Lutz: "Astra not profitable"

[Mr. Clarkson]

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/08/lutz-saturn-astra-too-expensive-not-profitable/

The dollar is weak right now, and Saturn dealers can't seem to give the Astra away.

I'm rather happy that I got one while they were still built in Belgium though.

[RoxyXR3]

     Lutz is a moron .  He's one of the reasons GM is about to go under . If it were up to him the Astra would be a rebadged Cobalt with polymer fenders . Oh wait , that was the disasterous Ion . 

[Robor007]

IMO the Astra is head and shoulders above other cars in it's class.  It's up against things like a Civic, Corolla, Fit, Versa, xD, Yaris, etc.  Even in their top models they don't have the features of the Astra or anywhere near the ride quality and when you price them out 'loaded' they're right up there with the Astra. 

The Astra is the best 'budget' car for the money - period.

[RjION]

     Lutz is a moron .  He's one of the reasons GM is about to go under . If it were up to him the Astra would be a rebadged Cobalt with polymer fenders . Oh wait , that was the disasterous Ion . 

I'd have to say Roxy is closer to what he/she says Lutz is. First Lutz had nothing to do with the ION coming to market, but you knew that.  Second the ION was not a desaster. It sold more units then every SATURN built except for the S-Series. I do admit bringing the ASTRA to the North American market was stongly backed by Mr Bob Lutz, and as everyone in the world knows, the ASTRA has not been able to sell evan close to the 40,000 units it was projected to do.

[Robor007]

     Lutz is a moron .  He's one of the reasons GM is about to go under . If it were up to him the Astra would be a rebadged Cobalt with polymer fenders . Oh wait , that was the disasterous Ion . 

I'd have to say Roxy is closer to what he/she says Lutz is. First Lutz had nothing to do with the ION coming to market, but you knew that.  Second the ION was not a desaster. It sold more units then every SATURN built except for the S-Series. I do admit bringing the ASTRA to the North American market was stongly backed by Mr Bob Lutz, and as everyone in the world knows, the ASTRA has not been able to sell evan close to the 40,000 units it was projected to do.

Are you saying brining the Astra state side was/is a mistake?  The Astra sales may not be as projected but all domestic brands are suffering right now.  Not really unexpected.

[RjION]

Are you saying brining the Astra state side was/is a mistake?  The Astra sales may not be as projected but all domestic brands are suffering right now.  Not really unexpected.
[/quote]

I'm stating facts, not just calling someone a moron with nothing whats so ever to back it up. Fact is all car makers are loosing money and to think or say domestic brands are suffering is only half true. Fact is Toyota and Honda sales dropped more then GM and FORD in December. Was it a mistake to stop building the ION and VUE in SpringHill. Go asks the people that are laid off in that plant and see what they have to say about a car that was selling over 100,00 units a year to one that may not get 20,000 units sold. 100,000 IONs per year out of SpringHill not counting how many VUE's built in that plant. Do you think it was a good move for the U.S. economy. Do you think it was a good move by GM? Do you think it was a good move for Saturn. It has nothing to do with if I like the ASTRA or not.

[Robor007]

I'm stating facts, not just calling someone a moron with nothing whats so ever to back it up. Fact is all car makers are loosing money and to think or say domestic brands are suffering is only half true. Fact is Toyota and Honda sales dropped more then GM and FORD in December. Was it a mistake to stop building the ION and VUE in SpringHill. Go asks the people that are laid off in that plant and see what they have to say about a car that was selling over 100,00 units a year to one that may not get 20,000 units sold. 100,000 IONs per year out of SpringHill not counting how many VUE's built in that plant. Do you think it was a good move for the U.S. economy. Do you think it was a good move by GM? Do you think it was a good move for Saturn. It has nothing to do with if I like the ASTRA or not.

GM/Ford may have had a better Dec than Toyota/Honda but how are they doing over the past 6, 12, 18, etc?  Also, are Toyota/Honda asking for a bailout from their govt?

I have no idea if it's a good move to stop building the Ion and Vue in Spring Hill.  That's waaaay above my pay grade.  As far as the lost jobs, there is no company loyal to employees anymore.  It's all a matter of the bottom line and it doesn't matter who you are or how long you've been with the company.  If they can replace you and make more money they will.  I've been laid off 2x in the past 5 years and I had 18 1/2 years the first time.  It sucks. 

[RjION]

Toyota is going to post a loss for 2008 so I guess thats what 12months says.

[Robor007]

Yeah, with this economy I think they're all going to post losses but our (US) auto makers have been doing poorly for a while so it hurts them even more.   

[marx404]

With the current Saturn sales going on the Astra certainly is profitable now, both to buyer and dealer. You can get one at around $15K. USD.

[RjION]

It may be a good deal to buyers, and dealers need to move them, but it is a money looser to GM.