How is the Pontiac G8 faring in the stagnating US market, you ask? At this point, sitting on portfolio of salivating reviews by the US automotive press, you would be inclined to say “starring”.
“Judging by our first drives, the G8 GT is good indeed. Good enough, in fact, to merit BMW, Infiniti, and Lexus intenders dropping by the Pontiac store for a serious look,” Motor Trend reported.
The prestigious Car and Driver was similarly taken, “This Pontiac is spacious, fast, and agile. It’s a looker, and it’s surprisingly affordable,” it said.
AutoWeek took up the theme of the G8’s dynamics, “The G8 sedan has a sporty feel, great handling and a powerful engine, plus it has the extra room to carry kids in the back.”
Even more effusive was Left Lane News, “Overall, the Pontiac G8 GT is one of the best sports sedans on the market for the price. No other American sedan offers the same experience at this price point. Simply put, the G8 is a driver’s car… the G8 GT will practically go anywhere you ask it to; a feeling usually reserved for European sports sedans.”
But good reviews mean nothing if they fail to translate into sales.
For Holden, with the US economy in meltdown (and GM, Chrysler and Ford having rogered themselves senseless with their previous undying love of SUVs) there has not been a worse time in thirty-plus years to be trying to penetrate the market.
With GM down 18% in June, Chrysler down 36%, and Ford down 28% (see US Automotive Giants teeter at the brink), you might expect some long faces at Holden.
The news however is not so bad. The G8, early in its first year on the market, has become one of the ten fastest-selling sedans in the US through the first half of 2008.
As the US Kicking Tires site reports, in June the Pontiac G8 spent an average of just 23 days in showrooms before sale, tying with the Mazda5 in equal third place for ‘speed of sale’ among family sedans, wagons and hatchbacks. In this, it is beaten only by the Prius and Camry Hybrid in the segment. (And in April, the G8 was only 16 days in showrooms.)
During June, 2008, 1,536 G8s were sold. While this is down from May 2008 sales of 1,831, June had only 24 selling days versus May’s 27. This is less than GM Holden’s expressed expectations, but few foresaw the scale of the problem about to beset the US economy and the knock-on impact on vehicle sales.
So - as reported on the Kicking Tires site - for June 2008, the top ten movers of non-luxury sedans, wagons and hatchbacks (showing the number of days typically spent on the lot or in the showroom) are:
Top 10 Movers: Non-Luxury Sedans, Wagons and Hatchbacks
- 2008 Toyota Prius: 11 days
- 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid: 17 days
- 2008 Mazda5: 23 days
- 2008 Pontiac G8: 23 days
- 2008 Chevy Malibu: 24 days
- 2008 Chevy Impala: 29 days
- 2008 Toyota Camry: 31 days
- 2008 VW Jetta: 33 days
- 2009 Hyundai Sonata: 36 days
- 2008 Toyota Avalon: 37 days
Then there’s the other top ten - the showroom losers - the list that no-one wants to be on:
Top 10 Losers: Non-Luxury Sedans, Wagons and Hatchbacks
- 2008 Mercury Grand Marquis: 223 days
- 2008 Mitsubishi Galant: 218 days
- 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix: 162 days
- 2008 Hyundai Sonata: 149 days
- 2008 Toyota Camry (superseded model): 125 days
- 2008 Ford Taurus: 120 days
- 2008 Mercury Sable: 119 days
- 2008 Kia Amanti: 117 days
- 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid (superseded model): 109 days
- 2008 Dodge Avenger: 96 days
Of interest is that despite a crippled economy, it seems that the upper end of the market – the luxury performance sector - is still travelling ok.
Curious to note however is that Mercedes-Benz C63, BMW M3 and Lexus IS F are selling quickly, but the Mercedes-Benz E63, BMW M5 and Audi S4 are hanging around – unloved and unsold - in showrooms and on vehicle lots, for months. (Kicking Tires)
Top 10 Movers: Luxury Sedans
- 2008 Mercedes-Benz C63: 7 days
- 2009 Acura TSX: 15 days
- 2008 BMW 528xi: 16 days
- 2008 BMW M3: 17 days
- 2008 Cadillac CTS: 18 days
- 2008 Lexus IS F: 18 days
- 2008 BMW 535xi: 19 days
- 2008 Mercedes-Benz C350: 21 days
- 2008 Audi A4 Avant (wagon): 22 days
- 2008 BMW 528i: 23 days
Top 10 Losers: Luxury Sedans
- 2008 Jaguar S-Type: 202 days
- 2008 Mercedes-Benz E63: 128 days
- 2008 Acura TSX: 127 days
- 2008 Acura RL: 123 days
- 2008 BMW M5: 110 days
- 2008 Audi S4: 108 days
- 2008 Jaguar X-Type: 107 days
- 2008 Lexus GS 460: 100 days
- 2008 Jaguar XJ 8L: 100 days
- 2008 Audi A3 hatchback: 89 days
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How can the Camry Hybrid be on the best and worst lists with a completely different times (17 days vs 109 days)???
Geez, your quick off the mark jbot - well spotted! I left out (superseded model) when I published it for The Insider. I have been suitably punished…
Yup… another thrashing… (damned elves just won’t get it right).
Small matter jbot, but critically important, of neglecting to point out that the Camry Hybrid on the worst list is the superseded model (mid-calendar year model replacement). All fixed now.
There is of course the broader philosophical position that the Camry, hybrid or otherwise, is a car that everyone ‘loves to hate’, so its always a bit schiz.
The Insider
Haha good to hear. I’m off to the US myself in a few weeks. Great time to do it with the dollar how it is!! It would be great if Holden’s export program takes off, then maybe Ford will sent an F6 over for me!
Are you heading over to live? Love the States personally. Was there last year and going back again in March 09 for a few weeks.
Going to study for a few years. Nothing like the US college life!
Nice one
Jbot your off to the States ? I guess you’ll still keep in touch but on a different time zone than when we post!
See Americans still think the Prius is their little bit in helping the environment!Couldn’t believe how many I saw when I was there last year,the new Volvo driver it seems. Great to see the G8 in the top 10 ,going from one extreme to the next.
Re the F6 Jbot………with Fords backward thinking I wouldn’t count on it! My pick too of the FPV lineup however!
Couldn’t really afford one atm anyway haha, but it would be nice to see them around, especially as they would destroy anything in the US for the same price (assuming similar price differences as the G8).