Demand For Gulfstream's New Jet ($59 MILLION) Surging Past Expectations

Gas prices may be rising, car sales may be falling, but sales of top-end private jets are surging.

According to a Gulfstream spokesman, demand for the company's new G650 -- the largest Gulfstream yet -- has far outstripped early supply. The company has received around 500 letters of inquiry, which include $500,000 deposits from prospective buyers. That's about equal to the total number of G4's ever sold -- over the past 20 years. Gulfstream, a unit of General Dynamics, sold about 193 of the hot-selling G5 before it moved to the next model.

"Nobody thought in their wildest dreams we would get this kind of response," said Gulfstream spokesman Robert Baugnier.

And that's caused an unexpected problem for the company: angry billionaires who are being told they have to wait until 2020 or later for a plane.The G650 doesn't start rolling off the production line until 2012, and the company will ramp up production to full capacity (about 45 planes a year) in 2014. The company is also considering doubling capacity in 2014 if demand remains strong and it can get supplies.

The company says that some of the customers who sent in deposits are being told they won't get a plane until 2021 or later.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[Enid]

They should hire Mexicans. Planes will all be
ready, finished 2010.

[Enid]

Why not hire some new employees and make planes on
a much faster time frame AND MAKE SOOM MONEY NOW not 2020.

Ramp it--up.

[WIpatriot]

Who could think of a better barometer than Gulfstream to gauge the economy?? Hmmm?

[letsmakesense]

Sales of these plane to people who profit from wars and our general misery should be outlawed.
Wake up America
U R Getting screwed

[dadw5boys]

but we never get kissed.

[MRminutman]

The company says that some of the customers who sent in deposits are being told they won't get a plane until 2021 or later.

BUT I WANT A PLANE NOW DADDY!!!!!

Veruca Bush

[JoeBlough]

That's because the war profiteers made more money than they thought they would. Extra money to burn? Buy a plane and show-off!

[CheshireCat2]

What is Forest Gore in the market for another private jet as he excouriates America for wasting fossil fuels?

[sawdustinhershoes]

you know you are a true pain in the ass. What's this got to do with Gore? Unlike your buddies Cheney and the Bush Crime family and all the Arabs rich with oil money, Gore is realtively poor. I mean, he's not a billionaire.

But leave it to you to pony up another lie slamming a liberal. You do this whether or not it's germane to the conversation.

Next you're gonna go on about Obama buying one since he's so "elitist".

You, as always, are tiresome.

[Kong2]

Yes, I'm sure that's it. Al Gore is singlehandedly propping up the business jet market.

[Kong2]

"It's good to be the King" - Mel Brooks

[dadw5boys]

So that is how they will escape after the deed is done?

How much cash can a plane that large carry?

[desertdweller]

Talk about shitty mileage and huge carbon footprint - this is one of the worst.......

[gcallaghan]

2020 euro = $4.00
Gulfstream G650 = $59,000,000
not rubbing elbows with the unwashed masses =priceless

[Tom95134]

The real question is, "Who is buying and where are the sales?" When you consider the trashing the dollar has taken $58 million is not that bad if you're paying in Euros. (They also burn less fuel so it could be a trade down from a 747.)

[middleoftheroad]

I wonder how many bloggers here on Huffington have had the pleasure of using a private jet...My guess is an embarrassing percentage!

[WIpatriot]

My guess is that your guess was pulled out of your posterior.

[dgscol]

IT is worse actually than Boom-Bust, it is more like Boom-Anti-Boom. Who is looking ahead on this?

[dgscol]

Windfall profits from Chinese manufacturing are fueling these sorts of gorging; but they are also indicative of the gutting of American Industry. It is boom-bust, and the bust could be very bad.

[Reio2288]

The rich have no recession or even a slow down. They are insulated from such things. They have managed to perfect the division between classes. The rich and government have eliminated the middle class and the lower class is all but slaves. Its ok though, if the middle or lower class begin to notice they can't work or buy food.....we'll just create another reality or idol tv show. The fools won't even know what hit them.

[jerrypenguin]

"The fools won't even know what hit them." - Reio2288

Be it the US or any county throughout the globe, hitting the "fools" is referred to as the shock doctrine. The shock could be war, loss of employment, depletion of resources, corruption of currency, famine, 9/11 type event, natural disaster, medical crisis, or more. The "profits" that result are calculated and concentrated. The "profits" are beyond the bounds of avarice.

In many cases, the results are passively accepted by the "fools." The reasons for acceptance range from profound helplessness to skillful application of propaganda. The "fools" may even be provided with crumbs such as an economic stimulus package.

The awakening of the "fools" may result in a bloody blow back. Those who demand and receive the homage and resources of the world will have more than their teacups rattled.

[MRminutman]

Or as I like to call it -

WELCOME TO THE WALMART NATION!!!!!

[WIpatriot]

Nice roundup, jerry.