Older right-hand-drive models continue to be built at the Corvette plant. Chevy won’t say how long it will build 2026 and 2027 models concurrently. The flexibility of the plant allows 6.2-liter and 6.7-liter V8 models to be built. Three months ago, Chevrolet started building the extensively updated 2027 Corvette at its Bowling Green assembly site in Kentucky. One may have assumed that when production of these models started, Chevy would have ended production of the 2026 version. As it turns out, that’s not the case. For the first time in the history of the Corvette, two model years are being manufactured simultaneously. This means that at the same time the Bowling Green is churning out new models, including the updated 2027 Stingray with the new 6.7-liter naturally aspirated V8, it also continues to build models with the older 6.2-liter V8. Read: The 2027 Corvette GS Out-Grips The Z06 And The ZR1, But An Old C7 GS Out-Brakes It Program engineering manager for the Chevrolet Corvette, Trevor Hall, confirmed the interesting arrangement while speaking with Carscoops at a recent press event in Australia. Different Models For Different Markets Photos Brad Anderson/Carscoops The reason is quite simple. While all North American models have transitioned to the 2027 update, Chevrolet is still building older, right-hand drive versions to export internationally, for countries like Japan, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. When Carscoops asked how long the older right-hand drive models will be manufactured alongside the 2027 left-hand drive models, Hall declined to provide a timeline but offered insight into the current arrangement. “You’re right, we’re building both [models] concurrently,” Hall said. “We have an extremely flexible plant, [despite] the complexity we have between the different models, powertrains, coupes, convertibles, et cetera. The plant’s very flexible that way, and yes we are building the 2026 and 2027 concurrently that way.” Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport Just how long this will be the case remains to be seen. However, Hall acknowledged this can’t remain the case “forever.” “We can’t build 26 [model year] as you get into the ’28 calendar year et cetera, so there will be some time where that will have to transition, but providing that date is not something I can do right now.” In addition to Chevrolet building older Stingray models with the 6.2-liter V8 in Kentucky, it also continues to build E-Ray models for right-hand drive markets. In North America, this model was recently replaced with the more powerful Grand Sport X, which, like the 2027 Stingray, uses GM’s new 6.7-liter V8.
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