GMI Exclusive: Saturn May Go To BPG, Why Aura ≠ Insignia

[jcgable]

Originally Posted by JonathanRohr

I think they should REPLACE some redundant or slumping BPG stores with Saturn.

Maybe even a Chevy one if it is failing, or across the street from another Chevy dealer.

This should have been part of their initial strategy for reviving Saturn. They could have removed a lot of the "Non-BPG" Pontiac or Buick dealerships by providing these dealers with an incentive to switch over. Considering Buick's sales slump, and what was supposed to be a series of hits for the Saturn Lineup, I could see a lot of them making the switch.

Saturn's move upmarket might have gained some traction if management had integrated this as part of their comprehensive brand strategy. Imagine how well Saturn could have done if they had the volume of delaerships necessary.

[Carguy]

Buick should be combined with Cadillac/Saab dealers letting Pontiac/Saturn and GMC---PSG---be the new BPG.

[guitarlix]

Good grief.

I'm almost at a total loss for words for this bonehead management and its mindbogglingly stupid decisions.

I give up.

[Carguy]

Originally Posted by eaton53

If they must do this (I'd just cut Saturn myself) then Saturn should go back to its roots selling small FWD cars only.... forget this moving upscale crap.

This relieves Pontiac from the burden of selling them and allows it to concentrate on RWD performance, including the modern day 2002 that BMW seems incapable of building and the Torana along with the G8 and Solstice.

Good points all!

[obriend]

This news, if true, would be the best indication yet that all is lost at GM.

Why go through the cost of a complete exterior and interior redesign (esp given the current financial state GM is in) when the current Insignia design will be better than anything GMNA will come up with? I thought the whole point of GLOBALIZATION was to eliminate such overlap.

Why flush any brand identity that Saturn has left down the crapper (friendly, polite, clean dealers) and saddle good cars and SUVs with Pontiac/Buick sales and service (my firsthand experience has always been less than stellar)? There are many people who still don't know that Saturn = GM and therefore will still give Saturn a look when they won't consider a Pontiac or Buick. Kiss that goodbye.

I just can't believe that GM would be that stupid. But then again......

[SAngelo]

Well, I think a better idea would have Saturn move into Cadillac/Saab. GM will probably sell Hummer, so in essence Saturn can replace Hummer. Also, Saturn can give Cadillac/Saab a small car like the Astra, a small SUV like the Vue and also keep the Aura. I would still drop the Outlook but maybe Saturn can add a minivan. Its not a terrible idea to move Saturn into BPG but the overlapping of models becomes more of a problem but its less with Caddy. What do you all think ?

[gmlifer]

This might work if they have the right products for each brand and eliminate any overlaps
Buick=Luxury
Pontiac=RWD Performance
Saturn=Small fuel effecient cars but more upscale and more european than Chevy
Gmc=Upscale trucks

[Uzzy]

Well my Saturn dealer is about 25 feet away from a P/B/G dealer and owned by the same guy, so no bigge for me.

[Murrow]

In Miami, there's already a B-P-S-G dealership. Vera B-P-G/Saturn of South Miami-Dade. All brands share the same showroom.

[GMusa]

So one dealership is going to have 3 Lambdas.... The Outlook should die in favor for the new MPV.

[GMusa]

Originally Posted by Uzzy

Well my Saturn dealer is about 25 feet away from a P/B/G dealer and owned by the same guy, so no bigge for me.

Same here.. the Saturn dealer is right down the street from the others.. but i dont think its owned by the same ppl.

[eb110americana]

Originally Posted by 1G6

B-P-G-S.

Hmmmmm.

Check the image again, it should be BS-GP

Originally Posted by Carguy

Buick should be combined with Cadillac/Saab dealers letting Pontiac/Saturn and GMC---PSG---be the new BPG.

This is the best idea I've read on GMI in a long time! Saturn would be the import compact-to-midsize alternative to Chevy, Pontiac the RWD performance brand, and GMC offer crossovers, SUVs, and trucks in more exclusive, classy threads. All 3 would be priced above Chevy, but well below Cadillac.

Cadillac is the flagship brand with everything packed into cars with avant-guard styling. For those put off by that, the elegant alternative would be wrapped in a Buick skin with more affordable models. For the eco-conscious and those not wanting to pay for an AWD Cadillac for snow season, Saab would offer a designer experience in a more efficient package.

Chevy, SPG, and BCS. Works for me!

Originally Posted by obriend

This news, if true, would be the best indication yet that all is lost at GM.

Why go through the cost of a complete exterior and interior redesign (esp given the current financial state GM is in) when the current Insignia design will be better than anything GMNA will come up with? I thought the whole point of GLOBALIZATION was to eliminate such overlap.

Why flush any brand identity that Saturn has left down the crapper (friendly, polite, clean dealers) and saddle good cars and SUVs with Pontiac/Buick sales and service (my firsthand experience has always been less than stellar)? There are many people who still don't know that Saturn = GM and therefore will still give Saturn a look when they won't consider a Pontiac or Buick. Kiss that goodbye.

I just can't believe that GM would be that stupid. But then again......

Yeah, you have a good point. Why redo the car for no reason other than its proximity to a Buick product? It's good. Cut and print! Don't waste resources on this. If there's a competition issue, just move the Buick upmarket some so that the Saturn is cheaper. Get some softer cow hides, wrap the dash, a few more real metal knobs, buttons, and handles--bam, Buick luxury exclusive.

[plane]

Originally Posted by guitarlix

Good grief.

I'm almost at a total loss for words for this bonehead management and its mindbogglingly stupid decisions.

I give up.

Yeah! Years, years we've been waiting for that statement.
Trust me, we will hold you to your word.
Cast in stone, no going back now.

Not another word about Saturn from you.
This is my favorite thread of all time.
All time.

[CJ Thunder]

WOW GM is scared.

[FenwickHockey65]

Uhhh...WHAT?! Does this even make any business sense at all? What good could possibly come out of this? They're going to have to kill off the Outlook first and then force freestanding Saturn dealers to integrate with existing BPG dealers.
And face it folks, the EpII car nsap mentioned is the next-gen Impala.