GM Kappa News (Solstice, Sky)

[YSSMAN]

Incase you didn't know, the Kappa cars are huge hits in North America, and with Europe ready to take on the Kappa as well, folks at GM are begining to wonder if they are building enough of the cars...

GM is considering increasing production of the hot-selling Saturn Sky and Pontiac Solstice roadster “as soon as possible,” according to GM’s Bob Lutz, who was quoted by trade publication Automotive News. Currently, demand for the Pontiac Solstice is at 35,000 cars per year, while supply is about 20,000 units. Both cars are sold out through the end of the year in many regions, with long waiting lists. In addition to the 20,000 Solstices mentioned above, the Wilmington plant is slated to build 10,000 Skys a year. That’s a total of about 30,000 cars — 10,000 shy of its current 40,000-unit capacity. However, Lutz said the plant could build “way more” than 40,000 cars if additional resources were provided. The question is: to what extend should GM boost production? As Mr. Lutz points out, demand for sports cars tends to taper off when “everybody on the block has one.” The Leftlane Perspective: GM should boost production slightly on the two existing models, but keep demand above supply. Instead of building an excessive number of Soltices and Skys, add the rumored 2008 Chevrolet Sting Ray to the mix.

Well, I'm happy to hear it has gone so well, and that they are considering boosting production. However, applying baisic laws of supply and demand shows that they should NOT meet demand levels completely, and continue to build 30-35K cars per year.

I would also agree that another model may satisfy the need for boosted production, but again, GM is flooding the market with models that are generally copies of eachother. Sure, the V6-powered Sting Ray would be nice to have on the streets, but I'm not completely certain that it is the way to go.

 

[Wolfe]

Although the Kappa is an excellent platform, and exactly the type of car that GM needed, I agree with you when you say that they shouldn't meet or exceed demand for the car. I'm sure many of the purchases so far were made by GM enthusiasts who loved the idea of an "American Miata," so to speak, and as soon as those enthusiasts get their hands on one, much of the demand will disappear. Then, when Solstices/Skies/etc start popping up in everyday traffic, as Lutz mentioned, demand will drop due to the fact that they aren't very "exclusive" or "special" anymore.

I think GM should follow the Europeans and start working on making either a hard-top convertible version of the Kappa (which would undoubtedly completely eliminate the already-limited trunk space), or a coupe version of the Kappa, a la the Z4 Coupe or Cayman.

 

[Onikaze]

The last Stingray rumor I heard (besides one about it being off entirely) had it being offered as a Hardtop.

That would be the Kappa car for me.

 

[JCE]

If they keep the American public wanting more Solstice's/Sky's they should under produce them and feed the frenzy. You could even had a Mini effect and have secondhand Solstice's/Sky's worth more than new ones.

 

[Omnis]

If they keep the American public wanting more Solstice's/Sky's they should under produce them and feed the frenzy. You could even had a Mini effect and have secondhand Solstice's/Sky's worth more than new ones.

Why? Resale of the cars doesn't make GM any richer. They should produce a lot of them so they can be cheap, yet very profitable. However, they shouldn't over-produce them.

 

[Robin]

Ive never heard of them at all!

 

[YSSMAN]

I think GM should follow the Europeans and start working on making either a hard-top convertible version of the Kappa (which would undoubtedly completely eliminate the already-limited trunk space), or a coupe version of the Kappa, a la the Z4 Coupe or Cayman.

Well, I think youre on to something there. Just before the Solstice went into production, the word was that in 2007 or 2008 we would see the Solstice Coupe being built. In case you forgot, heres what she looks like...

I'm all for a hardtop/coupe version of the car. It would increase the sporting potential of the car, and again, if they can sell it for about as much as the convertable, they would have a winner.

 

[Wolfe]

Ah -- yes indeed, I forgot about the Solstice Coupe concept...

...That's probably because I think the Solstice is ugly as sin. Maybe I'm weird, but I just don't understand what people see in it. The Saturn/Opel is a much better-looking car.

