Rumorpile: Chevrolet Ponders An Expansion of the Corvette

Yes, a performance electric SUV would fit the Corvette family nicely!

27 minutes ago, David said:

Yes, a performance electric SUV would fit the Corvette family nicely!

I think GM should go with ICE or high level Hybrid SUV initially instead of full EV, in order to make money on it.  

9 minutes ago, ykX said:

I think GM should go with ICE or high level Hybrid SUV initially instead of full EV, in order to make money on it.  

I can understand that and I also think the Hybrid would work well too, but now that GM has shown off the Hummer with 1000HP tri motor. I can see that powertrain in a Sleek C8 inspired CUV that would allow the 400 mile range battery pack to do even better than what the Hummer Brick by GMC will do.

27 minutes ago, ykX said:

I think GM should go with ICE or high level Hybrid SUV initially instead of full EV, in order to make money on it.  

Problem is GM doesn't have an ICE CUV/SUV platform for a Corvette CUV....the BOF full size SUV platform is too big, and the FWD/transverse engine CUV platform they use for everything else is too mediocre.       So the BEV seems to be the most forward-looking approach. 

The "FWD / transverse engine" aspect you consistently look down on is rendered 100% non-applicable once you go to battery packs / hub motors.

1 hour ago, balthazar said:

The "FWD / transverse engine" aspect you consistently look down on is rendered 100% non-applicable once you go to battery packs / hub motors.

True...but that's in the future..not right now.  GM doesn't have a unibody, RWD/V8 platform to build a performance CUV ala the Cayenne that they should have built a decade ago...

1 hour ago, Robert Hall said:

True...but that's in the future..not right now.  GM doesn't have a unibody, RWD/V8 platform to build a performance CUV ala the Cayenne that they should have built a decade ago...

I mean, it does state 2025.

^ Right. GM didn't have a mid-engine/ RWD/ V8 platform for the C8... before it did.

Vehicles take more than a day to develop.

A Corvette SUV is a horrible idea, they shouldn't do it. However I think GM will do it.  

The "Corvette" name still means something because it hasn't been watered down or trashed.  If GM wants to make a high performance electric crossover, I'd say that is what Cadillac is for.  And if they want to make a high performance electric crossover with a crappier interior call it Blazer SS, or GMC Typhoon or make up a new name.

Also not a fan of "Mustang Mach-E" because you know, it isn't an actual Mustang.  Why isn't it just Mach-E? 

This goes to a greater problem with how trash the brand image of Ford and Chevrolet are, why they have to call everything Corvette or Mustang, why the Bronco doesn't say Ford on it, etc.  Compared to say Tesla, where the brand matters more than the model.  Ask a Corvette owner what kind of car they drive, they'll say Corvette, not Chevy, ask a Model S owner and they'll say Tesla.  GM needs to make the Chevy brand cool, not trash the Corvette name with SUVs.

53 minutes ago, smk4565 said:

This goes to a greater problem with how trash the brand image of Ford and Chevrolet are, why they have to call everything Corvette or Mustang, why the Bronco doesn't say Ford on it, etc.

53 minutes ago, smk4565 said:

If GM wants to make a high performance electric crossover, I'd say that is what Cadillac is for.

Well, I don't know about a Hi-Po CUV... but a Cadillac Hi-Po BE 2-seater sports car is coming...

4 minutes ago, smk4565 said:

they have to call everything Corvette

say WHA-AAT?

1 hour ago, smk4565 said:

This goes to a greater problem with how trash the brand image of Ford and Chevrolet are, why they have to call everything Corvette or Mustang

Chevrolet hasnt called anything else a Corvette other than a Corvette...

Ford just recently expanded the Mustang name to a sporty BE CUV...

And its a Mustang BECAUSE Ford named it that...  Ford doesnt care what you think about the name.  

