During my lunch break I went past the local Chev/Olds Dealer and I noticed that they had two Epicas. I stopped and took a close look. Nice car, interior looked good, blah, blah, blah. Overall I like it, though I would not be intersted in buying one, but I can't figure out why Canada gets this car and The U.S. does not? Same goes for the Optra? What's the deal? Why us and not you?

Jeff

 

Suzuki gets the six-cylinder Verona - basically a 2000 Daewoo Magnus with the long promised I6. (Considering the long gestation period - 8 years! - Daewoo's inline-6 motor should be pretty problem free.) Other than the shameful Aveo, Chevrolet is avoiding "badge-engineered" Daewoo cars in the US. Blame the Geo flashbacks and cheap gas price (relative to Canada).

 

Our disposable income is far less than our neighbours to the south; consequently our vehicle purchases tend towards cheaper and more practical vehicles. Since the market dictates the prices the manufacturers can charge for most cars, GM needed to find some lower cost vehicles to sell in Canada where they wouldn't lose their shirt.

 

Most car are much cheaper in Canada, and some European manufacturers have offered some really downscale products. I remember seeing a BMW 320i in Toronto, not to mention lots of Mercedes C-class with plastic hubcaps.

Still, Canadians get some of the best automotive deals in the world. At least it looks that way until you factor in the 15% GST.