UPDATED: 03-18-2022
Because of weather patterns, it’s been said that March typically comes in like a lion and out like a lamb. Unfortunately, due to the latest round of constraints issued to Chevrolet dealers this morning, it appears that 2022 Corvette production is going to go out like a lion.
According to our sources, there is only 187 base-model Corvette Stingray allocation spots available throughout the entire United States. Since this is the last allocation cycle for the 2022 Corvette model year, GM has decided which dealers will be able to place orders for those 187 spots. Those dealers were notified this morning.
As a result, some of the top selling Corvette dealers can’t even place orders for a base-model Stingray, but they can place orders for a Stingray equipped with the Z51 Performance Package.
How bizarre is that!?
This morning, we reached out to Chevrolet for more information regarding the constraint, but as of this writing, it’s been radio-silence from Detroit.
So this begs the question: what component(s) is(are) in short supply on a base-model Stingray that the Z51 equipped Corvette doesn’t have? That’s the $6,345 question.
What is the Z51 Corvette performance package?
The Z51 Performance Package includes a host of specific upgrades on a Corvette that come together to improve handling, boost speed, and increase resiliency. For the 2022 Corvette model year, the highly popular option costs $6,345 and includes the following highlights:
- Z51 Performance brakes
- Z51 Performance suspension
- Performance exhaust
- Performance rear axle ratio
- Electronic Limited Slip Differential
- Z51 rear spoiler, front splitter (increasing downforce and aerodynamics)
- 245/35ZR19 front and 305/30ZR20 Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S high-performance tires (stickier than the standard tires)
- Heavy-duty cooling system (more effective for the engine and brakes)
We now know that the reason for the base-Stingray constraint is the lack of transmissions.
A Z51-equipped Corvette Stingray uses a different transmission than the base model Stingray.
Dealers are Suffering the Wrath of Customers
As a result of this extremely unusual constraint, Chevy dealers are scrambling to notify their wait-list customers that their orders will not be placed unless they want to add the $6,345 Z51 option. As you can imagine, a lot of customers are less than pleased and blaming Chevy dealers for trying to scam them out of more money.
Unfortunately, it’s completely out of the dealers’ control as constraints and allocation numbers are controlled solely by GM. Chevy dealers didn’t even know this was coming until this morning.
Now imagine that you’ve just spent the last week confirming Corvette builds with customers in preparation to place their orders, and all of a sudden, you now have to notify them of this constraint: “sorry, but if you want to get a 2022 Corvette, you’ll have to spend an additional $6,345 for the Z51 option on top of your original build, or we can’t place your order.”
It’s like teaching your child how to hit a baseball. You pitch the ball, your child swings the bat full force and launches that baseball right into your…groin. That’s how a lot of Corvette customers are feeling right about now.