GM's LaNeve on Saturn: We're Rethinking. The Situation.
In a broadcast to dealers, GM marketing maven Mark LaNeve has reassured Saturn store owners that The General has no plans to send the brand to the firing squad. In fact– no. That’s it. “General Motors’s US sales chief has played down speculation the automaker will axe Saturn,” just-auto [sub] reports, “hinting instead a new business model for the ‘no-haggle’ brand would be developed.” And that would be…? “We have a very successful consumer brand with Saturn,” LaNeve lied. “We need to find the right business model.” What’s the rush? After all, “GM is focused on clearing 2007 and 2008 model year vehicles from showrooms by the end of the year.” LaNeve reiterated that point several times, telling dealers GM would like to add more discounts on 2009 vehicles– but they’ve got to sell the remaining 2008 cars and trucks first. (Doh!) “We need to sell to generate cash. We will be aggressive [on incentives],” he added. “Please, sell like crazy.”
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Well they could start with their 411 day supply of Astras to start. Which they seem to be doing locally: on all Astra's invoiced before May 31st my dealer is offering incentives plus Red Tag that drops the price from 18,000 to 13,990. How many must be left from seven months ago out of that 14 day supply?
I meant 411 day supply. Site won't give me permission to edit the comment....
Astra disaster.
The Astra doesn't sell because it's wildly overpriced. It's just that simple. It might be a great car, but it doesn't matter.