Well that just about wraps it up for Vauxhall !
Discussion
And none of this has anything to do with the fact that US GM brands are now available and heavily advertised over here? Why do should GM have any interest in multiple brands for the same vehicles? We are witnessing the end of old ways. Surely this is only to be expected when all makes are swallowed by just a few? We stood by and watched as our houses burned around us.
Dorian Hindmarsh said:
It's funny that in uk when the Vaux. Roadster was built by lotus, they sold way more in the UK with the Opel logo on, and those that did have te vaux. logo on were jemmy'd off and guess what changed for the lighting flash of Opel...
Wrong. (1) only Vauxhalls were sold in the UK. They were badged Opel only in Ireland and mainland Europe. (2) I have seen many debadged VX220s, but not once seen one that's been changed to Opel. (3) Many VX220 owners are proud of the fact that they drive a Vauxhall and not an Opel or even a Lotus. My badges remain Griffin shaped...Don't let facts get in the way of your opinion though.
Dorian Hindmarsh said:
It's funny that in uk when the Vaux. Roadster was built by lotus, they sold way more in the UK with the Opel logo on, and those that did have te vaux. logo on were jemmy'd off and guess what changed for the lighting flash of Opel...
I recall that when the pound was a little stronger it was cheaper to import a brand new Opel version of the VX220 which may have something to do with the number of Opel versions on UK roads. That said, they look nicer with no badge at all IMHO.As for Vauxhall, they have to compete with the improving cheaper end of the market, and the marketing of the Germans which is a rather difficult thing to do. I wish them luck as it would be sad to see another option disapear if nothing else.
There are hardly any Opel speedsters in the uk 25-30 at most. howmanyleft.co.uk shows a peak of 7 in 2002 but most of the cars will have been in Northern Ireland. One single guy imported about 20 into NI but widespread parallel importing just never happened.
It more common for people to simply rebadge a VX220 as an opel than ofr it to actually be an Opel Speedster.
It more common for people to simply rebadge a VX220 as an opel than ofr it to actually be an Opel Speedster.
St John Smythe said:
Ford have been so far ahead of Vauxhall for years now that I am surprised they're still about. They have a terrible image too. I don't know a single person that would even consider buying a new Vauxhall. It is a shame that jobs will go but it's inevitable really.
Perhaps it's a local thing as I'm about 10 miles from the factory, but we know a fair few people with Vauxhalls, mainly Astras. We looked at Astra a year ago when our older daughter needed a new car but the spec's seemed all screwed up and we could get the right package without going well up the model range. I also think the back-end of the car looks far too bulbous - I could imagine her clouting the rear wings.We ended up getting a Golf at a very good price.
I think it's very sad that Cheshire Police have dropped Astra and switched to Hyundai. You have to wonder if French or German police forces would do that.
Edited by Deva Link on Sunday 1st April 15:09
Interesting. It will be a shame if Vauxhall go - but it is a competitive market out there. I dare say the days of the 80s and 90s, when Vauxhall could rely on a share of the market and were a household name, are gone. Back then Vauxhalls were built in the UK, were sort of British, and could be sure to get sales from lack of major competition apart from Ford and Rover. However I can't help feeling that with the Vectra (or whatever it's now called) they still have that attitude a little. They expect people to buy whatever they build and haven't stretched themselves enough to make the cars desirable. There are manufacturers offering cheapness, others offering (perceived) peerless reliability, some offering a good drive, some with great style, and then the German lot with strong image, decent engines and some nice designs. Most manufacturers are offering something that stands out at least a little. But I feel Vauxhall are just sat in the middle a bit too much.
The Zafira was good and the recent 3 door Astras pretty fine cars so I would never write them off. The VXR stuff has been a convincing effort too. But somehow they are lacking just a little too much of... something.
The Zafira was good and the recent 3 door Astras pretty fine cars so I would never write them off. The VXR stuff has been a convincing effort too. But somehow they are lacking just a little too much of... something.
GM Europe is a huge ship that just can not change direction.
The captain may be shouting orders but he hasn't got a fooking clue what his staff are actually doing.
The answer is, they are doing the same as they have always done, talking about things but not actually doing anything unless their job depends on it.
VX it has huge numbers of staff and initiative that do not add value to the dealers or the franchise other than to tick boxes and give the perception of doing something.
