Pontiac G8 Sales a Sucess in the US

[Mike Jung]

From: HOLD ONTO YOUR HATS! G8 Sales for March 2008 to February 2009

G8 sales for February 2009 have just been announced (2 minutes ago).

TWO THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED AND FIVE G8S sold in February! 2,705!!!!!!!!

The full numbers for all months are as follows:

March (of 2008) 777
April 2126
May 1831
June 1536
July 1472
August 1915
September 1651
October 1082
November 1133
December 1479
January (of 2009) 1331
February 2705

That's 19,038 in 11.5 months!

Feb '09 Pontiac G8 sales increased in the US !

(GM started giving incentives.)

[Mike Jung]

Compared to...

Once-hot hybrid sales run out of gas
Low gas prices, recession cut sales

John LeBlanc
Special to the Star
TheStar.com

Mar 14, 2009


Last summer, when gas prices topped $1.50 a litre, hybrids were hot commodities: some second-hand models sold for as much as a new one's sticker price, and new hybrids – if you could find any – had waiting lists and sold for well above sticker.

Well, the one-two punch of a recession and relatively low gas prices have made those days a thing of the past.

While used vehicle prices overall are going up as more buyers opt for used over new, used hybrid values are down 23.5 per cent in the U.S. since their peak last summer, according to Kelley Blue Book. Just since the beginning of 2009, they've fallen 4.5 per cent.

"The premium between a hybrid and a non-hybrid is probably not justifiable in the minds of the consumer during this recessionary period, because you're not going to make your money back," said Juan Flores, director of vehicle valuation for Kelley Blue Book.

While the list of standard equipment varies, the difference between the base price for a 2009 Toyota Camry and its hybrid counterpart is about $7,000. It's estimated the new 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid will have a similar pricing premium.

Flores said weaker demand for used hybrids is also affecting consumers looking to buy new cars. Dealers may not accept a hybrid on trade-in, because of the oversupply.

"It's a bit of a domino effect between the new-car side and the used-car side," he added...

So, who wants a hybrid now ?

So, for someone who wants one.
Probably get one cheaper, on the used market now.

[notsoaveragej0e]

There were some dealers in the US that actually had a really good February, with some of the highest sales numbers in months. Good to hear.

[Rich]

wow. thats a lot. ive been seeing more on the road recently.

[PhantomLover007]

I figured that these would pick up. G8's are bad ass looking cars.

[McFlurrey06]

I see alot of them now. I think Pontiac may have a winner, for now.

[FuriousG]

How long do you think it will be before Chevy slaps a new grill on it and an Impala emblem? There's no way GM will let a car as popular as this stay in only 1 of it's line-ups. Not that I'm complaining of course, this car would make a pretty mean Impala too. Why they've wasted time rebadging the weaker models and skipped over the solid platforms is beyond me.

I really hope the G8 does keep Pontiac alive. I've been wanting a G8 ever since I first saw them but lately I was starting to worry that by the time I get back to the US, they might not be selling them anymore. Pontiac is my favorite GM brand so I'd hate to see it be sold off to a company that may not understand what "Driving Excitement" is supposed to mean. Then again...GM hasn't seemed to understand that phrase over the last 5 years or so...

[DrFabulous]

I'm glad they are selling well!

[Mike Jung]

US March 2009 sales #'s:

2939 (Source: http://www.gm.com/corporate/investor...prod/index.jsp)

& the sales #'s go up again !!!

That’s 21,977 in a little over one year !

[Mike Jung]

Originally Posted by AMRAAM4

...They aren't ordering anymore because they can't. The G8 has ceased production for the remainder of the year outside of two smal weekly openings of 1,000 or so units.


This car has been an utter failure. Decent car, but it's simply not desired by the public and was poorly marketed. The GTO did better.

So how did US get their orders of 2009.5 models since Feb '09 then ?

How is this Pontiac G8 a failure ?

