GMI Exclusive: 2010 Saturn Aura on "Hold"

[63cat]

As a 30 something, I wish Buick had more offerings. I want something that competes with Acura, Volvo, Lexus, but not as flashy as a Caddy.

Stockpiling Saturn with models while starving Buick is bad business

[iluvcamaros]

Wow, the Aura on hold?
Sounds like Saturn is gonna die.

Give the Opels to Pontiac!! They are in need of product. A combo Opel/Holden line-up would make a lot of sense for Pontiac. Trying to make Saturn a credible brand 15 years after it was created is too little too late.

[CrunkedRL]

Originally Posted by iluvcamaros

Wow, the Aura on hold?
Trying to make Saturn a credible brand 15 years after it was created is too little too late.

Some would say the same thing about Pontiac. Replacing Pontiac performance vehicles (or lack there of now) with European inspired vehicles sounds ubsurd to me. There was more of a business case for Saturn since they really had no level set brand identity or direction for well over a decade. What some people also have to realize too is that killing off one brand will not force previous customers of that brand into buying other GM products from other divisions. I know I wouldn't and I would probably end up buying something European anyway.

[benroethig]

Originally Posted by 96_impala_ss

Yea.
Well maybe its own lesson is whats killing it. Saturn becomes Opel in 2012 or so in favor of universal designs and names. They do that with Vauxhall. The model names are the same.
If they do decide to drop Saturn in favor of Opel I think in the long run it may be a good move. I read somewhere that the current Aura was shown to a group of people before it was produced to see if they would buy it. Most of the people said yes. But when it was revealed it was a Saturn more than half of those who said yes said no. Then the production costs to rebadge Opels into Saturns would be eliminated and GM can market Opel as a true Euro import.

What difference is there going to be between Opel and chevy in 2012?

[sigma]

Originally Posted by benroethig

What difference is there going to be between Opel and chevy in 2012?

What's the difference between Chevy and VW? That's your answer.

[ChevroletRevived]

Originally Posted by zete

This probably has something to do with the tanking US auto market. They might be figuring it's better to pull Insignia's from Europe for the small number Saturn will sell and leverage North American factories for higher volume cars, especially a new EpII Buick and an EpII Malibu.

Of course, more efficient engines would be welcome.

But they might have paused it to simple have EVERY EpII come with BAS+ standard, which would be smart in my opinion.

IF the delay is due to fuel economy, that's something they're probably going to do, along with some other of the technologies they're working on in this arena. We'll know more in the coming days. Big things are indeed happening at GM though, there is no doubt about that.

[Crazy4Camaro]

Originally Posted by chickenkicker

A sign that Saturn is being considered for the brand GM will cut?

That was my thought. I think it makes the most sense too. Saturn, GMC, Hummer, and Saab need to go. They are all basically re-badges and do nothing more than eat up engineering resources better spent elsewhere. I would imagine most of the buyers would go to a different GM division.

[benroethig]

Originally Posted by sigma

What's the difference between Chevy and VW? That's your answer.

The Passat is not going to share the same platform, engines, and from the looks of the insignia, most of the sheet metal too with EP2 Malibu. The Jetta is not being built along side the Cobalt replacement in Mexico.

[GM-Joe]

The comment about mileage could make sense. My thinking could be that a 1.4 litre turbo with a BAS system and sell for 25k is a possiblity they are looking into. Such a vehicle, mass produced, could trump the imports. This is a very important vehicle because the Camry should get a redesign about that time and it is of the utmost importance that this not only be NA Car of the Year, but a Camry killer. Remember, Toyota will redo the Prius at about the same time so the Camry will get another enhanced hybrid, thus GM must be able to not only do something competitive, but actually beat them on all facets of this vehicle! As 2010 model year comes around, the Malibu will be getting long in the tooth and the G6 will be on life support; the Lacrosse/Invicta/Regal should sell but GM must have a world changer from this vehicle to get the company back on track.

[GM-Joe]

Originally Posted by Crazy4Camaro

That was my thought. I think it makes the most sense too. Saturn, GMC, Hummer, and Saab need to go. They are all basically re-badges and do nothing more than eat up engineering resources better spent elsewhere. I would imagine most of the buyers would go to a different GM division.

Actually, all of GM's models are rebadges, but at the same time you can say the same for Honda's, Toyoda's, Ford's, ect...

Saturn just needs to rework the product mix to hit a different type of customer than they have; they will be going after tree huggers and sheep instead of being in between meat eaters and vegans.

[jasaero]

Originally Posted by obriend

Well, I was eagerly anticipating this car to replace my 01 Olds Aurora (3.5). I was hoping for a turbo 2.0L 4 banger with a six speed. If GM truly cancels this car, then maybe its time to leave GM for good. Ford is bringing over their European cars and building them here, so I'll give them a shot.

To those who say "make it a Buick", I really don't think people like me (30's, professional - excluding those on this website) are going to change their opinion of Buick quick enough to save that brand here (China - different story).

GM needs Chevy (full range + trucks), Cadillac (full range luxury), and one more - a midrange, slightly more-sophisticated-than-Chevy, VW/Volvo/Acura/Mazda fighting - Saturn/Saab.
People considering those brands would NEVER consider a Buick, but would (and do) consider Saturn and Saab.