Ford knows what it has in the Mustang, as when they tried to replace it with a FWD sporty coupe, they got tons of hate mail and even more mail to keep the Mustang alive.   Low and behold, the RWD V8 powered coupe is still here alive and well and it aint going nowhere anytime soon.  And those Mustang Mach-Es....I think they already sold out at 50 000 units therefore it dont matter even more if you dont like the name, plenty of people dont seem to care about that making Ford not care about you even more.

1 hour ago, smk4565 said:

Compared to say Tesla, where the brand matters more than the model.  Ask a Corvette owner what kind of car they drive, they'll say Corvette, not Chevy, ask a Model S owner and they'll say Tesla.

And about that...

 Id say Corvette is a cooler name than Model S.  Of course people say Vette instead of Chevy. They say Camaro and Chevelle and Impala with the same amount of pride and gusto.  And people just KNOW that all those are CHEVROLETS...  THAT is how much BRAND recognition CHEVROLET has got when EVERYBODY KNOWS that Impalas, Chevelles, Camaros AND Corvettes are indeed...CHEVROLETS.

Model S...

100 years ago, Ford and Buick and everybody in the car making game named their cars with Model and then a number or letter right after.     Nothing earth shattering there.  

Tesla as a brand is huuuuge.  Model S as a stand alone. Nothing special...

Quote

 

George:  What do you drive now?

Billy: A Tesla

George: Wow!  An EV. Great! Which one?

Billy: The Model S.

George: SL? 

Billy: No...S!

George: S Class? 

Billy: No! Model S.   

George: Model T?  Isnt that a Ford?

Billy: No. I said Model S.  You know.  The first one. 

George: Get outta here, everybody knows Ford made the Model T...

Billy: *sigh* Never mind.

George:  Hey...you wanna race?  I just bought a Hellcat.  

Billy: yeah right...Like I would waste my electrons on a Dodge! 

George:  Scared are we of that Mopar Muscle?!  Like they say, takes a Mopar to catch a Mopar! 

In other words...Impala SS...Not only is the person proud that he owns a Chevy, but an Impala. Different than a Chevelle.

Say Chevelle and visions of one of the most iconic muscle cars ever floods the room full of people with envy.  And yet, people know that its a Chevrolet.  Nope...not an Impala. The Impala is the big model. Everybody knows that.  Its a Chevelle.  Its THE muscle car.

Mention Corvette and everybody goes bat shyte crazy.   And you guessed it...BECAUSE ITS A CHEVY...  Proof?  YOU just did exactly that...

12 hours ago, David said:

Yes, a performance electric SUV would fit the Corvette family nicely!

Thinking a Vette in CUV form is going to look ugly.....

EV supercar would work for me.... ? 

A gm move.  A spiral downward.  That is the new reality.  It's like a childhood stolen.

7 hours ago, balthazar said:

 

Well, I don't know about a Hi-Po CUV... but a Cadillac Hi-Po BE 2-seater sports car is coming...

say WHA-AAT?

One badge I think, Bronco Sport is similar, they are really trying to push “Bronco” not Ford.  Which is fine, but the Ford brand doesn’t have a lot of cache.  That’s why their Tesla Model Y fighter is called Mustang rather than Ford E-whatever since all their SUV’s have E names.  
 

Ford needs to use their #1 model name to stand a chance against the Tesla brand, but if the Mach-E is a bust then it drags the Mustang down with it.  I don’t like calling an SUV a Mustang, nor do I like calling an SUV a Corvette.  
 

Early reviews seem pretty positive on the Mach E, but I am curious how it does long term.

Expanding the Corvette name for an EV CUV is probably NOT a good idea.  It should be called an Electra instead.

20 hours ago, riviera74 said:

Expanding the Corvette name for an EV CUV is probably NOT a good idea.  It should be called an Electra instead.

I disagree as Buick will have an Electra EV, Corvette needs to define their future with a performance EV be it a car or a CUV, but they need to figure out where the future will be for them and I think a Performance CUV EV under Corvette works. I honestly do not see Chevrolet having a top end EV except for a Camaro EV fitting in under the Corvette.

As long as Tadge Juechter is Corvette's chief engineer, Corvette will NOT expand into being its own brand.

