Aura coming to US with different sheet metal; no hatch or wagon planned

[The Law]

I think with the current Aura not being the old Saturn has a few more years to play with for a replacement.While Buick needed a new sedan like 10 yrs ago.If Buick does get one now off the Insignia, then 2-3 yrs Saturn should get a replacement Aura.For those of you who it should be Saturn=Opel it should but Buick needs a sedan more and could help GM's bottom line as production could be done in china or wherever plus Buick could be sold at a higher price.Also Saab and Saturn are almost the same- Euro styled...So bring over the Saturn before Saab doesn't make sense to me.I would think higher to lower Caddy-Saab down.Both the 9-5 (4dr coupe) & 9-3 (sedan) should be out before a new Aura.

[nadepalma]

Originally Posted by WishIhadatruck

I agree completely.

If they did try and go the Prius route with Saturn (hybrid brand) I don't really think it work with the current dealer network. All brands will possibly/likely need hybrids down the road. It might work for Toyota with Prius since it has a HUGE hybrid following already but that is not the case with GM. Even long term I don't see how well it might work for Toyota as our cars start to evolve into other types of vehicles (all hybrid or electric?). If a regular gas powered car becomes the odd ball and considered "old tech" someday then you don't want to seperate your hybrids into another brand.

Thanks WishIhadatruck for the thumbs up.

Your points on the dealer network is valid, but that also assumes that the dealer network continues to use the four sales channel approach.

If rumors about GM possibly consolidating BPG and Staurn, then this would elminate some of the problem you mention. The resulting consolidation would have GMC sell the trucks, Buick sell more "luxury" oriented products, Pontiac sell the mainstream products, and Saturn sell green/alternative propulsion cars. Since two of Saturns mainstay products - the Vue Hybrid and Aura Hybrid - sell well for what they are, they could become the core of the lineup. Add a future small car hybrid based on the next Cobalt and possibly a Hybrid Sky Roadster and they could out manuever the an enlarged Prius brand before it really catches on.

This would cut down GM's dealer strategy even more to a Three Channel Sales Strategy to further elminiate overlap and save GM money.

This wouldn't preclude Chevy (as a stand alone channel) and Caddy/Saab (as another stand along channel) couldn't sell their own hybrids, electric, or alternative propulsion vehicles down the line.

Of course, this is only one idea. If if I had my way, I'd still cut GMC, Saturn, Hummer (and possibly Saab if they didn't make a good return on the new investment they are getting in the next few years) to create a better brand management plan. To me, GM could go forward with just 5 brands (possibly 4) and still be more affective in the market than they are today.

But if GM doesn't have the testicular fortitude and courge to do this, then the only other way to kill the overlap and hash a real product plan is for GM is to do something like this.

Your point about eventually all cars moving to one type of propulsion or another is also a good point. Long term it may be something that could hinder that perception problem. But by then, maybe GM will ACTUALLY make sense of their car lineup.

Besides, they have to actually survive til then - and they really aren't on the right track right now.

[DU Biggs]

Originally Posted by EldoFan

A wagon could be a real winner here......not offering it is a big mistake....

Once again, GM has the chance to blaze a new (more economical) trail and they blow it......

I'd take one of these.....


over one of these.....


any day of the week!!

You are in the time tested minority when it comes to that.

[SierraGS]

Originally Posted by nadepalma

Thanks WishIhadatruck for the thumbs up.

Your points on the dealer network is valid, but that also assumes that the dealer network continues to use the four sales channel approach.

If rumors about GM possibly consolidating BPG and Staurn, then this would elminate some of the problem you mention. The resulting consolidation would have GMC sell the trucks, Buick sell more "luxury" oriented products, Pontiac sell the mainstream products, and Saturn sell green/alternative propulsion cars. Since two of Saturns mainstay products - the Vue Hybrid and Aura Hybrid - sell well for what they are, they could become the core of the lineup. Add a future small car hybrid based on the next Cobalt and possibly a Hybrid Sky Roadster and they could out manuever the an enlarged Prius brand before it really catches on.

