Re: 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray - Manual vs. Automatic
Posted: Mon Jan 27, 2014 11:49 pm
From an interview with Ralph Giles, head of the SRT brand:
Q:Have you changed the SRT brand's operation because of the Viper's delayed rollout last year?
A:I think we're on the right track. The orders are strong. But we are shifting to a different business model.
We're trying to make packages because it's easy for the dealers to digest, but we are not Corvette. We've never tried to be Corvette. We never will be. We're handmade. It takes 18 hours to paint the stripe on a Viper. We color sand the entire car, inside and outside. All the panels are beautifully finished. We're trying to build a custom show car that you can own. This is not a disposable device here.
Q:What do you think about the notion that the Viper can lose customers because it lacks an optional automatic transmission?
A:We're not working on it as we speak, but we're open-minded to it.
Q:Is it an emotional or a business reason that keeps Viper from offering an automatic transmission?
A:It's both. In a way, it's further distinguishing us because everyone has paddle shifters and we don't. But at the same time, we're also seeing now where people are noticing and saying, "Wow, it's like the last driver's car left." That's exactly what it's been about all along.
It's a choice people make. Whoever buys a Viper is someone special. They're not normal.
It's someone who really wants to rock and roll and feel alive and not have a filtered experience. It's a car we designed for pleasure.
Read more: http://www.autonews.com/article/2014012 ... z2rf41zvGx
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Q:Have you changed the SRT brand's operation because of the Viper's delayed rollout last year?
A:I think we're on the right track. The orders are strong. But we are shifting to a different business model.
We're trying to make packages because it's easy for the dealers to digest, but we are not Corvette. We've never tried to be Corvette. We never will be. We're handmade. It takes 18 hours to paint the stripe on a Viper. We color sand the entire car, inside and outside. All the panels are beautifully finished. We're trying to build a custom show car that you can own. This is not a disposable device here.
Q:What do you think about the notion that the Viper can lose customers because it lacks an optional automatic transmission?
A:We're not working on it as we speak, but we're open-minded to it.
Q:Is it an emotional or a business reason that keeps Viper from offering an automatic transmission?
A:It's both. In a way, it's further distinguishing us because everyone has paddle shifters and we don't. But at the same time, we're also seeing now where people are noticing and saying, "Wow, it's like the last driver's car left." That's exactly what it's been about all along.
It's a choice people make. Whoever buys a Viper is someone special. They're not normal.
It's someone who really wants to rock and roll and feel alive and not have a filtered experience. It's a car we designed for pleasure.
Read more: http://www.autonews.com/article/2014012 ... z2rf41zvGx
Follow us: @Automotive_News on Twitter | AutoNews on Facebook