Saturn Astra Sales?

megeebee · 05-09-2008, 03:44 PM

I was just looking at the April + 2008 YTD sales figures and was a little shocked at the small numbers being generated by the Astra.

909 in April

2396 since January 1st.

The last data on inventory was dated April 14, 2008. There were about 9000 in stock around the country, making a day's-supply figure of 325! Or, put another way: ONE YEAR'S WORTH.

I would have thought that they'd be flying out of dealers hands. Anyone as perplexed (and a little frightened) as I am?

I-Love-Pontiac · 05-09-2008, 03:50 PM

Maybe GM would have been better off putting their efforts into a new Cobalt and G5.

ronald mcretard · 05-09-2008, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by megeebee

I was just looking at the April + 2008 YTD sales figures and was a little shocked at the small numbers being generated by the Astra.

909 in April

2396 since January 1st.

The last data on inventory was dated April 14, 2008. There were about 9000 in stock around the country, making a day's-supply figure of 325! Or, put another way: ONE YEAR'S WORTH.

I would have thought that they'd be flying out of dealers hands. Anyone as perplexed (and a little frightened) as I am?

maybe its because GM hasn't advertised it at all. most people have no idea it exists.

TriShield · 05-09-2008, 04:20 PM

That and it costs substantially more as the car it replaced, the ION.

In fact most of Saturn's new line-up isn't performing well at all saleswise.

FenwickHockey65 · 05-09-2008, 04:30 PM

I'm telling you, just advertise the car and people will be interested.
A better engine would be nice as well.

I-Love-Pontiac · 05-09-2008, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

I'm telling you, just advertise the car and people will be interested.
A better engine would be nice as well.

I don't think so. I've asked a lot of random people what they think about it, and no one seems interested. In order to get people to switch over to brand they are not comfortable with, you have to do something really different. There's nothing special about the Astra. It's not good looking, its not efficient, it's not sporty, it's not cheap, it doesn't have a nice interior, and it's expensive.

The Astra is a good car, but it's painfully average. The ION may have sucked, but at least it was unique, which gave people a reason to look at it. The Astra isn't turning any heads.

Koasterking · 05-09-2008, 06:02 PM

Where are the incentives?!?!

TriShield · 05-09-2008, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I-Love-Pontiac

There's nothing special about the Astra. It's not good looking, its not efficient, it's not sporty, it's not cheap, it doesn't have a nice interior, and it's expensive.

The Astra is a good car, but it's painfully average. The ION may have sucked, but at least it was unique.

Ha ha, what?

DuSpinnst · 05-09-2008, 06:24 PM

I would have gotten an Astra instead of the Jeep but they has NO leases on them. Other than "standard rates" which are exorbitant.

jcgable · 05-09-2008, 06:28 PM

I would venture to say it is because it is so expensive. It costs almost $18,000 to buy a version with Air Conditioning. As far as I'm concerned, that is the base model. That is an insane price for a compact vehicle. I think GM needs to realize that they aren't selling mini coopers-they are producing very expensively produced Chevy Cobalts.

throwback · 05-09-2008, 07:18 PM

No advertising, no subsidized leases equals low sales. As is typical of GM advertise something heavily (see the Aura) then act like it no longer exists, because there is something new, the Malibu. This is what happens when you have too many brands and not enough money.

Elk · 05-09-2008, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronald mcretard

maybe its because GM hasn't advertised it at all. most people have no idea it exists.

There was an ad for it during the last CSI: Miami. You call that no advertizing?

The Astra’s sales problem is: #1 what little reputation Saturn has is for building cheap cars. People looking for a premiums compacts don’t go to Saturn dealers. #2 the Astra’s fuel economy sucks for such an expensive car with such a weak engine.

1931Chevy · 05-09-2008, 07:28 PM

and people still ask why Ford didnt do like GM and bring the Euro Focus and Mondeo here to the states and here is your answer just ask GM

Elk · 05-09-2008, 07:29 PM

I’m going to add a little bit more. Can anyone here come up with a good argument for buying an Astra over a Focus?

Koasterking · 05-09-2008, 07:34 PM

I think the Astra is better looking inside and out compared to the Focus. Available Pano sunroof, heated seats, leather interior.

Downside. Lack of power, no Aux port, no bluetooth.

