Canadian Sales Sept.

[shelby]

Originally Posted by Chet

ha, NO THEY AREN'T! This shill is the only guy I know who keeps claiming that the prices aren't that bad and now he says that they are dropping. Disgusting.

I for one am going to take great pleasure if sales in Canada keep decreasing.

Chrysler prices went down, and sales went up. There is currently a $7000 rebate on 07 Jeep Liberty, and the new 08 (a much better vehicle) lists for less than a comparably equipped 07 used to. The same is true with Caravans. Remember that MSRP pricing on individual models are determined WELL in advance of model year production.

The Canadian dollar soared 10% in two months. Most vehicles are on dealer lots for 2-3 months before they are sold. THE ONLY WAY DEALERS/MANUFACTURERS CAN COUNTER THE INCREDIBLY QUICK RISE OF THE CANADIAN DOLLAR ARE THROUGH FACTORY REBATES. If you take a second and step out of the "Car companies are screwing Canadians" bandwagon and do some research, you may be surprised to find some surprisingly good deals out there. And you'll be able to keep your warranty too!

[69Firebird400]

Originally Posted by bangstudios

I was considering a C6, but the $20K price delta is ridiculous. I contacted GM Canada, and received this rubber-stamp response:

---

In response to your comments regarding the pricing differences between General Motors Corporation (GMC) in the United States and General Motors of Canada Limited (GMCL), we must clarify that these two divisions of General Motors operate independently of each other.

There are basic economic differences between Canada and the United States and, as such, vehicle pricing, parts pricing, service pricing and purchase incentives are not concurrent between the two divisions. Canadian pricing is determined in accordance with what the Canadian market dictates or demands. We do not price our vehicles based on US pricing plus exchange. We price our vehicles based on the Canadian marketplace and in order to be in a competitive position.

Thank you for contacting General Motors of Canada. Please visit our website again!

---

Riiiight. A "competitive position". Well, their "competitive position" cost them yet another customer -- and this one a former dissatisfied GM customer who was willing to give them yet one more chance.

Yep. Tranlation: "Everybody else is ripping off their customers, so we will too. That's what the market will bear."

[Geotpf]

Originally Posted by bangstudios

I was considering a C6, but the $20K price delta is ridiculous. I contacted GM Canada, and received this rubber-stamp response:

---

In response to your comments regarding the pricing differences between General Motors Corporation (GMC) in the United States and General Motors of Canada Limited (GMCL), we must clarify that these two divisions of General Motors operate independently of each other.

There are basic economic differences between Canada and the United States and, as such, vehicle pricing, parts pricing, service pricing and purchase incentives are not concurrent between the two divisions. Canadian pricing is determined in accordance with what the Canadian market dictates or demands. We do not price our vehicles based on US pricing plus exchange. We price our vehicles based on the Canadian marketplace and in order to be in a competitive position.

Thank you for contacting General Motors of Canada. Please visit our website again!

---

Riiiight. A "competitive position". Well, their "competitive position" cost them yet another customer -- and this one a former dissatisfied GM customer who was willing to give them yet one more chance.

The fact they have a generic e-mail like that means a lot of people are bitching about it. They will eventually lower prices, since sales will simply collapse on the Canadian side until they do.

[Geotpf]

Originally Posted by 69Firebird400

Yep. Tranlation: "Everybody else is ripping off their customers, so we will too. That's what the market will bear."

Welcome to capitalism. Enjoy your stay.

[PeterPuck]

Originally Posted by shelby

Chrysler is pretty strong in Canada, especially the Western provinces where the economy is hot right now. Most of the time 5-8 of the top 10 Chrysler stores in Canada are from Alberta.

I keep seeing Sebrings everywhere. It makes me not want to go outside.

And it seems like every sixth vehicle is a new Escape. Domestics seem to do very well up here for some reason. I think this might indicate that Americans are "turned off" by American vehicles because of familiarity, not because they're not as good.

[hotrod1949]

Originally Posted by Geotpf

The fact they have a generic e-mail like that means a lot of people are bitching about it. They will eventually lower prices, since sales will simply collapse on the Canadian side until they do.

An interesting note on parts prices, I just bought a 290 horse 350 from a local GM dealer, price was $2025, my usual U.S source, Pace Chevrolet, wanted $1979, so on some items the gap is closing.

You are right though, the market for new vehicles will continue to collapse until some adjustment is made.

[99highrider]

Originally Posted by shelby

The Canadian dollar soared 10% in two months. Most vehicles are on dealer lots for 2-3 months before they are sold. THE ONLY WAY DEALERS/MANUFACTURERS CAN COUNTER THE INCREDIBLY QUICK RISE OF THE CANADIAN DOLLAR ARE THROUGH FACTORY REBATES. If you take a second and step out of the "Car companies are screwing Canadians" bandwagon and do some research, you may be surprised to find some surprisingly good deals out there. And you'll be able to keep your warranty too!

The problem is we are not complaining about a 10% difference, we’re talking about a 30% gap. Canadians have been screwed over by the car manufacturers for years. It’s only now that the dollars at par, and people don’t have to use a calculator, that it’s so blatantly obvious.