 

[YSSMAN]

Generally speaking, both of the Kappa designs are really rather beautiful in their own ways. The Solstice does a better job of paying tribute to the classic British roadsters of yore, while the Sky/GT do a better job of looking to the future with designes clearly drawn in the way of aeroplanes, etc. To me, it comes down to what the driver wants in the car... With the Solstice, a bit more sport, a little less unforgiving when driving, or the Sky/GT, better balance, a little more comfort, etc.

 

[Jay]

From what I have read here at GTP somewhere, kappa won't be going RHD, which dissapoints me as I would like to see a Holden version.

 

[YSSMAN]

Next-gen Kappa models (figure about 6 or so years away) would likely be both LHD and RHD, but I'm not sure on that one.

Its interesting how people are about LHD and RHD. I mean, there really arent any distinct advantages to either, and generally speaking, they only reason why it is the way it is in some countries is because of tradition... What baffles me is how varied Europe is country-to-country with what side the driver sits on, and what side of the road they drive on.

Given, as an American we drive on the left side of the car and on the right side of the road, but if there was a cool car sold in RHD-only in the US, I think I could get used to it if I bought one. From what I hear the only strange part of driving the car like that is that the turn-indicators and wiper stalks are swapped on RHD models, and then there is that whole thing with shifting with the left hand...

I've been meaning to give an old MG a run with the RHD configuration, but I havent had the time.

 

[Jay]

Its interesting how people are about LHD and RHD. I mean, there really arent any distinct advantages to either, and generally speaking, they only reason why it is the way it is in some countries is because of tradition... What baffles me is how varied Europe is country-to-country with what side the driver sits on, and what side of the road they drive on.

Problem is you cannot register a LHD car in Australia, so even if people had interest to buy a Kappa Holden as LHD, Holden couldn't sell them for road use.

I have driven LHD quite abit and it really isn't a problem switching, might be though for elder or slow learning people.

 

[YSSMAN]

Really, no LHD allowed in AUS? Wow, we let RHD cars come into the US quite often from Japan, AUS, UK, etc. all the time... I love hearing about little things like this, it is so interesting how different countries handle it.

 

[Wolfe]

That's too bad, Viper...even if Kappa can't go RHD, there could still be a Vauxhall version, because as we all know, the UK allows LHD cars...so Australia would just be S.O.L.

 

[Jay]

Really, no LHD allowed in AUS? Wow, we let RHD cars come into the US quite often from Japan, AUS, UK, etc. all the time... I love hearing about little things like this, it is so interesting how different countries handle it.

Nope no LHD's allowed unless they are over 30 years old (stupid rule), we have many people that do convert cars from LHD to RHD though, infact my dad is driving a RHD 1985 Chevrolet Suburban right now (was originally LHD). I have never seen a car that they couldn't convert to RHD yet.

When US cars are converted to RHD by factory we end up getting them, like the Chrysler Viper GTS, Ford F series, Ford Taurus, later Chevy Suburbans, 300C etc.

Keep in mind though if a import is RHD its very easy to register here, thats why we have so many cars from around the world I see often that was never sold here offically, for example Marcos, TVR etc.

there could still be a Vauxhall version, because as we all know, the UK allows LHD cars...so Australia would just be S.O.L.

Yep, I think Australia is the only country that has this complete LHD ban (beside 30+ years), I don't see why its ok to drive a 30+ year car LHD but modern cars you can't. We used to have large amount of US imports (like we do Japanese now) and I think this RHD only rule was to slow that down so we buy local cars to be honest.

 

[Onikaze]

Ironically, now America is wanting some Australian cars.

Oddly, it has taken us so long, because Holdens and Australian Fords are RHD only.

 

[Jay]

Oddly, it has taken us so long, because Holdens and Australian Fords are RHD only.

Not just RWD, AWD also.

We do FWD Holdens and Fords but they are just rebadged cars.

 

[Wolfe]

Not just RWD, AWD also.

We do FWD Holdens and Fords but they are just rebadged cars.

Sorry VIPERGTSR01, but you misread Onikaze's post...

