-built inventory or has yet to roll off the assembly line.

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