They sold 21,977 in just over a year, in the US.
(& this does not include sales in Canada.)

The Australian Holden's Elizabeth assembly plant only has the capacity to produce a maximum of 30k G8's annually. (according to GM)


So how many Pontiac GTO's sold the 1st year then ?

PS: I agree, it was poorly marketed.
In Canada: There was NO marketing for it.
We are talking nothing. No advertising at all.

[Mike Jung]

Originally Posted by FuriousG

How long do you think it will be before Chevy slaps a new grill on it and an Impala emblem? There's no way GM will let a car as popular as this stay in only 1 of it's line-ups. Not that I'm complaining of course, this car would make a pretty mean Impala too. Why they've wasted time rebadging the weaker models and skipped over the solid platforms is beyond me.

I really hope the G8 does keep Pontiac alive. I've been wanting a G8 ever since I first saw them but lately I was starting to worry that by the time I get back to the US, they might not be selling them anymore. Pontiac is my favorite GM brand so I'd hate to see it be sold off to a company that may not understand what "Driving Excitement" is supposed to mean. Then again...GM hasn't seemed to understand that phrase over the last 5 years or so...

They have (slapped a Chevy badge on it) in some overseas markets.

[PhantomLover007]

I want to see how much of a pricing difference there will be when they rebadge it throughout the GM lines...

[AMRAAM4]

Originally Posted by Mike Jung

So how did US get their orders of 2009.5 models since Feb '09 then ?

How is this Pontiac G8 a failure ?

They sold 21,977 in just over a year, in the US.
(& this does not include sales in Canada.)

The Australian Holden's Elizabeth assembly plant only has the capacity to produce a maximum of 30k G8's annually. (according to GM)


So how many Pontiac GTO's sold the 1st year then ?

PS: I agree, it was poorly marketed.
In Canada: There was NO marketing for it.
We are talking nothing. No advertising at all.

This car was suppose to compete as the Grand Prix's replacement. it was suppose to be build better, etc. etc. Until they put massive incentives in place at the end of January this car averaged around 1500 units a month since March 2008. Not to mention, for a 5 month span they only sold a total of 6600 units!! That's not good at all for a car that is suppose to headline your mid and upper size car slot for a division. The GP use to do what, 70k-90k a year? 21k is not good and no where near their original goal for the first year, which I believe was in the mid 40k range of sales. Don't forget, that's also a two build model year timeframe of 2008 models and 2009 models. Not one build year

Dealer lots are packed with G8's, and February is the initial onslaught of the G8 "firesale" we are going to be having here.

[cardude007617]

well they cost too much. i honestly dont remember what the last gen GP's went for but I know the G8 is a significant amount more.


and after doing a dealer trade with a Base G8 and G8GT, i honestly see why they are less than the M5 they are aiming towards. Fast? Yes, very. handling anything special? no. Interior quality is subpar at best, and the leather feels stiff and artificially hard. they're cheaper than an M5 for a reason. they dont even make a good noise stock.
sorry MJ, but after spending 50 mins each way on the dealer trade i did, i was not impressed.

[rocketfast123]

http://videos.streetfire.net/video/A...ngs_380503.htm

Watch the last part of this video to see how the G8 moves.

[Mike Jung]

Originally Posted by cardude007617

well they cost too much. i honestly dont remember what the last gen GP's went for but I know the G8 is a significant amount more.


and after doing a dealer trade with a Base G8 and G8GT, i honestly see why they are less than the M5 they are aiming towards. Fast? Yes, very. handling anything special? no. Interior quality is subpar at best, and the leather feels stiff and artificially hard. they're cheaper than an M5 for a reason. they dont even make a good noise stock.
sorry MJ, but after spending 50 mins each way on the dealer trade i did, i was not impressed.

No, offence taken...

They never aimed for the BMW M5; more like a BMW 5-series, like a 550i.

Handling is suppose to be good, for a GM vehicle.
It got 0.85 G on the skid pad.
& for those who want better: There are Pedders Suspension kits.

