The Corona virus could limit production of the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette to 2,700 units.

First, development delays related to the aluminum space frame and electric architecture were reported, delaying its release. Then a strike by the United Auto Workers of America delayed production by at least two months. And now, due to the coronavirus, production has been halted six weeks after the start of production. All these delays mean that the 2020 Corvette could be limited to about 2,700 units, Consumer Guide reported Monday.

Chevrolet spokesman Kevin Kelly confirmed that 2,700 2020 Corvettes have been built so far. However, Kelly would not confirm how many 2020 Corvettes have been built, though he said that more will be built when the plant reopens; in 2018, Chevrolet produced 18,791 Corvettes, compared to 25,079 in 2017

" Once the plant reopens, we will continue to produce 2020 model year vehicles," Kelly said in an email, but did not give a timeline for when the plant would open.

After the UAW delay, production of the 2020 Corvette began in late February, with the first car, a black Z51 coupe, delivered to NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick in early March. Production continued through March 20, but the Bowling Green, Kentucky plant, which produces Corvettes, was shut down due to the virus. On March 18, Chevrolet announced that it would stop taking orders for the 2020 model year and begin taking orders for the 2021 model year in late May. Kelly did not comment when asked if some customers who ordered 2020 models would get 2021 models. Chevrolet may not know, depending on when the plant can reopen.

Kelly also said that Chevrolet plans to produce the 2020 Corvette convertible for customers, but did not comment on when production would begin or how many units would be produced.

Chevrolet is reportedly planning several future variants of the Corvette, including a 1,000-hp Zora, 850-hp ZR1, 650-hp Z06, and 600-hp Grand Sport. A virus could delay these models, but would not cancel them, Kelley said.

Of course, well-thought-out plans are always subject to change. If the pandemic drags on, the Bowling Green plant may not be able to produce the 2020 models.

If the final production volume is around 2,700 units, the 2020 Corvette could instantly become a collector's item; as Consumer Guide noted, this is less than the 3,300 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon built in 2018. The small number of units, and the combination of different Corvette makes, could make certain versions even more of a collector's item. In the short term, however, prices are likely to rise the most, and the release of the 2021 model will probably reduce the value of the 2020 model. A search of currently available 2020 Corvettes across the United States reveals dealers offering prices $5,000, $10,000, and even $17,000 above MSRP.