05-09-2008, 03:44 PM	#1 (permalink)
megeebee 5.3 Liter LS4 V8 Join Date: Feb 2005 Drives: 2005 CTS 3.6 Posts: 3,299	Saturn Astra Sales? I was just looking at the April + 2008 YTD sales figures and was a little shocked at the small numbers being generated by the Astra. 909 in April 2396 since January 1st. The last data on inventory was dated April 14, 2008. There were about 9000 in stock around the country, making a day's-supply figure of 325! Or, put another way: ONE YEAR'S WORTH. I would have thought that they'd be flying out of dealers hands. Anyone as perplexed (and a little frightened) as I am? __________________ "Oh, I'm sorry. I was looking for the GM fan site. This is obviously not it. I seem to have stumbled on to a site for Toyota lobbyists in Washington DC. Even GM's successes seem to be met here with jeers and condescention." - me Last edited by megeebee : 05-09-2008 at 03:50 PM.

05-09-2008, 03:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
I-Love-Pontiac 6.2 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: NY Posts: 2,737	Re: Saturn Astra Sales? Maybe GM would have been better off putting their efforts into a new Cobalt and G5. __________________

05-09-2008, 04:20 PM	#4 (permalink)
TriShield 4.4 Liter Supercharged Northstar Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Phoenix, AZ, USA Drives: LS2 Pontiac GTO, L76 Pontiac G8 Posts: 2,284	Re: Saturn Astra Sales? That and it costs substantially more as the car it replaced, the ION. In fact most of Saturn's new line-up isn't performing well at all saleswise. Last edited by TriShield : 05-09-2008 at 04:22 PM.

05-09-2008, 04:30 PM	#5 (permalink)
FenwickHockey65 6.0 Liter LS2 V8 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: West Chester, OH Drives: Chevrolet Malibu LS, GMC Envoy SLE, GMC Sonoma SLS Posts: 4,850	Re: Saturn Astra Sales? I'm telling you, just advertise the car and people will be interested. A better engine would be nice as well. __________________ Proud to drive American. Proud to drive GM. Current Cars: 2007 Chevrolet Malibu LS: 2.2L ECOTEC I-4 2003 GMC Envoy SLE: 4.2L Vortec 4200 I-6 1998 GMC Sonoma SLS Ext. Cab: 4.3L Vortec 4300 V6 Former Cars: 1993 Saturn SW2 (1993-2006, 243,000 miles) 1989 GMC Safari SLT (1989-2003, 293,000 miles) Future Car: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro LT RS: 3.6L DI VVT V6

05-09-2008, 06:02 PM	#7 (permalink)
Koasterking 5.3 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hunterdon Co., NJ Drives: 2004 Scion xB Posts: 1,427	Re: Saturn Astra Sales? Where are the incentives?!?! __________________ -"Rose, were you able to find a caterer for the banquet, yet?" -"No, not yet. Oh, but I did find out that Baked Alaska can actually be made locally!" -"Rose, I have an even bigger scoop for you. Mars Bars are made right here on Earth!" G.G.

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05-09-2008, 06:24 PM	#9 (permalink)
DuSpinnst Starship Enterpise Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 17,204	Re: Saturn Astra Sales? I would have gotten an Astra instead of the Jeep but they has NO leases on them. Other than "standard rates" which are exorbitant. __________________ The moderation here gets an F for FAILURE.

05-09-2008, 06:28 PM	#10 (permalink)
jcgable 3.5 Liter V6 Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 236	Re: Saturn Astra Sales? I would venture to say it is because it is so expensive. It costs almost $18,000 to buy a version with Air Conditioning. As far as I'm concerned, that is the base model. That is an insane price for a compact vehicle. I think GM needs to realize that they aren't selling mini coopers-they are producing very expensively produced Chevy Cobalts.

05-09-2008, 07:18 PM	#11 (permalink)
throwback 3.9 Liter V6 Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 934	Re: Saturn Astra Sales? No advertising, no subsidized leases equals low sales. As is typical of GM advertise something heavily (see the Aura) then act like it no longer exists, because there is something new, the Malibu. This is what happens when you have too many brands and not enough money.

05-09-2008, 07:29 PM	#14 (permalink)
Elk 6.0 Liter LS2 V8 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Country:U.S.A. State:Maine Drives: 1985 Caprice Classic Posts: 4,013	Re: Saturn Astra Sales? I’m going to add a little bit more. Can anyone here come up with a good argument for buying an Astra over a Focus?

05-09-2008, 07:34 PM	#15 (permalink)
Koasterking 5.3 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hunterdon Co., NJ Drives: 2004 Scion xB Posts: 1,427	Re: Saturn Astra Sales? I think the Astra is better looking inside and out compared to the Focus. Available Pano sunroof, heated seats, leather interior. Downside. Lack of power, no Aux port, no bluetooth. __________________ -"Rose, were you able to find a caterer for the banquet, yet?" -"No, not yet. Oh, but I did find out that Baked Alaska can actually be made locally!" -"Rose, I have an even bigger scoop for you. Mars Bars are made right here on Earth!" G.G.

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