Unless GM gives him his walking papers like they did with Doug Fehan, the chief of Corvette racing.  

And I dont think GM is ready to let go of Tadge just yet.   I dont think GM is ready to expand on a Corvette brand any time soon. 

If I read the comments properly on those EV teasers, the exterior of that EV is inspired by the Corvette's looks... 

Nothing more. Nothing less.

20 hours ago, oldshurst442 said:

As long as Tadge Juechter is Corvette's chief engineer, Corvette will NOT expand into being its own brand.

Unless GM gives him his walking papers like they did with Doug Fehan, the chief of Corvette racing.  

And I dont think GM is ready to let go of Tadge just yet.   I dont think GM is ready to expand on a Corvette brand any time soon. 

If I read the comments properly on those EV teasers, the exterior of that EV is inspired by the Corvette's looks... 

Nothing more. Nothing less.

 

But he'll one day retire or be forced out.  Or if they tell him to make a Corvette SUV, he'll have to do it.  I tend to think GM isn't that stupid to make a Corvette SUV or Corvette sedan or anything else like that.  A Corvette EV sure, but all that is is swapping the gas engine for batteries and motor, it would still be a 2 seat sports car.

4 hours ago, smk4565 said:

But he'll one day retire or be forced out.

So what?
One day Duntov retired (1975), and look what the Corvette went on to become (even by '84).  Juechter could retire and the Corvette could go on to even greater heights. He's not the only person that can helm the ship.

2 hours ago, balthazar said:

So what?
One day Duntov retired (1975), and look what the Corvette went on to become (even by '84).  Juechter could retire and the Corvette could go on to even greater heights. He's not the only person that can helm the ship.

Well yeah, I am sure there are other good engineers they can hire.  My point was more that the engineers and designers don't run the company, the finance people do.  And the danger is them making finance decisions over product decisions.  Because they see Tesla worth $750 billion or whatever they are worth and GM worth $70 billion and they'll probably do anything they can to compete with Tesla because the stockholders will demand it.   And Tesla copying is where a lot of car makers can get in trouble.

30 minutes ago, smk4565 said:

My point was more that the engineers and designers don't run the company, the finance people do.

That's the exact same scenario for every mainstream brand. Daimler included. Look at how the 300SL Gullwing was dropped after only 3 years, in order to crank out 4-cylinder ragtop SLs for decades. Beancounters. Had the kept it running it could've been competition for the C2 Corvette.

There is no fundamental Tesla is doing that supports it's stock price. That's not stockholder demands, it's investor mania. And what stock holder wouldn't like to see a Corp's share price skyrocket after they bought it?

4 hours ago, smk4565 said:

Well yeah, I am sure there are other good engineers they can hire.  My point was more that the engineers and designers don't run the company, the finance people do.  And the danger is them making finance decisions over product decisions.  Because they see Tesla worth $750 billion or whatever they are worth and GM worth $70 billion and they'll probably do anything they can to compete with Tesla because the stockholders will demand it.   And Tesla copying is where a lot of car makers can get in trouble.

 

That would be an awful idea.....

On 1/15/2021 at 7:30 PM, smk4565 said:

A Corvette SUV is a horrible idea, they shouldn't do it. However I think GM will do it.  

The "Corvette" name still means something because it hasn't been watered down or trashed.  If GM wants to make a high performance electric crossover, I'd say that is what Cadillac is for.  And if they want to make a high performance electric crossover with a crappier interior call it Blazer SS, or GMC Typhoon or make up a new name.

Also not a fan of "Mustang Mach-E" because you know, it isn't an actual Mustang.  Why isn't it just Mach-E? 

This goes to a greater problem with how trash the brand image of Ford and Chevrolet are, why they have to call everything Corvette or Mustang, why the Bronco doesn't say Ford on it, etc.  Compared to say Tesla, where the brand matters more than the model.  Ask a Corvette owner what kind of car they drive, they'll say Corvette, not Chevy, ask a Model S owner and they'll say Tesla.  GM needs to make the Chevy brand cool, not trash the Corvette name with SUVs.

