Opel/Vauxhall Mokka Orders Surpass 80,000 Units
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After being on the market for just a few months, the Opel/Vauxhall Mokka is proving to be catching on, with consumers already having placed 80,000 orders for the little crossover.
Demand has been huge in Germany, Russia, UK, Italy and France, with estimations indicating that more than two-thirds of all Mokkas in Europe will be sold in these markets. Buyers also seem to be attracted to the “Cosmo” trim level — the top model that starts at 24,900 euros in Germany.
Will the similar Buick Encore enjoy the same success? Most likely. But as we like to say here, only time will tell.
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If only GM would include the Chevy Trax along with the Buick Encore, they would triple their sales for this sized vehicle, nor do I think it would hurt their other offerings.
As much as I’d like to see the Trax in the US of A, I keep reminding myself that the vehicle is severely less profitable than the highly-successul Equinox, and as such would make the best-performing U.S. division less profitable as a whole if would-be Equinox buyers purchase the Trax.
Now, all this won’t be much of a problem once the next-gen (global, c-segment) Equinox comes to market in 2015 — since that vehicle will be what consumers *really* want in a crossover these days… but as it stands right now, if I were in the shoes of GM execs, I would decide against offering the Trax in the States.
I don’t think we need, nor do I think we will get (given Reuss’s comments on the Equinox), the Chevy Trax in the U.S. All we really need is an Encore that addresses the deficiencies that have been discussed on this board. The issues would be important even if the Encore were a Chevy and not a Buick.
In two or three years I’ll be looking for a car for the wife, and I see (a fixed) Encore as being perfect. GM has the feedback, not only from comments like those on this site, but also directly to its product management, so I am expecting change when it comes time for a refresh.
I am very confident that the Encore will be a fantastic choice in time. It should do well at the start given that there isn’t really much on the market quite like it. But within the year others (particularly Honda) will be entering the game, and their offerings will no doubt be pretty good. GM needs to be aggressive on this one and stay ahead of the game.
I am not optimistic about what GM will be asking for the Buick Encore here in the US. But no matter what they ask, the Trax would have been more affordable and therefore available to a much wider customer base.
@Railfan @thehofinator The Encore has been priced at $24,950:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2012/09/buick-prices-2013-encore-at-24950/
That’s considerably more than the Canadian $18,495 for the Trax; the Canadian Dollar is currently worth nearly the same as the USD, so somewhere around $18,000 is what consumers should expect to pay in the States if the Trax were offerred here. That said, the Trax would endanger the profitability of GM North America — something that GM needs to avoid at all costs right now. In two years, that will be a different story…
Looked over the first Encore to arrive here. Kind of like it even if it is a bit stubby in appearance. Still think Chevy should have had the Trax though, as they probably both appeal to different ends of the market. It seems to be a missed opportunity to get more market share from the get go. .My view is that you could get the same product with more equipment at a better price point.
Paul — growing market share isn’t always a positive development. For GM and the Trax in the U.S., it would — unfortunately — be a negative one, as it would (most likely) eat into sales of the very-profitable Equinox/Terrain.
Once GM consolidates its vehicle platforms and technology globally — an undertaking that should be somewhat complete in the next 2-3 years — then we should see all kinds of offerings from The General here, and elsewhere in the world — since the products will have been designed and engineered with global markets in mind.
If you convert Mokka and Canadian Trax to US dollars, how do they compare to the Encore?
Alex, guess you’re right. It would be akin to the old ” Badge Engineering ‘” thing of the past. One can only wonder what a Buick the size of the Equinox and no Encore would have done. Then give the Trax to Chevy. But with a car the size of Verano already there it makes sense.
A compact- or mid-size CUV will be coming to Buick eventually…
Perhaps it will called Buick Envision:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2012/01/exclusive-gm-files-for-envision-trademark-will-be-name-of-upcoming-buick-crossover/
… or maybe Buick Enspire:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2012/09/general-motors-receives-rights-to-use-enspire-trademark/
It’s now a matter of a 2-3 years before we see a comprehensive globalization of the lineup — and there’s reason to believe that all Chevy as well as Buick/Opel crossovers will sold in all markets around the world.
Well, I can’t wait 2-3 years and the Buick seems over priced. Guess GM would rather I go buy from another Co. because I’m not buying the Equinox. Way to go GM. Thanks for nothing.
@thehofinater I realize it has been months since you’ve left this comment… but what kind of crossover are you looking for?