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

[D C]

How is it the Colorado/Canyon have ZERO incentives? Looked into leasing one and the salesperson said a Sierra would be cheaper. These truck sales have been in the crapper for a long time, inventories are up, but no incentives. What gives? You'd think they would want to sell the relatively good mileage Colorado/Canyon to help CAFE.

[Buick61]

Originally Posted by paul8488

The Aura sells in small numbers, the Outlook sells in small numbers... and we're surprised that the Astra sells in small numbers? The Vue is the only carry-over name, and it's the best-selling Saturn vehicle.

Small dealership network + relatively unknown brand + new model names + more expensive replacements for old vehicles = mediocre sales. Not all that hard to understand in the end!

The Aura should be the Malibu (and new Malibu development money could have gone into a revised G6), the Vue should be the Equinox, the Outlook should be the Traverse (with Traverse money going to, say, an updated Colorado design), and the Astra should be a G5 (it's too expensive to be a Cobalt).

It's funny that when Saturn was created other GM divisions cried that it was starving them of vehicles... and it's still true today. If Saturn was canned Chevy and Pontiac would have had new product much sooner... which is amplified in importance by the fact that they're both much more popular and well-known brands. With the right engine (the 2.0L turbo as optional even) the Astra would make a fine small Pontiac, alongside the Vibe. It would have needed a new nose, but it would have had so much more impact than the Astra ever will at Saturn.

I think it's safe to say at this point that I'll never step into a Pontiac dealership again. But I wouldn't hesitate to consider Saturn again: better dealerships, better looking cars, less baggage, and, my god, no red lighting scheme.

So, I'm glad Saturn exists, and I hope Pontiac dies the death it should have died in the early 1950s or in the early half of this decade.

[Ming]

Originally Posted by 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.

I've heard that before and I disagree wholeheartedly. The best-selling cars from the Japanese and Koreans are "world cars". The entire lineup of some import automakers are "world cars". And they aren't the ones losing the market share battle.

For those who want a truly American-styled small car, there are still plenty of cars like the HHR, PT Cruiser, Caliber - not to mention those up one step like the Fusion, G6 and Avenger.

Only Jerry Flint seriously thinks Cobalts and Sunfires are what Americans really want in a compact car, and that the Big 3 need to avoid "world cars" at all costs like we're still living in the 1980's with Merkur.

[D C]

Originally Posted by coaster.n3rd

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.

Doesn't sound like you live in the real world.

I would fully expect someone to walk away from a sale if there was no aux/ipod compatibility. That is a price of entry today. Satellite radio is questionable with all of the portable units, but there again, there's no aux jack to plug it into. FM modulators suck.

And the rpm? You're probably right that people don't specifically notice the rpm. How many of them notice that the window sticker shows 24/30 mpg while that on a Honda Civic (also with a 1.8 engine) shows 25/36? Again, I would expect someone to walk right out of a Saturn dealer because of that.

Cost? Sure, if it was dirt cheap they might overlook those, but if it was at all price comparable to a Civic or other vehicle, I'd expect them to walk.

[Ming]

Originally Posted by D C

How is it the Colorado/Canyon have ZERO incentives? Looked into leasing one and the salesperson said a Sierra would be cheaper. These truck sales have been in the crapper for a long time, inventories are up, but no incentives. What gives? You'd think they would want to sell the relatively good mileage Colorado/Canyon to help CAFE.

If memory serves, the S-10 was not made in just one plant --- at least variants of the S-10 (the Blazer) had their own factory, like Janesville. And they used a lot of common components.

Consider that the Colorado/Canyon share the same line with the Hummer H3.

It's not "demand" that keeps incentives at zero, it's a terrible supply, which reveals GM's lack of interest in selling lots of small trucks with the kinds of incentives they heap on their heavily produced big trucks.

Whatever the reason, a lack of incentives and a high sticker price (and only so-so fuel economy) have kept me away from the Colorado/Canyon, and from what I can tell, GM couldn't care less if I buy one or not. They want me in a new Yukon if my last year's worth of mailers is any sign.

[tgagneguam]

Buick Enclave: 40
Cadillac CTS: 24

These two don't surprise me one bit. Nope, when GM builds nice vehicles that exceed the expectations of their respective markets, they will do just fine. And I think these two do so with relatively minor incentives, if I recall correctly. All the more impressive in a somewhat bleak overall market.

[Hard Nard]

Honestly,

so little has been said about the Astra I wasn't even aware it was available. And since I work at a Pontiac dealer within ten miles of two Saturn dealers that is particularly troubling to me.

I thought GM was bad about promoting Pontiac, but when they're not promoting new products for their current "most favored" line that doesn't show a lot of interest by the suits in Detroit.

[gspangler]

I've had my Astra(3DR, auto) for 7 weeks as of today. I bought it because, there is nothing else on the market with the combination of features. I wanted a hatch, and like to sit low to the ground. Also, wanted 4 wheel disc brakes and a 6-disc changer. That pretty much left me with an Astra, or the Rabbit, but you can't get a 3 door rabbit with the 6-disc changer.

[jcgable]

I'm going to venture to guess that the Astra issue has a lot to do with it's $17,000 base price...

[rsbaker]

Originally Posted by hotrod1949

Except for some local newspaper ads, I have seen absolutely zero advertising support for Astra, and when you mention the car to a "non car person" they look at you like you are from Mars. This car should be showing up everywhere, print& electronic media, as well as in the tin at events.

Agreed! My Mother has a Saturn L300 and needed to have the oil changed and tires rotated and I offered to take it in for her and was pleasantly surprised to see they had the Astra in stock. I knew they were out but didn't know how extensively. I have seen no local nor national ads about the car. GM has to do better. I was really impressed with both the coupe and the sedan especially in XR trim. The salesman did tell me that he personally at least had sold more coupes than sedans. That's not surprising given the good looks.

[mikehamm45]

maybe because the astra is a hatch and americans dont like hatches? or maybe, just maybe the astra has only a 4 speed out of the gate, poor engine performance, sub-par mpg, and is relatively more expensive that many cars in its class

[coaster.n3rd]

Originally Posted by D C

Doesn't sound like you live in the real world.

I sell them in the real world everyday. You just sit right back down in your computer chair and let those who actually have a job selling them give honest answers and not guesses.

[New_Mexico_Sunset_on_Rt66]

Well, zero marketing for the Astra could explain those numbers.

The Astra is definitley a nice 'lil hatch. A little more upscale than the Mazda 3. There's no reason why it ain't selling better.

[free_energy0]

Almost everyone on GMi blames a lack of marketing for GMs unsuccessful products, but really its The Product Stupid. I've see more sales effort for the Astra than the G8, and we know which on is selling. A good car will sale itself, and the market has determined the Astra isn't a good car.

[steinravnik]

Originally Posted by coaster.n3rd

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.

Well, I would want an AUX jack, and so would a lot of people that would consider buying the car. If GM is going to sell a European car in America, they need to appeal to the target demographic. Really, how hard would it be to add an AUX jack?