So then we can easily relate this to how Mercedes-Benz trashes everything with putting AMG on crappy FWD appliance auto's trashing the history of the AMG RWD History.

Every auto company thinks they can do things with branding and it does not work, yet some really does.

In this case a proper tri-motor 1000HP Corvette CUV EV AWD would work and yet you can still have as you call it the crappier interior Blazer SS, GMC Typhoon, Cadillac V edition, etc.

On 1/15/2021 at 9:30 PM, smk4565 said:

This goes to a greater problem with how trash the brand image of Ford and Chevrolet are, why they have to call everything Corvette or Mustang, why the Bronco doesn't say Ford on it, etc.  Compared to say Tesla, where the brand matters more than the model.  Ask a Corvette owner what kind of car they drive, they'll say Corvette, not Chevy, ask a Model S owner and they'll say Tesla.  GM needs to make the Chevy brand cool, not trash the Corvette name with SUVs.

It's no different at all than Mercedes, BMW, and Audi adding the garbage "M Sport", "R-Line" and C43/E53 "aMg". 

I would rather see them do a grand 2+2 GT car! Like a highend Camaro with a longer wheelbase for a roomy back seat! 

On 1/15/2021 at 10:30 PM, smk4565 said:

A Corvette SUV is a horrible idea, they shouldn't do it. However I think GM will do it.  

The "Corvette" name still means something because it hasn't been watered down or trashed.  If GM wants to make a high performance electric crossover, I'd say that is what Cadillac is for.  And if they want to make a high performance electric crossover with a crappier interior call it Blazer SS, or GMC Typhoon or make up a new name.

Also not a fan of "Mustang Mach-E" because you know, it isn't an actual Mustang.  Why isn't it just Mach-E? 

This goes to a greater problem with how trash the brand image of Ford and Chevrolet are, why they have to call everything Corvette or Mustang, why the Bronco doesn't say Ford on it, etc.  Compared to say Tesla, where the brand matters more than the model.  Ask a Corvette owner what kind of car they drive, they'll say Corvette, not Chevy, ask a Model S owner and they'll say Tesla.  GM needs to make the Chevy brand cool, not trash the Corvette name with SUVs.

Thats awful big talk for someone who is a fan of a certain German company that'll slap AMG stickers on any car that'll have them.

5 hours ago, smk4565 said:

GM needs to make the Chevy brand cool, not trash the Corvette name with SUVs

LITERALLY what saved Porsche; trashing the brand name with (relatively) high volume SUVs.

21 minutes ago, balthazar said:

LITERALLY what saved Porsche; trashing the brand name with (relatively) high volume SUVs.

How is that a quote of me..? 

^ Sorry about that, sometimes the reply / editing on this site confoozles me.

EDIT :: fixeded!

19 hours ago, balthazar said:

That's the exact same scenario for every mainstream brand. Daimler included. Look at how the 300SL Gullwing was dropped after only 3 years, in order to crank out 4-cylinder ragtop SLs for decades. Beancounters. Had the kept it running it could've been competition for the C2 Corvette.

There is no fundamental Tesla is doing that supports it's stock price. That's not stockholder demands, it's investor mania. And what stock holder wouldn't like to see a Corp's share price skyrocket after they bought it?

About 2 years Dr. Dieter Zetsche was CEO, Dr. Thomas Weber was in charge of R&D for Mercedes and Tobias Moers was CEO of AMG, and all 3 are engineers, but now they are all gone.  Now Ola Kallenius is CEO ( was formally was head of AMG and R&D) but he is an economics and finance guy.  So we'll see what happens, they might run into the beancounter abyss also and get run over by Tesla.

I agree Tesla's stock value doesn't make sense, but it keeps going up.

6 hours ago, David said:

So then we can easily relate this to how Mercedes-Benz trashes everything with putting AMG on crappy FWD appliance auto's trashing the history of the AMG RWD History.

