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April 30,
2001
We have received several e-mails
requesting information about what was said at the "Care
and Feeding of Your New C5"
seminar held during the 4th Annual NCM Birthday Bash. The
question was directed to Jim
Minneker (GM Powertrain guru) about
how often and when the synthetic oil should be changed in a C5.
(The point was, we know what the owner’s manual says, but members
wanted to hear the REAL world answer.) The reply was, the single most
important oil change that you can do for your C5
is the FIRST ONE!!! The
statement was made that it should be done at 1000 miles.
The reasoning behind doing this is that research has shown that with
today’s excellent manufacturing practices and near perfect tolerance
standards for machined parts, the microscopic particles that wash off
(when the oil circulates through the engine) are caught in the oil
filter during the first 1000 miles. It was suggested that you always
want to use the VERY BEST filter available in the market place. We
advise the use of GM’s highly rated ULTRAGUARD-GOLD-UPF-44,
GM part number: 25329389,
which can be purchased for about $8 through a Registry Corporate Member
Dealer. Additional information may be found on AC Delco’s page by
clicking AC
Delco. This places you on their
Entire Parts Line-up Page. After that, click on the link to D-F
and then click on
Filters – Oil and this will place
you on their detailed information page about the ULTRAGUARD family of
filters.
April
28, 2001
That pesky snake is back!! Yes,
Le Mans is going to get exciting! The rivalry between Chevrolet’s
Corvette and the Dodge Viper will be renewed at Le Mans this year. The
ORECA team is currently concentrating on Chrysler’s prototype program,
but it remains involved in a new French operation running a Viper. ORECA
is providing a car and technical assistance to a team put together by
the French national motorsport federation. The solo Viper will be
entered by the French motorsport federation and run at Le Mans by
Epsilon, a leading Formula 3 team. Sports car drivers David Terrien,
Jonathan Cochet (last year’s French Formula 3 champion) and versatile
Frenchman Jean-Philippe Dayraut will drive the Viper. Terrien is last
year’s FIA Sports Racing world cup champion. For those of you going to
Le Mans, looks like you’re going to have quite a show!
April 22,
2001
Bryan Nesbitt, the
designer credited with creating the exterior for the PT Cruiser, is
leaving DaimlerChrysler to head up the Chevrolet Brand Character Studio
for General Motors. He begins his new job in early May.
An Arizona native,
Nesbitt, 32, also is credited with the exterior design for Chrysler's
Panel Cruiser, GT Cruiser, Pronto Cruizer and CCV concepts. A senior
product designer at DaimlerChrysler's Auburn Hills, Michigan
headquarters.
Nesbitt is a graduate of
the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, and interned
at the Chrysler Pacifica studio in Carlsbad, California. He also studied
architectural and industrial design at the Georgia Institute of
Technology.
April 21,
2001
David
Horsfall from Ypsilanti, Michigan was the winner of the Z06. Ron Fellows and Johnny
O'Connell did the drawing at the C5 Birthday Bash Banquet.
David was not in attendance, but Ron Fellows called him by cell phone to inform and
congratulate him. Needless
to say David was pleasantly surprised. He has tentatively scheduled
Tuesday as the day to come down and take Museum Delivery of his new 2001 Silver Z06.
Congratulations
David.
April 18,
2001
Pertaining to the new
oil consumption bulletin
[CLICK HERE] from GM we hear, "Its
pretty self explanatory, It applies to all passenger cars,
including Corvettes, and light trucks. Powertrain Engineering has
stated that oil consumption of 1 quart in 2000 miles under
"normal" driving
conditions is acceptable. Don't miss the many disclaimers,
high rpm's, trailer wing, etc. all of which may result in oil
consumption greater then 1 quart per 2000 miles, which under
these conditions would still be
considered acceptable."
April 17,
2001
BOBBY
ARCHER RETURNS TO SPEEDVISION WORLD CHALLENGE IN CORVETTE
- Grand Sport Racing has
allied with Bobby Archer Motorsports to compete the #08
Grand Sport Racing Corvette entry. The 1999 Speedvision World Challenge
GT Champion Bobby Archer will drive the Grand Sport Racing/KB Enterprises
Corvette C5
at Mosport. Click Here for full
story!
