DETROIT — General Motors' multinational manufacturing empire is under scrutiny as the company approaches a June 1 deadline to present the U.S. Treasury Department with a new restructuring plan, but GM CEO Fritz Henderson today issued reassurance that the iconic Chevrolet Corvette is going to be a part of the "new" GM's future.

(Enlarge photo) GM CEO Fritz Henderson says the Corvette will live through the uncertain times surrounding the automaker's restructuring.


(Enlarge photo) 2009 Chevrolet Corvette.

 

Was there ever any doubt? LOL

 

So when will vette be 'retro'? Like Chrysler and Ford?

We all know the saying about monkeys, and doin' and seein'...

 

I wouldn't worry about it having a future, but I would worry about what type of future: maybe a cash-starved one.

Twice in the past, GM has kept a corvette model in production long after it needed to be updated, just for lack of money/priority. The C3 came out in '68 and wasn't updated until '84 - 15 years, and then the C4 went 12 years. The C5 did better at 8 years. You can evolve a good design over time, and other manufacturers do this (the current Porsche 911 is basically the same since '96 although it sure has evolved with new motors, styling, etc.

So, my concern is that if cash stays scarce, you could expect to see the C6 soldier on way after a C7 should be out there competing against GTRs and nexst generation Supras and Porsches and such.

Of course, GM is almost certain not to have the Viper to worry about as competition . . .