12-20-2021 Corvette Plant Update:
According to the Detroit Free Press, General Motors will re-start production of the C8 Corvette today with a “cadenced return” workforce.
Jason Watson, chairman for UAW Local 2164, reported that there are about 90 workers that have remained on the job.
Only some workers in some departments will return today (12/20/2021). GM laid off 1,200 assembly line workers last week after the tornado, but Tuesday (tomorrow), they are all scheduled to return to work at the Bowling Green Assembly plant.
According to reports, the high winds led to a fire on the factory roof, which was caused a rupture in the fuel line. Water entered the factory and affected the Corvettes in the middle of the production. The water damaged the exposed interiors and electronics of the C8 Corvettes.
MSN reports that Chevrolet has confirmed that they will scrap over 100 C8 Corvettes, and the cars outside of the factory are being evaluated.
Saturday morning horrific tornados ripped across the United States including Bowling Green, Kentucky where an EF-3 tornado touched down. Both the Bowling Green Corvette Assembly Plant and NCM Motorsports Park suffered damages.
If you are waiting for your new C8 Corvette, you will have to wait a little longer. The Bowling Green Corvette Assembly Plant was hit by a tornado Saturday morning December 11, 2021. There was damage to the roof as well as an employee entrance. Thankfully, a skeleton crew of workers was present at the factory when the storm hit. They are all accounted for and safe.
The massive storm ripped through six states. Multiple tornados and winds were over 150 miles per hour. Towns were flattened and caused many deaths.
The roof at the GM Bowling Green Assembly plant caught fire. General Motors is going to need a full week to repair the building. The Corvette production will be paused because of the tornado-caused fire at the Bowling Green Plant.
Here is a Twitter post of the Bowling Green Tornado
The National Corvette Museum was spared from significant damage. It did open on Monday, December 13, 2021.
The NCM Motorsports Park is closed because of damage. In a statement, they said, “It is with great disappointment that we announce the suspension of all activities at the NCM Motorsports Park. This includes all Touring Laps/Experience, Twinkle at the Track, and then Run, Run Rudolph 5k. Like many businesses in our community, the NCM Motorsports Park sustained heavy damage from the overnight weather event, making it temporarily unsafe to welcome guests. The MSP team is working to evaluate the damage caused by the storms and to develop a plan for repairs and reopening. We will continue to update our website and social media channels with the latest information.”
Airial Coverage by NewsChannel 5 Nashville of the Bowling Green Tornado Damage
The families of those affected by this horrifying storm are in our thoughts today.
12-14-2021 Tammy Spinrad posted on the Vette Vues Facebook page, “I was at the NCM and the Motorsports Park yesterday. There were a few people working at the MP. There are a lot of trees down and lots of debris spread around. The museum has some roof damage over the Stingray Grill so the restaurant was closed. I’d say the main issue for the area now is to make sure survivors that need shelter, get a warm place to stay. It was pretty cold there. Betty told me that a lot of nice, older homes in town were damaged or destroyed.”
If you have never seen Vette Vues Magazine check out our Issue Preview and see what our subscribers are enjoying each month.
Vette Vues Magazine is jammed packed with Corvette information covering C1 to C8. Each monthly issue has features, reviews, tips, restorations, clubs, events, racing, auction results, model cars, classifieds, products, services, and more. Enjoy the latest Corvette news, as well as some great historical facts.
You might also enjoy our other RECENT BLOG POSTS
