Quote:
Originally Posted by Wolfman01
The concept also ignores one problem that is why the Astra is struggling to sell here. Exchange rates for foreign vs. U.S. currencies. Because of this, the Astra is forced into a price point, where it simply cannot compete with the other competing vehicles in the same class. Importing more of t he same, will only add to the glut of unsold vehicles in this country.
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I agree that there is a VERY limited US market for the current "domestic" gasoline Astra offering at 27 mpg average and 32 mpg highway.
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/2008c...f.jsp?id=25511
Now consider, what would the level of interest be ... IF ... that Astra were a 1.7 liter turbo diesel that got 47 mpg average and about 56 mpg highway?
http://www.vcacarfueldata.org.uk/sea...s.asp?id=22011
I am confident that there would be a radically different consumer preception between these 2 offerings, even if the diesel price point was $2~3k higher.
I do recognize that ANY new offering in this immediate economic climate would have an uphill struggle.
At least the 47 mpg machine has a chance while the 27 mpg vehicle has ABSOLUTELY NONE ... just "more of the same" ... so to speak.
At least the 47~56 mpg vehicle would stand out from the pack and that might just be enough to start generating sales! Probably more so than deep discounts on the 27 mpg gasoline Astra.
If initial development costs were "zero" (the 24 month waiver) then the economic cost (and risk) to GM would be almost NON-EXISTENT! Start-up time is days ... not years!
If there is reasonable US market acceptance/volume, then GM domestic manufacturing could be retooled up, started, and the design could be brought into compliance on emissions and safety.
OR ... a similar "power train" could be rolled into ANY appropriate existing domestic product for improved fuel economy eliminating the safety issues leaving just emissions issues to be solved!