Saturn: The Amazing Brand

[Aerodynamix]

In only 2 1/2 years, the Saturn brand has completely shed it's old skin (no pun intended) and has become one of the hottest and most desireable brands in the market.

This is exactly why I've got an intervew at the local Saturn/Saab dealer on Monday. Here's hoping...

[Kappa]

Its sweet to see that the Astra will be coming to the states soon. I know it is still a ways away, but Id love to trade in my GMC for it. But with all the good news about Saturn so far, there only lie in 2 main problems, advertising and distibution. If they can get those takin care of better than Saturn will move up ranks in GM's top selling brands to.

[HEVguy]

It truly is amazing the pace with which they changed the course of Saturn. Two years ago people were saying (on GMI) that they should've killed Saturn! Now, it has an almost full line-up of freshly styled, excellently executed vehicles AND will be offering TWO hybrids in a couple months!!! The completion of a freshly styled line-up will be completed this Fall with the redesigned Vue and new (to US) Astra. They have REALLY done an excellent job in turning the ship around, and I fully expect huge precentage gains (double digit) this year and the next (with even more hybrids entering the line-up)!

[guitarlix]

I see nothing amazing about Saturn. Yes, they have solid products now compared to before, but I still continue to see it just as a fringe brand like Suzuki, Mitsubishi etc.

[lkimura]

Originally Posted by guitarlix

I see nothing amazing about Saturn. Yes, they have solid products now compared to before, but I still continue to see it just as a fringe brand like Suzuki, Mitsubishi etc.

I invite you to drive my Saturn Sky.

[nsap]

Originally Posted by guitarlix

I see nothing amazing about Saturn. Yes, they have solid products now compared to before, but I still continue to see it just as a fringe brand like Suzuki, Mitsubishi etc.

Obviously my point didn't get across.

[guitarlix]

Originally Posted by lkimura

I invite you to drive my Saturn Sky.

I would get a Sky in a heartbeat. I love that car. However I stand by what I said.

[guitarlix]

Originally Posted by nsap

Obviously my point didn't get across.

You'll see my point getting across in the future.

[kmacleod]

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.

Steve,

With the way the weather has just dumped all over OKL, I am not surprised. Hopefully the weather will moderate soon and allow shoppers to get out and visit your showroom!!!!!

Ken

P.S. Three Weeks and counting to the Chicago Auto Show!!!!!!!

[nsap]

Originally Posted by guitarlix

You'll see my point getting across in the future.

My point was how quickly Saturn was revitalized. It happened extremely quick. No vehicle in their line up is over 20 mos old by the end of this year. You can dispute that?

[bcjohnso99]

Originally Posted by likearock00

I see Chevrolet to follow in Saturns footsteps and Pontiac will not be far behind.

Sky, Aura, Outlook, Astra - names Saturn did not have before...

If other brands want to follow in Saturn's footsteps, does that mean they should drop almost all of their nameplates and start fresh like Saturn did?

No more Impala, Malibu, Camaro, Monte Carlo, Silverado, Tahoe, etc ???

I think Chevrolet's slow and stready evolution is just fine. Pontiac desparately needs new and competitive products but their great names are pretty much gone already in favour of the G* naming scheme.

All this to say that Saturn's revitalization is great but it does not apply to other brands.

[civilzues]

SATURN ASTRA 3 DOOR PUSHING 200 HP!

Saturn is one great brand with some great style! The arua needs better headlights/lamps though

[guitarlix]

Originally Posted by nsap

My point was how quickly Saturn was revitalized. It happened extremely quick. No vehicle in their line up is over 20 mos old by the end of this year. You can dispute that?

Who disputed that? Did you even read my post? I've been repeating the same thing here since day one. The problem isn't with Saturn's products anymore, the problem lies with the brand itself. The products are solid, however that may not be enough. Saturn is a fringe brand. For someone who's really into GM, this may be hard to comprehend since you're constantly discussing Saturn products. But from my perspective and from what I've seen, Saturn isn't really high on too many people's shopping lists. Saturn's existing consumers may want to move up to another Saturn, but for other people, brands like Chevrolet, Pontiac, Toyota, Ford, Honda are still way more important. Saturn to me is like Suzuki or Mitsubishi. All these brands now have extremely nice products and some like Suzuki offer a lot more for a lot less money and a super long warranty to boot. But still no one wants one. People want the established big brands. GM's problems are compounded by the fact that for years, Saturn was a bottom of the food chain brand, then all of a sudden, they reversed directions and decided to go in the exact opposite direction. For many people, Saturn is still a non-existent brand in their minds. I think Saturn as a brand was a mistake to begin with, and in a way, it continues to be. There was no need to start a new brand to achieve what GM set out to do with Saturn. They already had plenty of brands at that point.

Saturn has some really solid products now. I'm most impressed by the Sky and the Outlook. I'm not at all impressed by the COTY (which I spent quite a bit of time checking out yesterday). Don't get me wrong, the Aura is a great car, but it does nothing particularly impressive to set it apart from the competition. I believe that Saturn's new (mostly) impressive products should have gone to other existing more "stronger" brands like Chevy or Pontiac. I don't see a point to this brand at all. If you're all about sales numbers (quantity), maybe it makes sense, but to me it doesn't. I'm going to withdraw from this thread now as I'm sure that (as in the past), people are going to jump at me and I hate arguing forever.

[kenman923]

i can't wait until they come out with the Saturn Astra.

[SUPERBADD75]

Originally Posted by Bvonscott

Same here. Biggest reasons: Price. Payment.

i think you're right. Saturn is making the corner with nice products, but i think it's going to be hard to get people to pony up $28k and up for a Saturn. not to mention Saturn's no dicker sticker could hurt them on some potential sales when people can go get a very similar GMC Acadia and negotiate price.