April 10,
2001
Caravaggio
Corvettes is
bringing a Z06 Grand Sport Convertible to the C5
birthday bash. We are going to build a total of 20 cars. There are going
to be 10 convertibles and 10 targa versions, all based on the Z06.
The car that you see
here will be on the cover of the July
issue of the duPont Registry.
John Caravaggio was kind enough to give the registry members first view
of this remarkable Corvette. [ Click
Here to View ]
April 6, 2001
2002s . . . . Are they ready to
ruuuuuumble? According to the March 23, 2001, issue of the Vette Gazette, Seven 2002 pilot cars will hit the highway in western Kentucky. See MOHN for more details.
April 5, 2001
Have you ever wondered how Bowling Green looks at Gross Units versus Net Units? For all you "techie" types, check the MOHN for details.
April 3,
2001
Today, the
changes for the 2002 Model Year C5
CORVETTE went
out to dealers nation wide.. You can view them here on the C5
Registry web site by CLICKING
HERE ! A special
C5
Registry THANKS to the dealers who let us know about this
information and allowing us to be the first to bring it to you!
March 21, 2001
Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. is proud to announce the launch of a
new 'Enthusiast' section of our consumer website. This section can be
viewed by entering any three of our website addresses: www.bridgestonetire.com
/ www.firestonetire.com
/ www.daytontire.com. This
section will allow us to share our activities with car clubs and project
vehicles. It will also feature photos of customers who have fitted their
cars & trucks with Bridgestone, Firestone & Dayton tires.
March 19, 2001
The Evoq Watch! Straight
from a Q&A
recently held at the Bowling Green Plant, find out what’s happening as
the plant prepares for the Evoq!
Members, see MOHN
for all the details . . . .
March 17, 2001
Corvette Kits for Race Teams!
Not a month goes by without a question about how many "Bowling
Green Built C5R Race Corvettes have been produced (referred
internally as Corvette Kits for independent Race Teams) . . . Members,
get all the details on MOHN
. . .
March 15, 2001
MotorTrend Magazine
"Spells it out!"
The April 2001 issue of MotorTrend "spells
out" all
the details for the upcoming 2002 C5
Z06.
Members, see MOHN
for their "grammar" on the C5
. . .
March 9, 2001
Chevrolet
announced to all its dealers on March 1st that MSRP prices on 2001
Corvettes would be increased $200 on each model. Check out the 2001 RPO
Page www.c5registry.com/Production/2K1.htm
for a full details, model by model, on the increases. Members click MOHN
for additional information on the 2002 Z06.
March 9, 2001
The Evoq Watch ~ Cadillac Planning Gears Up
With the build of the new luxury two-seater Cadillac Evoq less than
two years away, plans for a successful build are being finalized at both
the plant and in Detroit. A two-day meeting was recently held in Bowling
Green that brought together some of the key players from engineering,
manufacturing and plant operations to plan a smooth product launch. John
Spencer, Production Launch Manager, said, "at the end of the
meeting we should have a plan to launch the Cadillac as a team (Product
Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Vehicle Operations)."
Spencer explained that
there are 58 steps spelled out for every Product Launch Process that
takes place in GM. The official process in the plant begins at the end
of the BETA build (tentatively scheduled for May through September 2001)
and goes through the end of acceleration. The 58 steps spell out what
the roles and responsibilities are for the various activities associated
with a successful launch.
About 40-50 people were
expected to attend the meetings, from Dave Leone, chief engineer for
Cadillac, to the Manufacturing Integration Managers from general
assembly, body and paint, to the plant launch team. According to
Spencer, at the end of the meetings a plan should be in place for the
successful build of a high quality flagship Cadillac. Since the Evoq
will share the Corvette Assembly Plant production areas, we know you are
interested in keeping up with the latest developments on the Evoq Watch!
A BIG C5 Thank You to Jane Bowlin, VETTE
GAZETTE
editor, for sharing this information with the C5 Registry!