Also, although they need a few more, their small dealer network is a STRENGTH - each dealer can be profitable, which translates to nicer dealerships, better service, more local advertising, etc.

What do you have against Buick?? The LaCrosse replacement is going to be better looking and nice all around that this Aura ever was. Saturn should just die. They would be the cheapest brand to kill with the least dealers to shutter and such. Saturn is considered more of a cheapo car brand by MOST. Very few are getting GM's latest message on Saturn. Think more are probably getting Buicks message even though they only have one product sending it outside the marketing itself with Tiger and such.

[jasaero]

Originally Posted by zete

This probably has something to do with the tanking US auto market. They might be figuring it's better to pull Insignia's from Europe for the small number Saturn will sell and leverage North American factories for higher volume cars, especially a new EpII Buick and an EpII Malibu.

This was the only thing I could come up with also after reading this story. Capacity could be a real problem if this Buick is a hit. They are doing it correctly also by only hinting at it in China and letting it be a big surprise to America outside us enthusiast forum frequenting sorts. Pretty sure this car will knock peoples socks off if it's priced basically the same as the LaCrosse is now. Only unlogical part is that importing Aura's seems like it would be a sure fire money drain with currency exchage like it is now.

[BigAls87Z28]

Originally Posted by OneMeanChevy

Saturn Aura on "Hold", It is one of the most-anticipated new Saturn products to date, you say? An anticipated Vehicle reportedly on "Hold"? Hummmm, This sound oddly familiar.....but from where????? Oh Yeah!!, the Camaro. The Camaro was reportedly on "Hold" a total of how manys times?

I wouldn't put too much stock into this.

Camaro was on hold?
In 2002, Camaro was put on hiatus.
Due to the fact that the Ste.Therese plant in Canada had exclusive rights to the name Camaro and Firebird, if GM were to bring up the fact that Camaro is going to come back, it would have to be built there, unless something were to happen.

Something did, GM destroyed the Ste.T plant. The contract that tied the name to the plant somewhat died. It was the CAW's to loose.

From 2002, "Keep the Faith" term was preached from every Camaro faithful fan that waited.

Camaro was worked on by a small group of people for more of a fun thing, to see what they could do. It turned into a passionate thing, and that gave enough support to make Camaro a concept. The concept was launched in Jan of 2006 at the Auto show.

Green light was given summer of 2006. Since that green light time, there has not been a "hold" on Camaro.

A lot of people have gotten pissy about the model year date on Camaro being 2010, thinking that Camaro was somehow being pushed back some 2-3 years from this supposed 2008 release date. It wasnt, 2010 is just the model year it will sell under, that that it will be made in 2010.
Camaro will start pilot production by fall, with sellable production cars by the end of this year, with sales to start early in 2009 as a 2010 model.

Camaro has been on hold once.



As for Aura and Saturn, I dont think that Saturn brand is being canned, but I have always thought that the Saturn Opel connection had a minor flaw. Opel and Holden also have a connection. And as of recent, Holden has a connection with Pontiac.
So at some point, Pontiac and Saturn cars will cross paths, or will draw from the same design ideas. Lutz talked about Pontiac being a poor mans BMW, and what a better way then being an affordable BMW then having a European handling, driving, and performing vehicles.

Before GM announced that Saturn would turn into Opel, I wanted in the worst way the Astra to come to the US to replace teh Sunfire and Vibe. The Astra was the compact to end all compacts some 3 years ago. This would have given Pontiac a quality compact car, and would have had them set up for this gas price scare. The Astra name would be established in the market as being a quality economic compact with fun driving talents.

Does that mean that Saturn will die? No. I dont think thats the case. I kinda hope that Pontiac's Epsilon 2 G6 is released before Aura, since Saturn will get 2 generations of all new Auras before Pontiac finishes just 1 generation of G6.




But...if there was any brand for GM to kill with as little drama, with as little ties to the GM brand, with small dealer structure....it would be Saturn

Pontiac, GMC and Buick are too big and too established to let die now.

[cad1cts]

Considering the fact that yesterday GM stock TANKED to its lowest level in over 50 years...I do not like hearing about anything as far along as this getting put on hold. I hope and pray that its for HCCI and some kind of hybrid/E-85 combo. They need to get that car here with ALL the technology found in the Opel.

[iluvcamaros]

Originally Posted by CrunkedRL

Some would say the same thing about Pontiac. Replacing Pontiac performance vehicles (or lack there of now) with European inspired vehicles sounds ubsurd to me. There was more a business case for Saturn since they really had no level set brand identity or direction for well over a decade. What some people also have to realize too is that killing off one brand will not force previous customers of that brand into buying other GM products from other divisions. I know I wouldn't and I would probably end up buying something European anyway.

I understand. I was never one of the "kill Saturn" types in the past, I thought the new Saturn had enormous potential. It just seems it is showing little growth to have such a new line-up, oddly enough the same situation that faced Oldsmobile in its later years. I think the lack of brand identity has been a disadvantage. People are just simply unaware of the brand.

Car and Driver hailed the G8 as," The BMW Pontiac always wanted to build". Considering how much Car and Driver worships BMW that means a lot. Supporting the Euro-esque RWD model with mainstream Euro models makes sense to me.

Also, Saturn's small dealer network would be the cheapest one to buyout.