The first video showing the damaged 2022 Corvette C8s resting at GM’s Bowling Green manufacturing facility after a tornado hit the factory on December 11 has emerged online, courtesy of the YouTube channel svrweather. If our count is correct, the footage that was shot with a drone hovering above the neatly lined up Corvettes shows 104 cars, but bear in mind that GM may have already crushed several cars as it has been reported that more than 120 models suffered extensive damage. [Updated 12/30/2021]
Earlier this month, a tornado ravaged Chevrolet’s Bowling Green, Kentucky plant—the factory responsible producing Corvettes—damaging around 120 of them beyond repair. Now, new photos have surfaced from Facebook user Korlen Werner via CorvetteBlogger that show them sitting in their vehicular graveyard waiting to be crushed, and it’s a sad sight to see indeed.
Read More: Over 120 New 2022 Corvette C8s Destroyed After Tornado Hits Bowling Green Factory
It’s likely that even more Corvettes than the initial 120-vehicle count might have to be scrapped as well, as that number mainly accounted for those that were very obviously destroyed. Factory staff are currently inspecting the remaining completed vehicles to ensure they are suitable for use before being shipped out, but owners slated to receive now-destroyed cars are being contacted by their local Chevy dealerships to resubmit their orders.
The damages done to the plant were significant enough to halt production, a delay which will only be compounded by the fact that the tornado-damaged cars still need to be replaced.
See Also: Corvette C8 Production Halted Following Tornado Damage At Bowling Green Plant
An earlier statement from a Bowling Green plant spokesperson to CorvetteBlogger read:
“We can confirm that the fire that took place as a result of the tornado activity at Bowling Green Assembly plant early Saturday morning (December 11) has caused damage to the facility, including the roof and an employee entrance.
Maintaining a safe work environment for plant employees is our top priority. Therefore, we are cancelling production on first and second shift the week of December 13 as our trained teams work to get tooling, equipment, and the facility space up to standard.”