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Saturn gets Opel Astra

154 messages,  Last post on Feb 21, 2008 at 2:23 PM

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What is this discussion about? Saturn Astra, Hatchback


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#9 of 154
Re: Photo size [pf_flyer] by chrisducati
May 08, 2006 (8:04 am)
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Replying to: pf_flyer (May 08, 2006 7:56 am)

Here you go everyone. Here is the article.
http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060508/FREE/60508001/1041/T- OC01ARCHIVE
#10 of 154
Re: Oh, there's no question about that. [bumpy] by logic1
May 08, 2006 (8:26 am)
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Replying to: bumpy (May 08, 2006 8:00 am)

there is no possible way they can be sold here for $16,000 without either massively cheapening the assembly cost, or losing money hand over fist.
 
If GM is going to do as reported, it will have to be the latter. There is no way you can 'massively cheapen assembly cost' mid term in a manufacturing run.
 
Presumably the $16k would be a base model. Options, if available, will bring the car into the 20+k area real fast. Not sure why GM would not offer the options. If people want to buy them and the components are available, why not?
#11 of 154
Re: Oh, there's no question about that. [logic1] by bumpy
May 08, 2006 (8:28 am)
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Replying to: logic1 (May 08, 2006 8:00 am)

I did the same thing, and the cheapest Astra that could actually sell here ("Life a/c" with the 1.8L auto, and no options) still clocked in at 14k Euros for the Internet price. That puts you at around $18,000 OTD for a car that's basically the same size and configuration as a Nissan Versa or a stripped-down Caliber.
#12 of 154
cost cutting by chrisducati
May 08, 2006 (8:28 am)
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I would imagine like mentioned by some that we will get a basic model with no panorama roof , projection headlamps, head lamp washers,Navigation system, ect... even as options. Giving that those sort of options would push the car from the base price of $16.000 to over $20.000 pretty fast. I would guess a higher model designation would get those. I do think that the people that pay $34.000 for a loaded Jetta GLI would pay for those options. I also bet GM US will put some cheap solid red tail lights on it to same some extra pennies. I hope I'm wrong because I have not been excited about GM products in the USA for a long time. Having driven Opel products in Europe I have always asked myself why we did not have them in the USA just as they were in the rest of the world. When we did get them they were changed to the point that they drove or looked nothing like the German cars.
#13 of 154
Re: cost cutting [chrisducati] by logic1
May 08, 2006 (8:35 am)
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Replying to: chrisducati (May 08, 2006 8:28 am)

I understand what you are saying about headlights and tail lights: that is something that could be accomodated with no change in the factory, and probably not even a change in the suppliers (both of which would be prohibitively expensive if GM had to do them and would work against cost cutting, not help it).
 
But I do not understand why you think GM would not offer options the car is already designed to accomodate and which are available in the factory that will make the car. If people want to pay 28k for a loaded Astra, why not sell it to them?
 
In the past, GM took an Opel design to the United States. It had to re-tool the US factory and buy parts from its North American suppliers. It would be difficult under that scenario to have the exact product, unless it was planned in the process from the start. In this case, you have the Astra factory making Astras for sale to the US. It would actually be harder and less cost effective to make significant changes in the process.
#14 of 154
Re: cost cutting [logic1] by chrisducati
May 08, 2006 (10:13 am)
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Replying to: logic1 (May 08, 2006 8:35 am)

Maybe I was not clear in what I said. I mean that I think there will be a base model that is the price leader. that Model would be available with options like auto gear box, CD/mp3/sat radio ect... but will not have the Nav, panorama roof, projection head lamps and washers etc as options. A higher model would. I think most people in the USA think of small cars as inexpensive cars. They do not make a mental difference between a car the size of a Astra or Focus and a car the size of a Kalos or Fit. Those people will expect the Astra to compete with what in europe is "B" segment cars in price. Silly as that is, it is a fact. There are some exceptions where people seem willing to pay higher prices . Mini, and the Jetta . From what I have read GM would like Saturn to be on the same level as the upper end of the import market in the USA. As far as spending money for new headlamps and tail lamps GM is know to spend millions on a car just to discontinue it the next model year. I doubt they would even blink at spending money to cut costs on each car they send out. I can bet money on the fact that right now someone is working on how to make the car cheaper and more "American". That has always been GM's problem. Yes, they have a percentage of the market that likes that look, but that is slipping every year. If GM would just add the bumper bracing needed to pass the US laws and send the Astra as is other wise I believe it would educate many Americans on how good a small GM car can drive.
#15 of 154
a new for 2004 car by nwng
May 08, 2006 (10:33 am)
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and saturn looks at it like it's second coming at the end of 2007.
 
It's kind of like honda telling us: hey, we haven't send you folks a five door civic hatch for a looooong time, so here's a prev gen 5 door civic. Since all the R&D, tools and stamps are already paid for and kinda obsolete, we'll price it at $11k! At least you can still do engine swaps
#16 of 154
Re: a new for 2004 car [nwng] by chrisducati
May 08, 2006 (10:43 am)
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Replying to: nwng (May 08, 2006 10:33 am)

Yeah, Honda did that to us with the FIT as it is at the end of its cycle
#17 of 154
Re: a new for 2004 car [nwng] by logic1
May 08, 2006 (10:44 am)
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Replying to: nwng (May 08, 2006 10:33 am)

How do you get obsolete?
 
The Astra will not be replaced until 2009. At which time, a model designed from the ground up for Europe and North America will take place of both the Saturn and the Opel offerings. The car will be as up to date as any of its European competitors.
 
Saturn is not saying anything about this being a second coming. (Indeed, Saturn is not saying anything at all. The reports are all from 3rd Party Sources. Probably European parts mfgs.) The timing is due to the fact Spring Hill will stop building then to allow for re-tooling as an Opel building facility.
#18 of 154
Re: a new for 2004 car [logic1] by chrisducati
May 08, 2006 (10:51 am)
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Replying to: logic1 (May 08, 2006 10:44 am)

I hope your right. Spring hill is one of the plants GM is looking at to close. So Saturn will be with out a C segment car for a year if that reads right. Ion production will end in December of this year and there will not be a replacement until the following autumn?. The article says insiders in GM and Opel confirmed the story.

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