Corvette LPOs Continue to be Effected by Pandemic
Today, Chevrolet notified dealers that RPO RZ9 – Visible Carbon Fiber Grille Insert is “now constrained to zero” on 2021 Corvette orders.
As per the notification:
Date: January 22, 2021
To: All Chevrolet Dealer Operators, New Vehicle Sales Managers, and Inventory Managers
Subject: 2021 Chevrolet Corvette with the Visible Carbon Fiber Grille Insert LPO: (RZ9)
It was necessary to add a new constraint, Number 03344 for the Accessory Visible Carbon Fiber Grille Insert (RZ9) , Friday January 22, 2021. The RZ9 is now constrained to zero. This constraint will appear on your View my Allocation and Constraints under the Order Type within Order WorkBench.
Please utilize Run Pass 1 to validate your Preliminary Orders to make sure this option is not including in orders you plan to submit.
While a reason for the constraint was not given, GM has notified dealers with specific orders for other models that various RPOs are now on constraint and could affect that dealer’s orders for those specific cars. In that notification, GM states:
“Due to the effects of the pandemic impacting the automotive industry in general, as well as the unprecedented number of fleet orders received over the last several weeks, constrained fleet orders for the models below are past order cut-off…”
Some of the models effected by these constraints include:
- Buick: Encore, Encore GX, Envision
- Cadillac: CT4, CT5, XT4, XT5, XT6
- Chevrolet Car: Camaro Coupe, Camaro Convertible, Malibu, Spark
- Chevrolet Truck/Crossover: Blazer, Bolt EV, Colorado, Equinox, Trax, Trailblazer, LD Reg, LD Dbl, LD Crew
- GMC Truck/Crossover: Acadia, Canyon, LD Reg, LD Double, LD Crew, Terrain
This may be the reason why we’ve been seeing various other Corvette LPOs on and off back-order consistently over the last few weeks including the 20″ black trident wheels, front splash guards, cargo liners and floor liners.
Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to deal a hefty blow across the automotive industry and will continue you to do so for the foreseeable future.
What Does This Mean For The Future of This Option?
It’s our understanding that usually when a constraint of 0 is issued, it means that the option is permanently going away unless a new vendor can be found that can manufacture the product to GM’s specifications and quantity requirements.
We saw a similar situation with the high wing spoiler option in 2020.
No further information was given about if, or when, dealers might see the option return.