Every auto company thinks they can do things with branding and it does not work, yet some really does.

In this case a proper tri-motor 1000HP Corvette CUV EV AWD would work and yet you can still have as you call it the crappier interior Blazer SS, GMC Typhoon, Cadillac V edition, etc.

AMG isn't a car though, it was a tuner company bought by Mercedes.    And now is a trim level of sorts.

If GM wants to make electric SUV's with Denali, V-series, Avenir, or SS badges all over it, then have at it.   A Corvette SUV would be like if Mercedes made an SL electric crossover, or Porsche made a 911 3-row crossover.  Makes no sense.

Corvette is 2 seat coupe/convertible and has been for 60+ years, it can't be an SUV.

6 hours ago, ccap41 said:

It's no different at all than Mercedes, BMW, and Audi adding the garbage "M Sport", "R-Line" and C43/E53 "aMg". 

As I said in my other post, M is a trim level, AMG is a trim level.   Corvette is not a trim level.  GMC puts "Denali" on everything, as they should.  And Cadillac could use more V-series cars.  Making a Corvette SUV makes just as much sense as Cadillac making an electric 2 seat sports car and calling it Escalade.  

7 minutes ago, smk4565 said:

A Corvette SUV would be like if Mercedes made an SL electric crossover, or Porsche made a 911 3-row crossover.  Makes no sense.

Corvette is 2 seat coupe/convertible and has been for 60+ years, it can't be an SUV.

Or how Porsche took a 50+ year 911 rear-engined sports car and made it a battery 4-dr sedan?

I agree that there's no reason or market desire for a 'Corvette SUV', but there ARE like production examples out there in the industry.

3 hours ago, balthazar said:

LITERALLY what saved Porsche; trashing the brand name with (relatively) high volume SUVs.

Making SUVs saved Porsche, not turning the 911 into an SUV.  Also the 911 has ridiculous profit margins which helped them, and  between the 2 they got the cash to buy 1/3 of VW or whatever they got in that merger/acquisition thing they did.

Just now, balthazar said:

Or how Porsche took a 50+ year 911 rear-engined sports car and made it a battery 4-dr sedan?

I agree that there's no reason or market desire for a 'Corvette SUV', but there ARE like production examples out there in the industry.

Porsche is a band, Corvette is not.  

911 is the same 2+2 rear engine car it has been for 50 years.  You can not buy an 911 sedan or a 911 SUV.  

1. You're splitting hairs / playing semantics with 'model / brand'.
2. Making a distinction between SUV and 4-door sedans is more of the same. Sedans are going the way of the tailfin and the twelve-cylinder. No one was buying 911s, the BRAND had to build SUVs. A sports car-only brand building bloated SUVs. Still a perversion... but the way of the future.

Taycan is a 911 in everything but badge and door count (and motive power). Porsche took a 911 and stretched it into a long sedan.

IMO, as part of a mega conglomerate, Porsche should've stuck to only sports cars to preserve the heritage. But that's not the Way of Things anymore.
Corvette is also a part of a mega conglomerate, but there's far less pressure there to dilute.

I don't think there's a more heritaged and pure model/brand in existence, than the Chevrolet Corvette.

- - - - -
On another note; how's life, smk? Tell us a story.

The irony of Porsche dilution is that Porsche tried many times to EXPAND its models (for mass production success) 

Porschefiles (more like rabid 911 fanatics) REJECTED EACH AND EVERY ATTEMPT BEFORE the SUVs...

1. Volkswagen derived derived 914 to replace the Kharman Ghia within the corporate umbrella...

2. 924 to replace the 914 

2a. the 924 then became the 944  (closely related to the 924)

2b.  the 944 then became the 968 (closely related to the 944)

3.   The 928

Other than the SUVs and CUVs they sell, they also mass produce the Boxster and Cayman. They are afraid of messin' around with the 911 performance cred and dont wanna piss off these rabid 911 fanatics that they DELIBERATELY hamper the performance attributes of these as to not step on the 911's toes.   

