Pontiac Solstice production delay
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Pontiac Solstice production delay
See you in September: Production snafus may delay launch of Pontiac Solstice roadster until fall
JASON STEIN | Automotive News and ROBERT SHEREFKIN | Automotive News
Posted Date: 4/25/05
snaDETROIT -- If early orders are an indication, Pontiac could have a winner in its Solstice roadster. GM quickly booked 1,000 orders for the two-seat convertible this month during a TV promotion.
But now GM says it won't ship a significant number of Solstices to dealerships until this fall - well past its summer target date meant to coincide with the peak of the convertible selling season.
Industry sources say fit problems are delaying the launch at GM's Wilmington, Del., plant.
In material distributed to reporters in January at the Detroit auto show, Pontiac said the Solstice was "expected in Pontiac showrooms in mid-2005." But GMTV, GM's Webcast media site, said last week that the car won't be on dealer lots until the fourth quarter. GM spokesmen say the Solstice will arrive in substantial quantities in late September or early October.
Dealers are cautious
Several Pontiac dealers say they are not promising delivery to customers until the fall, even though some vehicles may trickle out before then.
One Pontiac dealership in Houston was able to order four of the first vehicles - but GM has told the dealership the vehicles may not arrive until October.
"Now we're saying, 'Hey, you can expect it in August or two months after that," says Joe Pierce, a new-car sales manager at Beck & Masten Pontiac-GMC. Pontiac gave no reason for the delay, Pierce says.
"They are being really vague about it," he says. "It's hard to give an estimate on time."
Why the change?
Multiple sources close to the situation at the Wilmington, Del., plant say the Solstice is suffering from fit problems on the front fascia and convertible top.
Pontiac says it is "underpromising and overdelivering" to make sure cars satisfy customers.
"Quality is the biggest issue," says Pontiac spokesman Jim Hopson. "That's the critical element at this point, getting the last little bit taken care of."
Pontiac would not elaborate on quality issues. But it said nearly all startup programs have issues.
A spokesman for UAW Local 435 at Wilmington refused comment.
The Solstice, championed by GM Vice Chairman Robert Lutz, is built on the new Kappa rear-wheel-drive architecture. The automaker used a rapid development cycle for the vehicle.
Lori Queen, vehicle line executive for small cars, has said GM "blew up the entire vehicle-development process" in developing the Solstice.
GM tested ride and handling by computer simulation.
GM also is using a new hydroform stamping technique, cutting tooling costs and time.
"We are trying to do this extremely fast for GM," Hopson says. "It really is an experimental program, and we want to make absolutely certain we get it right."
Some dealers have expressed frustration with the delay because of the hype generated by Pontiac's marketing campaign involving "The Apprentice" TV show in mid-April.
The show dealt with the creation of a marketing theme for the Solstice, and Pontiac announced it would take orders for the first 1,000 cars.
GM says all 1,000 orders were placed, backed by $500 deposits.
JASON STEIN | Automotive News and ROBERT SHEREFKIN | Automotive News
Posted Date: 4/25/05
snaDETROIT -- If early orders are an indication, Pontiac could have a winner in its Solstice roadster. GM quickly booked 1,000 orders for the two-seat convertible this month during a TV promotion.
But now GM says it won't ship a significant number of Solstices to dealerships until this fall - well past its summer target date meant to coincide with the peak of the convertible selling season.
Industry sources say fit problems are delaying the launch at GM's Wilmington, Del., plant.
In material distributed to reporters in January at the Detroit auto show, Pontiac said the Solstice was "expected in Pontiac showrooms in mid-2005." But GMTV, GM's Webcast media site, said last week that the car won't be on dealer lots until the fourth quarter. GM spokesmen say the Solstice will arrive in substantial quantities in late September or early October.
Dealers are cautious
Several Pontiac dealers say they are not promising delivery to customers until the fall, even though some vehicles may trickle out before then.
One Pontiac dealership in Houston was able to order four of the first vehicles - but GM has told the dealership the vehicles may not arrive until October.
"Now we're saying, 'Hey, you can expect it in August or two months after that," says Joe Pierce, a new-car sales manager at Beck & Masten Pontiac-GMC. Pontiac gave no reason for the delay, Pierce says.
"They are being really vague about it," he says. "It's hard to give an estimate on time."
Why the change?
Multiple sources close to the situation at the Wilmington, Del., plant say the Solstice is suffering from fit problems on the front fascia and convertible top.
Pontiac says it is "underpromising and overdelivering" to make sure cars satisfy customers.
"Quality is the biggest issue," says Pontiac spokesman Jim Hopson. "That's the critical element at this point, getting the last little bit taken care of."
Pontiac would not elaborate on quality issues. But it said nearly all startup programs have issues.
A spokesman for UAW Local 435 at Wilmington refused comment.
The Solstice, championed by GM Vice Chairman Robert Lutz, is built on the new Kappa rear-wheel-drive architecture. The automaker used a rapid development cycle for the vehicle.
Lori Queen, vehicle line executive for small cars, has said GM "blew up the entire vehicle-development process" in developing the Solstice.
GM tested ride and handling by computer simulation.
GM also is using a new hydroform stamping technique, cutting tooling costs and time.
"We are trying to do this extremely fast for GM," Hopson says. "It really is an experimental program, and we want to make absolutely certain we get it right."
Some dealers have expressed frustration with the delay because of the hype generated by Pontiac's marketing campaign involving "The Apprentice" TV show in mid-April.
