Lutz: Saturn Astra too expensive, not profitable
9/8/08, 09:28 AM
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Lutz: Saturn Astra too expensive, not profitable
9/8/08, 11:12 AM
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No doubt, this is one issue upon which we generally agree. The imminent failure of Astra was painfully obvious before the first one hit our shore. And ironically, the 'superior' European Astra rides on a chassis which is far inferior to that under the Cobalt (although you can only see how wonderful the Cobalt's chassis actually is if you opt for the SS option)
That said, I think Focus will fare better than Astra. Partially because Dearborn is apparently playing a very large role in the cars development...primarily because Ford is already fearful of cost over-runs......and partially because the Ecoboost engine lineup will prove a big boon for Ford. Still, I think Ford would be better served to go in a different direction with a fully American-developed and produced automobile.
Plain and simple, when the issue at hand is the future success of American auto makers 'global' cars are not the answer.
That said, I think Focus will fare better than Astra. Partially because Dearborn is apparently playing a very large role in the cars development...primarily because Ford is already fearful of cost over-runs......and partially because the Ecoboost engine lineup will prove a big boon for Ford. Still, I think Ford would be better served to go in a different direction with a fully American-developed and produced automobile.
Plain and simple, when the issue at hand is the future success of American auto makers 'global' cars are not the answer.
Last edited by jsaylor; 9/8/08 at 11:15 AM.
9/8/08, 03:51 PM
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The new Focus will also succeed due to the fact that there are alot more outlets to buy the car. In all fairness to GM, they bring over a car and sell it, but with a limited dealer network, it isn't a suprise they can't make any money off it, since there aren't alot of places selling them. In my area, there is only 2 Saturn dealers within 30 miles of where I live, compared to at least 10 Ford dealers.
9/8/08, 04:32 PM
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Maybe the car is just too European for American taste. If I was looking to buy a compact from GM I would always buy Cobalt instead of Astra, even if the price is the same.
It just looks too boring.
It just looks too boring.
9/8/08, 09:41 PM
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That car is a failure because nobody knows it exists. Honestly have you EVER seen any promotion for it? I dont watch much TV anymore, but I havent seen any.
The Focus on the other will do better. Why? Because at the end of the day....its a Focus, and Americans already know the Focus. To 99% of the American "global Focus" buyers....it will just be an updated Focus thats nicer than the previous one. Lets just hope Ford can sell it at the right price. With currency being an issue for GM with the Astra, I can only imagine that it will play some role in determining the price of the new Focus.
The Focus on the other will do better. Why? Because at the end of the day....its a Focus, and Americans already know the Focus. To 99% of the American "global Focus" buyers....it will just be an updated Focus thats nicer than the previous one. Lets just hope Ford can sell it at the right price. With currency being an issue for GM with the Astra, I can only imagine that it will play some role in determining the price of the new Focus.
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