March 8, 2001
In a jointly timed announcement today in Detroit and Ft. Worth, it was
announced Chris
Kneifel will
leave team CORVETTE. We at the Registry are excited for Chris's
new opportunity and want to thank him for all the excitement that he
provided for the Registry as he drove the C5-R
to victory.
Chris, you were there from the beginning of the Corvette's return to
racing, and your kindness in always visiting with the Registry's
members, posing for member photos, and just overall being a nice guy
will always be remembered." [Click Here
for Press Release]
March 8, 2001
GM/Dealers Discuss a Possible Joint Venture
As part of
an ongoing effort by GM and its dealers to serve the growing number of
consumers who use the Internet to shop for and buy vehicles, GM and GM
dealers have been discussing the possibility of forming a joint venture
for an all-makes/all-models Web site. This concept has become more
defined over the last few months.
GM shared more
information about the possible joint venture with dealers at the NADA
Convention held earlier this month in Las Vegas, following a filing of
papers with the Securities and Exchanges Commission (SEC) concerning the
joint venture. This filing, which is available to the public, was
legally necessary in order for GM to talk to dealers in greater detail
regarding the joint venture. A BIG C5 Thank You to Jane Bowlin, VETTE
GAZETTE
editor, for sharing this information with the C5 Registry!
March 7, 2001
Rolling out the Red
Carpet
Customers
who pick up their new C5s at the National Corvette Museum as part of the
Museum Delivery Program (R8C) will soon get a VIP plant tour as part of
their package. NCM staff requested Museum Delivery customers get this
added benefit to make their delivery experience even more special.
"We give them personalized treatment at the Museum from a private
tour to a special orientation to their vehicles," said NCM
executive director Wendell Strode. "We wanted to continue that
experience at the plant." Currently, museum delivery customers go
on public tours. When the private tours begin (scheduled to start by
March 1), museum tour guides or other museum delivery personnel will
bring customers to the plant. They will be allowed to park right outside
the Tour Room. Then, museum tour guides will take the customers on a
personalized plant tour that includes two added parts of the plant: the
engine line and cockpit load. Only one museum delivery tour group will
be included in each tour. Prior to giving a tour, each of the museum
guides will be trained by our own tour staff and safety personnel.
Employees will be able to
identify our newest customers by special badges each of them will wear.
Museum delivery staff will likewise wear badges and shirts that identify
them as part of the delivery team.
A BIG C5 Thank You to Jane Bowlin, VETTE
GAZETTE
editor, for sharing information on this new & exciting part of the
Museum Delivery Program!
March 4, 2001
The No. 3 works
Corvette of Ron Fellows and Johnny O’Connell handily won the GTS
class, finishing seventh overall, nine laps down and two laps ahead of
the No. 45 American Viper Racing Dodge Viper Erik Messley and Terry
Borcheller. The sister No. 4 Corvette was involved in a heavy crash
after a tire failed.
March 2, 2001
There is a
voluntary recall on certain 2001 Chevrolet CORVETTE
models equipped with the 5.7L engine. But do not panic,
the recall is for replacement of incorrect vehicle emission control
labels i.e. they put the wrong sticker on the Corvette. A new
vehicle emission control label needs to be installed on left front wheel
well of the vehicle. If your Corvette is affected by this, you
will receive the sticker in the mail so that you can install it
yourself. Or if you wish you can have your Chevrolet dealer
install it at no charge.
February 26, 2001
The Corvette Plant Honors # 3,
Dale Earnhardt
Shortly
after the loss of racing icon Dale Earnhardt on Sunday, February 18th,
the Corvette Assembly Plant showed their support of his racing career
and involvement with GM racing by placing a 2001 BLACK C5 Coupe on
display in front of the Plant. The C5 distinctively displays an
oval shaped # 3 banner bearing Earnhardt’s name which covers the
entire passenger side door panel. According to the window sticker VIN#
1G1YY22GX15122797, Job # 022762 will later be forwarded to
Courtesy Chevrolet-Cadillac, Inc. in Kingsport, TN. On behalf of all C5
Registry members, we hope the new owner of this C5 will know and
appreciate the roll his C5 played in Corvette history.