This would cut down GM's dealer strategy even more to a Three Channel Sales Strategy to further elminiate overlap and save GM money.

This wouldn't preclude Chevy (as a stand alone channel) and Caddy/Saab (as another stand along channel) couldn't sell their own hybrids, electric, or alternative propulsion vehicles down the line.

GM needs to cut Saturn by merging it's models into the Saab lineup

Sky = AeroX
Astra = 9-3
Aura = 9-5
Vue = 9-4x
Outlook = 9-6x

This cuts out at least (3) duplicate models (Astra/Aura/Vue) and allows GM to move to the Three Channel Sales Strategy and take advantage of the money GM has spent on Saab XWD and BioPower programs and fits into your idea of GM having a "Green Brand"and gives global Cadillac-Saab dealers a solid 7-8 passenger Crossover (9-6x).

The Insignia hatch would became a Saab 9-5 Hatch fitting in with Saab's past heritage.

This fits GM's need for a "European Brand" by making a true "European Brand" stronger, and answers both the "what to do with Saturn" and what to do with Saab" questions - wasn't GM trying to "move" Saturn "upmarket" and position it as a "Brand that would appeal to Import owners"? Since many Asian owners do consider European brands before U.S. brands dropping Saturn and moving it to Saab will allow this strategy to contiue at a much lower cost with better focus.

As for the other Insignia models (Coupe/Sedan/Wagon), the Insignia Wagon would become the Buick Insignia Wagon by changing only the badge on the grille, giveing buyers who find the Enclave too large for their needs a great higher MPG alternative.

The Insignia Coupe concept and Sedan would make a great G6 Coupe/G6 Sedan or Buick Regal Coupe/Insignia Sedan giving B-P-G dealers (2) strong midsize model lines with no overlap, although I can see the Coupe being a Pontiac G6 and the Sedan a Buick Regal or even the Coupe a Buick Regal and Sedan the new Pontiac G6.

This would leave GM (3) channels

Chevrolet
Buick-Pontiac-GMC
Cadillac-Saab

This strategy fits into the global market with Chevrolet being the volume brand, Buick and Pontiac the Midlevel brand complimenting Opel/Vauxall/Holden, GMC becomes GM's Global truck brand with European models like the Captiva/Antara moved to one GMC model sold by both Chevrolet and Opel dealers.

Cadillac and Saab continue their positons and with Saturn gone will provide more resources to build Saab into the Global FWD/AWD/Hybrid brand it can become and give Cadillac dealers exciting, high MPG I-4 powered vehicles to go with the Cadillac Alpha, CTS and other future Cadillac models alieviating the need for GM to take risks in offering small engine models in the face of lower oil prices.

Overall these moves greatly lower model count and overlap while giving all three channels a solid line.

[zabraden]

GM needs to discontinue Saturn or make it a Scion competitor with 3 or 4 small models, and just bring Opel here as Opel's. Saturn is not, and will never be, a luxury or near luxury brand. You could give it upscale products for the next hundred years, and it will not sell. So if Opel is going upmarket, and cannot partner with Saturn. Buick will also never be bought by those who want "European tastes." Bring over Opel's, spend Saturn money on Pontiac.

[jamesd12]

Originally Posted by kmacleod

GM,

The ONLY way I will consider an Insignia Regal is if you BRING THE WAGON OVER AND CALL IT "ROADMASTER".

That would sell more than 10k units a year. I'll bet 25K units....

Keep the cost under 30K for the base and you will have a winner....

Ken

You know what happened last time someone introduced a new model from another market and gave it a nostalgic name? The Pontiac GTO. Sales flop. A good car, but everyone gave it the bum rap when they didn't like the styling. When everyone sees the Roadmaster, and they see a small, dinky wagon, they'll hate it.

By all means, sell it, it's a great product, but nostalgia will kill the image of any car that is somewhat different to the old one.

[Millefune]

Originally Posted by ChevyRules

This is why Saturn is so messed up. It doesn't have any direction! Saturn has a lot of potential to take away the import snobs. But, no GM must take away any direction for Saturn so the stupid legacy brands can benefit. Saturn=Opel for the US was the intended direction. But, GM changes it again! My next car will not be an Aura or even a Saturn to show GM they lost a customer by listening to the legacy brands( which also means no GM. I hope Ford's RWD plans are still on). But, I won't probably make a difference. What a sad and cold reality.

