Several have posed this question in other threads as a way of making a point. However, I really want to understand what is going on here. My question is rather simple. Why did GM feel it was wise to add costs to a limited production roadster by adding another brand to the project? This is ignoring the possible negative effects of having two out there.

I'm not going to pretend my question does not have an agenda. The common reasoning for not wanting a Camaro and Firebird is that the market and budget for the cars cannot support two nameplates. Fair enough logic, but why does it not apply to the Solstice and Sky?

I really am curious about this, I'm not just trying to prove a point (although I've been known to do that in the past - I'm quite pompous ).

 

because they can be marketed to two different groups...

because they can attract two different groups into GM vehicles...

because two to choose from is better then one. [you want chocolate (pontiac) or vanila (Miata) ..... or we have swirl (saturn)]

because Saturn is more upscale, and will receive more profit for the premium roadster if you will...

because pontaic and saturn both needs a jump start in customer awareness...

they are both vehicles, that are good at word of mouth advertisment, something you cant buy...

They are both great vehicles to bring traffic to show rooms... thus helping to sell other GM products... I'm willing to bet the more people who see the solstice will goto their local dealership and test both the GTO (because no onek nows about it) and the solstice... when they realize its only got a 4banger in it...

donno if i answered your question likely not

 

I don't have a problem with a Solstice and a Sky co-existing.

The sad part of it, though... is that GM apparently thinks it's OK for Solstice and Sky to co-exist................ but not Camaro and Firebird.

 

Nice casrs, wrong forum.

 

Pretty simple...to justify putting the low-volume Kappa platform into production GM needed another car to be built on it. The Sky is just different enough (in appearance and options) to co-exist with Solstice.

 

the kappa isnt really all that low production they'll probably get about 100k units out of it when its into full production, dont forget europes geting a version too... and the pontiac and saturn is supposed to hit 30k each... the corvette only hits about 35k a year, i think the XLR adds to that, but the SSR doesnt even hit 10k units, the GTO doesnt hit 15k... in comparison, kappa is a pretty good market for GM

the thing is to get people into show rooms... if you can get people into twice as many show rooms, its worth a bit of different sheet metal... they dont need to advertsise these cars because its limited production, so badge engeenering is really worth it for them, the only reason badge engeneering is bad is when you have to sacrafice your advertising budget for two differnet models, but word of mouth will be all the car needs to create excitement and send people to showrooms...

 

They just got a couple Solstices in over here, up close it is a cool little car. I'd love to see a coupe. Haven't seen the Sky yet but the pics look nice as well. I don't see a problem with having both cars either. Wait isn't this the 5th gen forum? I just left the dealer so it was fresh in my head.

 

The Solstice is for the hard-core enthusiasts that just want a great handling and great looking roadster and don't care about much else. The SKY is for the customers that still want both of those, but would like a nicer interior to go along with it.

Another reason for the SKY is so that Opel can have a new roadster to sell in Europe.

 

Solstice and Sky were targeted for 30k units per year in total, not each.

 

The best thing about the Saturn Sky is that it will keep Pontiac dealers accountable. Sure the Solstice has a $19,995 base price but once you add real world options its closer to $24,000. Since Saturn's price can not be negotiated it made since for GM only to offer the Sky fully loaded around $25,000 so Pontiac dealers wouldn't look like total scammers.

Why would some one pay a $5000 dealer mark-up for a Solstice when you could buy a Saturn Sky for less money with no dealer non-sense?

 

The Solstice starting price is now $20,490 johnsocal.

 

How about this hypothesis:

To keep Pontiac dealers in check after the gouging that happened on the GTO.

Saturn's no haggle pricing on an upscale Sky running about 22K vs the Pontiac dealer down the street gouging his for 30K.

Just think, if dealers gouge the daylights out of the Solstice, the Sky outsells it.

Wouldn't be good for Pontiac's (or the dealer's) future.


(BTW: I think the real reason is it's a chance for Saturn to add some excitement to their line, that's all. )

 

I see the Sky outselling the solstice for that reason..market adjustment????

yup, at least the solstice is out now and the sky later on so hopefully the dealers will have the price around the same point, it will have to for when the sky comes out it will rival the yr old solstic for market.

 

I see my pontiac dealer already tagging Soltices in the 27k range.... god bless that 3k markup.... though I got to admit, sure is a pretty nice car in person... didnt know it was only avail in a 5 speed though.

 

The Sky is suppose to be the Grand Tourer of the two. It has a softer ride, you know the car that takes out for a cruise around the countryside.
Solstice on the other hand is suppose to be the performance car. More feel, imput to the driver, racy etc.
I think the two can co-exist, the two are suppose to have differernt market aims.
I don't know what's going on with pricing and markup on Sky but I know Pontiac dealers are doing. Some are selling the car at sticker, some have put a few thousand dollar markup on them and others are marking up the car by putting acessories on the car such as R2000, Roadblock and LoJack in them while they sit in the showroom