Quote:
Originally Posted by nadepalma
That won't happen in the US - but they are paired that way in Canada.
I say enough is enough with Saturn. Just dump the brand strategy for it, adopt the Opel crest and image, and then at least you can justify the prices for the Astra, etc.
And having Opel/Saab stores may not be all that amiss from what they have in Europe.
But that's just me - and its an old rant from where I'm seated.
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I agree with dropping Saturn, it has moved from what worked in the past and extending the lineup and moving upscale is not working - if Saturn stays it would only be as a "Hybrid" line and only if Toyota does a "Prius" brand.
The money saved by dropping Saturn will be put into SAAB with a 9-1 Coupe hatch based on the GAMMA for an Audi TT Coupe with a new 9-3 from the Astra Coupe (Calibra), Twin-Top and Sedan with Audi A3/A4 performance. The 9-5 would be offered in Coupe, Sedan and Wagon models on the Epsilon II. The 9-4 will be joined with a 9-6X replacing the Outlook and sold globally.
SAAB will be paired with Cadillac and provide high performance/MPG luxury models saving GM from putting I-4 engines in Cadillacs.
The rest of Opel must be paired with Buick and already is if GM offers the Regal (Insignia) here and I could see Opel offering the Invicta (LaCrosse) in Europe as top FWD sedan. The new Astra Sedan and Wagon can be offered here as the Century (Excelle in China) with the Cruze 40 MPG drivetrain giving Buick a strong high MPG sedan and spreading cost with the Cruze.
Pontiac would use the Vauxhall front end for 3-door and 5-Door Astra models as the next G5 with the Corsa 3-Door and 5-Door joined by a 2-door hatch and sold as the G3 with and alternative option of selling the Agila as the G3.
This leaves GM with:
Chevrolet
Buick-Pontiac-GMC
Cadillac-SAAB
Hummer will either be sold or dropped due to pressure from strings attached to bailout money.
As I have posted before, this mimics GM's European lineup spreading costs and keeping the focus of Chevy then Opel (Buick) with Cadillac on top, Pontiac stays as a better brand to offer the smaller Opel models here and will get performance versions, GMC retains it's current high retail/profit role.
Cadillac-Saab can then focus more on Prestige models with SAAB providing the high MPG needed for CAFE and Cadillac on high profit image models.