THE WAIT IS OVER!...... ZL1 Shipping Commenced!

[Dylan]

Originally Posted by monstertodd

Excellent! Will the reason they were on hold ever be revealed?

Power steering issues.
Chevrolet claimed it was a software issue... but that was false.

[xx_ED_xx]

I have to laugh at the status bailment released, Yup my car was let out of jail...

[RULK]

So I think I know what the "Hold" was about, speaking from the accounting perspective; I believe they were trying to hold up some of the completed models so they can have the revenue rolling over to the second quarter of the year. Since 3/31/12 ends the first quarter, they starting shipping some today and invoicing the dealers, therefore they are able to recognize revenue for those invoiced and shipped. Long story short, GM Management is just managing their bottom line like most "Public" companies do and ensure they are in line with investors/analysts expectations.

[nanokpsi]

I was thinking along the same lines. Figured they were pumping up the balance sheet a bit

[Ron66Vette&10SS]

Originally Posted by Dylan

Power stearing issues.
Chevrolet claimed it was a software issue... but that was false.

I would prefer that it was just a power stearing issue. Unfortunately, not being forthcoming only encourages the suspicions of some people (like myself).

Really, what's the big deal? If they found something wrong, GREAT, the process worked, a possible "issue" was detected and produced cars that were affected were fixed. Being secretive only fuels speculation.

[Ron66Vette&10SS]

Originally Posted by zl1cam580

So I think I know what the "Hold" was about, speaking from the accounting perspective; I believe they were trying to hold up some of the completed models so they can have the revenue rolling over to the second quarter of the year. Since 3/31/12 ends the first quarter, they starting shipping some today and invoicing the dealers, therefore they are able to recognize revenue for those invoiced and shipped. Long story short, GM Management is just managing their bottom line like most "Public" companies do and ensure they are in line with investors/analysts expectations.

I think that could be plausible, but what would explain production being halted?

I originally thought that the delivery hold had something to do with GM wanting to meet an already scheduled release date to to maximize publicity and exposure. That theory of mine went by the wayside as soon as they announced suspending production.

[OVRKLL]

Originally Posted by fbodfather

Many have asked: "What exactly was the Quality Assessment for?"


Exactly that: Quality.

Every new model at modely year changeover goes thru a "Quality Assessement" - this is important in that each year, there are hundreds of changes - even on a model that's at the end of its lifecycle (think 2012 Impala) - and because of those changes, we put a fleet of CTF (Captive Test Fleet) vehicles into service. Each driver is required to go over the vehicle with a fine-tooth comb and we must accumulate, as I recall, a minimum of 200,000 CTF miles prior to "STC" (Ship to commerce)

Consider this: --over a quarter of the part numbers on the ZL1 are unique to that model - that's a lot of parts! We may not be happy with the appearance of a trim panel - -or how two parts fit together. In the interior, we may not be happy with the fact that gloss levels on two adjoining parts do not match - or perhaps the graining pattern isn't quite right. (many of the early 2010 Camaros in the late winter of 2009 sat awaiting replacement inserts for the interior doors - ) Keep in mind that there are thousands of vendors that produce these parts - so it's an 'orchestration' to ensure that 'all is as it should be' (...I think I've posted those last 6 words at least a couple of hundred of times in the past month....)

So......quality assessment is nothing new. Far from it!

What IS new: The internet and the ability for people to get a lot of information "today' that they could not have gotten a few years ago.....and many expect that we should ship the cars RIGHT NOW.

That's a noble goal....BUT - quality must be the guiding light in all we do.......and thus, we do not ship the cars unless manufacturing, engineering, and marketing all sign-off -- and only then will we "ship to commerce" --

In fact, it could be argued that perhaps we 'over-scrutinize' -- and, as one of our team members put it "...we can only ship them once - so we have to get it right!...."

Sooooo....."Quality Assessment" is really a good thing (albeit a bit of a wait....) - because we want you to experience "Perma-Grin" from the time you first see your beloved Camaro in person - and for many years after that......

