When most people think of exotic cars, a fully-assembled vehicle comes to mind. After all, if you’re going to pay 6-figures for a car, it ought to be road ready.
But General Motors has other ideas. The 2011 Chevrolet Corvette comes with an optional Engine Build Experience, which allows owners to assist in constructing the engine for their new car.
As an iconic example of the American sports car, the Corvette has a long history with U.S. consumers. But gas prices, economic uncertainty, and a tight credit market have slowed sports car sales generally.
While Corvette sales are gradually increasing, production volume was slashed in 2009. As General Motors struggles to recover market share, the car company has had to get creative.
“Corvette lovers are fanatical about their cars, and I think GM has found a great way to make the buying experience unique and personal,” says Ron Sturgeon, owner of a Dallas exotic car tour company.
The strategy capitalizes on consumers’ love of customization and desire to be connected more closely with the car and brand.
The Corvette Z06 and ZR1 will both offer the Engine Build Experience. Both cars come with a V-8 engine, but the LS7 Z06 produces 505 horsepower compared to the 638 horsepower produced by the LS9 engine in the ZR1.
These engines will be hand-built, and when a customer selects the Engine Build Experience, the automaker will affix a special nameplate to the engine.
“For some sports car buyers, it’s probably worth the money,” says Sturgeon, a sought after keynote speaker on entrepreneurship and business strategy.
The Engine Build Experience is expected to add $5,800 to the purchase price of the car. For that price, which Automoblog.net points out is about the same as six weeks’ salary for an auto plant worker, buyers can physically help to build their cars.
Don’t have that kind of money lying around? Why not get involved in a different kind of hands-on exotic car experience?
Dream tours, like those offered by DFW Drive Your Dream, give participants a chance to get behind the wheel of several exotic cars. You can actually drive a Ferrari or a Porsche, and it costs a lot less than building your own Corvette engine.
“It’s hard to get more hands-on than that,” says Sturgeon. “Many of our customers tell us this is one of the most thrilling experiences of their lives.”
And at less than $700 per person, it’s a lot cheaper than a new custom Corvette and available in DFW, Houston, Austin, and the surrounding area.
Groups of 8 or more can even do a private exotic car driving event to build team spirit or bond with a VIP client. Visit http://www.DFWDriveYourDream.com for full details.
Kate Miller-Wilson is a professional freelance writer, who specializes in web content, editing, and technical writing. She has written SEO friendly web content for a series of free Texas motorcycle insurance quote websites.
