Dealership Order Bulletin

[MrGoodwrench]

Dealership Order Bulletin

Today GM sent out a bulletin to Chevrolet dealerships about ordering Sonics. As of today all Chevrolet dealerships can order Sonics for dealer/sales inventory. Good news for everyone who hasn't placed a pre-order yet. Also, on 8/22 GM posted a web-based new product course about the Sonic on their technician training site.

 

[LorbeerTLC]

Sunroof Constraint

Unfortunately, I placed my order back in the end of May (it was entered, approved and assigned an order number by GM on May 27), and it's been besieged with constraints that's pushed the production way back…

1st: Crystal Red Metallic Tintcoat - Constraint (ended in July)

2nd: Sunroof - Constraint (on going)

Nobody has any information on what the holdup is (I'm betting it's a QC issue), nor do they, the dealership, or the District Specialist that's been assigned to my case, know when the Constraint will be released!

Very frustrating…

 

[hdghog]

2nd: Sunroof - Constraint (on going)

Nobody has any information on what the holdup is (I'm betting it's a QC issue), nor do they, the dealership, or the District Specialist that's been assigned to my case, know when the Constraint will be released!

Very frustrating…

Gah... I'm afraid I'll be hit with the same problem. I just got mine ordered this past weekend (my first car ordering experience, actually) and I did opt for the sunroof.

 

[LorbeerTLC]

Sunroof Constraint Lifted-LTZ 1.4L Turbo On Constraint!

Well, here is the latest:

I been in contact with a person at GMConnects.com and he's been a real help in passing down information.

As of 01 September, 2011, the Sunroof constraint has been lifted. *crowd cheers*

However, a new constraint has been set on the LTZ 1.4L Turbo Engine *crowd boos*

It appears it could last as long as 03 October 2011, so if you had ordered an LTZ Turbo 1.4L engine… pull up a chair and sit a spell.
Here's the information that was passed on to me:

http://chevroletconnects.com/forums/download/file.php?id=1189&sid=d1ecf157ebfdcc7d1f201cf35d3946c6

Scroll down till you see the Sonic.

BTW: You see in the section that say's "0%". That's the national allocation number. I was told as of 01 September, there hasn't been ANY 1.4L Turbo Sonics shipped to any dealers (yet). That's why you see autos and the 5-speed manuals on the dealer's lot.

Like they say on those "Seen on TV" commercials, "But WAIT! There's More!"

Once your LTZ 1.4L Turbo has been built, I was told there is a better-than-adverage chance it will be tagged for a Quality Control inspection. If that happens, an ADDITIONAL 4 weeks delay could be put into place.

This is because if you ordered a Sonic with the Sunroof and the LTZ 1.4L Turbo, that because of the constraints GM wants to be as close to 100% sure the car leaves the factory in flawless condition without any problems!

I happen to have the Crystal Red Metallic Tintcoat (had constraint), Sunroof (had constraint), and the LTZ 1.4L Turbo (constraint), so at this rate, I'll be dang lucky to get my car before December!

If I hear anything else, I'll pass it on.

 

[RichieRocket]

LorbeerTLC, does this apply to the LT 1.4L Turbo also? Or just the LTZ 1.4L Turbo?

The link wouldn't let me in, I'll have to register...

 

[hdghog]

Well... That's thoroughly depressing. And I was all ready to do a jig when you said the sunroof constraint was gone.

Definitely appreciate you passing along the information, though.

 

[RichieRocket]

OK, I got registered and into the constraints list.

I attached just the single sheet for the Sonic plus the first sheet with the column headers.

The constraint only lists "1LZ" and "LTZ Turbo" so maybe this does not apply to LT Turbo???

LorbeerTLC, how did you contact someone? By phone or email? I will try to find out about the constraint for LT 1.4L Turbo...

 

[LorbeerTLC]

Any Sonic with an RPO code: "LUV" (1.4L Turbo)

According to his e-mail message, it will affect all Sonic's with the RPO code of "LUV" which is the 1.4L Turbo engine.

