Chevrolet Captiva Appeals to Affluent Singaporeans

[Ming]

Published May 16, 2007
Captiva-ting more affluent S'poreans
By SAMUEL EE



CHEVROLET is reaching out to a newer and more affluent group of customers in Singapore with the seven-seat Captiva sport utility vehicle (SUV), according to the General Motors-owned car maker.

'Those who are buying it may be driving European cars like BMW and Mercedes-Benz, or mid-sized Japanese sedans and Japanese five-seater SUVs,' said a GM executive. 'They say they like the Captiva for its European handling and value for money.'

The 2.4-litre Captiva was introduced here in March and GM says an average of 20 units are sold each month through its two dealers.

The Chevrolet marque was launched in Singapore in September 2003 after GM took over Daewoo of South Korea. Although it quickly entered into the list of top 10 most popular makes here, the mainstream brand is usually perceived to be a lower-end car with a small engine size. Until now, that is.

'The Captiva has a wider market because it is a global product,' explains John Thomson, director of GM Asean sales and marketing. He is also Chevrolet's vice-president of sales, marketing and after-sales and based in Thailand, where the Captiva will be made.

'It is a very important product,' he says in a recent interview in Bangkok, 'especially in Thailand, where the SUV is replacing the MPV van segment. It looks cooler if you drive an SUV'.

Mr Thomson reveals that the situation is similar to the US market, where the SUV has a tough and rugged image, while the MPV is like 'vanilla ice-cream'.

The Captiva has four-wheel drive, although 'it won't do what the Hummer will do off-road'.

'But 95 per cent of people who buy SUVs don't go off-road,' says Mr Thomson. 'Thai buyers like the Captiva because of the better traction in wet and slippery conditions.'

And he says its interior is 'equal to the finest luxury car', with excellent fit and finish, and double stitching on the seats.

Source: http://www.businesstimes.com.sg:80/s...234148,00.html

[CrunkedRL]

Hmmm I'm wonder what reaction will be when the Captiva's Vue clone is released in the states. The new Vue clearly looks more upscale interior wise over the outgoing model and probably will have some of the same Euro driving dynamics as the Captiva but will it hold true to Saturn's more upscale approach in the states.....only time will tell I guess. I know the Aura has already attracted some buyers to "rethink American" who would have never dreamt of buying and American auto especially a GM product.

[t-rex]

The cost of simply purchasing an automobile in Singapore, through tariffs and an COE bidding, put new car ownership out of the hands of most Singaporeans. It can cost upwards of $20,000 some months simply to register and title your new car there (the COE). Add this to the price of the car itself, and stiff tariffs, you're looking at $62,000 for a 2.4-litre Camry.

While it may seem severe, there are no traffic jams in Singapore. They don't squander trillions of dollars on freeways that move traffic along at a whopping 11mph. Singapore has escaped the traffic nightmare that afflicts other Asia cities like Bangkok.

And if you're ever there, don't think you're going to just pop over to Malaysia to fill up your tank for cheap either. When I was visiting there, the border officials pop their head in through my window and checked my fuel guage. If you're under 3/4 tank, you're not allowed to leave Singapore.

[boblutzfan]

Isn't this the same as the 2008 VUE? The article states it is a "seven seat" vehicle. How do they get seven seats in this thing? It looks small.

By the way - the VUE interior looks much better.

[ChevroletRevived]

Originally Posted by boblutzfan

Isn't this the same as the 2008 VUE? The article states it is a "seven seat" vehicle. How do they get seven seats in this thing? It looks small.

By the way - the VUE interior looks much better.

Yeah, you've got to love all the "integration" of this partsbin interior...doesn't look good at all. Good news though that it's gaining buyers for GM.

[RedVee8]

Originally Posted by boblutzfan

Isn't this the same as the 2008 VUE? The article states it is a "seven seat" vehicle. How do they get seven seats in this thing? It looks small.

By the way - the VUE interior looks much better.

Different rear treatment to allow more room. Small? It looks smaller than it is - it is approx the same size as a Toyota Kluger (Highlander in US).

[1G6]

Originally Posted by t-rex

The cost of simply purchasing an automobile in Singapore, through tariffs and an COE bidding, put new car ownership out of the hands of most Singaporeans. It can cost upwards of $20,000 some months simply to register and title your new car there (the COE). Add this to the price of the car itself, and stiff tariffs, you're looking at $62,000 for a 2.4-litre Camry.

While it may seem severe, there are no traffic jams in Singapore. They don't squander trillions of dollars on freeways that move traffic along at a whopping 11mph. Singapore has escaped the traffic nightmare that afflicts other Asia cities like Bangkok.

And if you're ever there, don't think you're going to just pop over to Malaysia to fill up your tank for cheap either. When I was visiting there, the border officials pop their head in through my window and checked my fuel guage. If you're under 3/4 tank, you're not allowed to leave Singapore.

That's awful.

[asim]

Originally Posted by ChevroletRevived

Yeah, you've got to love all the "integration" of this partsbin interior...doesn't look good at all. Good news though that it's gaining buyers for GM.

I think the interior design overall isn't bad. The only gripe about the interior is the corporate radio and HVAC controls. If they did something a little different, it would look a lot better.

Yeah, three rows of seats fit in this thing, it is actually BIGGER than the Vue. haha.

[LAMRONH]

Maybe we could get the administration to open the borders to Singaporeans.
GM is saved!!

[ChevroletRevived]

Originally Posted by asim

I think the interior design overall isn't bad. The only gripe about the interior is the corporate radio and HVAC controls. If they did something a little different, it would look a lot better.

Yeah, three rows of seats fit in this thing, it is actually BIGGER than the Vue. haha.

The design is good. But the corporate radio and HVAC controls look very out of place in this interior. That's just my opinion, but it sticks out in a way that I don't think is the same in the Aura..for instance.

[AusCalais]

Originally Posted by asim

Yeah, three rows of seats fit in this thing, it is actually BIGGER than the Vue. haha.

The designers have hidden its size very well, it's about the size of an X5.


From the article: ".... And he says its interior is 'equal to the finest luxury car', with excellent fit and finish, and double stitching on the seats. ...."

Double stitching or not..... a pretty tall tale he's weaving there.

[montrealvue]

Anyone know when this will arrive in North America? I would suspect this one (in some variation) would be putting the Equinox out to pasture.

[mikmak]

Originally Posted by AusCalais

The designers have hidden its size very well, it's about the size of an X5.


From the article: ".... And he says its interior is 'equal to the finest luxury car', with excellent fit and finish, and double stitching on the seats. ...."

Double stitching or not..... a pretty tall tale he's weaving there.

Yeah, on closer inspection, the fit, whilst good isn't quite X5 materials. As for the size, Donna and I were surprised to find it is wider (though slightly shorter) than our wagon! Which was puzzling considering the wagon is far more comfortable and accomodating.

[RedVee8]

Originally Posted by mikmak

Yeah, on closer inspection, the fit, whilst good isn't quite X5 materials. As for the size, Donna and I were surprised to find it is wider (though slightly shorter) than our wagon! Which was puzzling considering the wagon is far more comfortable and accomodating.

but not in the 3rd row.... .
Seriously tho, the lack of a transmission tunnel in the 2nd row is a good feature for accomodation.
Work had a look for the travellers, but found the boot too small...... there is life in the 'long wagons' yet.

[DuraMax Hammer]

It could work over here, but when I first saw the exterior picture, the first thing that popped in my was the new Honda CRV. So I really don't like that. With a little bit of exterior re-work, I could see it work in the US.