Vx could be saved but it would mean starting again from scratch.
The captain may be shouting orders but he hasn't got a fooking clue what his staff are actually doing.
The answer is, they are doing the same as they have always done, talking about things but not actually doing anything unless their job depends on it.
VX it has huge numbers of staff and initiative that do not add value to the dealers or the franchise other than to tick boxes and give the perception of doing something.
Vx could be saved but it would mean starting again from scratch.
alfabadass said:
cymtriks said:
The power of marketing.
See my post above!
If you had a choice of a 10 or 20 year BMW or a 10 or 20 year old Vauxhall...which would you take?See my post above!
If you can't envisage anyone buying a Vauxhall because you genuinely think that BMWs are better in every possible way then that trully is a great example of the power of marketing.
They have got half the conundrum right they are getting big sales, but the costs are too high. They have a simple solution shut the factories in UK and Germany and shift the production to existing plants in Poland (already making the Zafira) and S Korea (home of the new Mokka). They have an agreement that prevents them from shutting plants before 2014. After that its open season. With a soon to be low production cost base and high sales and v. profitable parent company I think rumours of their demise are somewhat exaggerated.
I don't know what the future is for Vauxhall-Opel in Europe.
Whereas Ford seem to have escaped the squeeze between mid-price and premium by building cars that now fetch a higher price point than a few years ago (Kuga, well-specced versions of Fiestas and Focus sell as well as the poverty versions), Vauxhall-Opel haven't really managed to. The Astra and Insignia are heavily discounted - more than even Citroen used to give away!
It comes down to brand image. The Insignia is the equal of an Audi A4 or Passat in all but image, even if it doesn't meet Mondeo/3 series standards of dynamic excellence. The new Astra is extremely good, but it would take a special deal to get most people into one instead of a Focus, Golf or Giulietta.
I think GM would like to sell - but who to? VW don't need another brand. PSA have now got a joint venture with GM that could lead to a takeover, but I'm not sure they really need the brands when they have Peugeot and Citroen - two brands that have recovered from the doldrums with a bit of flair recently.
GM have two undesirable brands on very good cars which are made in expensive countries. Their rebranding of Daewoo as Chevrolet has been a good example of how to move a cheaper car slightly upmarket. Ironically, they had a great brand with average cars that they destroyed: Saab.
If the new Astra and Insignia had been planned as the Saab 9-2 and 9-3, selling at BMW price points with the same build price, GM could have had two volume brands . Premium Saab to tackle Audi and value Chevrolet to tackle Skoda and the Koreans.
They would not have needed the Vauxhall and Opel brands, but could have sold them on to Geely or SAIC - who bought Volvo and MG instead.
That's my view, but it is easy with hindsight....
Whereas Ford seem to have escaped the squeeze between mid-price and premium by building cars that now fetch a higher price point than a few years ago (Kuga, well-specced versions of Fiestas and Focus sell as well as the poverty versions), Vauxhall-Opel haven't really managed to. The Astra and Insignia are heavily discounted - more than even Citroen used to give away!
It comes down to brand image. The Insignia is the equal of an Audi A4 or Passat in all but image, even if it doesn't meet Mondeo/3 series standards of dynamic excellence. The new Astra is extremely good, but it would take a special deal to get most people into one instead of a Focus, Golf or Giulietta.
I think GM would like to sell - but who to? VW don't need another brand. PSA have now got a joint venture with GM that could lead to a takeover, but I'm not sure they really need the brands when they have Peugeot and Citroen - two brands that have recovered from the doldrums with a bit of flair recently.
GM have two undesirable brands on very good cars which are made in expensive countries. Their rebranding of Daewoo as Chevrolet has been a good example of how to move a cheaper car slightly upmarket. Ironically, they had a great brand with average cars that they destroyed: Saab.
If the new Astra and Insignia had been planned as the Saab 9-2 and 9-3, selling at BMW price points with the same build price, GM could have had two volume brands . Premium Saab to tackle Audi and value Chevrolet to tackle Skoda and the Koreans.
They would not have needed the Vauxhall and Opel brands, but could have sold them on to Geely or SAIC - who bought Volvo and MG instead.
That's my view, but it is easy with hindsight....
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