Here was his message:

Hi Tom,
GMConnects commented on their Wall post.
GMConnects wrote: "Ok so here is where it is at based on Eric's research. Its not the sunroof that is holding it up. It is the Engineering validation on the RPO LUV Turbo motor that is holding it up. As of last week 8-25 it was listed at 0% available nationally and expected duration of LESS than 4 weeks. Constraint number is 1041 for your dealers information. So the expected production cycle should be the week of Sept 26th and at that time they should be able to process your order into production. Hopefully this all helps you to understand. Obviously you are a huge Sonic fan and have been very involved over on the Sonicownersforum and hopefully will be able to help out some of your buds over there as well. The one piece of advice I was given and it proved to be so very true when I was waiting on my Camaro with similar circumstances. It is so worth the wait! It was and has been and am so glad I was a preorder and one of the first to get my new car. Larry"

Here's what you would have seen had that link worked:

Allocation Group: Sonic
Target Production Period (TPP): 3-Oct-11
Constraint Number: 1041
Option/Model Code: 1JW48/1JW69&LUV&1LZLTZ
Description: TURBO
% of National Allocation Quantity: 0%
Constraint Duration: LESS than 4 Weeks
Comments: Pending Engineering Validation
Date Added: 25-Aug-11

Since he wrote that message, the production cycle was moved from 26-Sept-11 to 03-Oct-11.

If I hear anything more, I'll pass it on.

PS: If you've ordered a Sonic & have an Order Number from your purchasing Chevrolet Dealer, sign up and keep track of your order at the link below. You'll also be able to go to the general discussion forums and ask questions and see if they're any new constraints to your order.
http://chevroletconnects.com/
-Tom

 

[Sonic-Mike]

Wow. Thanks for all the information LorbeerTLC. I guess one positive way to look at it is, you should have a very, very well put together Sonic and will last you a long time

 

[hdghog]

PS: If you've ordered a Sonic & have an Order Number from your purchasing Chevrolet Dealer, sign up and keep track of your order at the link below. You'll also be able to go to the general discussion forums and ask questions and see if they're any new constraints to your order.
Connects | GM vehicle order tracking
-Tom

Hey LorbeerTLC -- thanks for passing along all of the useful information.

I did as you suggested and signed up for tracking with GMConnects -- hopefully that'll save me some dealer-pestering.

I was wondering, however... If I look at the "order sheet" as shown on GMConnects, there are a couple of discrepancies. First, the Turbo doesn't show up anywhere on it, and second, the interior is shown as Jet Black/Brick instead of Jet Black/Dark Titanium.

I have both printed (spec sheet) AND handwritten (buyer's order) material from the dealer which definitely specified the turbo and the black/titanium interior.

There is, of course, the disclaimer above the info on GMConnects that says "this might not be complete", but based on your experience, do you think these issues are something I need to worry about?

 

[hdghog]

Hmmm... Well, to add to the confusion:

1. If I track my order via chevolet.com, the 1.4L Turbo and the 6-speed manual that go with it show up under "Powertrain."
2. Using the "build my own" configurator on chevy's website, Jet Black/Brick isn't even an option if Victory Red is chosen for exterior color. Victory Red *does* show up on the order sheet provided by GMConnects.

I guess this makes me feel better about getting what I ordered -- but it still seems a little odd.

 

[LorbeerTLC]

Hey LorbeerTLC -- thanks for passing along all of the useful information.

I did as you suggested and signed up for tracking with GMConnects -- hopefully that'll save me some dealer-pestering.

I was wondering, however... If I look at the "order sheet" as shown on GMConnects, there are a couple of discrepancies. First, the Turbo doesn't show up anywhere on it, and second, the interior is shown as Jet Black/Brick instead of Jet Black/Dark Titanium.

I have both printed (spec sheet) AND handwritten (buyer's order) material from the dealer which definitely specified the turbo and the black/titanium interior.

There is, of course, the disclaimer above the info on GMConnects that says "this might not be complete", but based on your experience, do you think these issues are something I need to worry about?

I admit it did the same thing (Interior) on my order. As long as the RPO code matches what your original GM order sheet shows, you should be ok. The interior for the Jet Black/Dark Titanium RPO code is ACI. That matches my order sheet so I just know whoever typed it in at GMConnects goofed and put ACI under Jet Black/Brick.
-Tom

 

[LorbeerTLC]

LTZ Turbo constraint pushed back till 24 Oct 2011

Well, if anyone has ordered a Sonic LTZ Turbo *my hand is raised*, the constraint has now been pushed back from 03 October to 24 October.

