Marty Howard wrote:
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General Motors’ Pontiac Solstice and Saturn’s Sky both posted massive numbers out of the sales gates, but at least one of the two sports cars’ fortunes are flagging.
According to the
New York Times, sales of the curvaceous Solstice have dropped 19 percent versus last year through the end of July, and GM suddenly has a glut of Pontiac-branded roadsters on its hands—nearly five months of inventory. Conversely, its under-the-skin twin, the Saturn Sky, continues to sell well, with a one-month inventory and an actual wait time for delivery.
So what’s going on here? Author Nick Bunkley seems to feel it’s a product of Saturn’s rising star in GM’s portfolio, and Pontiac’s status as a “damaged” brand. He also points out that the General is investing more into Saturn’s marketing efforts than Pontiac.
Editor’s Note: All of these things are likely factors, but there’s also the short shelf life of stylish convertibles to figure on (most sports cars have notoriously short life cycles), and the Solstice came out well in advance of the Sky. There’s also the not insignificant matter that GM pumps out nearly twice as many of these Pontiacs as it does Saturns, in large measure due to Saturn’s markedly smaller dealer network. With so many more Solstices plying America’s roads, fickle fashion buyers are probably less likely to buy them, as they don’t want to see themselves on every street corner. Further, Bunkley notes that sales at Saturn are up 15 percent this year, but this strikes us as a bit misleading, as it fails to note that GM continues to expand the brand exponentially with new and/or revitalized models like the Outlook and Vue. The same is true for GMC. Pontiac, meanwhile, is waiting on critical new models like the G8.I really wonder where they got their info from??? It sure doesn't jive with what the dealer's say or have on hand.
I just did a search on 08 Solstice base and GXP in inventory in eastern NC,
There wasn't a single dealer that had more than 2 base models and only Hendrick had 3 GXPs listed (I know one of those did not pass predelivery and is waiting for parts to arrive) Are they saying that the dealers can't sell more than 2 of each in 5 months? Orders are still on an allotment basis at all dealers with some having to wait months to order a presold Soli.
The 07 sales were phenominal even tho fall is a historically slow time for convertible sales so it's not surprising that sales might be down a bit from same period last year. The Sky was in VERY short supply last year so their sales being up is also no surprise. If the dealer had only one per month available to sell last year and he is able to get (and sell) two this year, that's a 100% increase in sales!
Statistics can be manipulated to prove anything if they don't give details!
I know Hendrick's traded or bought any and all leftover 07 Solis they could get from other dealers on the E coast at the end of the model year and sold virtually all of them at a premium over list. Dealer's are still asking and getting 2-5K over, and Pontiac has no sales incentives on 07 or 08 Solstices. In fact their website says limited availability on all Solstices thru the 08 model year. That sure doesn't jive with a 5 month inventory glut! I bought a Solstice as a race car, I am not trying to champion the breed, but that article is so far off base as to be laughable!
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