Dale Earnhardt was not
only a member of the GM and Chevrolet team as driver of a Monte Carlo,
he also owned and drove a 1998 BLACK Corvette. His son, Dale,
Jr., drives a red C5. At the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona on
February 3 & 4, he drove the C5-R for the first time (his
team finished fourth overall) and had expressed the hope that he would
drive again next year.
February 18, 2001
Corvette
enthusiasts, race fans, and C5 Registry members were saddened today to
hear of the death this afternoon of C5 Registry member Dale Earnhardt
Sr. Member Number Z5203. Dale was killed today on the very track where
only two short weeks ago he and son Dale Earnhardt Jr. Shared in the
Corvette C5-R victory at Daytona. The C5Net has already begun an NCM
brick drive to honor Dale's memory. Our condolences go out to the
Earnhardt family.
DAYTONA
BEACH, Fla. – Michael Waltrip's Daytona 500 victory was marred by
the tragic death of NASCAR motor racing legend Dale Earnhardt Sr.
He
was 49. CLICK
FOR MORE
February
12, 2001
Looking for new tires for your
CORVETTE?
The quickest production Corvette year – and some nearly as quick –
have an opportunity to wear new Goodyear race-inspired rubber. Goodyear
fine-tuned its Eagle
F1 Supercar ultra
performance tires at the racetrack for the 2001 Corvette Z06, and now
the tire maker is engineering tire sizes for other late-model Corvettes.
Read the entire story on Members
Only Hot News!
February
4, 2001
CORVETTE
WINS !!
Roxex 24 Hours at Daytona [CLICK
HERE! ]
February 3, 2001
Rolex 24 Hours at
Daytona Today!
Broadcast/TV
Schedule dates:
Est: 12 noon
Saturday to 12 Sunday on Speedvision (LIVE)
MRN Radio (LIVE) Follow the race on the web: www.c5rmotorsports.com/main.htm
February
1, 2001
GENERAL MOTORS NAMED
VEHICLE MANUFACTURER OF THE SEMA SHOW
SEMA
is proud to
announce that General
Motors will be
the Vehicle Manufacturer of the 2001 SEMA Show to be held in Las
Vegas, Oct. 30-Nov. 2. Expect a dynamic General Motors presence
at the event-the largest industry aftermarket trade show.
January 26, 2001
ATTENTION Z06
Owners! Dave Hill, Corvette
Chief Engineer, has contacted us and asked for your help in responding
to a survey being conducted by AutoWeek magazine. Registry
Members . . . your assistance in this matter would be greatly
appreciated! Z06 owners who want to be heard . . . now is your chance!!
Thank you for your help and your participation! Dan Adovasio, Director
AutoFile Needs You:
We seek comments from owners of the Chevrolet Corvette Z06. We need
to know when you bought it, what you paid, your opinions and other
vehicles you considered. Include your mailing address, phone number and
vehicle identification number (VIN). Mail responses to the address
below, e-mail responses to autofile@crain.com
or fax your responses to (313) 446-1027.
ONLINE ADDRESS: awpoll@crain.com
.January
22, 2001
Hello Vettenetters and
Zroners- I write to you today with a very, heavy heart.... Jim
Schefter, a friend of mine, a friend of our hobby and author of All
Corvettes are Red, the true story of the design and
development of the C5, died last night in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Jim became a serious Corvette enthusiast late in life, in the process of
gathering information for ACAR in the early-90s. Shortly after the C5
went on the market, he bought one. What color? Red of course. Since then
he became a great patron of the car and our hobby.
I met Jim in the mid-'90s
and became friends with him as he was completing ACAR. (Wow,
people, this is difficult to write...sigh)
I feel proud to have known him and deeply flattered that several times,
he took time out of his career as a highly-respected technical writer to
help me learn some lessons about mine. At a book signing in California
in the spring of 1997, Jim autographed my hardback copy of All
Corvettes are Red as follows: "to
Hib Halverson for his real Corvette love and for all the help! Jim
Schefter." My God, that's
how "I" would have said thanks to "him."
