Beginning February 24, production will pause intermittently for four weeks. Could this hint at a C8 Grand Sport in development?
There may be changes ahead for the 2026 Chevrolet Corvette, as production at the Bowling Green assembly plant is set to pause multiple times between now and May. This includes a two-week shutdown at the end of March.
A Chevrolet spokesperson confirmed to that the factory will be idle during the week of February 24, the last two weeks of March starting on March 17, and the week of May 19. These pauses are attributed to “project improvements” and “manufacturing updates.”
Temporary production halts are common in the automotive industry, particularly for specialty models like the Corvette. However, these pauses come amid a period of transition for the Corvette team. Longtime Chief Engineer Tadge Jeuchter retired last summer, and Chevrolet recently parted ways with Harlan Charles, a 37-year company veteran and former Corvette product manager.
Unofficial reports suggest that Corvette Exterior Design Manager Kirk Bennion has also left, though details remain unclear.
These production pauses raise speculation about potential changes to the Corvette. Rumors of an interior update have circulated for years, and a discussion on the Mid-Engine Corvette Forum hints at the possibility of a new Grand Sport model.
When the E-Ray debuted in 2023, many assumed a new Grand Sport was off the table. However, as our own Chris Perkins has noted, introducing a Grand Sport would be relatively simple—and highly profitable—for GM.
Alternatively, the pauses could simply be a strategic move to balance inventory and optimize the workforce. But if we had to guess, a C8 Grand Sport may be closer than expected. If Chevrolet provides further details, we’ll be sure to share an update.
