An Automobili Lamborghini SpA Urus sport utility vehicle sits on stage during the 2018 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, Michigan, U.S., on Monday, Jan. 15, 2018. Luxury brands brought their own version of big rigs to Detroit. Automobili Lamborghini will provide the swankiest of the lot with a $200,000 utility vehicle called the Urus.
Any addition to the Corvette line would be a pure battery-electric vehicle, one of the people said.
GM Chief Executive Officer Mary Barra has taken a series of steps recently to make electrification a hallmark of her tenure. Barra pledged in November to boost investment in EVs by 35% to $27 billion over the next five years. And she previewed a slew of luxury and commercial EV models at CES, the former Consumer Electronics Show, this week, sending GM’s stock to record highs.
Developing a family of Corvette vehicles -- even a small one -- would be a big departure for the Detroit-based automaker and possibly create a valuable franchise within the company. GM designers have mulled broadening Corvette beyond one car on and off for about 20 years, the people said, but none of the conceptual models were built.
Corvette debuted its eighth-generation sports car to much fanfare in 2019 and sales rose 20% last year. It marked a big departure from its heritage because GM shifted to a mid-engine configuration, which sports-car enthusiasts prefer because of its better balance.
GM has hinted that a hybrid-electric version is in the works, with added low-end torque and improved fuel economy.
During a CES presentation on Jan. 12, Mike Simcoe, GM’s vice president of design, said GM’s Ultium battery pack enables the company to make a wide range of models, especially for a broad brand like Chevrolet.
“The Ultium platform will allow Chevrolet to further expand its range of electric vehicles to full-size pickup trucks, compact crossovers and even high-performance vehicles,” he said.
This article was provided by Bloomberg News.