Jim Schefter: Author, Corvette Enthusiast, Friend of our hobby.
We all should take a moment.... ....thank
you.
All those in the ZR1 Saloon and the greater Corvette community, please,
raise your glasses in a toast. To absent friends.....
cYa
Hib Halverson
January 17, 2001
We've just
received the long awaited Mid-Year production totals by RPO
for the 2001
Model Year CORVETTE
C5 - If you
are a member,
[ CLICK
HERE ]
January 16, 2001
- Not Corvette C5,
But of interest to many of our members:
FOR RELEASE:
January 16, 2001
Chevrolet
SSR To Begin Production
At The Lansing Craft Centre In 2002
Lansing, Mich. - General
Motors today announced plans to build the all-new Chevrolet Super Sport
Roadster (SSR) at the Lansing Craft Centre in Lansing Township, MI.
Production is expected to begin in the fourth quarter 2002, pending the
successful completion of economic and regulatory negotiations.
Gary Cowger, GM Group
Vice President Manufacturing and Labor Relations, made the announcement
during a speech to the 2001 Automotive News World Congress in Detroit.
The news was shared with
employees at the Craft Centre by John Buttermore, North America Vehicle
Assembly manufacturing manager; Wayne McDonald, plant manager and UAW
Local 1618 leaders Tim Driver and Butch Hauser.
"The Chevy SSR is a
retro-style roadster with incredible performance," said Gary
Cowger. "We're making it happen. We took on the challenge to build
a product that's true to the concept," Cowger added.
The SSR, which is based
on a new mid-sized truck architecture, provides an unrivaled blend of
performance, features and utility in a vehicle. The design draws upon
the styling of Chevy's rich heritage to create a one-of-a-kind, open-air
driving experience designed to carve its own unique place in the
automotive market.
GM will invest
approximately $70 million into the facility to accommodate Chevy SSR
production. GM is working with Lansing Township officials on financial
incentive opportunities to offset part of the initial investment.
The SSR was first
introduced as a concept vehicle at the 2000 North American International
Auto Show in Detroit. Using computerized modeling and competitive
low-volume manufacturing processes, the SSR will move from design sketch
to showroom floor in just over three years, demonstrating GM's ability
to quickly provide customers with unique styling and the latest
technical innovations.
"The Chevy SSR is
proof of GM's leadership in product innovation and its renewed
commitment to creating exciting vehicles for our customers," said
John Buttermore. "Our strong engineering and manufacturing systems
enable us to respond quickly with innovative entries like the SSR,"
he added.
The Craft Centre, which
presently has 320 hourly employees, was chosen to produce the SSR due to
its proven history of producing high-quality, low-volume niche vehicles
such as the Buick Reatta, EV1 and Cadillac Eldorado.
Production of the
Cadillac Eldorado is planned to continue through the second quarter
2002. The plant will temporarily suspend production in preparation for
SSR production which is targeted to begin fourth quarter 2002.
General Motors (NYSE:
GM), the world's largest vehicle manufacturer, designs, builds and
markets cars and trucks worldwide. In1999, GM earned $5.6 billion on
sales of $176.6 billion. It employs about 395,000 people globally.
GM is investing
aggressively in high technology and e-business within its global
automotive operations and through such initiatives as e-GM, GM BuyPower,
OnStar and its Hughes Electronics Corp. (NYSE: GMH) subsidiary.
GM also operates one of
the world's largest and most successful financial institutions, GMAC.
More information on General Motors can be found at www.gm.com.
For details on the Chevy SSR, access Internet web site: http://www.chevrolet.com/ssr.
