[paul8488]

The Aura sells in small numbers, the Outlook sells in small numbers... and we're surprised that the Astra sells in small numbers? The Vue is the only carry-over name, and it's the best-selling Saturn vehicle.

Small dealership network + relatively unknown brand + new model names + more expensive replacements for old vehicles = mediocre sales. Not all that hard to understand in the end!

The Aura should be the Malibu (and new Malibu development money could have gone into a revised G6), the Vue should be the Equinox, the Outlook should be the Traverse (with Traverse money going to, say, an updated Colorado design), and the Astra should be a G5 (it's too expensive to be a Cobalt).

It's funny that when Saturn was created other GM divisions cried that it was starving them of vehicles... and it's still true today. If Saturn was canned Chevy and Pontiac would have had new product much sooner... which is amplified in importance by the fact that they're both much more popular and well-known brands. With the right engine (the 2.0L turbo as optional even) the Astra would make a fine small Pontiac, alongside the Vibe. It would have needed a new nose, but it would have had so much more impact than the Astra ever will at Saturn.