(Cue in people's shyttin' on Chevy for doing the same thing to Buick and Pontiac vis-a-vis the Vette in the 1980s)

The thing with Porsche and this perversion is: 

Porsche as a brand or model:

Is to produce SPORTS CARS in the TRUEST SENSE of the definition of SPORTS CAR.

So yeah...if you feel that Chevy/GM will shyte on the Corvette name and brand if Chevy/GM will produce Corvette branded SUVs, then you MUST feel the same way about Porsche producing BLOATED 4 door sedans and BLOATED, TOP HEAVY SUVs and CUTE UTES...

If not...you are not being honest with yourself.  I dont really care about how you feel about either Porsche or Corvette...but at least have the same consistency in your logic is alls Im sayin' 

Corvette and the 911 as models AND brands are BOTH purest in form since their inception. 

Ferrari's  mid-engine sports cars meant for high sales are also pure.  (Dino206GT,308,328,348,F355,360...,458...,F8)

All have seen some deviations from their absolute beginnings, but are mostly intact from what they are.

The Vette went from a straight 6 to a V8 to being mid-engined

The Porsche went from a 4 cylinder to an aircooled boxer 6 to AWD (and Turbo) to  liquid cooled

The Ferrari went from a V6 to  transverse V8 to a longtitude V8 to twin turboed longtitude V8

The reason why I bolded turbo with Ferrari as Ferrari ALWAYS swore off turbos yet ironically had turbos in their F40...but went to turbos again with the last two gens of their 'mass produced' models.  

1 hour ago, smk4565 said:

Making SUVs saved Porsche, not turning the 911 into an SUV.  Also the 911 has ridiculous profit margins which helped them, and  between the 2 they got the cash to buy 1/3 of VW or whatever they got in that merger/acquisition thing they did.

Porsche is a band, Corvette is not.  

911 is the same 2+2 rear engine car it has been for 50 years.  You can not buy an 911 sedan or a 911 SUV.  

But...ironically, 

The non-911 sedan and the non-911 SUV AWFULLY look like a 911...

And the reason is...as to look as closely possible like a Porsche (911) as possible.

The models I posted above that failed...oddly enough, did NOT look like a 911.

The models that HAVE succeeded, even more strange, is that they DO look like a 911.

Coinkidink?  I think not! 

6 minutes ago, oldshurst442 said:

But...ironically, 

The non-911 sedan and the non-911 SUV AWFULLY look like a 911...

And the reason is...as to look as closely possible like a Porsche (911) as possible.

The models I posted above that failed...oddly enough, did NOT look like a 911.

The models that HAVE succeeded, even more strange, is that they DO look like a 911.

Coinkidink?  I think not! 

 

They all look similar because they are all Porsches. 

Chevrolet can build as many electric SUVs as they want, and none should have a Corvette badge on them.  

On a side note, why is it that these car companies think a high performance electric SUV is the way to go?  Cadillac won't make a high performance SUV now, notice there is no demand for a 500 or 600 hp XT5 or XT6, no demand for a 450 hp Traverse or Blazer, etc.   Shouldn't they aim for the meat of the market, like pickups, Rav4 sized SUVs, etc?

1 hour ago, balthazar said:

I don't think there's a more heritaged and pure model/brand in existence, than the Chevrolet Corvette.

 

If that is the case, the Corvette can't be a crossover.

5 minutes ago, smk4565 said:

They all look similar because they are all Porsches. 

No!  They look like the 911...

Porsche's IMAGE...

Porsche's #1 brand. 

18 minutes ago, smk4565 said:

If that is the case, the Corvette can't be a crossover.

I never should be. And if it stays pure, it'd be one of only a couple such long-running vehicles out there anywhere.

1 hour ago, oldshurst442 said:

No!  They look like the 911...

Porsche's IMAGE...

Porsche's #1 brand. 

The 911 is not a brand.

And I can't image you would want to see a Corvette SUV.   GM has made some bad moves in the past, but a Corvette SUV would make the Cimmaron and Alante look like good ideas.