January
10, 2001
Chevrolet's
all-new Corvette Z06 has been selected by the editors of AUTOMOBILE
MAGAZINE as the magazine's 2001 Automobile of the Year. Jean
Jennings, editor-in-chief of AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE, will make the
formal presentation of the award to Ronald L. Zarrella, President of
General Motors - North America, on January 12 in Detroit during the gala
charity preview of the North American International Auto Show. "The
Chevrolet Corvette Z06 is, at long last, a real, 100 percent, no
excuses, no explanations, no footnotes American sports car, one capable
of holding its own with just about anything on the road, at a price that
no other car company in the world can approach, let alone match,"
said
Jennings. "How could it not be our 2001 Automobile of the
Year?" "That's high praise coming from a publication as
respected as
AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE," said Zarrella. "Their
editors, like other driving enthusiasts, have come to appreciate that
the new Z06 is very simply the quickest, best-handling Corvette ever and
sets new standards in every part of the high-performance spectrum."
Based on the former hardtop model - already the lightest, stiffest
and quickest Corvette - the Z06 has as its heart a new LS6 engine that
delivers 385 hp and 385 lb-ft of torque. Derived from the 5.7L LS1
that powers coupe and convertible models, the aluminum block has been
modified for high-speed operation and new high-compression cylinder
heads improve airflow efficiency.
The Corvette Z06 also features a unique suspension system, as well
as specific forged aluminum wheels and Goodyear Eagle SC Supercar
tires. A titanium exhaust system - the first-ever use of this
exotic material in a mass-production car - contributes to the Z06's
light weight and improved performance. Like all '01 Corvette
models, the Z06 comes standard with a second-generation Active Handling
system, which makes the car more agile.
January 8, 2001 - Get
a Great Automobile and Help Fight Leukemia and Lymphoma !
General
Motors Charity Auction
Last year,
during the auto show, GM auctioned off 3 vehicles for charity. GM
raised nearly $150,000 for the National SAFE KIDS Campaign, Make-A-Wish
Foundation, and the Nature Conservancy.
 This
year GM is teaming up with eBayMotors.com
to offer an incredible charity auction package with 100% of the
proceeds benefiting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The main
auction package includes a 2001
Corvette Z06 with
a 3 day Corvette driving school provided by Bragg-Smith's Advanced
Driving School--located one hour outside of Las Vegas, Nevada. Along
with the car, other Corvette merchandise will be auctioned for charity.
For instance, Dave Hill, Corvette Chief Engineer, will autograph
Corvette hats, die cast models and posters for charity. GM Performance
Parts has donated a Corvette carbon fiber engine cover as well.
The auction will take
place January 12th through the 19th on ebaymotors.com,
the automotive section of eBay. Links to the charity auction can be
found on various websites including: corvettemuseum.com,
corvetteforum.com, C5registry.com,
idavette.net, leukemia.org,
gm.com, ebay.com,
ebaymotors.com
and corvette.com.
January 4,5,6 -
2001
News from Daytona International Speedway:
Robinson is looking forward to spending 2001 behind
the wheel of a C5!
"II know it’s a super car built by a super bunch of people and
a super company," he said. Robinson also said he plans to cram in
as much drive time as possible during 2001. "I work at night so I’ll
be driving a lot during the day. I plan to brag about it a lot,"
he said. "GM
will get some good publicity."
The only time he has ever driven a C5
is when he had to occasionally move one out in the plant. A 19 ½ year
GM veteran, Robinson plans to retire in a year. "I just love it
that I’ll have this car during my last year of work here," he
said. Talk about
going out in style!
December 31,
2000
To Our 5200+
C5 Registry Members
– Happy New Year!
On behalf
of Dan, Jake,
and our entire C5
Registry Staff ~ Kathy,
Marisa, Jessica,
Beth, Michael,
Ryan, Ben
and our world-famous webmaster, Frank,
who all work diligently to make the C5
Registry run as smooth as a Z06
~ we want to wish all our members a very HAPPY
AND SAFE
C5Ya!
NEW YEAR!
We wanted to share Bowling
Green Corvette Plant Manager
Wil Cooksey’s comments on the
excitement that Corvette has brought to people all over the world
and the excitement to come in 2001!
2000
– A GREAT Year
for A GREAT Year
for A GREAT Year for A GREAT Year for A GREAT Year for A GREAT Year for
A GREAT Year for A GREAT Year for A GREAT Year for A GREAT Year for A
GREAT Year for A GREAT Year for Corvette
Wil:
" 2000 was an
amazing year for Team Corvette. My thanks go to each and
every one of you for pulling together to bring us great honors, an
improved product and excellent results in just about every area of our
business.
