Corvette C7.R
What’s Chevrolet's latest move to increase sales for the Corvette overseas? Bring their coolest Corvette they have to race at places they haven’t raced yet.
Corvette will close out the 20th season of FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) with its first-ever factory-run race in Asia. The Corvette C7.R Redline special edition will run the 6 hours of Shanghai on the weekend of November 16-18.
The Shanghai International Circuit is a venue that offers 16 turns in 5.45-km (3.38-miles) per lap. Like all WEC races, this track is designed to test the vehicle’s speed, endurance, stability, fuel economy and, of course, the driver’s skills. Built in 2004, the motorsports venue already host many racing championship circuits including the Formula One Chinese Grand Prix.
“Corvette Racing has proven itself as a world-class racing program,” said the Chevrolet director of Motorsports Competition, Mark Kent. “Competing in the Shanghai race provides us with an additional opportunity to test ourselves against the top manufacturers and teams in the FIA WEC.”
Chevrolet Redline Edition
Chevrolet's decision for making the move toward racing the Redline edition Corvette C7.R instead of the tradition yellow and black C7.R is because of their plans to sell the special edition Corvette in China and other countries in that region.
The Redline edition isn’t just limited to the Corvette. This special edition trim was first introduced at the 2015 SEMA Show and is implicated on select Chevrolet trucks, SUVs, sedans, compacts and sports cars. Some of these other special edition models will join the Corvette in the overseas sales campaign.
Scott Lawson, general director of Chevrolet for SAIC-GM tells us, “Chevrolet plans on strengthening their brand in China by boosting their product lineup and their overall customer and ownership experience. We have been rolling out more youthful and sportier Redline editions to help reach younger customers, the ones that are most likely to branch out and buy a sporty looking Chevrolet.”
Either way, global exposure and sales will keep profits up and stock prices steady if not rising.