[Clivey]

Originally Posted by Ferrer

GM has had some flop before and in fact in either directions. The Manta flopped there, the Sintra flopped here. Despite that GM probably choose to make this move (and Ford may eventually do the same with the Fiesta for instance) propbably becuase their situation is so desperate. They need anything that can save them. If that's the Astra then so be it.

Well as I said, there's no reason it shouldn't work - the Mk1 Focus did quite well in the 'States judging by what I've read, and it's got to be better than most of the usual domestic boxes.

Originally Posted by Ferrer

The fact that it's unknown, if that's the problem, is GM's fault aline though. It's propblem that has afflicted many other good cars, like the Lancia Thesis. Pormotion is basic these days if you want to sell anything. However once known there should theoretically be no reason for it to flop. Interestingly I was reading an article about Starbucks this morning and there was the concept of latte which were american people who dig european things (simplifying). Perhaps though it's at the wrong price point?

That would maybe be a good marketing strategy, although whether GM is "savvy" enough to pull it off is another matter. Surely though traditional advertising would work just as well - whenever a new car (without a predecessor under the same name) is launched they have to do it anyway (e.g. Chrysler PT Cruiser, Pontiac Solstice etc.).

If they did want to pursue the "premium European" strategy, they need to expand the model range to include more luxury features and a greater engine range. It's amazing how much a nice set of wheels and some smatterings of chrome or carbon-fibre (on the grille etc.) make a difference to a car's looks.

Originally Posted by Ferrer

You see premium European cars have succeeded largely in the American market. Like Starbicks, they are expensive compared to the competition. People want Volkswagen-made Audis not Ford-made Lincolns. However the Astra isn't a premium car and it's not presented like one either. It's badged as a Saturn. So it's an economy family car. And yet out of the Focus/Caliber/Cobalt/Astra group it is the most expensive. Actually it's $1,410 more expensive than the next one. So in a way it falls in a no mans land. And that's bad.

Agreed - although the Astra is a better car than the US-market Focus/Caliber/Cobalt. The biggest problem is as you said, basically "bums on seats".

Originally Posted by Ferrer

It basically needs better petrol engines, which are being introduced, and an independent rear suspension. Other things are just nitpicking.

I'm very surprised they didn't introduce it with the 2.2 Ecotec as the "bread and butter" of the range to be honest. I know it's all about time and cost but there's no point in even launching the car if you're only going to do a half-arsed job.

Having driven both Astra and Euro 2006 Focus, the absence of independent rear suspension is almost completely unnoticeable in the Astra unless you're on a racetrack or a very wide, empty road where you can drive at ten tenths. - I'd even wager that on a tight, bumpy, unforgiving road, the Astra would be more agile than the Focus due to better bump absorbing (the Focus crashes about a fair bit). Both cars have roadholding that would shame even sports-cars from not too long ago.

Originally Posted by Ferrer

My class leader? Tricky question but probably still the Golf. Or the Focus if you are on a budget. Money no object, the 1-series is brilliant though.

I can understand the Golf being anyone's "top choice", but I disagree with anyone that says it's clear-cut. IMO the best car in C-segment depends on how much you have to spend and what engine/bodystyle you want.

I bought the C4 because IMO it was the best 55+mpg diesel for the price. If however I wanted something more "2.0-litre 150-ish BHP" (i.e. your car*), I'd probably have to spend a lot longer making a choice. That would include the 150ps 1.9CDTi Astra SRI, Golf GT-Sport, C4 2.0HDi (even though it's less powerful it makes-up or it with the rest of the package), and if I could afford them, the 1-series and Volvo C30.

* Although your car is a few BHP up on that because it's a damn good engine.

Back on-topic though: What's to stop the new Mondeo with the 2.5-litre engine being successful in the US?