Last Friday’s (December 15th)
drawing for a leased Corvette Corvette was an exciting finish to
a year filled with one accomplishment after another for the Bowling
Green team. My congratulations to B.G. Robinson, who promises not
only to drive, but to promote our car during the next year.
Your hard work, commitment to our
goals, and enthusiasm for our product are what made this another
outstanding year. Be proud of the fact that we continue to build a car
that absolutely delights our customers. In fact, they claim that we’re
building the best CorvetteCorvette
yet.
Take Al Hanna [C5R # X2670] of
Plano, Texas. He wrote earlier this year and his comment is typical: "Keep
building each one (Corvette) with care. You’ve got a very large
gathering of Corvette faithful that have a lot of pride in these cars.
You should, too, for being part of the team that made it possible."
Reflecting on the past 12 months, I
am filled with admiration for the good job that all of you continue to
do here at Bowling Green.
You have worked safely, which is
always a number one priority. By working together we met our goals in
both recordables and lost workday cases. Thankfully, we can look back on
a year free from serious injuries to any of our employees or visitors.
Quality-wise, we also continue to
improve. As all of you know, we met the ever more challenging direct run
goals during the past few months. In 2001, the mark moves again when our
direct run goal goes to 80%.
Our customers again confirmed that
the Corvette is truly a top
quality vehicle.
In GM, we had the fewest
problems per vehicle according to J.D. Power surveys. We
were also named a winner of the
J.D. Power APEAL award, which is
another survey based on customer input about how well they like our
vehicle.
In the area of production, we
launched successful pilot and prototype builds. We introduced the
Corvette Z06, which drew rave
reviews from the media (before it even reached the dealers) and our
customers alike. And construction is already beginning in the uniframe
area as we get ready for the build of the new Cadillac.
Just as it was during the past
several years, we had a great deal of turnover in our workforce.
Seventy-nine people transferred to our plant and another 73 retired. We
expect this trend to continue next year. I think we all shared in the
excitement of at last adding new hires (28) to our workforce. Next year,
we hope to add more as we gear up for the Cadillac. Despite all these
people changes, we continued to meet production targets throughout the
year.
While sales lag in many car lines,
our sales continue
strong. Recent
field stock reports show that while our field supply is higher than last
year at this time, it remains one of the lowest in GM. We are
blessed with a good customer base combined with a great product.
We expect sales to
remain strong for the rest of the model year.
Another
thing all of us can be proud of is our community involvement. At
Corvette, people are always willing to lend a hand to others in need.
Our Christmas program truly makes a difference for many people in our
area.
Our United
Way donations remained strong this year. Help from Corvette and the UAW
also went to many other agencies like the March of Dimes, American Red
Cross and Heart Association. All of which make this community a better
place in which to live.
Your
hospitality and smiling faces make this a great destination for our
tourists and customers to visit. From GM vice-president Gary Cowger and
renowned jeweler Nicola Bulgari to Patty Loveless and (then)
presidential hopeful George W. Bush, we welcomed many visitors. We
recently surpassed 54,000
people. I am told so often by people who
have visited our plant how friendly everyone is and how well they are
treated while here. I thank all of you who go the extra mile to make our
guests feel welcome.
And that brings me to our most
exciting news so far this year. Our
long held dream of a new product became a reality with the announcement
that a two seater Cadillac will be built in
Bowling Green. During the coming year our work on the Cadillac will
accelerate. You’ll see more changes in the plant. And we’ll start to
move people into the Cadillac team.
For all your great efforts over
the past year, thank you very much. To all of you and your families, my
best wishes for the happiest and safest of holiday seasons. I hope you
will have a fun and restful vacation.
Please remember to drive safely
and buckle up. Encourage your family and friends to do the same. I look
forward to seeing you in the New Year."
Wil Cooksey, Jr.
A C5
Thanks to Jane Bowlin, editor of the Vette Gazette, for sharing
Mr. Cooksey’s letter with the C5 Registry.
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