Opel flops in Japan

[Poverty]

GM to Stop Selling Opel Cars in Japan
SOURCE

General Motors to Stop Selling Opel Vehicles in Japan After Lagging Sales

TOKYO May 8, 2006 (AP)— General Motors, which has been struggling to revive its business, will stop selling Opel vehicles in Japan, the U.S. automaker's Japan unit said Tuesday.

Opel sales in Japan have been lagging at 1,800 vehicles last year, down from their peak in 1996 at more than 30,000, said Ayako Uchida, a spokeswoman for GM Asia Pacific (Japan). Opel sales will end before the end of 2006 as inventory runs out, she said.

Opel sales will target Europe, and General Motors Corp. will instead push in Japan GM's global brands such as the Cadillac, Saab and Chevrolet, Uchida said.

Opel cars are made by Adam Opel AG, a German subsidiary of General Motors.

GM reported Monday a $445 million profit in the first quarter of this year, compared to a loss of $1.3 billion in the January-March period a year ago. It was GM's first quarterly profit since 2004.

Last month, the world's largest automaker reported a preliminary first-quarter loss of $323 million, but said then the results could be revised. The revision was for changes in how GM accounts for a health care agreement and other items.

GM has been attempting a turnaround as it loses market share in the U.S., partly because of competition from Asian automakers, including Japanese companies like Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co.

Opel has not attracted Japanese buyers, who favor Mercedes Benz cars from DaimlerChrysler AG, as well as offerings from Volkswagen AG and BMW AG.

Im not surprised, why would the japanese want opels when theyre not even all that good and they have theyre own japanese brands that are better, cooler, and alot easier to tune.

 

[TheCracker]

I didn't even know that they sold Opels in Japan - i can't see why GM would bother?

Im not surprised, why would the japanese want opels when theyre not even all that good and they have theyre own japanese brands that are better, cooler, and alot easier to tune.

For that 0.056% of the population who actually tune their cars

There's nothing cool about 95% of Japanese cars - Corolla cool?

 

[Jay]

Most manufactures try to tap into the Japanese market it (big market if you can convince Japanese to buy) . I even remember Holden was selling SS utes over there at one stage.

 

[95GTIVR6]

I can imagine it would be hard to sell ANY car in Japan. It is such a small place with so many people! If I lived there I would probably have a super-mini like many of the residents. Dont you have to prove you have a place to park your vehicle (unless it is a super-mini) before you are allowed to purchase one in Japan?

 

[YSSMAN]

Is there really that much money to be made in Japan? I mean, really? Most people, from what I understand, do not own cars, and if they do, they aren't necessiarily "cars" in the standards most Americans, Aussies, and Europeans have (thats in terms of size).

Its probably better for GM to get out of Japan for the most part and continue selling that the folks there want to buy. Chevrolet, from what I understand, sells well enough in Japan, and Toyota has been known to re-badge GM vehicles (such as the Cavalier and Vibe) as Toyota models.

 

[Danny]

I didn't even know that they sold Opels in Japan - i can't see why GM would bother?



For that 0.056% of the population who actually tune their cars

There's nothing cool about 95% of Japanese cars - Corolla cool?

The only truly cool japanese car that I can think of right this instant is the Wagon R.


Edit: And the Accord Type S (much faster than it looks, and pretty)

 

[ExigeEvan]

Aren't the Japanese very loyal? Like even more than the French?

 

[a6m5]

I can imagine it would be hard to sell ANY car in Japan. It is such a small place with so many people! If I lived there I would probably have a super-mini like many of the residents. Dont you have to prove you have a place to park your vehicle (unless it is a super-mini) before you are allowed to purchase one in Japan?

Parking is very scarce over there as you can imagine. Most people drive compact(corolla, civic) to midsize(Accord, Legacy), but yes, Kei(light - those mini cars) automobiles are very popular over there.

Is there really that much money to be made in Japan? I mean, really? Most people, from what I understand, do not own cars, and if they do, they aren't necessiarily "cars" in the standards most Americans, Aussies, and Europeans have (thats in terms of size).

Japan was the second largest automotive market after the U.S. It was just recently passed by China.

Aren't the Japanese very loyal? Like even more than the French?

Yes, but it has nothing to do with the failure of Opel in Japan. Japanese government makes it easier for people to purchase domestic cars(either way, they charge fees and taxes like there's no tomorrow). But the biggest reason Japanese cars sell in Japan may be the solid reliability. I do realize that there are few American and European fans who like to take cheap shots at Japanese companies on reliability. But do keep in mind that much of Japanese cars in Japan are built in Japan.

 

[Danny]

Japan's engineering is also the reason our 1988 Nissan Sunny is still running. And will inevitably be passed down to me.

*Shudder*

Thanks, Japan.

 

[a6m5]

Japan's engineering is also the reason our 1988 Nissan Sunny is still running. And will inevitably be passed down to me.

*Shudder*

Thanks, Japan.

Don't worry. From what I understand, Nissan/Datsun mechanicals are good, but interiors fall apart easily. If you are lucky, maybe the steering wheel will come off.

 

[Danny]

I'm afraid that's part of the problem.

The interior is in a dire state, but apparently as long as it drives, I'm having it.
So I'll be forced to pootle around in an 18 year old car (2 years older than me, fact-fans) with a crummy interior and all the safety of base jumping.

And the steering wheel is robust!

 

[ExigeEvan]

Japan's engineering is also the reason our 1988 Nissan Sunny is still running. And will inevitably be passed down to me.

*Shudder*

Thanks, Japan.

I thought you killed the front axle on that!?

 

[Danny]

I thought you killed the front axle on that!?

I didn't kill it enough.

 

[samj_13]

I didn't kill it enough.

 

[Race Idiot]

Japan's engineering is also the reason our 1988 Nissan Sunny is still running. And will inevitably be passed down to me.

*Shudder*

Thanks, Japan.

Man kids these days, I dunno would you rather your first car be a 1982 (MKIII so don't get exited because it's not the classic RWD ones) Ford Escort? Or your 1988 Nissan Sunny?

This reminds me of my friend who owns a JDM VW Polo, yes a Japanese market VW Polo. Although it is pretty nice and has some options that the European ones didn't get as well.