No 2009 Saturn Astra - too many 2008 models still available
Vehicle models have different life spans in different countries, and Americans are used to having new – or at least refreshed – cars pretty much every few years. One model that the U.S. will not be getting new in 2009 is the Saturn Astra. The reason is that Saturn still has a 139-day supply of the 2008 models. Canada will still get a 2009 edition.
The car hasn't been a star seller, having found about 12,000 owners in the U.S. during 2008. GM is planning on resuming new Astra deliveries in late summer or early fall as a 2010 model, but is skipping the 2009 model year altogether. The Saturn Astra is based on the Opel/Vauxhall Astra and is built in GM's plant in Antwerp, Belgium. GM blames the exchange rate between the Euro and the Dollar for the low sales, though we're sure there are other factors at play, as well.
[Source: Automotive News, sub. req'd)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
C'est Raoul 2:11PM (2/03/2009)
Why is this post just ABG again?
This shows a lot I think. It should just be a normal car.
I made myself a comment recently: I never get to see this car. It seems like I see one once a month or so.
Anyhow, the interesting point is: it is sad. We often hear the "just bring the *$%" Euro models!!!".
But when they arrive (often way later), it's not a success at all, and people rather buy SUV as usual.
It's hard to blame the car maker on this one (esp. with the long delays needed and the gas prices variations).. People are good for the talking but for the doing...it's another story.
Anyway, it is quite an example of a failure even while offering quite a good (european) car.
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C'est Raoul 2:12PM (2/03/2009)
Forget that bit:
"Why is this post just ABG again?
This shows a lot I think. It should just be a normal car."
it was on th general AB few days ago. My mistake.
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ug 2:36PM (2/03/2009)
It's too bad because it looks like a nice car.
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Stew 3:17PM (2/03/2009)
I think part of the issue is not just bringing over a particular model, but that often times when it does get brought over the things that made it desirable aren't available.
An example might be in Europe getting a small efficient diesel with a 6-speed, but same car in america gets an unimpressive V6/automatic.
Stew
ChrisL 3:06PM (2/03/2009)
Sadly the dealerships may have more to do with Saturn's failure as much as the vehicles themselves.
Our dealership experience was so awful we decided to leave. The dealer insisted that the model we wanted did not have an option for a sunroof, yet another dealership 2 hours drive away had one with the dual sunroof on the lot. He bullied us around demanding a deal happen that day with this one he had in stock - not a colour I wanted at all, and then finished off with calling me a 'tire-kicker' that wasn't going to purchase anything at all. Nice. Screw him and GM. In the end, this experience made us spend the money to keep our old car on the road for a few years more.
From a SALE to Screw you and GM in an hour. REMEMBER GM, THE PUBLIC ONLY DEALS WITH YOUR SHOWROOMS, and if the experience is bad, no amount of wonderful car will make me spend my money there.
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Susan 10:38AM (4/28/2009)
Keep in mind that this was a GM dealership, not a Saturn dealership. GM is the primary reason for Saturn's failure, I'm convinced.
Paul Sallmen 3:06PM (2/03/2009)
My comments exactly! This seems like a very nice car, in keeping with the Euro standards of Opel. People simply need to walk the walk more. Interesting though, the car sells in modest numbers in Canada, which would explain the 2009 model in Canada. Canadians definitely buy smaller cars than Americans on the whole. I suspect the Ford Fiesta, Ford Ka, Chevy Spark and Cruze, Toyota IQ, VW Polo, VW Up, Nissan Cube (also Denki Cube), Mitsu iMieV, etc, will all sell reasonably well in Canada. Probably better, on a proportional basis anyway, than in America.
I read somewhere too, that during the peak of the SUV craze, 100 000 large SUVs (like Tahoe, Navigator, Escalade) sold in a year in the US. By the same proportion, 10 000 should have sold in Canada that year. Interestingly, only 1000 were sold! Canada may actually see some of the above small cars first, just as the Toyota Echo and Smart were first introduced in Canada. Perhaps, in America, manufacturers could import to selective cities. San Francisco is no Texas, after all.
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win39 4:01PM (2/03/2009)
I have never seen an ad for an Astra. I had no idea that you could buy an Opel here until I started reading this blog, and I am reasonably interested in cars. I have seen scores of ads for the same old GM, Chevy and Saturn trucks and/or SUVs. Oh, and Cadillacs. All of them pushing the idea of personal power for women or virility for the men. I really wanted a sporty, but fuel efficient 3 door when I bought my last car. The leather interior Astra would have been perfect. Did not know.
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Sasparilla 4:11PM (2/03/2009)
GM definitely didn't configure the Astra correctly when they brought it here - and by that I mean - for its money, size and engine - it doesn't get good gas mileage, in fact its rather bad.
Small Saturns (SL's and SC's) were known for good mileage (I've got an old SL2 auto that averages 33mpg) - but this one doesn't get good mileage (I think highway is 30mpg on the manual and forget about city mileage) - and that cuts out a big chunk of the perspective somewhat activist Saturn market. People buying this class of car are going to care about mileage, especially at Saturn - this was the division where GM decided to roll out the EV1 for crying out loud.
