Saturn: The Amazing Brand

[nsap]

Saturn: The Amazing Brand

Who would have thought just two short years ago that in the not so distant future Saturn would be one of the best divisions in the General’s arsenal? I sure didn’t, and I knew about the future product plans. Or would you have believed that Saturn will be one of the quickest revitalizations that has ever taken place in this industry? Saturn has amazed a lot of people in the last two years or so. Below is a timeline of the Saturn revitalization.

January 7, 2005—GM announces the Saturn Sky roadster will be built. This is the pace car for the ‘new’ Saturn. Saturn also shows the Aura concept car, which is a dead-on indication of the production car.

April 11, 2005—Saturn showcases the Aura production sedan, Outlook full-size crossover, and Sky Redline performance roadster. All to be in production by the end of 2006.

April 2006—Sky goes on sale.

May 15, 2006—The “Like Always. Like Never Before” Saturn tagline debuts, along with a slew of new commercials that proclaim the brand’s revitalization.

May 24, 2006—Saturn announces that the Vue Green Line Hybrid will be the cheapest hybrid SUV on the market, with a base price of $22,995.00. It also achieves the highest highway fuel economy of any SUV on the market.

August 2006—Aura goes on sale.

November 29, 2006—Saturn debuts the all new Vue crossover, which is nearly identical to the Opel Antara, and the Aura Green Line Hybrid. GM says it plans to produce a Plug-In Hybrid version of the Vue Green Line, along with a Two-Mode Hybrid Version.

December 2006—The Saturn Outlook goes on sale, backed by excellent press reviews.

December 7, 2006—At the Bologna Motor Show GM announces that Saturn will be importing the Opel Astra (dubbed Saturn Astra) to the United States and Canada in late 2007. Three and five door configurations are coming.

January 7, 2007—It is announced that the Saturn Aura won the 2007 North American Car of the Year award.

February 2007—Saturn will unveil the 2008 Astra at the Chicago Auto Show.

March 2007—Aura Green Line Hybrid will go on sale.

Fall 2007—The all-new Vue and Astra will both start arriving at dealerships.

It's quite amazing that within two years Saturn has gone from a brand no one cared about, to brand that is winning over the press and awards left and right.

[nadepalma]

Originally Posted by nsap

It's quite amazing that within two years Saturn has gone from a brand no one cared about, to brand that is winning over the press and awards left and right.[/font]

Very true.

GM should use the "template" that they used for Saturn (and Caddy to a lesser extent) for their other brands. Seeing as how they've been so successful (and continue to be) as they roll out new products, this strategy would be incredibly helpful in shoring up the lineups at Buick, Pontiac, etc.

[saturnsteve]

Yeah, now if we could just sell an Outlook here. We have not moved one yet. There are 8 of them sitting on my lot.

[Quickening]

Originally Posted by saturnsteve

Yeah, now if we could just sell an Outlook here. We have not moved one yet. There are 8 of them sitting on my lot.

Uh oh.

[poncho1982]

That Astra is HOT!!

I prefer it versus the Cobalt/G5

I hope Chevy has a nice redesign of the Cobalt to compete.

[lightbrotha2004]

Originally Posted by saturnsteve

Yeah, now if we could just sell an Outlook here. We have not moved one yet. There are 8 of them sitting on my lot.

I've been visiting the Saturn and GMC dealer with my mother lately...she is back and forth about which one she wants. I know they are supposed to be identical as far as size on the inside but she swears the Outlook is bigger by far. But anyway I asked one of the saleman how sales were going and they said they have a lot of people coming looking at them saying how much they want them, but they wish it were a "van".

[Bvonscott]

Originally Posted by saturnsteve

Yeah, now if we could just sell an Outlook here. We have not moved one yet. There are 8 of them sitting on my lot.

Same here. Biggest reasons: Price. Payment.

And I think they need better advertising and some on the roads for people to see how nice they are.

[jbartley]

the Saturn story is an excellent example of GM going global (VUE, astra, Outlook) all designed in different locations.

Even more so, it's a great example of aligning two brands in two different markets. A good example for Pontiac & Holden, and China Buick & US Buick



EDIT: the article forgets to mention the AURA, VUE, and Astra redline models that'll show up in the next 12-18 months, to spice up the Saturn lineup. That's a ridiculous amount of new models!

[PeterPuck]

Originally Posted by lightbrotha2004

I've been visiting the Saturn and GMC dealer with my mother lately...she is back and forth about which one she wants. I know they are supposed to be identical as far as size on the inside but she swears the Outlook is bigger by far. But anyway I asked one of the saleman how sales were going and they said they have a lot of people coming looking at them saying how much they want them, but they wish it were a "van".

Yikes.

[JonathanRohr]

One of Saturns biggest advantages was its relative obscurity. The only thing most people could even say about Saturn was that they were 'efficent'. It dosent have a legacy of 30 years of poorly built cars, it dosent have any big trucks that tarnish MPG perception, and its unique buying experience helps it even more.

Another big advantage is, unfortunately, that alot of consumers think Saturn is a Japanese brand. This may be changing now that they are plastering 'GM' all over it. Ask your friends (as long as they arent 'car' people) you might be suprised to see how many think Saturn is japanese.

[coaster.n3rd]

Originally Posted by nsap

Fall 2007—The all-new Vue and Astra will both start arriving at dealerships.

Saturn.com says that the new Vue will be available spring 2007.

[cemaxc]

Originally Posted by saturnsteve

Yeah, now if we could just sell an Outlook here. We have not moved one yet. There are 8 of them sitting on my lot.

Saturn of Lubbock has 3 of them. Everytime I driven by I have seen different ones. They said they have a hard time keeping them on the lot...same with the Skys.

[nsap]

Originally Posted by coaster.n3rd

Saturn.com says that the new Vue will be available spring 2007.

Really? Great! Sooner the better.

[JBsZ06]

I stopped by a saturn dealership and the basic AWD version looks to be about 28 grand ....

I thought it was a great deal.

Wife didn't like the outlook either base awd or loaded.

I was surprised she didnt as she presently has an envoy.

The Outlook is a bigger vehicle than this three person family needs...

I realize the volume is in 3 row seating....

GM should soon offer a short wheelbase version of this vehicle if possible..

Or just base it off the new CTS AWD chassis...

The outlook and its other family members is just larger than some families need..

GM could use something under the Outlook/acadia 3 row vehicle...but better than the equinox/torrent twins..

A luxury cadillac CTS based AWD 2 row CUV would be cool.

The new Saturn Vue needs much bolder wheels and tires....I couldn't sell it to the wife even though its a nice product..

Looks whimpy if thats the terminology...

I'm sure its a great CUV....just doesnt' appear to be well planted...

Big wheels and tires are an easy fix from the manufacturer. IMO (the europeans don't care but in america they do)

[likearock00]

Saturn is a great example of what GM can achieve when it wnts to. For too long they have rested on it's laurels and it has hurt them. I see Chevrolet to follow in Saturns footsteps and Pontiac will not be far behind.