Question:
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For one thing they were never marketed well here. And we never got the 'good' options which made them better cars than the ones we got.
However, the primary reason is cost. I recall a GT being listed at 9000 DM in the early 70's (new) in Germany. That car was around $3000 new here. Even without considering the exchange rate, that car would cost about $10k in 1970's dollars to sell in the US. Add inflation and we're talking a WHOLE lot more money. In fact, we'd be looking at BMW/Audi prices for the most part, with the current inflation, monetary exchanges, and equipment levels of modern cars.
However, the primary reason is cost. I recall a GT being listed at 9000 DM in the early 70's (new) in Germany. That car was around $3000 new here. Even without considering the exchange rate, that car would cost about $10k in 1970's dollars to sell in the US. Add inflation and we're talking a WHOLE lot more money. In fact, we'd be looking at BMW/Audi prices for the most part, with the current inflation, monetary exchanges, and equipment levels of modern cars.
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248 Posts
I have to agree with rally bob. In order for the japanese to stay competitive in the american market, they have built assembly plants here and send most of their parts from japan to the states for assembly bypassing absorbant finished goods import tarriffs. believe it or not many american companies have outsourced the same way. levis for example sew their jeans in mexico except for the labels, send them to the states as unfinished products again bypassing tarriffs and sew the labels on here in the states making them a finished product. Importing complete vehicles have become an expensive business in the good ole U.S.of A. and Opel unfortunately would have a hard time competing.
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5,666 Posts
jo anna in england a base model opel/vauxhall vectra (mid size car 4 people ok 5 at a push ) costs $27700, an astra would be $34310 a speedster would be $47240 i think that is why they would not sell in the GOUSOA
btw jo introductions is for letting us know who you are could you ask general questions in general discussions please
btw jo introductions is for letting us know who you are could you ask general questions in general discussions please
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305 Posts
Another possible reason is that I have read in more than one magazine that Opel has a reputation of being the "Yugo" of Europe for quality. GM probably doesn't want to spend the money on a brand that has a poor rep to begin with.
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5,564 Posts
More to the point ....
Most likely Chevrolet, Buick and Pontiac don't want the competition from another GM brand in the US market.
Many of the Corprate four cylinder cars of recent years are firmly based upon Opel derived components anyway. As far back as the "J" car platform - which was in reality an Opel Ascona FWD.
Most likely Chevrolet, Buick and Pontiac don't want the competition from another GM brand in the US market.
Many of the Corprate four cylinder cars of recent years are firmly based upon Opel derived components anyway. As far back as the "J" car platform - which was in reality an Opel Ascona FWD.
Baz,
I know you are absolutely right about where I should have posted this question--my dilemna was that when I went to General Discussions, I had to choose from Intro's, etc. and Intros was the only header that seemed remotely close tho I knew it wasn't where I should really be posting the query. sorry--I had hoped that one of you gurus would move the question to its proper dept. Ah, well. :0 I still got easy to understand answers and thanks to all who replied. I still say, after reading your responses that GM should import the Opel as an upscale competitor. Call me a fool....
Jo Anna
I know you are absolutely right about where I should have posted this question--my dilemna was that when I went to General Discussions, I had to choose from Intro's, etc. and Intros was the only header that seemed remotely close tho I knew it wasn't where I should really be posting the query. sorry--I had hoped that one of you gurus would move the question to its proper dept. Ah, well. :0 I still got easy to understand answers and thanks to all who replied. I still say, after reading your responses that GM should import the Opel as an upscale competitor. Call me a fool....
Jo Anna
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