I will be buying a new truck in the US, because no Canadian GM dealer will sell me a $40K truck for $28K. I have tried, and they won’t even meet me half way. I also will only be losing my Canadian warranty for 6 months here in Canada (still works in US). Many manufacturers don’t void the warranty at all (Toyota, Lexus, Nissan, Volvo, Subaru). I don’t know about Chrysler or Ford. The warranty rules seem to vary, people have to research it before they buy.

[TimR]

My own experience is about the same. However, before I bought my 07 Sierra I checked US prices and once you calculated exchange (at that time) it was within about 1000.00 so not worth the trip South. And for some reason you couldn't order the P60/Z60 20" wheel package on a reg cab Stateside. Weird. (and yes I took that into account with the pricing).

At the same time I priced out a new G35 coupe. Up here they were 50K, Stateside the SAME car costs 34K. That is a 16K diff on a 50K car. And yes I know you have to pay duty if car is built outside of NA, but its still nuts.

I know about 8 people who have gone south to buy a a 1 or 2 year old car, all have saved anywhere from 5-20K. Some do their own maintenance, one guy with an Acura TL (sweet car) was REFUSED service when they found out he bought it Stateside. I don't know why they care, an oil change is an oil change and you have to pay for it anyway. Others have had no issues.

You know they are gonna legislate this, they gotta keep the pork coming in...

EDIT: I forgot to mention (me bad) that I had a great sales guy who gave me smokin price, thus the small difference between the two prices (US one was msrp) Not sure if I could wrangle anything like that Stateside without knowing anyone so bought locally. Apologize for this huge omission, it could make a big difference.

[Avdude]

The canadian arms of the car companaies have been fleesing the Canadian consumer for some time now.. They have painted themselfs in a corner that will be exploding on them shortly.. By holding on tight to the extra monies made during the rise of the Canuk $ they have created a situation where if they were to drop prices now even 10% they would devistate the use car market for there dealers..
Used car lots are jammed like never before now that the American market has dried up in terms of a place to dump used vehicals.. Used prices (wholesale)are dropping faster than the accountants can predict residuals!!!! But dealers in most cases are holding on with used pricing trying to suck the last life out a market about to implode.. Go south and buy that is the only option to hurry this who process along..

Just look at GM's responce to the price difference.. They claim they charge what the Canadain market will bear! Only when canuks start to buy south of the line enmass will they respond in a meaningful way! I saw a report where sales were down or flat in most of Canada and the only place they were up was in the oil rich province of Alberta.. Take them out of the sales figures and you are looking at some pretty bleak #'s... The trend is starting for sure but the maufactures have gotten themselfs in a very tight spot it would seem! I would bet if Canadian only profits/losses were given by the manufactures it would show a huge profit up here oppossed to a loss in the US! They seem to look at the Canuk market like a cash cow or golden egg they will protect until the bitter end.. But to quote Stew Low of GM, "costs associated with things like daytime running lights determine the price in Canada" Shows you how much they respect the Canadian consumer..

Avdude

[TimR]

Originally Posted by Avdude

But to quote Stew Low of GM, "costs associated with things like daytime running lights determine the price in Canada" Shows you how much they respect the Canadian consumer..

Last time I checked you could buy a DRL kit locally for about 20.00 for any car....

Agree with everything you say.

[Chet]

Originally Posted by shelby

The Canadian dollar soared 10% in two months. Most vehicles are on dealer lots for 2-3 months before they are sold.!

It's not like the dollar went from 60 cents on the dollar to even within the past two months... this has been 4+ years in the making.

Originally Posted by shelby

THE ONLY WAY DEALERS/MANUFACTURERS CAN COUNTER THE INCREDIBLY QUICK RISE OF THE CANADIAN DOLLAR ARE THROUGH FACTORY REBATES. If you take a second and step out of the "Car companies are screwing Canadians" bandwagon and do some research, you may be surprised to find some surprisingly good deals out there. And you'll be able to keep your warranty too!

BS, they have another option: quit trying to alter the market by blocking Canadians from purchasing an american vehicle. This is why I and others are pissed and why we are going to take great pleasure in watching sales continue to drop. Not to mention that these rebates, in most cases, don't come close to closing the pricing gap.

[TimR]

Just for a laugh, I just priced out a 08 Sierra RCSB as I would like it on the US site and the Canadian site.

US price is 28K. Canadian price for same truck (options, etc all selected to be identical) is 34K.

[Avdude]

Originally Posted by TimR

Last time I checked you could buy a DRL kit locally for about 20.00 for any car....

Agree with everything you say.

DRL's on GM vehicals already exist... lol .. They are programed to work for the Canuk market or not work for the US market... It is a simple reprogramme to have DRL's no major cosrt at all ...

[TimR]

Originally Posted by Avdude

DRL's on GM vehicals already exist... lol .. They are programed to work for the Canuk market or not work for the US market... It is a simple reprogramme to have DRL's no major cosrt at all ...

Yeah but its a great excuse for an extra 10K, isn't it?? :-)

[LIKAROK]

This is one Albertan who will not be buying new anytime soon. I recieved the exact same canned response from GM.

All I know is there are a **** load of 07"s on the lot in Calgary. Trucks I was looking at last June are still sitting.

I agree with what has been said ....I hope the *******s choke on the lost sales!