Just to clear things up just in case you got lost in my ramble, GM's mismanagement of Saturn has cost them a customer.

And if they continue this mis-management, they will lose another, but for the opposite reason. If GM keeps dumping good cars into a lame brand, I'll maybe leave (I will 100% leave, and many more will, if they dump Pontiac).

Originally Posted by usa1

It's bad enough they keep Saturn around and pouring money into it at the expense of Pontiac, Chevrolet, and Buick, but now they will pour EVEN more to make a unique interior/exterior all because...? No reason given.

More proof that GM management is brain dead.

Mark

Yes, I agree. But, I'm noticing that all the information and insight from this place has turned me from a hopeful fan to a pessimistic psuedo-hater.

Originally Posted by Rocket 88

The inside scoop is some "genuis" at GM Corprate decide the new Opel was so classy looking that it would make a great Buick. Buick is starved for products and GM will never kill it.. So they decide to "screw" Saturn and give the new Insignia to Buick.

If this is true, then I will find away to make sure a "Buick Insignia" is somewhere in my family.

Originally Posted by SierraGS

GM needs to cut Saturn by merging it's models into the Saab lineup

Sky = AeroX
Astra = 9-3
Aura = 9-5
Vue = 9-4x
Outlook = 9-6x

This cuts out at least (3) duplicate models (Astra/Aura/Vue) and allows GM to move to the Three Channel Sales Strategy and take advantage of the money GM has spent on Saab XWD and BioPower programs and fits into your idea of GM having a "Green Brand"and gives global Cadillac-Saab dealers a solid 7-8 passenger Crossover (9-6x).

This fits GM's need for a "European Brand" by making a true "European Brand" stronger, and answers both the "what to do with Saturn" and what to do with Saab" questions - wasn't GM trying to "move" Saturn "upmarket" and position it as a "Brand that would appeal to Import owners"? Since many Asian owners do consider European brands before U.S. brands dropping Saturn and moving it to Saab will allow this strategy to contiue at a much lower cost with better focus.

As for the other Insignia models (Coupe/Sedan/Wagon), the Insignia Wagon would become the Buick Insignia Wagon by changing only the badge on the grille, giveing buyers who find the Enclave too large for their needs a great higher MPG alternative.

The Insignia Coupe concept and Sedan would make a great G6 Coupe/G6 Sedan or Buick Regal Coupe/Insignia Sedan giving B-P-G dealers (2) strong midsize model lines with no overlap, although I can see the Coupe being a Pontiac G6 and the Sedan a Buick Regal or even the Coupe a Buick Regal and Sedan the new Pontiac G6.

This would leave GM (3) channels

Chevrolet
Buick-Pontiac-GMC
Cadillac-Saab

This strategy fits into the global market with Chevrolet being the volume brand, Buick and Pontiac the Midlevel brand complimenting Opel/Vauxall/Holden, GMC becomes GM's Global truck brand with European models like the Captiva/Antara moved to one GMC model sold by both Chevrolet and Opel dealers.

Overall these moves greatly lower model count and overlap while giving all three channels a solid line.

As nice as this sounds, I don't think GM will let it happen. This sound very good to me. I am having a real distaste for Saturn now, despite being a member of several Saturn boards and still loving to drive my janky SC2 around town.

Originally Posted by zabraden

GM needs to discontinue Saturn or make it a Scion competitor with 3 or 4 small models, and just bring Opel here as Opel's. Saturn is not, and will never be, a luxury or near luxury brand. You could give it upscale products for the next hundred years, and it will not sell. So if Opel is going upmarket, and cannot partner with Saturn. Buick will also never be bought by those who want "European tastes." Bring over Opel's, spend Saturn money on Pontiac.

Another good idea that we will unfortunately never see.

[vcs2600]

Not being able to stick with a brand management plan for longer than two years is a major reason GM is swirling around the toliet bowl.