AutoWeek: No sedan planned for next Neon....

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Mar 5, 2005 | 05:01 PM

#16

redzed

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Re: AutoWeek: No sedan planned for next Neon....

Quote:

Originally Posted by guionM

I agree completely, no one today is a loyal customer, let alone a lifetime loyal customer. However, the 1st car you get from a brand creates a permanent impression in your mind.

My sister's 1st new car was a Cavalier & she had a great experience with it. Even though she has also owned Ford, she still thinks high of Chevrolet. My 1st (fairly) new car was a Mustang 5.0, and I ran the dickens out of it and it stayed dependable, solid, till I sold it at over 225K miles, and I still like Ford. That's how Japanese cars are keeping their percieved reputation of quality, despite not being much better than US cars today.

I can't disagree with you more. I had really good luck with my Z28 and never have had to take it in for repairs. Still, five trouble free years down the road I still bought a Nissan.

Quote:

Originally Posted by guionM

Again, no disagreement there if you are talking on a per-unit basis. But Cobalt has the potential to sell 200,000 per year (like Cavalier did for a while). GM's going to be lucky to sell 100,000 HHRs. Even if GM makes only half the profit of HHRs (though I doubt the spread's going to be that big), it's still going to make GM a great return and do alot more to spread their new "quality" image to the public.

I still think that per unit profitability is the best - if most difficult - goal to shoot for when it comes to the overcrowed small car segment. I also don't think that the Cobalt is going to successfully convey GM's "new 'quality' image to the public." The Cobalts segment isn't close enough to the automotive mainstream these days.

Quote:

Originally Posted by guionM

Euro suspensions are stiffer because Euro roads are better, compared to our rough pothold covered roads. If the Cobalt were to be sold there, the fact that it's Delta chassis is identical to the Delta under the Opel Astra means simply switching spring rates will cover it.

As for powertrains, again simply a plug in from GM-Opel via the Astra.

1. Actually, Europeans prize ride comfort more than you think. Suspension compliance is a typical trait of French cars in particular.

2. The current Opel Astra is an evolution of the last generation Astra, and while the Delta-platform does have Astra roots, it's emerged as a North American-exclusive platform.

3. When it comes to diesels, never assume that "it's a simply a plug in."

Quote:

Originally Posted by guionM

Japan is a nationalist country. Buying anything imported outside BMW or Mercedes Benz is frowned upon. Even non-luxury European cars & Japanese cars made in the US that measure up to Japanese standards have a difficult time there. Especially with the protectionist tarrifs that jack up prices (once as high as 30%!)

There has never been a really serious attempt on the Japanese market by a European or North American manufacturer.