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

[GMusa]

Cant wait to see what its going to look like

[FierySolstice]

Originally Posted by montrealvue

I want what Lutz is smoking. Why spend money on changing the Insignia? Bring it over as a Saturn and avoid the additional costs. Why bother with Pontiac, isn't the slow reaction to the G8 an indication of anything? The Insignia seems to be very well received, why change a good thing? If sales are strong add the wagon and hatch.

The G8 is an amazing car, just no one knows. Its called advertising and GM doesn't do that Pontiac. They are the black sheep!

[TJ95GAGT]

Originally Posted by osv_alero

Does "same engines" mean we will get a diesel version?

No. They just forgot to the put disclaimer that NA will not see a diesel version. Again, due to lack of demand of course.

[PontiacBixler]

Basic, easy to understand, game changing rules as others have said already:
• Kill Saturn.
• Let Pontiac and Buick carry the Opel/Vauxhall and Holden models if GM is too lazy to design something over here for them.
• Bring wagon versions of these cars out. BUT not as RWD wagons. Offer them as AWD/FWD just as VW does. If you have a wagon it does not need to be RWD. You would see an explosion of AWD wagon sales in the NE and northern midwest.

And yes the G8 has been lackluster..... but that isn't new to some of us that called it last year at this time. And speaking of the G8, why in God's good earth would you put a strike against the wagon version but bring out the ST version over here instead????? Hmmmmm...... 4 doors and storage space behind them or a 2 door 2 seater with a joke of a "pickup" truck bed in the back....... yeah that was a really hard choice to make I guess.

I watched Lutz on 60 Minutes Sunday night in regards to the electric car movement with Tesla and Chevy. I'm sorry but the man reminds me of the current Republican administration. Puffing of the chest, not seeming too confident in his own words, stating the obvious, etc....... I was not impressed.

[eb110americana]

Yeah, I really don't understand this decision either. Why spend all the time, money, and effort to change something that is already great? There are only 3 possible reasons for this that I can see:

1. As stated, GM is more interested in aligning Buick USA with Buick China, and this will underpin the Chinese Regal, therefor it will already be coming stateside as a Buick.
   
2. The Insignia's back seat is much smaller than the Aura/G6/Malibu, and they want big American legroom in back to compete head-on with Toyota and Honda.
   
3. Insignia costs too much, and Saturn would not be able to sell a car at Opel prices, so would risk having to market stripped cars much like the Saturn Astra.

The first point kind of makes sense, especially when paired with the second point. Namely that a smaller midsize car would better compliment a larger midsize car like the new LaCrosse. This is probably the only way Buick could afford to stock 2 Epsilon sedans, cars which hug the political middle ground of their sales.

Still, I think in the end, the result may be an odd mish-mash of product that leaves people wondering "Why does that Buick have so many Saturn cues, like the sweep crease along the bottom of the doors and up towards the rearview mirror?" It's probably easiest to quickly rip the bandaid off now, and let Saturn align with Opel/Vauxhall. When cars are designed, they should anticipate this so that money isn't wasted to develop redundant models.

The second point might be a valid one, but it would at least differentiate the Aura from the rest of the LWB G6/Malibu/Lacrosse/9-5 lineup. Smaller might actually be a strong selling point to some. Unfortunately, shorter length usually hurts aero, and only saves a small amount of weight, so fuel economy with the same engines likely would be a wash. Stretching the platform at the rear doors only, would be acceptable to help Aura compete. Mazda does something similar with their new 6.

The third point also comes back to planning. Namely that Opel/Vauxhall and Saturn need to build in enough flexibility to allow scalable pricing structures. If this means GM must build them here in the US and export to Europe, so be it. They'd get cheaper cars with the state our economy is in, we'd actually be able to afford the car itself, it would save development and retooling costs, allow plants to remain open in the US, and help out a struggling GM and US economy.