GM geared it for power when they brought it over - decisions made back before gas went through the roof. They could change that, but it would require money and effort and the Saturn brand is going into the dust bin it appears anyways - sad.
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Violineb 7:52PM (4/15/2009)
Just so you know, this thing gets fantastic city mileage. My friend has one and he gets 28MPG with the 5 speed.
BoomBoom 4:27PM (2/03/2009)
It is hardly fair to blame the consumers for the fact that this car is failing. When tested head to head against other small wagons, it ended up in the middle of the pack. None of the cars it beat are big sellers either.
http://www.caranddriver.com/buying_guide/saturn/astra/2008_saturn_astra_5_door_hatchback/2008_saturn_astra_xr_comparison_test
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C'est Raoul 4:47PM (2/03/2009)
You have a point. I read a comparison with other models (Sentra, etc.).
I think it came last or so. Did not score very well. Does not mean it's crap. But in the very competitive market of small hatches (golf, etc.), it did not have the edge.
I am surprised with the V6 engine. Not a very doo idea. 4 turbo would have been perfect for such size.
PS: Canada and especially Qc have quite a different market. VW is quite popular. th civic is the most sold cars as well. Mazda3, Sentra score well here too.
Higher taxes on gas are a good incentive....
diffrunt 10:57PM (2/03/2009)
NVH is atroshush
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roar 6:20AM (2/04/2009)
We delivered 247 Astra's in 2008, the vehicle is very saleable if a reasonaable effort is made to sell it!! Just had the very first owner (she drove the Astra 5 door in Europe for 5 months on a job assignment) and the family just picked up their third one Monday. The Astra 5 door is the second best selling 5 door in our market in less than a year, just behind Mazda. We may be the exception but we are all most out of 2008 Astra's and will be asking other Saturn Retailers if we can buy some of their inventory.
roar
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huisj203 10:49AM (2/04/2009)
Around here, there are no stick shift ones available at all. I know someone who was very interested in a 3-door 5-speed to replace a Focus zx3, and despite the dealer's website listing the availability of 5 or 6 such vehicles in their inventory, they repeatedly insisted that there weren't any of those available, and that the one to get is the 5-door with the automatic. They were pushy and annoying.
It turns out that it was a poorly run search engine on their website that did this--if you did a search for manual transmission, the search engine saw that listed under the standard equipment and pulled them all up despite the fact that under the options list, it showed that they were all equipped with automatics. The salesman didn't seem to comprehend this at all. Quite a bad experience, especially compared to the good reputation Saturn dealers used to have.
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falcon5768 4:04PM (2/04/2009)
I wanted one, but our dealer steered me to the Aura instead because it had everything I wanted in the car (they did not have a XR model on the lot with the options I wanted) and the milage was better.
I would not trade in my Aura because in the long run with the plans to have kids, it was probably the better car to pick with us having a FIT too and knowing how little kids get if they feel too cramped, but I do wish Saturn had Astras that where better optioned here. I totally would have gone for one if it had a 5 or 6 speed mated to the powertrain instead of the junk they where trying to get out of inventory.
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g Schillizi 1:01AM (2/06/2009)
These Astra's have superior build quality and silk like smooth handling characteristics. They handle and feel like a BMW or Benz behind the wheel.
The issues that the public has with this car are laughable. If you look it up people complain about the one cupholder up front, the 24 hour clock and the lack on engine choice? It is too bad real pity that the far superior Astra gets buried by the foolish preferences of a undereducated public. This car kicks the pants off the Matrix Versa or Mazda 3.
Part of the reason for the 32MPG is the stoutness of the Astra. The doors are heavy like a Mercedes, it is well built. The car has a strong feeling. The Honda has a plastic feel like it will be blasted off the road in a fender bender, there is more to these things than numbers.
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Ipsteer 6:04PM (2/10/2009)
Having just purchased a 3dr. XR with 5 speed, I couldn't ask for more. It feels like my VW Scirocco - tight - well built - handles exceptionaly well. They are selling in Canda.
The gas mileage (kilometrage) is right up there with my old SW1. Pretty hard to beat.
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Jerry 4:39PM (2/19/2009)
3 weeks ago we bought a new Aura. Then, last Friday, my 2001 Saturn LW2 died with 200K on it. I hated to part with it, but the dealership was very helpful and wonderful to work with.
I test drove a 2006 VUE and a couple other used cars, and they just didn't feel nearly as good as my LW2. Mary, the sales person, suggested I try the Astra. At first I thought it was too small (I am 63, need room for a tuba and golf clubs as well as 2 dogs). The car felt great and drove way better than I expected. It is a very sturdy smooth ride.
I read in one of the previous notes that somebody had trouble with a dealership. I would suggest, if at all possible, go to Saturn of St. Paul. These folks are the best.
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