GM launches Pontiac and Saturn fire sale

[Namreg]

now might be the time to get a new car, even if it is a pontiac or saturn:
http://money.cnn.com/2009/12/29/autos/pontiac_sale/index.htm?cnn=yes

the automaker sent letters to dealers earlier this month detailing a plan to pay them $7,000 for each Saturn and Pontiac brand car they can move off their lots. Under the plan, dealers technically become the first owner of the cars in order to get the incentive. They can then pass on the incentives by selling the "used" vehicles to customers at a deep discount. The deal expires Jan. 4.

The factory-to-dealer incentive plan is an unusual move. If GM had taken the common approach of placing the $7,000 as a customer incentive, the company would have had to wait for buyers to come into the showroom and take the deal.

Instead, GM's plan allows the company to clear the inventory off its books right away and leaves it to the dealers to pass on the incentive.

 

[titsrock]

No thanks. It would be better if people bought Chevy Malibus or Chevy Camaros...

 

[Red Spyder]

I don't know, the Saturn Sky roadster looks pretty sweet, though right now I'm fine with my car.

 

[titsrock]

Not a single person has every gotten laid in a Saturn. That is a true fact, and it's probably one reason why they're killing the brand...:thefinger

 

[jasonk282]

So GM is taking Saturn and Pontiac off their books and putting the cars that people don't want onto the dealer inventory. Seems like there is something fishy about this.

 

[BioDefenseGrad]

So GM is taking Saturn and Pontiac off their books and putting the cars that people don't want onto the dealer inventory. Seems like there is something fishy about this.

Saturn actually had great reviews from customers, I think they were top 3 in the industry for customer satisfaction most of their existence. They happen to belong to a dysfunctional corporation like General Motors. I would guess the reason they were cut instead of Buick is because Buick has been selling in China for decades.

 

[Rey C.]

So GM is taking Saturn and Pontiac off their books and putting the cars that people don't want onto the dealer inventory. Seems like there is something fishy about this.

The dealers get a $7K discount to buy the cars from GM, put them on their lots as demos and rentals for about a month and then sell them at deep(er) discounts to customers as used cars (complete with factory warranties). My local dealer says that he could offer 0% 72 month financing and a discount/rebate of $13K or more on most of the 2009 Pontiacs he has on the lot. If I was in the market for a G8 or a Solstice, that would be one helluva deal for a new "used" car.

 

[Vosslier]

If I only had the cash to get a G8 to go with my Trans Ams lol

 

[spryter]

I wouldn't mind a G5 GT before they're all gone.

 

[Trinidad Gyrl]

Yuck!!! 2005 Scion xb here . I'm keeping it!

http://www.act-one.org/Donald/scion/scion-05.jpg

 

[spryter]

Nice toaster! I hate that we can't get the xB here in Canada yet.

 

[Wainkerr99]

If anyone can give some input as to why an Opel is not promoted in the US - like the Cub, Astra or Tigra it would be great. The Saturn Astea is sold here but not in large numbers.

Opel is one of the best cars on the road. A few electrical problems with Opel but basically it runs on a whiff of petrol and lasts forever, plus, the 2.0 L Opel could outrun BMW in its class at its inception. GSi — a 2.0 L I4 16v petrol injected model with 147 bhp (110 kW), available as a 3-door only. However, this was substituted between 1995 - 1996 and was renamed the ASTRA SPORT, although only a limited number were produced. It also featured sports bodykit and interior. The GSi too was updated in 1997, with the engine being replaced for a lower-powered but more modern 'Ecotec' version.

It has a simple engine, relatively easy to work on. It is not even sold in the Middle East.

Opel Astra won Car Of the Year a couple of times in the '90's.

http://media.opel.com/content/media.../Pages/news/intl/en/2009/OPEL/11_30_COTY_2010

 

[Rey C.]

^^^Opel (like FIAT) just isn't a well known brand in the U.S. Though Opel has been tasked with designing and engineering some platforms for GM cars (Cadillac, Buick, Saturn and Saab). As for why certain Opel models weren't brought here whoelsale, that would have required GM to support another brand... just the opposite of what GM needed.

Roger Penske was set to take over Saturn until a few months ago. I was hoping he would make a go of it and show GM how to run a car company. But the operation was so screwed up that he finally decided to step away.

I remember when Saturn first got going. An old friend of mine moved to Spring Hill to work for them. It got off to a great start. It had an almost cult following for several years. But the infighting and jealousy within GM eventually crippled the brand. With Pontiac, I thought they were finally beginning to make some good, interesting cars again. Some of the Holden models they brought over as Pontiacs were at least competent. Too bad that both are dead/dying.