We have been having discussions for the past week on another thread called "Is the C8 MSRP about to increase?" and after a suggestion from the moderators, I am starting a new thread as this topic related to tariffs goes deeper than just the C8.
After a lengthy call with GM today I was corrected with regards to the timing resets with tariff free quota dates. The tariff free number of cars is an ongoing moving number due to production irregularities like plant shut downs and parts issues.
When it comes to Corvettes, sales have dropped badly. Canada currently has a 285 day supply of C8's. If the tariff problem grows, GM may stop production for Canada and we may not get more Corvettes, I was told.
As there is currently nothing imminent, and decisions won't be quick with the pending cancellation of the CUSMA agreement. The bigger problem for GM Canada is production issues with small pickups, compact and mid size SUV's to serve the need.
What we need is for the Cami plant in Ingersoll (also a shipping yard for all other GM vehicles) is to become a flex plant to build non Mexico and US products like the Colorado.
The Colorado has mostly Canadian content with the rolling chassis made here then sent to the Wentzville, Missouri assembly plant (40 miles west of St Louis) which has capacity issues.
We need the Colorado, Equinox and Terrain to be built in Canada as we are not producing enough of them. There is already a plant in Mexico building the Equinox and Terrain after it was moved there from Ingersoll. The current US government's tariff is making it so Canada needs to survive with no vehicles coming out of the US. It's hard to make long term decisions for billions of dollars when you don't know what will happen tomorrow with governments.
To sum it all up the message is this, no decisions are going to be made quickly. Something will come back to Cami and negotiations with the Canadian government should yield a positive outcome to keep Corvettes coming here tariff free, however it is possible that if the problem gets worse in the meantime before plants are reopened, GM could stop Corvette production for Canada for a period of time as we already have almost a year's supply of cars on the ground and the Corvette will never be built here. GM had budgeted almost $5 Billion dollars this year for tariffs. Having each country produce the bulk of the vehicles that they need including Mexico, lessens the problem that could exist until at least 2029 which is another big year for the Corvette. The current US gov't still has 1180 days in office. Decisions that need to be made now go well beyond that.
If anyone wants a new car for next season, getting it now will offer price protection and I have options with numerous dealerships if that is of interest to you.
Scott
After a lengthy call with GM today I was corrected with regards to the timing resets with tariff free quota dates. The tariff free number of cars is an ongoing moving number due to production irregularities like plant shut downs and parts issues.
When it comes to Corvettes, sales have dropped badly. Canada currently has a 285 day supply of C8's. If the tariff problem grows, GM may stop production for Canada and we may not get more Corvettes, I was told.
As there is currently nothing imminent, and decisions won't be quick with the pending cancellation of the CUSMA agreement. The bigger problem for GM Canada is production issues with small pickups, compact and mid size SUV's to serve the need.
What we need is for the Cami plant in Ingersoll (also a shipping yard for all other GM vehicles) is to become a flex plant to build non Mexico and US products like the Colorado.
The Colorado has mostly Canadian content with the rolling chassis made here then sent to the Wentzville, Missouri assembly plant (40 miles west of St Louis) which has capacity issues.
We need the Colorado, Equinox and Terrain to be built in Canada as we are not producing enough of them. There is already a plant in Mexico building the Equinox and Terrain after it was moved there from Ingersoll. The current US government's tariff is making it so Canada needs to survive with no vehicles coming out of the US. It's hard to make long term decisions for billions of dollars when you don't know what will happen tomorrow with governments.
To sum it all up the message is this, no decisions are going to be made quickly. Something will come back to Cami and negotiations with the Canadian government should yield a positive outcome to keep Corvettes coming here tariff free, however it is possible that if the problem gets worse in the meantime before plants are reopened, GM could stop Corvette production for Canada for a period of time as we already have almost a year's supply of cars on the ground and the Corvette will never be built here. GM had budgeted almost $5 Billion dollars this year for tariffs. Having each country produce the bulk of the vehicles that they need including Mexico, lessens the problem that could exist until at least 2029 which is another big year for the Corvette. The current US gov't still has 1180 days in office. Decisions that need to be made now go well beyond that.
If anyone wants a new car for next season, getting it now will offer price protection and I have options with numerous dealerships if that is of interest to you.
Scott
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