Just now, smk4565 said:

The 911 is not a brand.

And I can't image you would want to see a Corvette SUV.   GM has made some bad moves in the past, but a Corvette SUV would make the Cimmaron and Alante look like good ideas.

Yes...911 is a brand.

Although Porsche hasnt whored out like Ferrari has, Porsche is banking on the 911...

There is a 911 watch for practically all 911 trims...

Yup...its a brand.

How would I feel for a Corvette SUV?  This is not about me whether I want to see a Corvette SUV or not.  Ill humour the question though. 

I dont like ...  I LOATHE ANY SUV that is NOT a Jeep Wrangler (or GC).  Or a BOF full size from GM or  FoMoCo.  If that gives you a clue as to how I feel.   But remember, this just goes to show you ONLY how I feel about SUVs in general.  In my statement above, there is no mention about my feelings towards battery electrics, so dont assume anything about howse I feels about Mustang and a possible Corvette BEV SUV...   

Me despising SUVs does NOT necessarily make me despise Mustang or Corvette branded BEVs.  I may or may NOT like that idea...   A gentleman does NOT kiss and tell...  

13 hours ago, smk4565 said:

As I said in my other post, M is a trim level, AMG is a trim level.   Corvette is not a trim level.  GMC puts "Denali" on everything, as they should.  And Cadillac could use more V-series cars.  Making a Corvette SUV makes just as much sense as Cadillac making an electric 2 seat sports car and calling it Escalade.  

Watering down your brands is watering down your brands. AMG and M is a staple brand of their respective companies. 

Also, Mercedes-AMG GT and Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe are actual car names. An AMG is an actual car now and so is an AMG A35. 

14 hours ago, smk4565 said:

Making SUVs saved Porsche, not turning the 911 into an SUV.  Also the 911 has ridiculous profit margins which helped them, and  between the 2 they got the cash to buy 1/3 of VW or whatever they got in that merger/acquisition thing they did.

Porsche is a band, Corvette is not.  

911 is the same 2+2 rear engine car it has been for 50 years.  You can not buy an 911 sedan or a 911 SUV.  

Like others have said, you are splitting hairs over the use of the word “brand”. Remember when everyone thought it was a bad idea for Porsche to make what was basically a lifted 911 and call it an SUV (or “Cayenne”, in this case)? How about when they stretched out the 911 and called it a “Panamera”? How’d that work for them? Did it dilute the Porsche branding in any way? The answer to the last one is “no” btw so save the Corvette criticism for folks who don’t see right through your obvious bias. 

15 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

Watering down your brands is watering down your brands. AMG and M is a staple brand of their respective companies. 

Also, Mercedes-AMG GT and Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe are actual car names. An AMG is an actual car now and so is an AMG A35. 

Exactly. AMG is part of their branding and it has been diluted by slapping it on damn near everything, even it the model itself didn’t properly represent the history of the AMG brand, like slapping “AMG” label on a FWD A-Class (does not matter the particular model is AWD, it still originates from a FWD entry level appliance car).

14 hours ago, smk4565 said:

AMG isn't a car though, it was a tuner company bought by Mercedes.    And now is a trim level of sorts.

If GM wants to make electric SUV's with Denali, V-series, Avenir, or SS badges all over it, then have at it.   A Corvette SUV would be like if Mercedes made an SL electric crossover, or Porsche made a 911 3-row crossover.  Makes no sense.

Corvette is 2 seat coupe/convertible and has been for 60+ years, it can't be an SUV.

Like the Mustang, it most certainly can be both because times do eventually change. There can be the 2 door Vette that everyone loves and there can be a hi-po Vette SUV/CUV that will sell like hot cakes the moment it comes out. If Mercedes can stretch an S-Class and call it a Maybach, then GM can certainly take a Vette and make it an SUV. Life is not that damn rigid.

29 minutes ago, surreal1272 said:

Exactly. AMG is part of their branding and it has been diluted by slapping it on damn near everything, even it the model itself didn’t properly represent the history of the AMG brand, like slapping “AMG” label on a FWD A-Class (does not matter the particular model is AWD, it still originates from a FWD entry level appliance car).

