by Keith Cornett 

General Motors held a teleconference on Tuesday with Chevrolet dealers and their sales personnel to talk about the 2014 Corvette Stingray. Our sources tell us that dealership allocation will not be finalized until the second quarter of 2013, however, those dealers that are getting the Stingray are predetermined based on the volume of Corvette sales in 2012.

GM did confirm that the volume Corvette dealerships will receive priority in receiving the initial allocations. In fact, the first nine months of production will be sent to those priority dealerships and then after that period, every dealership can get at least one Stingray.

GM is telling dealerships that their Stingray allocation is based on sales in 2012 through August, and that they must have sold at least four Corvettes to obtain first priority for the first 9 months. Dealerships will also have to meet the Corvette sales and service training standards to that point as well.

It’s no secret that Corvette owners have been trending older with the average buyer now nearing 60 years old. The new cutting-edge exterior design and all the technology inside are designed to attract a younger buyer which GM indicated to their sales teams was someone in the mid-40′s. Many in this age segment went to imports like the Audi TT and Porsche 911. GM thinks its new Corvette is on that level and wants to get people inside for a test drive to change any preconceptions they had. So yes, GM is actively encouraging sales to allow for test drives of the new Stingray.

GM gave no answers on anticipated production volume for the 2014 model year, but our sources says they stressed that they are looking to surpass the C6′s best year of production. We looked that up and in 2007, a total of 40,561 Corvettes were built. Even during the C6′s rollout in 2005, a total of 37,372 base Corvettes and Convertibles were built. So besting that number would be a lofty goal indeed!

Representatives were asked about the Corvette Stingray Convertible but they would neither confirm nor deny that the new model was going to be revealed in Geneva.

Finally, our sources told us that the GM was stressing how the new 2014 Corvette Stingray will be the most customizable ever. We’ve already seen the Carbon Flash rear spoiler and the black rear view mirrors. But more would also be available through the Genuine Corvette Accessories catalog. GCA parts and accessories can be ordered through your Chevrolet dealer’s service department. Look for body-colored vents for a monochromatic look, sill plates, racing pedals and many other parts.