GM Plans Pontiac/Saturn Fire Sale
12-29-09, 04:57 AM
#1
GM Plans Pontiac/Saturn Fire Sale
Nice discount on a 6.2L 415 HP G8 GXP if you can find one.
GM Plans Pontiac Fire Sale
By John D. Stoll
WSJ 2009.12.29
In what is equivalent to a year-end fire sale, GM sent letters to
dealers Dec. 23 saying it would pay them $7,000 for every new
Saturn or Pontiac on their lot that is moved to rental-vehicle or
service-vehicle fleets operated by the dealers. Dealers can then
sell the vehicles at a more attractive price, though they must be
described to customers as used because the dealers technically
will be the vehicles' first owner.
The offer expires Jan. 4, the last day of the December car-sales
month. GM will book the sales to dealers as fleet deliveries.
At the beginning of December GM dealers had 14,500 new Pontiacs
and Saturns on their lots, which typically represents about two to
three months of inventory depending on the model, according to
Ward's Auto Reports.
Edmunds, another car-data service, estimates that GM will sell
about 6,800 Pontiacs and 3,500 Saturns in December. That means
dealers could have some 4,200 of the cars left.
If a dealer passes along all the new incentive to a customer, Pontiac's
cheapest vehicle, the G3 compact, could go for about $8,000, or 46%
off the sticker price of about $15,000.
But the offer presents buyers with some risks. Because the brands
are being discontinued -- combined with the fact these vehicles
technically are "used" -- the later resale value of the cars could be
significantly lower than the resale value of other ongoing car brands
sold as new.
And while GM says these customers will receive the balance of the
warranty period on the vehicles, and GM will continue to provide
parts and service, some buyers may not feel comfortable owning
an "orphan" brand.
The auto maker already has been offering Saturn and Pontiac buyers
$6,500 discounts, or 0% financing on 72-month loans. These two
offers can't be combined with the $7,000-a-vehicle incentive GM
is giving dealers.
GM Plans Pontiac Fire Sale
By John D. Stoll
WSJ 2009.12.29
In what is equivalent to a year-end fire sale, GM sent letters to
dealers Dec. 23 saying it would pay them $7,000 for every new
Saturn or Pontiac on their lot that is moved to rental-vehicle or
service-vehicle fleets operated by the dealers. Dealers can then
sell the vehicles at a more attractive price, though they must be
described to customers as used because the dealers technically
will be the vehicles' first owner.
The offer expires Jan. 4, the last day of the December car-sales
month. GM will book the sales to dealers as fleet deliveries.
At the beginning of December GM dealers had 14,500 new Pontiacs
and Saturns on their lots, which typically represents about two to
three months of inventory depending on the model, according to
Ward's Auto Reports.
Edmunds, another car-data service, estimates that GM will sell
about 6,800 Pontiacs and 3,500 Saturns in December. That means
dealers could have some 4,200 of the cars left.
If a dealer passes along all the new incentive to a customer, Pontiac's
cheapest vehicle, the G3 compact, could go for about $8,000, or 46%
off the sticker price of about $15,000.
But the offer presents buyers with some risks. Because the brands
are being discontinued -- combined with the fact these vehicles
technically are "used" -- the later resale value of the cars could be
significantly lower than the resale value of other ongoing car brands
sold as new.
And while GM says these customers will receive the balance of the
warranty period on the vehicles, and GM will continue to provide
parts and service, some buyers may not feel comfortable owning
an "orphan" brand.
The auto maker already has been offering Saturn and Pontiac buyers
$6,500 discounts, or 0% financing on 72-month loans. These two
offers can't be combined with the $7,000-a-vehicle incentive GM
is giving dealers.
Last edited by Joeb427; 12-29-09 at 05:05 AM.
12-29-09, 05:06 AM
#3
Lexus Test Driver
If the "new" GM was standing behind the warranty, and I was in the market, I'd definitely seriously consider a Saturn or Pontiac with a deal lke that. I guess Saab is next on this treatment.
12-29-09, 05:08 AM
#4
I don't buy domestic badges but a loaded 6.2L 415 HP G8 GXP at around $30K would work for me if I was in the market for a new car.
My favorite color combo too.
http://www.pontiac.com/wssearch.do?y...tance=201.7071
Last edited by Joeb427; 12-29-09 at 05:12 AM.
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12-29-09, 12:37 PM
#15
Not one GXP on autotrader.com or cars.com 75 miles from my NYC metro area zip.
Did see two G8's with the 355 HP 6.0L list at $33K..
The one in Fl I posted above would be perfect for me if I was in the market but I bet that is sold or will be in a day.