The Corvette, of course, has virtually no sales outside of North America. However, there are Corvette owner and enthusiast clubs in more than 100 countries. In fact, 58% of the 1.1 million fans who like Corvette’s official Facebook page are outside the United States, which does GM shareholders little good.
Given the well-publicized success of the Stingray reveal at the NAIAS in Detroit last month, the move appears designed to bolster GM’s battered image in Europe that is the result of years of losses at Opel Vauxhall, and boost Chevrolet – its only global brand. It is also a counter thrust in Europe against, arguably, the most successful global sports car of all time, the 911 of Porsche, which celebrates its 50th anniversary during 2013. This, and the fact that 820,000 911s have been built since 1963, will no doubt be emphasized at the Geneva Show.
“It’s fitting to introduce the new Stingray convertible on the global stage at Geneva, because Corvette is the face of Chevrolet the world over,” said Susan Docherty, president and managing director of Chevrolet and Cadillac Europe. “It is an icon that has long been recognized and admired even in countries where it’s never officially been offered.”
