GM March 2008 Sales Down 13%; Retail Sales Up

[igor]

122% increase in Malibu retail sales and the overall sales are FLAT!?!??! Did they sell ANY retail Malibus last March? WOW

Igor

[Elk]

You know what forget the Enclave, let’s talk about the G5 it got zero TV advertizing and it’s out selling the Astra.
Pontiac G5 Coupe advertising online only

[paul8488]

Originally Posted by Elk

Aveo 2008 3,693 2007 6,793 -45.6

Can we please kill this thing and replace it with something competitive? I mean really we are past the point of saying “it needs more time, not enough people know about it” and gas prices are high. If it can’t sell good now it’s never going to sell good.

I'm not convinced GM can do any better. The Corsa would cost a fortune in the US, and GM can't even get the Cobalt to get top-of-the-class fuel economy. I have no reason to suspect that a homegrown Chevrolet Aveo would be as affordable as and get better mileage than the Daewoo version. I try to be a GM fan, but I have no faith when it comes to small, efficient cars.

[sigma]

Originally Posted by igor

122% increase in Malibu retail sales and the overall sales are FLAT!?!??! Did they sell ANY retail Malibus last March? WOW

Igor

No, they didn't. And the average transaction price for the new Malibu is between 5-7k higher than it was for the old car.

[boblutzfan]

Great news that Aura is finally seeing a jump in sales. My parents did their part as they purchased a dark blue Aura XE last month and love it. I am really starting to see Auras everywhere - probably because I notice them more due to my parents having one.

I think it just takes Saturn a while to get momentum behind new product since they have such a small ad budget and store network. That said, I think the new Enclave sells so well because it is nearly the perfect CUV in terms of styling. I see them all over North Central San Antonio where I live. Every time I see one I think - "man that is a good looking CUV" and I am 33.

I am also starting to see lots of Malibus. Just goes to show that when GM builds a good vehicle people will buy it.

Also of note - the March 2008 Consumer Reports has a tagline on the top left cover of their magazine that says "New GM models shine". Amazing praise from CR. The feature the CTS and Malibu and have lots of good things to say about both.

[91Saturn]

At this point, I'm not sure that GM really cares that the Saturn Astra is selling poorly. In fact, the Astra's poor sales might actually be GOOD NEWS to the bean counters. GM committed a couple years ago to selling this car in the U.S., so they had to follow through. However, with the Euro having appreciated 30% or so against the U.S. dollar since then, GM is undoubtedly losing money on every Astra they sell here. The more Astras they import, the more money they lose, so where's the incentive to sell more?

[coaster.n3rd]

Something needs to happen with the Astra. People won't buy it. They want to lease.

Aura sales are through the roof at my store. 4 cylinder leading the pack.

[boblutzfan]

An important note is that while Malibu retail sales are skyrocketing they aren't stealing Impala sales as they are up as well. Saw a new one in the parking lot at work just the other day still with paper plates. It was a platinum/silver color with very slick factory wheels - ones I hadn't seen before. A nice LTZ model loaded to the hilt.

[Elk]

Originally Posted by paul8488

I'm not convinced GM can do any better. The Corsa would cost a fortune in the US, and GM can't even get the Cobalt to get top-of-the-class fuel economy. I have no reason to suspect that a homegrown Chevrolet Aveo would be as affordable as and get better mileage than the Daewoo version. I try to be a GM fan, but I have no faith when it comes to small, efficient cars.

Oh I’m not saying GM should come up with a new sub-compact. I’m saying they should replace the Aveo with a rebadged Suzuki Swift.

If GM is going to import a sub-compact it should at least be a good one.

[boblutzfan]

Originally Posted by 91Saturn

At this point, I'm not sure that GM really cares that the Saturn Astra is selling poorly. In fact, the Astra's poor sales might actually be GOOD NEWS to the bean counters. GM committed a couple years ago to selling this car in the U.S., so they had to follow through. However, with the Euro having appreciated 30% or so against the U.S. dollar since then, GM is undoubtedly losing money on every Astra they sell here. The more Astras they import, the more money they lose, so where's the incentive to sell more?

There is probably some truth to this. It is better for GM, Saturn and the UAW to see Aura sales increasing. GM can live with a slow selling Astra as long as their bread and butter vehicles continue to increase in sales - that being the Aura, Vue and Outlook.

[K-1]

Originally Posted by Elk

You know what forget the Enclave, let’s talk about the G5 it got zero TV advertizing and it’s out selling the Astra.
Pontiac G5 Coupe advertising online only

The Enclave has had plenty of prime TV spots (watch any televised event with Tiger Woods). The G5 has three times as many sales outlets, has been on the market for nearly 2 years (vs. 2 months for the ASTRA), and has a pretty heavy rental fleet rate.

[sigma]

Originally Posted by paul8488

I'm not convinced GM can do any better. The Corsa would cost a fortune in the US, and GM can't even get the Cobalt to get top-of-the-class fuel economy. I have no reason to suspect that a homegrown Chevrolet Aveo would be as affordable as and get better mileage than the Daewoo version. I try to be a GM fan, but I have no faith when it comes to small, efficient cars.

The Cobalt for 2009 will get 35MPG which is exactly what the Corolla and the Focus get. I don't see the problem here.

[sigma]

Originally Posted by K-1

The Enclave has had plenty of prime TV spots (watch any televised event with Tiger Woods). The G5 has three times as many sales outlets, has been on the market for nearly 2 years (vs. 2 months for the ASTRA), and has a pretty heavy rental fleet rate.

Go thank Avis and Enterprise for all of those G5 sales. Last figures that I saw published showed the G5 was going to fleets at averages that would rival the last generation Impala. And this time we know governments and police departments aren't buying them.

[paul8488]

Originally Posted by sigma

The Cobalt for 2009 will get 35MPG which is exactly what the Corolla and the Focus get. I don't see the problem here.

2009, that's the problem! Who's to say the Corolla and Civic won't get 40 by then?

[boblutzfan]

Originally Posted by sigma

The Cobalt for 2009 will get 35MPG which is exactly what the Corolla and the Focus get. I don't see the problem here.

Where are you getting this informatin? Is this an April Fools?