GM Vehicle Inventory Figures: The Good (CTS), The Bad (SUVs), The Ugly (Astra)

[steinravnik]

I like the Astra, I think it needs AWD and more power though, and the dash improvements.

[windvale]

Too many brands, not enough advertising/promotion dollars to go around.

Take the mid-size segment for instance. Toyota can concentrate resources on promoting the Camry. Honda promotes the Accord. GM has to promote the Impala, Malibu, G6, Aura, 9-3, Lucerne...did I miss any ?

Build ONE class leading vehicle in each segment and promote the hell out of it. Hey GM...it ain't 1958 anymore ! Stop the madness already !

[tamatt27]

That's surprising because they're are always getting new Astra's in at my store. We've got around 10 sitting on the back lot. I were just assuming they were selling the crap out of them... If I were to buy an economical new GM car, though, it would be a black 5-speed Astra 3-door. That is a sharp looking car!

[thejokester]

the astra is over priced for what you get. Also very slow and I would say it's main compter, the golf, has a much better dash and its faster!

[momo67]

the Astra is built in Europe, so even at $17k, GM is probably losing money on it. An Astra costs about $30k in Europe. I hate to say it, but maybe they should have rebadged an Aveo or a Cobalt if Saturn needed an econobox.

Interesting that there's ton of inventory for the Solstice too, which was the 'IT' car for a hot minute. I might buy me one when they offer 0% finance for 08 models. Now there's only 0% for the 07 models.

[throwback]

The Astra needs advertising. I sound like a broken record but, too many brands means not enough money to spread around. I have driven an Astra 5 door and it is a great small car. It's not fast but, it handles well, is well built and a blast to drive. This car is the 3rd best selling car in Europe after the Golf and Puegeot 205. At the NY auto show, there was a crowd around the Astra and I heard comments like, "i've never seen this cars before". Not scientific I know, but this car should be pitched at a younger buyer, especially the 3 door. The only negative I see is that there is no mp3/ipod plug. Don't Europeans listen to ipods?

[Ultra Magnus]

The killer for the astra is its cost vs features. Its a nice car, but it is way underpowered for what you pay for. Plus there are those in this country who arent yet ready for a "world car" yet. The astra needs more content (even customization options would help), a lower price, and more power. Then it would get a lot more attention.

[Masospaghetti]

It's overpriced and GM probably still loses money on each one it sells, so they probably aren't promoting it for a reason. Stupid, I know, but GM is all about making the quick buck. It's also sad that it's 1.8 Ecotec can't get more than 30 mpg highway, and has such an ugly dash design.

[SUPERBADD75]

Originally Posted by Ming

She thinks her new Aura looks and feels like a Bimmer (German Car) and babies it big time -- so mission accomplished for Saturn, at least on the "looks/feels like an Opel" front.

sorry Ming, but my wife and i rented an Aura (nice V6 model and everything) and she couldn't wait to get back into her 325. i thought it was a pretty nice car and stacked up to the competition pretty well, but it doesn't feel like a BMW at all. now the Astra looks pretty Euro to me inside, but the Aura doesn't, at least IMHO.

it is a bit of a shock that i've seen all kinds of Pontiac advertising on TV but nothing for the Astra, or even Saturn in general. the Aura was launched with tons of marketing, why isn't the Astra getting the same? it is a little troubling, however, that the base engine is the only engine. they need to inject a little more power into the lineup with a RedLine version or something.

[momolos]

They need to do something about the HP and the MPG.
The price isn't too much like all of you are freaking out about. Check out the competition. I mean worst case scenerio it might be $1,000 over priced.
I think the HP needs to be closer to 160 and the MPG should be at 32 and it will sell like hotcakes.
When they said that they will bring the Astra here I didn't think that they would use the 1.8L


Just my opinion.....so I could be wrong!

[coaster.n3rd]

Originally Posted by Perian

GM - Don't let the Astra fail!

Astra wish list for MY09:
Clean up the interior, add XM and change the gearing to lower highway RPMs and improve MPG.

These are not the issues. No one has complained about a single one of these. The problem is you can't lease one and there are no set rates for financing.

Again, the shopper does not care about XM, the interior, lack of Aux jack, or notice the high RPMs. They are just not affordable.

[coaster.n3rd]

Supoosedly in Florida for the GM conference they said there was going to be a big Aura marketing push. When I was told this I was shocked... we need Astra marketing.

[CadiEldo67]

It has everything to do with Saturn's near lack of dealerships, little to no advertising, and the fact that it is a more expensive car than a Civic, Corolla, Cobalt, etc but is much nicer. I'm thinking they need to advertiste this like crazy and do a Civic/Corolla/Astra comparo at each Saturn dealership, just like the Aura. Its crazy but it just might work.

[coaster.n3rd]

Originally Posted by throwback

The only negative I see is that there is no mp3/ipod plug. Don't Europeans listen to ipods?

iPods are a distraction while driving. So no, they don't listen to them while they drive.

Also, only on this board is the Aux jack an issue.

[prototype66]

I say put the 2.4/6 sp auto-or 6 sp mam, and a few more cup holders and a NA center stack and Bingo!