Cadillac just announced the BLS is going to be offered with a more than 7000 Euro discount in the Netherlands.

A new BLS 2.0 Turbo Business used to cost EUR 35790, but from now on that will be EUR 28590. I wonder if that has anything to do with the fact they’ve sold a whole 51 of them this year-to-date, including the wagon and 75 last year in total, which is way less than Porsche 911s in spite of heavy taxes. Obviously the total market is not that big (population 16 MM people –> about 500000 new cars/year) but (intended) competitors like the 3 series, A4 and C-Class all manage 5-10K a year.

Anyway, what is more interesting, the Saab 9-3 with the same engine (in other words, the same car with a different grill) still costs EUR36490, while the Opel Vectra with that engine (The same chassis) is also slightly more expensive while being the classic ‘budget brand’ if you don’t count the Daevrolets GM is selling here. I wonder what it does with sales of those two, although the Vectra is about to be replaced and Saab and Cadillac have two totally different brand images in Europe, apart from both being subpar premium brands…

Most vehicles lines look very weak. For instance, the important large crossovers (Acadia, Outlook, Enclave) sold only 8800 versus Toyota 15400 for Highlander + Sienna.

And BTW, how exactly does GM determine “selling days”? GM shows 24 of them in 2008 and 27 of these mythical days for ‘07. My calendar shows five Sundays in June ‘08 and four Sundays in June ‘07, so if they are saying Sunday doesn’t count, the difference in “selling days” should only be one.

That sounds likely. GM can’t dump their trucks fast enough in this market…

I guess JD Power got it slightly wrong on GM…

I’m going to guess that the 72-hour thing saved their butts at the last minute, something that JD Power might not have picked up on.

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/jd-power-on-june-sales-gm-262-ford-314-chrysler-301/

They weren’t too far off on Ford and Chrysler, though…

Saturn failed miserably in marketing their brand image change.

Tyler D- Astra is actually a good vehicle. The MPG is not very competitive for its size. Its Euro-strange interior may throw some people off. Its lack of an aux input is damn near unforgivable in a youth-oriented ride.

Go to the Saturn websitea and price one out. Now look at a 4-banger Aura XE. The Aura costs as much or less and gives you as good (or better for 2009) mileage as Astra.

This is why I recommended Corsa. If GM cannot create price separation due to the value of the Belgian waffle( Euro) vs the dollar then bring over the smaller, cheaper Corsa.

The Corsa is an egg. I taught my wife how to drive stick on a rental Corsa while stationed in Germany in the late 1990s. An econo-egg with great mileage would sell pretty damn good right now.

What about the Impala, -50%! GP, -93%, is it discontinued?

Or have fleet buyers turned up their noses on these?

What is wrong with the Astra? It seems to be a fairly nice car. Is it because it does not conform to the original Saturn mission? I’d like to know.

If GM wanted to give Saturn an additional selling point, adding a 1.6l or 1.8l diesel would make a huge difference. Then you’re talking 40/50 mpg EPA – and something you can advertise like crazy.

They were down 21% last June (see June 07 BTN)so they are being compared with a terrible previous number which makes this one look (somewhat) better.
For comparison.
Ford June ‘07= -8%
Toy June ‘07= +10-12% (memory)

This means with a 30% cushion from last year they barely edged Toyota. Ummm, not a victory.

This will repeat in July as that was also horrible month for GM. In August IIRC they started a fleet dump which will probably make this years Aug/Sept numbers look very nasty.

Make no mistake this was not a rebound. Year over year percentages are a bit hazardous for comparisons.

Frank, do you have market share numbers?

Love and statistics,

Bunter

Astra isn’t the problem; Saturn is. The fact that Saturn’s former bread and butter (the compact) is now represented by a total also-ran is indicative of how utterly useless Saturn now is.

Saturn’s main, volume-leading model should be a compact that:
1. Competes directly with the Kia Rio on price
2. Gets an EPA 27/37
3. Has plastic side panels

If Saturn can’t offer that, Saturn must die.

Right you are. Automotive News “adjusted their headline.” As have we!

Since the “selling days” will vary from city to city and state to state, depending on local “blue laws” that keep the dealerships from opening on Sundays, using “selling days” really isn’t a useful or relevant calculation any more. We don’t play the numbers games, instead comparing total sales to total sales.

The deals were structured where Cobalt was a better purchase than Aveo.

Lambdas…. hmm.

The might end up having to fire sale the rest of the big vehicles and hopefully, NOT replace them with 2009s to rot on the lot. Inventory management of SUV/trucks will be crucial.

Invicta/Regal/Lacrosse replacement cannot come fast enough.

G6 – where did that come from?

If GM had reported DSR they are down 8.3%, actually outperforming Toyota’s 11.5% for the month.

Why GM didn’t report DSR, like Toyota did, who knows. Would have sounded much better.

Adjusted: Down 11.5%
Unadjusted: Down 21% (or so)

Just sayin’.