Chevrolet launched a new version of the Corvette in 1983, with a higher price and an advertising campaign that compared it to imported sports cars, particularly the Porsche. The initial sales were strong, but decreased by 25% in1986.
In 1985, G.M was the dominant car manufacture in the U.S, producing 6 of the top ten selling cars in the U.S. However, imported cars still made up for 23.5% of the total U.S market automobile sales.
A reorganization of former autonomous car divisions at G.M was undergone, to curb the problem that many of G.M's cars looked alike and to bring about distinctions between the different models. G.M, in a joint effort with Hughes Aircraft Company and Electronic Data Systems, began to design automobiles that would incorporate aerospace technology into automotive areas. Also, G.M purchased Group Lotus Cars, which meant the bought the competition as this company was known for its state of the art sports cars. G.M produced the Chevrolet Nova and Saturn in a joint venture with Toyota, which constituted their first new make since the 1930's.
Chevrolet sold several different cars and trucks, and its Cavalier, Celebrity and Caprice where first, third and seventh selling cars in America, respectively.
G.M's launch of the ultra-luxury convertible Allante in 1987 was aimed to provide a halo effect for the Cadillac and create competition in the their own line of cars. The Allante made its debut in the TV series Dallas, replacing a Mercedes Benz.
History of the Corvette Models:
1953-1955: The corvette dream car was introduced in 1952 at the Motorama Show and failed to impress the VIPs, as it had leaky pop-in plastic windows, anemic six cylinder engine, and was slower then a well tuned Cadillac or Oldsmobile. 1954's production ...