It's been a frustrating time for many automakers. Just as production and supplier issues were seemingly getting back on track following several months of pandemic-related problems, some nasty winter weather struck a good portion of the country, paralyzing several production plants. Automakers were forced to, once again, shut things down temporarily. The Bowling Green, Kentucky plant, the longtime home of the Chevrolet Corvette, was also affected by the harsh weather and therefore cut second shifts.

It previously faced supplier problems and was forced to close for two weeks spanning later January and early this month. But now the plant's communications manager has told GM Authority that things are back up and running.

Those critical parts supplier problems have apparently been resolved and slightly warmer temperatures have returned. Hopefully, it'll stay that way but these types of things are impossible to predict.

C8 Corvette production initially got off to a rocky start well over a year ago due to the five-week-long UAW strike. The pandemic struck not long afterward. This forced GM to cut short the 2020 Corvette model year and some buyers had no choice but to accept a 2021 model instead. Many are customers still facing delivery delays, though this can also be viewed as a positive sign because of high demand.

The decision to switch the Corvette from its decades-long front-engine setup to a mid-engine design was the right call. But just because production is back to normal doesn't mean every Corvette option is available. For example, the 5DF Black Trident Wheels, STI Rocker Extensions, and the RZ9 Carbon Fiber Grille Insert are out of stock and the automaker doesn't know when they'll be offered.

Looking ahead to the 2022 model year, it appears at least three exterior paint colors are being retired, specifically Sebring Orange (pictured here), Shadow Gray, and Zeus Bronze, due to slow sales. Additional model year packaging changes are expected.