September 07' Sales Show's Saturn up 7.2%

[CrunkedRL]

Heres what my sources at Saturnfans.com have to report for September the new Vue apparently is gaining traction despite the higher price points. This is how VW should have done things a couple years ago.

Saturn sold 20,776 vehicles last month, 7.2% more than in September 2006 when the brand sold 20,153 units. Year-to-date (YTD) sales are up 11.7% to 187,882.

Aura sales more than doubled (up 103.3%) to 6,221 copies of the sedan compared to year ago levels. So far this year, retailers have sold 46,062 Auras. The Sky roadster didn't fare as well, as its sales fell 19.4% to 848 units. Ion sales were also down as inventory the last remaining 2007 models continue to dwindle. Production of the Ion ended this past March. Only 3,779 Ions were delivered in September, down 55.1% from the same time last year when 8,754 sedans and quad coupes were sold.

Outlook sales totaled 2,658 with 25,793 sold YTD. Retailers sold 52 Relay minivans, down 92.6% from September '06. The Relay has been out of production since December 2006. Meanwhile, Saturn's redesigned compact Vue sport-utility is showing positive growth. Sales were not only up 17.4% over this time last year, but also over August 2007 levels when 6,605 were sold. September 2007 Vue sales totaled 7,218 units.

[coaster.n3rd]

Regarding the Sky. This is the time of year that sales for this vehicle (in my market anyway) drop right out. Around January interest will start to peak and orders will start to be placed. Sales will go full throttle in April/May.

The Vue is starting to take off and Aura is our cash cow. While Outlook has remained mainly flat, but gaining slowly. Not a bad thing however as sales have been good. So take it as you will.

[CrunkedRL]

^^^Well the sales momentum will only increase I think for Saturn over the next few months. With the launch of the upcoming Astra I think interest in the brand will continue to peak as this will be a very unique position for Saturn....making a worldclass compact that has been well received by critics.

[civilzues]

ASTRA soon, Saturn will be complete

[autofan]

I contributed to the sales totals for September with my new 2007 Aura XR...midnight blue with morocco interior! It drives like a million bucks (which is good because some parts of the interior feel like ten cents). Either way, it looks great in the driveway along with my Sky and my best friend's ocean mist Aura XR when he's around. Saturn has come so far in such a short time.

[paul8488]

Originally Posted by coaster.n3rd

Regarding the Sky. This is the time of year that sales for this vehicle (in my market anyway) drop right out. Around January interest will start to peak and orders will start to be placed. Sales will go full throttle in April/May.

That's a very good point. The fact that Saturn will also have the Astra out will help... there's huge interest in Saturn right now, and every vehicle available starting this spring is at the top of its class and is fresh and new. There is going to be huge traffic at Saturn dealerships...they're going to have a HUGE 2008!

[pontiacjs]

Originally Posted by coaster.n3rd

Regarding the Sky. This is the time of year that sales for this vehicle (in my market anyway) drop right out. Around January interest will start to peak and orders will start to be placed. Sales will go full throttle in April/May.

The Vue is starting to take off and Aura is our cash cow. While Outlook has remained mainly flat, but gaining slowly. Not a bad thing however as sales have been good. So take it as you will.

The same thing happened at Pontiac last year with the Solstice. There is a limited amount of people willing to pay $25 to $30k for a weekend car. You will find that Saturn Retailers will be selling Sky's for GMS to employees and family soon.

[91 s-10baja]

I saw three new ones last night on the way home! All w/ local plates already!!

[chad4835]

Saturn's product line has made an incredible turn around and they deserve the increase. I hope people continue to notice. I looked at the new VUE last night and it looks great and I am seriously considering one. The interior was finished really nice and the exterior had some unique touches. My neighbor bought a new Aura last year and I went and complimented and thanked him as our neighborhood is packed full of Hondas and Toyotas.

[Driver Tom]

Saturn's in a funny place right now. Consider that the brand that sold only bargain compacts for more than a decade currently sells everything but.

Pundits point out that Aura and Outlook are selling slowly...and Acadia is outselling Outlook by nearly a 2-to-1 ration...but they miss a fascinating fact.

Buyers are not yet conditions to look for $25,000-$35,000 vehicles at
a Saturn shop. I suspect that when Saturn gets the word out, and if they keep the customer satisfaction strong, it's looking at a bright rest of the decade.