 

[YSSMAN]

Not just RWD, AWD also.

We do FWD Holdens and Fords but they are just rebadged cars.

If I'm not mistaken, arent the Holdens just the same Opels and Vauxhalls that we will be getting very soon?

 

[Wolfe]

If I'm not mistaken, arent the Holdens just the same Opels and Vauxhalls that we will be getting very soon?

The FWD ones, yes.

 

[Jay]

If I'm not mistaken, arent the Holdens just the same Opels and Vauxhalls that we will be getting very soon?

Yes we get Astra's (and the turbo ones), Vectra's, Tigra's and have been for quite some time now, well only one we never got was the VX220/Speedster.

Sorry VIPERGTSR01, but you misread Onikaze's post...

Wow, not wrong.

 

[Wolfe]

Wow, not wrong.

Actually, now that I read it again, I have a feeling Onikaze meant to say RWD...

 

[Onikaze]

No, I meant RHD.

Ironically I wasn't preaching the goodness of RWD there.

Though, I do love the Australian Ford lineup more than the US one,barring the Mustang.

 

[YSSMAN]

...But of course. Car and Driver is following the same lines, as in the last issue they called for the import of the Falcon and the Territory... But Ford North America says it won't happen, as they allready have new models planned.

 

[Onikaze]

So help me, if Ford doesn't kill the Vic and call it's replacement a Falcon, I am sending a letter bomb to the CEO.

Who's with me?

 

[Wolfe]

No, I meant RHD.

Ironically I wasn't preaching the goodness of RWD there.

Though, I do love the Australian Ford lineup more than the US one,barring the Mustang.

Well then what the hell did you mean?

Ironically, now America is wanting some Australian cars.

Oddly, it has taken us so long, because Holdens and Australian Fords are RHD only.

Point 1: America wants Australian cars
Point 2: It's odd that it has taken us so long to do so
|- Reason for point 2: because they're RHD only

So, it's odd that we didn't want Australian cars until recently, because they're RHD? You can see how RWD just works better.

 

[Onikaze]

No, I meant we wanted them, and have for a while, GM and Ford fans aren't happy with seeing nameplates they loved slapped on FWD crap.

We should be getting them soon, and it's taken a while because we couldn't convert them cheaply to LHD.

With the new model lines apparently being built to accomodate LHD or RHD from the start, this should be a great time to dig Ford and GM.

 

[Wolfe]

...I don't dig Ford or GM, but I'm glad whenever they do things right.

 

[STLbarcelona5]

After hearing all these wonderful things about the whole kappa frame and the sky/solstace. I'm beginning to wonder . . .

Have any of you ever sat or driven in one?!

At the NY Auto Show I sat in both. And they were horrible! After getting home from the show I wrote a 1200 word review of the sky on simply how bad it is to sit in. I'm planning to take a trip to Saturn (the worse of the two) and see how it drives.

Yes I know I'm not exactly short, 6', but it was a nightmare to get into, sit in. And basically move. I limited myself to only looking around because trying to do anything else pissed me off because I wanted this car to be good, but it failed miserable.

I guess I'll have to complete my review once I drive it, but if you want to say that my 1st impression is sitting in it (not looking at photos online), well it was a TERRIBLE 1st impression.

My 1979 Super Beetle is 1597841 times more comfortable. Has drastically more room, and still weighs 800 pounds less.

So basically, I think you should all go test drive a Sky and tell me what you think.

 

[YSSMAN]

I unfortunately have not been able to drive a Solstice nor a Sky, as they are very rare here in Grand Rapids. Although, I have sat in the cars, and I came away pretty impressed overall. I'm 6ft and 165lbs, and I felt fine in the car. Obviously the cars arent at a BMW-level of fit/finish/quality, but they are some of the best interiors you can get in a GM product outside of the Corvette and the former GTO. Plastics are better, pannel gaps are tighter, and the layout is rather functional for a small sports car.

I was very comfortable in the car, but maybe it is because I'm used to GM stuff...