The C8 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray continues into the 2022 model year with relatively few changes. The main things are a few new exterior paint colors and the retirement of others. A more significant update, supposedly with a new interior with far fewer buttons, is said to be in the works, though we don't know yet when it'll launch. But those who placed orders for the 2022 model will probably begin receiving a notification regarding their car's build status. How come?
According to GM Authority, production is slated to get underway for the 2022 C8 on September 6. We originally had this date pegged for around September 27 but GM's plans have apparently changed.
Like all Corvettes for years, production will continue to take place at the Bowling Green, Kentucky assembly plant. Also, the build your own Corvette and pricing tool is set to go live online on September 14. However, that might already be too late. We reported late last month that several Chevy dealerships across the country are saying they've been sent the first round of allocation figures.
Interestingly, some Chevy stores are saying their allocation numbers are greater than expected, while others are surprised at how low they are. But unlike the two previous model years, Chevy isn't basing a dealer's C8 allocation on its past three-year sales period but rather a dealer's 12-month rolling Corvette sales.
The reason for doing so is because GM is switching to what's called an "Available Day's Supply" (ADS) allocation methodology that's designed to eliminate any need for special allocation guides. The downside is that some dealers could receive fewer new Vettes since the formula takes into account sales figures from June 2020 through June 2021, a time period bogged down by lockdowns.
As 2022 C8 production soon gets underway, the bottom line takeaway here is that allocation will likely differ greatly from dealer to dealer. Bear in mind each store likely has a waitlist, so interested buyers who haven't already made a move should do so soon unless they're willing to wait until 2023.