The wagon would have been a perfect fit for Saturn, and the hatch would have been a neat option as well. Mostly, I can't believe GM spent the money to develop a new Opel version and Saturn version of the same car, after they already developed the current Malibu, Aura, and old Vectra and they still haven't invested in a new G6, which is comparatively 2-3 generations old. G6 is one of your volume sellers GM, why all the fuss over the Saturn variant?

[Greg Burr]

If I can remember how to cry, I just might cry.

[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

[dindak]

Hatchbacks and wagons don't sell, Asta is a perfect example. GM can't afford to have a wagon that does 10000 units, better off pushing people to VUE's.

[vanshmack]

I agree that this is an idiotic waste of GM's rapidly-dwindling resources, however, weren't we all screaming for GM to "leave the Astra alone and just import it as-is" little more than a year ago? And how has that worked out (so far)?

I honestly don't have the answer on this one, but it certainly does show how difficult it is to make decisions in this industry.

Oh, and shut up, Bokl.

[A.J.]

I don't care about the sheetmetal. IMO, it's what's inside that counts - if GM keeps the Insignia interior, I'll be happy.

It's like my own vision of Saturn - a combination of American and European style and dynamics.

[nadepalma]

Originally Posted by PontiacBixler

Basic, easy to understand, game changing rules as others have said already:
• Kill Saturn.
• Let Pontiac and Buick carry the Opel/Vauxhall and Holden models if GM is too lazy to design something over here for them.
• Bring wagon versions of these cars out. BUT not as RWD wagons. Offer them as AWD/FWD just as VW does. If you have a wagon it does not need to be RWD. You would see an explosion of AWD wagon sales in the NE and northern midwest.

And yes the G8 has been lackluster..... but that isn't new to some of us that called it last year at this time. And speaking of the G8, why in God's good earth would you put a strike against the wagon version but bring out the ST version over here instead????? Hmmmmm...... 4 doors and storage space behind them or a 2 door 2 seater with a joke of a "pickup" truck bed in the back....... yeah that was a really hard choice to make I guess.

I agree - I dont undestand why either. Pouring more good money after bad is not the solution. They can't keep doing stuff like this every few years - just boil it down to the brands that matter and kill the rest - Plain and simlpe!

Originally Posted by PontiacBixler

I watched Lutz on 60 Minutes Sunday night in regards to the electric car movement with Tesla and Chevy. I'm sorry but the man reminds me of the current Republican administration. Puffing of the chest, not seeming too confident in his own words, stating the obvious, etc....... I was not impressed.

I see your point, but please, no political comparisons. nsap is getting strict on political talk and backhanded comments. Thanks!

Originally Posted by eb110americana

Mostly, I can't believe GM spent the money to develop a new Opel version and Saturn version of the same car, after they already developed the current Malibu, Aura, and old Vectra and they still haven't invested in a new G6, which is comparatively 2-3 generations old. G6 is one of your volume sellers GM, why all the fuss over the Saturn variant?

Good question - maybe if we hold our collective breaths, GM will get back to us in a timely manner.

Simply idiotic. Just when I thnk things are getting better, I read this kind of stuff.

[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

[johnstarnes]

Originally Posted by JeffInDFW

That Insignia is so stunning, GM *MUST* bring it here. If they want to sell it as a Buick, and use it as Buick design direction. I can see an updated Enclave in the styling of the Insignia. It looks very rich. Elegant. Modern, beautiful. But, very different from Cadillac.

I agree...gorgeous car. But I DO wish they'd have left the "fangs" of the concept, at least in a high end sports model of it. I like how the design is balanced and almost brave.

[jbartley]

this makes no sense.

when you actually park it next to the new lacrosse it looks substantially different. if that's even what they're concerned about?

[JiveMonkey]

I find it funny that some of the forums want GM to quit with the re-badge stuff and make each brand unique. Now on this article we're up in arms because GM is going to use new sheet metal for the new Aura.

Anyway, if this isn't any more of a stupid idea I don't know what is. That Insignia is awesome and I think would really grab some attention. But of course GM can't do that, we need to dangle the carrot in front of our faces and then slap our hands away. I'm still confused why they won't bring diesels over either. It's easy to keep going in circles when your head is up your a$$.