This is a very good explanation of the "Why" behind the "What".
Although I'm not as...how can I put this nicely...as anxious to get my butt in the driver's seat of a 2012 ZL1 as most are, I still feel for those that do.
Having worked for an automotive parts distribution center, and knowing what has to happen before other things can happen, I can appreciate what GM has done to assure the customer has a quality product that they will enjoy...(enjoy is the key word here). Parts have to be just right, and when a company pays attention to detail, even if most of their customers may not notice it, it shows where the heart of the Associates are...and that means a lot...a whole lot. It's one thing to have Associates that can do the work, it's another to have Associates the WANT to do the work. They look at their job as they Get To do the work as opposed to they Have To do the job...very big difference, which affects the work attitude, which affects the final product, which affects the final CUSTOMER!

However, I would think the take away from all of this is the Quality Assessment should be done well before any announcement of placing orders. This way the cars will be ready when the first order is placed and all imperfections/bugs would have been taken cared of...especially when clocking in 200,000 miles on a CTF.
Hopefully the Team will share notes on lessons learned and brainstorm before the next new product launch.
You really can't blame the customers for wanting the carrot that is dangling in front of their face for 4+ months.

[dirishboy]

Originally Posted by Ron66Vette&10SS

Really, what's the big deal? If they found something wrong, GREAT, the process worked, a possible "issue" was detected and produced cars that were affected were fixed. Being secretive only fuels speculation.

One word "Hypochondriacs"

If they tell everyone it was X problem all the Car Hypochondraics out there (not you of course, I'm sure you're perfectly normal ) will scrutinize that part or system constantly. As soon as they percieve it to skip, squeak or underperform they will be at their dealer complaining and demanding a fix.

Just like if you tell a real hypochondraic that there is a bug going around and the symptoms are X they will be at the Dr the second they think they have just one of those symptoms. If there is a quality issue that arises GM want it to be a real one and not one they fabriacted via press release

[RULK]

Originally Posted by Ron66Vette&10SS

I think that could be plausible, but what would explain production being halted?

I originally thought that the delivery hold had something to do with GM wanting to meet an already scheduled release date to to maximize publicity and exposure. That theory of mine went by the wayside as soon as they announced suspending production.

Good point. But by halting the production in Q1 they can push it into Q2, again increase your revnues for Q2. Producing more and selling more for the period. They propabaly had good GM sales for Q1 and figured by doing this they can boost the Q2 numbers. It's all about the bottom line for publicly traded companies.

[OVRKLL]

Originally Posted by SlingShot

:w ord:


I agree !!! We are getting screwed by Chevy ... We were forced to order the Black insert that we didn't want, due to constraints. Now were are being punished for it !!!! Just dig that knife in a little deeper there Chevy Team ....

Now that's a bummer, but keep in mind when polishing/waxing the hood...and I know everyone will, if you get polish/wax on the black paint it will be difficult to remove at best...hence I would rather pay the $600 and get the CF which can be polished and not have to worry about being overly concerned in that area when applying polish/wax to prevent it from turning white.
I believe I read this in the Owners Manual on here that is a sticky...

So this may be a good thing in the long run, especially if you polish/wax your car often.

[OVRKLL]

Originally Posted by dirishboy

One word "Hypochondriacs"

[swizz]

Curiosity as to the hold up... Somebody better say something...

But I think the 1LE is gonna be the true steal.

[OVRKLL]

Originally Posted by swizz

Curiosity as to the hold up... Somebody better say something...

But I think the 1LE is gonna be the true steal.

I think it was the Gizmo that causes the Thingamajig, to get loose and cause the Doodad, to snap off the Razzamatazz!


Just couldn't resist!

[SlingShot]

Originally Posted by OVRKLL

Now that's a bummer, but keep in mind when polishing/waxing the hood...and I know everyone will, if you get polish/wax on the black paint it will be difficult to remove at best...hence I would rather pay the $600 and get the CF which can be polished and not have to worry about being overly concerned in that area when applying polish/wax to prevent it from turning white.
I believe I read this in the Owners Manual on here that is a sticky...

So this may be a good thing in the long run, especially if you polish/wax your car often.

Thanks, but the problem I have is when my order went in the CF Exposed was on constraint and could not be ordered. So some of us had to go with the Black insert at the time of our orders. After our orders were put in, and were picked up the constraint on the Exposed was dropped and put on the Black. So not only did our orders get put on the back shelf, those with the Exposed CF are getting them for FREE now.

I'm just saying everyone should have received the $600 credit on their order. It would have been the fair thing to do, or at least give us the option to change our orders to the Exposed inserts.