The "leather" seats are only partly leather; the seating areas only. The rest is leatherette.

You have to remember it is good value for under $30K US car.
What else is there in that price range to choose from, that gives you all that ?

I think I can live with a G8 GT
& the GM rebates of $7500 Cdn sure don't hurt

[Mike Jung]

[AaronGTR]

Originally Posted by AMRAAM4

This car was suppose to compete as the Grand Prix's replacement. it was suppose to be build better, etc. etc. Until they put massive incentives in place at the end of January this car averaged around 1500 units a month since March 2008. Not to mention, for a 5 month span they only sold a total of 6600 units!! That's not good at all for a car that is suppose to headline your mid and upper size car slot for a division. The GP use to do what, 70k-90k a year? 21k is not good and no where near their original goal for the first year, which I believe was in the mid 40k range of sales. Don't forget, that's also a two build model year timeframe of 2008 models and 2009 models. Not one build year

Dealer lots are packed with G8's, and February is the initial onslaught of the G8 "firesale" we are going to be having here.

How are they supposed to sells as many as they used to sell GP's when the plant is only capable of making 30k a year? If they make 30k a year, and are selling them in AU too, and sell 21k in the USA, I'd say they are doing pretty damn good. Also you forget, at the time sales where down, NO ONE was buying cars... from ANY car company. Everyone's sales were down, and still are because the economy is in the toilet. If GM can manage to increase G8 sales in an economy like this.... again, it looks like they are doing pretty good to me then if you consider that.

Originally Posted by cardude007617

well they cost too much. i honestly dont remember what the last gen GP's went for but I know the G8 is a significant amount more.


and after doing a dealer trade with a Base G8 and G8GT, i honestly see why they are less than the M5 they are aiming towards. Fast? Yes, very. handling anything special? no. Interior quality is subpar at best, and the leather feels stiff and artificially hard. they're cheaper than an M5 for a reason. they dont even make a good noise stock.
sorry MJ, but after spending 50 mins each way on the dealer trade i did, i was not impressed.

Cost too much? You are aware aren't you that there's this thing called inflation? Everything costs more every year. My insurance keeps going up and I have basic coverage for two cars that are 8 and 11 years old. Cars keep getting more powerful and more advanced every year. Of course they get more expensive. Don't you think when you get that kind of power and handling/stopping performance while still getting good gas mileage and meeting emissions requirements, the car isn't going to cost more? Sorry, but you aren't going to find a performance bargain for $16k anymore.

[Mike Jung]

Originally Posted by AaronGTR

How are they supposed to sells as many as they used to sell GP's when the plant is only capable of making 30k a year? If they make 30k a year, and are selling them in AU too, and sell 21k in the USA, I'd say they are doing pretty damn good...

That was 30K annual maximum capacity of Pontiac G8's for the North American market.


PS: & IIRC, I heard about 7K of the Pontaic G8's went to Canada.

[AaronGTR]

Originally Posted by Mike Jung

That was 30K annual maximum capacity of Pontiac G8's for the North American market.


PS: & IIRC, I heard about 7K of the Pontaic G8's went to Canada.

Ah, I gotcha. Still pretty good sales IMO for this economy.

Originally Posted by Mike Jung

So how did US get their orders of 2009.5 models since Feb '09 then ?

How is this Pontiac G8 a failure ?

They sold 21,977 in just over a year, in the US.
(& this does not include sales in Canada.)

The Australian Holden's Elizabeth assembly plant only has the capacity to produce a maximum of 30k G8's annually. (according to GM)


So how many Pontiac GTO's sold the 1st year then ?

PS: I agree, it was poorly marketed.
In Canada: There was NO marketing for it.
We are talking nothing. No advertising at all.

They don't need advertising. Their marketing strategy must be simple word of mouth. They figure canadians will pick up on whatever is "hot" in the US market... and then they have Mike Jung...