No more key'ed access to the trunk for 2023+ C8's. Money saving? If the latch mechanism fails, which has happened, one is required to drill a 3 inch hole in the rear decklid to open the trunk!! WTF!!
G.M announced 6/14/22*** that all 2023+ Corvettes will LOSE the lock cylinder behind the license plate to open the rear hatch in the event of electrical system faults. The rear fascia will still have the provision FOR a lock cylinder, but it will not be installed. The new solution in the event of loss of electrical systems is to use a 3" hole-saw to separate 3" of the rear hatch to stay latched into striker. From there the fasteners holding the latch in can be accessed.
Makes you wonder if the production cost saving will surpass the warranty repair amount to the rear hatch after cutting it open. Here is the verbiage:
"If you need to access the rear compartment on a 2023+ model year Corvette:
Attempt to open the rear hatch /rear compartment using all 3 electrical attempts. Try the interior switch, the exterior touch pad, and the key fob. This will electrically command the rear hatch/rear compartment to release. There is no alternate method to gain access to the rear hatch / rear compartment if these attempts do not work. The vehicle will have to be damaged in order to open the rear hatch / rear compartment. See the section later in this document titled, "Accessing the rear hatch / rear compartment with a seized up latch."
Accessing the rear hatch / rear compartment with a seized up latch:
First obtain a 3" hole saw for the following procedure. Send the vehicle to a body shop as needed. Starting at the trailing edge of the rear hatch / rear compartment, measure forward 3 and 1/2". Make this mark at the centerline of the panel. This will be the center of the hole that will have to be drilled into the panel. This will place the pilot hole location right in a portion of the stingray emblem when it has been positioned properly. Drill a 3" hole through the rear hatch / rear compartment panel. This will allow the technician to lift the rear panel upwards and the small 3" cut-out portion of the panel will stay attached to the rear latch / striker assembly. The servicing technician will then have access to the fasteners that hold the latch to the vehicle and can continue servicing the vehicle from there."