Although many iconic sports car have come and gone (some only to reappear again), the Chevrolet Corvette has been the constant all-American sports car. The current generation is the most powerful Corvette ever and still maintains the design and character of Vettes from the past. But new challenges are ahead, not only from competitors but also from changing consumers as well as changing fuel economy regulations. That’s precisely why General Motors has sought the proposal of 10 styling studios around the world to collaborate on the next generation Corvette.
Leading the next Corvette’s design is GM’s vice president of global design Ed Welburn. Regarding the next Corvette, Welburn has said that the design is very important and that input will come from global design studios will infuse the new design with qualities that younger U.S. buyers demand.
“We have challenges in the States with the Corvette,” Welburn said. “The average age of the customer is really rising.”
Currently, the average age of the Chevy Corvette buyer is 54. Not only is that age rising, but sales are also beginning to tumble. The current generation Corvette has been around since 2005, so the design will certainly be a welcomed change when it arrives in the next two to three years. Although a more global design influence is expected in order to attract younger buyers, Wilburn has pointed out that the Corvette will still be a Corvette.
“It can’t mutate into something that gets so far away from Corvette that it is no longer a Corvette.”
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