2009 Astra = 2008 Astra?

[b4z]

I think the Astra has set the record for the most threads on GMI.
I also think there was a huge amount of excitement here about this car.
How much better it was than the ION, how much better it was than the competition, etc.
Some people call the GTO a flop. This is one of GM's worst flops on record and it's a great little car. How can a car that gets 30mpg only sell a few thousand units in the first quarter of the year?

This car with a 180hp and bluetooth, XM would be a giant killer, but GM just can't spend the time to get it right.

[dederer]

Maybe we (US Citizen's) have different tastes in cars than Europeans. The ford contour was terrible, the venture was a flop and VW's are forgettable. Hmm I see a trend.

[zeobandit]

Originally Posted by FordRules

i still havent seen an Astra at a dealer or on the road.

Me neither.

[GMfan1111]

Originally Posted by zeobandit

Me neither.

I've seen a few out on the road and at some dealerships but for the most part Its remained reclusive

[ChevyOptra5]

After a quick scan I did notice there was no mention of the 18 inch wheels that used to be an option on the 3 dr XR.

[megeebee]

Originally Posted by vsd

I was expecting at the very least for them to add an aux jack to the stereo. Is that so much to ask?

Apparently.

[MaxLegroom]

Originally Posted by vsd

I was expecting at the very least for them to add an aux jack to the stereo. Is that so much to ask?

Ditto the Red Line...

[Buick61]

Originally Posted by vsd

I was expecting at the very least for them to add an aux jack to the stereo. Is that so much to ask?

I think GM used the AUX jack wiring for OnStar purposes. The Euro-market cars don't have OnStar, therefore they have the AUX jack. The electronics BUS isn't setup to have both OnStar and AUX. So it'd be a huge deal to add a seemingly simple thing.

[DuSpinnst]

Originally Posted by dindak

1) It wasn't 2 years ago when this car was hatched
2) No advertising = no sales.

1) Spring Hill was getting an Non-Saturn product as soon as GM announced the end of the VUE and ION. Everyone knew that. That was almost 2 years ago.

[DuSpinnst]

Originally Posted by dederer

...VW's are forgettable. Hmm I see a trend.

VW Sales are up this year, and that is without the TDI's. So there is a trend, but you don't see it.

[GMinTheDriveway]

Originally Posted by b4z

I think the Astra has set the record for the most threads on GMI.
I also think there was a huge amount of excitement here about this car.
How much better it was than the ION, how much better it was than the competition, etc.
Some people call the GTO a flop. This is one of GM's worst flops on record and it's a great little car. How can a car that gets 30mpg only sell a few thousand units in the first quarter of the year?

This car with a 180hp and bluetooth, XM would be a giant killer, but GM just can't spend the time to get it right.

Yea....what's a little time and about 1 billion dollars..

[silvergoat2k6]

Originally Posted by DuSpinnst

VW Sales are up this year, and that is without the TDI's. So there is a trend, but you don't see it.

VW's increase can be summed up in 3 words: "Sign and Drive"

[b4z]

VW has crazy lease deals right now.
I woulod expect sales to be up.

[benroethig]

Originally Posted by camaro_freak

I certainly saw this coming a while ago. Like other have stated, this is purely stop gap until the next generation model comes out.

Unlike GM, Ford actually did something with the N.A. Focus (well they tried anyway... at least the Sync technology is cool) to hold over until the Euro version can be brought over here.

GM proves once again they still don't get it yet. They still have a lot of work to do with small cars. I hope they pull their heads out of their collective a$$es and reconsider.

The N.A. focus is designed as a general purpose compact sedan. The Astra is a limited run import for those who wanted a euro hatch. It is more or less a european car with slight alterations to be able to be sold in the U.S. If you want it, you're going to half to pay a premium and accept some limitations in the options. It isn't high volume enough for North American production and making the changes to make it better suite the NA market would probably make it no longer cost effective to bring over.

[benroethig]

Originally Posted by silvergoat2k6

VW's increase can be summed up in 3 words: "Sign and Drive"

You mean sign then drive. Still, I think the Bug's comedy routine might be more effective.