No word as to why other than a footnote saying: "Pending Engineering Validation"

And… it appears for those who have ordered the RPO code: PDV = "Appearance Package" maybe also be running into a snafu. There's a constraint on it with a footnote saying: "Supplier Capacity". It has an expected release of 24 October.

I sure hope I get my Sonic by Thanksgiving…

 

[hdghog]

Well, if anyone has ordered a Sonic LTZ Turbo *my hand is raised*, the constraint has now been pushed back from 03 October to 24 October.

No word as to why other than a footnote saying: "Pending Engineering Validation"

And… it appears for those who have ordered the RPO code: PDV = "Appearance Package" maybe also be running into a snafu. There's a constraint on it with a footnote saying: "Supplier Capacity". It has an expected release of 24 October.

I sure hope I get my Sonic by Thanksgiving…

Thanks for the update, Lorbeer. I saw your (well-justified) ticked-off post on the subject elsewhere -- first I'd heard of this latest delay.

My order is still sitting at 1102, 3 weeks later. Too bad I didn't go into my first custom-order with more knowledge about the process. Supposedly, my dealer got the needed allocation last week -- no status change yet, though.

Regarding the "appearance package" constraint -- I don't see that code on my order (per GMConnects). Is it even applicable to the LTZ?

 

[laborsmith]

PDV for the LT is the 16" wheels/ fog lamp package.
I guess the supplier problem is the fog lamps as that would apply to the LTZ and that package is not available for the turbocharged LT.

At 1102, you can still modify your order. I believe you can modify up to 2500, after which it is too late, AFAIK.

Laborsmith

 

[LorbeerTLC]

Thanks for the update, Lorbeer. I saw your (well-justified) ticked-off post on the subject elsewhere -- first I'd heard of this latest delay.

My order is still sitting at 1102, 3 weeks later. Too bad I didn't go into my first custom-order with more knowledge about the process. Supposedly, my dealer got the needed allocation last week -- no status change yet, though.

Regarding the "appearance package" constraint -- I don't see that code on my order (per GMConnects). Is it even applicable to the LTZ?

Yeah, you've got to scroll waaay down into the 22 Sept constraint data area. You'll see it.

LTZ: since it's automatically included as part of the package, I would think so. But like the Turbo, that constraint doesn't seem to include the LT, just LTZ so… *shrug*

I can understand constraints & I don't mind them too much. I'd rather have a polished off car that's bug-free than something hastily put together.

It's the lack of information that's frustrating. It's like listening to the news about a terrible car accident, but the anchor doesn't tell you if anyone was hurt or killed. Well, I have stake in this as I have an order placed so you could say it's personal. And yet GM refuses to give me any additional information on when I can reasonably expect my car. If they don't know, then someone from GM should tell me and explain it or tell me what can I expect in the coming month(s). Just don't say, "…nobody's giving us any answers…"

I want to make it clear that my purchasing dealer has been wonderful. They've bent over backwards and apologized about this saying their hands are tied to their bosses.
Maybe I ought to write a letter to Mark Reuss…

 

[laborsmith]

I totally agree. Info as to what and why makes the wait much easier. I used the example of the 2010 Camaro start-up to show info like that can be released and not hurt sales. The difference between that start-up and the Sonic is Oshawa already had Camaro enthusiasts who figured a way to post and not get into trouble. As I said elsewhere, as time went by Chevy officials were either giving or confirming. It wasn't perfect: a car could go into quality control and we would never know for sure why, but at least we had the info to indicate such, and I for one appreciated that.

So once again, come on Chevy, let the LTZ turbo people know, please.

Laborsmith

 

[Thecarzman]

Lorbeer TLC; terrific information. I hope to soon be walking into a good Chevrolet dealer and order mine. For now, I will have to be satisfied with the to brief test drive I had in an LTZ/1.8/AT model I happened to come upon at the dealer close to where I work. Other then the color and no sunroof (which for me, is a MUST HAVE) it was fully loaded. I'll write a fully detailed review by the end of the weekend. One comment, the ride is extremely good on this car. Better then cars in classes above it and way better then the members of it's competition that I have driven (way better then the Fit)