What exactly is wrong with Saturn?

[seeg]

Isn't it GM's fourth best selling brand? Why am I seeing all these posts urging GM to kill it off?

[mgescuro]

There is NOTHING wrong with Saturn.
It is in the best position to succeed compared to all other GM Brands!!

The issue is that Saturn continues to remain the red-headed stepchild at GM, despite having better product and more consistently up to date product.
GM is slowly losing the opportunity to kick Saturn into high gear.

Saturn should be doing well, but the marketing is abysmal.

[TaHoE]

Marketing and the Name itself. It's hard to turn a brand around that has such a clear and different past.

[likearock00]

Might as well close this thread now- both reasons have been covered. Poor marketing and an even worse previous rep have damaged the brand. It will take a long time before their current vehicles can overcome the rep, and even longer if GM doesn't help it's advertising.

[domij]

I will tell you exactly what is wrong with Saturn...it got "GMized". It no longer was the unique brand it once was, although everyone knew in time that would happen. Let's start with the following:

Astra: very nice vehicle; however, 19k on upwards for an XR model? Perhaps
GM will lower the price once it is made in Mexico. Slap a 2.2 ECOTEC
to bring it up to par with it's Cobalt/G5 siblings.

Aura: nice vehicle as well; however, the new Malibu should have been the
Aura. GM complains about sales of the Aura hovering around 60k
units; however, they should have refined it a bit more to at least
squeeze 100k units

Sky: Should've been a stand alone model and the price lowered a bit.

Outlook: Sorry, but too many Lambdas out there. What Saturn needs is more distinct products from their European counterparts.

[SirRaven]

Originally Posted by likearock00

Might as well close this thread now- both reasons have been covered. Poor marketing and an even worse previous rep have damaged the brand. It will take a long time before their current vehicles can overcome the rep, and even longer if GM doesn't help it's advertising.

I agree, this will end up being more of the same that has been over posted the last few days.

[CrunkedRL]

Originally Posted by SirRaven

I agree, this will end up being more of the same that has been over posted the last few days.

^^^I concur mods where are you...

[eurohazard]

It is always weird to start a thread to talk about discussions in another thread. Why not just post your comments in that thread? I'm not hating, just saying...

But about the topic: Honestly one thing about Saturn that has bugged me is the no haggle pricing. Ironically people say that's what is so great about Saturn, but I say phooey. Why would I pay full price for an Aura, when I can get a Malibu for $1,000 off MSRP after some good old fashion haggling?

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by eurohazard

It is always weird to start a thread to talk about discussions in another thread. Why not just post your comments in that thread? I'm not hating, just saying...

Because sometimes the thread is buried and no one can find it again.

If someone can find the other thread.... I'll merge it..... otherwise, this stays open.

[seeg]

Actually, I meant "Why do people call for Saturn to be killed off when it's GM's fourth best selling brand?"

[Koasterking]

They need to expand the line-up. Add a Corsa, Astra twintop, Minerva (how ever its spelled), shave some lbs off the Vue, more greenlines, etc.

Also, they need to put incentives on all the cars! Note why the Astra isn't selling well.

[redfox]

Originally Posted by seeg

Isn't it GM's fourth best selling brand? Why am I seeing all these posts urging GM to kill it off?

Most people loyal to GM don't consider or know Saturn is part of GM.

[Smoothcat]

I think one problem is the fact that the brand tried to go "upscale" too fast. I don't think Saturn had such a bad reputation as people on here try to paint sometimes - I know a LOT of people who have owned Saturns, and most have had positive things to say. They were simply inexpensive cars designed to get you from point A to point B; nothing more, nothing less.

That being said, when somebody that has owned a Saturn or knows a little about the company walks onto the lot, they expect to see a car that is priced cheaper than the competition. The Astra would probably be a big(ger) seller if it was loaded at 16k. The Aura would be absolutely flying off the lots (IMO) if it topped at 21k or so. The VUE could be cheaper as well. People might SEE a good car, but they just don't expect to pay that price for the Saturn name. It's not because they necessarily see the cars as not being worth it, it's just the reputation that precedes the name. It is what it is.

I think Saturn's best chance is to quit trying to be an "upscale Chevy", and just be a "European Chevy". Have cars that are priced comparably, but have a true European feeling to them. Make sure to put the latest "green" technology in Saturns first. And of course, try to get the cars into more markets. Build more dealers, combine dealers, do whatever it takes.

[pete4280]

Nothing is wrong with their products. Their marketing is really lagging.

[CobaltSScrazy]

MARKETING: A LACK OF IT AND NO CONSISTANT LONG TERM MESSAGE SINCE THEIR REVIVAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!

PREMIUM PRICES WITHOUT THE REPUTATION. GM should have done like Lexus and undercut the competition relatively speaking an LS400 versus an S-class...thats how Saturn needs to be to break into their segment sales-wise. On top of that, once the brand demands premiums THEN you can increase pricing. Look at the new LS...it tops at at 104,000$ or so. Its built UP its PERCEPTION, saturn for all its great product has yet to do that.

I still stand by my thought of Saturn as a Scion brand and Pontiac as having ALL of these "new" saturn products and it evolving its PERFORMANCE image from the ANTIQUATED OHV RWD V8 past to the NEW PERFORMANCE of HO V6's, Forced Induction V6, Forced Induction I-4, DOHC DI VVT, excellent tight handling with good feedback, on top of the good gas mileage these powertrains yield instead of the 'gas guzzling v8 image' that is out there. Real or Not...its perceived and thats reality.

CobaltSS