The show dealt with the creation of a marketing theme for the Solstice, and Pontiac announced it would take orders for the first 1,000 cars.
GM says all 1,000 orders were placed, backed by $500 deposits.
So we'll have to wait a bit longer. Any idea on when the new 2006 miata will hit the market?
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Re: Pontiac Solstice production delay
"Multiple sources close to the situation at the Wilmington, Del., plant say the Solstice is suffering from fit problems on the front fascia and convertible top."
As predicted here.
As predicted here.
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Re: Pontiac Solstice production delay
Well, I'd much rather see a few months delay than the press having a field day with a quality problem if the car is released with problems. GM needs to watch itself VERY closely right now, and this Solstace is a signature new car, and they can't afford to screw it up. I agree that the timing for launch is just TERRIBLE now. They need to release these in the spring/summer timeframe, like May/June.
Dan
Dan
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Re: Pontiac Solstice production delay
Originally Posted by stereomandan
Well, I'd much rather see a few months delay than the press having a field day with a quality problem if the car is released with problems. GM needs to watch itself VERY closely right now, and this Solstace is a signature new car, and they can't afford to screw it up. I agree that the timing for launch is just TERRIBLE now. They need to release these in the spring/summer timeframe, like May/June.
Dan
Dan
So they should take their time in ensuring quality. But on the other hand, it seems like they've had all the time they needed considering the concept debuted in 2002 and many have been waiting eagerly for this cars release.
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Re: Pontiac Solstice production delay
Originally Posted by Gold_Rush
Ditto. Better to take your time and launch the product trouble free than to rush it to market only to recall it a couple of weeks/months later and have the recall on every paper. Both aren't the ideal option (which would be to release on time with no defects), but you gotta pick the lesser evil. But the timing couldn't be worse though. Who the hell is in the market for a convertible in October??
So they should take their time in ensuring quality. But on the other hand, it seems like they've had all the time they needed considering the concept debuted in 2002 and many have been waiting eagerly for this cars release.
So they should take their time in ensuring quality. But on the other hand, it seems like they've had all the time they needed considering the concept debuted in 2002 and many have been waiting eagerly for this cars release.
It's better to do it right the first time than delay a program and spend money to fix something.
That's the core lesson GM needs to take out of this. In interiors, much of the company hasn't learned it yet, and in convertible tops they certainly have not.
You get what you pay for. The trick is specifying the right thing up front and only paying for it once... because if you don't, you're going to pay for it again... and it won't be cheaper the second time.
Last edited by PacerX; Apr 25, 2005 at 09:09 AM.
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Re: Pontiac Solstice production delay
Originally Posted by PacerX
I appreciate your perspective, and please don't take this the wrong way because it is not meant aggressively:
It's better to do it right the first time than delay a program and spend money to fix something.
That's the core lesson GM needs to take out of this. In interiors, much of the company hasn't learned it yet, and in convertible tops they certainly have not.
It's better to do it right the first time than delay a program and spend money to fix something.
That's the core lesson GM needs to take out of this. In interiors, much of the company hasn't learned it yet, and in convertible tops they certainly have not.
But yeah, the best option would be to bring the vehicle out on a timely manner and with every problem smoothed out for a relatively problem-free launch. And god know they've had the time. 4 years from concept to production.
I can see $5k down when mine comes in.
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Re: Pontiac Solstice production delay
Originally Posted by Darth Xed
I really think that launching this car in the fall is dooming it to a crummy launch. 
What makes this worse is the fact that mazda is putting out their new 3rd gen miata, and they plan to do so this summer. They'll steal some of the fire. Best thing to do was introduce the Solsltice earlier than the miata.
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Re: Pontiac Solstice production delay
Adding to this:
All the time, effort, and money put into getting the "buzz" going on the Apprentice will have long faded by the time they hit the roads....
Some of this is just mind blowing.
All the time, effort, and money put into getting the "buzz" going on the Apprentice will have long faded by the time they hit the roads....
Some of this is just mind blowing.
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From: Ontario
Re: Pontiac Solstice production delay
Actually, I think a fall launch could be a good thing.
This car has generated a tonne of publicity and high expectations, and when it finally hits the market there's going to be a lot of demand built up. If it was to launch in prime convertible season you'd have all this pent-up demand, plus regular spring-time demand, leading to shortage of supply and dealers doing stupid sh|t like adding $5000 to the sticker.
However launch it in the fall and things will go much more smoothly. Production will be slow so there won't be a lot of supply. The 'first on the block' people will still want to buy the car however, and at least now they won't have to compete with everyone else and see prices jacked up. So those who really want one will have an easier time getting one. In the meantime, Pontiac can build up a little inventory for when the public at large start flocking to the dealerships in the spring.
This car has generated a tonne of publicity and high expectations, and when it finally hits the market there's going to be a lot of demand built up. If it was to launch in prime convertible season you'd have all this pent-up demand, plus regular spring-time demand, leading to shortage of supply and dealers doing stupid sh|t like adding $5000 to the sticker.
However launch it in the fall and things will go much more smoothly. Production will be slow so there won't be a lot of supply. The 'first on the block' people will still want to buy the car however, and at least now they won't have to compete with everyone else and see prices jacked up. So those who really want one will have an easier time getting one. In the meantime, Pontiac can build up a little inventory for when the public at large start flocking to the dealerships in the spring.