Personally, I don't mind them doing their work for the A45/CLA45. Those are pretty nasty little vehicles and deserve respect, imo. Even though their price tags don't exactly match what all you're getting, also imo. 

My gripe is with the A35, C43 and E53. Ya know, that ones with basically the badge stuck on the trunk/steering wheel/wheels/seats to an otherwise basic vehicle. 

26 minutes ago, surreal1272 said:

Like the Mustang, it most certainly can be both because times do eventually change. There can be the 2 door Vette that everyone loves and there can be a hi-po Vette SUV/CUV that will sell like hot cakes the moment it comes out. If Mercedes can stretch an S-Class and call it a Maybach, then GM can certainly take a Vette and make it an SUV. Life is not that damn rigid.

And you know damn well the guy with kids and money will have the Vette SUV parked next to his 2-door Vette. 

While I get the naming/branding isn't exactly "ideal", I also don't see anything truly wrong with it, like the Mustang Mach-E. The name of the vehicle would never stop me from buying something nor would it make me buy something. It's just a name. 

The day the Corvette becomes an SUV is the day the Corvette dies.  
 

I don’t think they should turn the Camaro into an SUV either, and I do think that name plate will die because coupes are like 2% market share. 
 

I think It better for Chevy to use names like Belle Aire, Kodiak, Scottsdale, etc dig up some names that have been dead a while for EV’s, especially Belle Aire, what is more trendy California than an electric car.

16 minutes ago, smk4565 said:

The day the Corvette becomes an SUV is the day the Corvette dies.  
 

I don’t think they should turn the Camaro into an SUV either, and I do think that name plate will die because coupes are like 2% market share. 
 

I think It better for Chevy to use names like Belle Aire, Kodiak, Scottsdale, etc dig up some names that have been dead a while for EV’s, especially Belle Aire, what is more trendy California than an electric car.

People were saying exactly same thing when Porsche made their first Cayenne.  Now Lamborghini and Aston Martin making crossovers as well. 

Personally, I am not happy they will be using names like Corvette or Mustang for crossovers, and yes here is naming not the same as Porsche or Lamborgini is using.  But for GM and Ford Corvette and Mustang represent almost like a separate brand. If selling those crossovers will make sure GM and Ford continues making sports cars like Corvette and Mustang in the future, same way Porsche, Aston Martin and others are paying for 911s and such, I am ok with that.  That is today's reality, the majority of people want practical vehicle and spending a lot of money on development of low volume sports car becomes harder and harder.  I would rather see them sell Mustang crossovers and make real Mustang pure sports car that associates less with rental low end Mustang.

On 1/16/2021 at 6:13 AM, ocnblu said:

A gm move.  A spiral downward.  That is the new reality.  It's like a childhood stolen.

Right. One of my high school friends was sexually abused by her father starting in the third grade. THAT is a childhood stolen. She has gone on to marry a good guy, as has her sister...she is doing great today. She entered adulthood. 

Constantly being in a state of morose because the automotive world is changing is kind of like re entering a dysfunctional childhood. 

Change happens, get over it. 

21 hours ago, Carguy said:

I would rather see them do a grand 2+2 GT car! Like a highend Camaro with a longer wheelbase for a roomy back seat! 

 

But maybe name it something else. 

19 hours ago, surreal1272 said:

Thats awful big talk for someone who is a fan of a certain German company that'll slap AMG stickers on any car that'll have them.

Yeah. The Mercedees brand has zero interest from me. the G wagon is kind of cool, and I like some of the high end coupes they build. But that's about it. 

Zero desire to own anything they built after the sixties of seventies. 

19 hours ago, balthazar said:

LITERALLY what saved Porsche; trashing the brand name with (relatively) high volume SUVs.

I will take Porsche SUV's if it keeps cars like the 911 around. Without money, nothing happens...and the auto buisiness is about money to metal.