Saturn Brand Advocate Meeting - Trip of a Lifetime

[plane]

From www.saturnfans.com -

Originally Posted by saturnfans

A few months ago I received an invitation to join a select group of Saturn enthusiasts in Detroit for a three-day meeting with Saturn management. In all, fifteen people were chosen to receive a 'golden ticket' of sorts, an e-mail inviting them to spend time with Saturn leadership, product specialists, and marketing experts. The purpose of the meeting was for Saturn to show their appreciation for our support of the brand, share information with us, ask us questions, and listen to our feedback. During our stay, I jotted down over eight pages of notes and snapped more than 550 photos (there were about 400 that I could post), documenting:

• our open and frank discussion with Saturn management
• tours of various Saturn and GM facilities
• a test drive of the 2008 Vue and an up-close look at the new Saturn Astra
• a board meeting with the Saturn executive team

For competitive reasons I can't write about everything that was discussed during our stay (Saturn truly did "pull back the curtain" in many cases), but I will try to capture the spirit of the event with what I hope will be an informative report.

Article continues at link:

http://www.saturnfans.com/Owners/Sto...emeeting.shtml

[Koasterking]

Any word on when a redline Aura will be coming?
Redline Astra?
Astra twin top?
How close it GM going to have Saturn to the Opel brand in Europe? Are we going to see more Opel-like cars here in the US?

Sorry for the questions. I wish I was invited

[2648562]

Sounds like some hardcore brainwashing went on.

[steve333]

> For instance, when designing the next-generation Astra, Opel may take responsibility for exterior styling and driving dynamics, while Saturn may take the lead on designing the interior of the vehicle. <

Big mistake! Saturn designers are pathetic. Why not just let Opel design everything since they have much better design talent?

[ChevyPV]

Is it just me, or does that Astra have a bowtie on the front..... Chevy Astra?

[asim]

I haven't have time to read the whole thing yet, but it sure sounds like it would have been fun to be on that trip.

[roteague]

Originally Posted by steve333

> For instance, when designing the next-generation Astra, Opel may take responsibility for exterior styling and driving dynamics, while Saturn may take the lead on designing the interior of the vehicle. <

Big mistake! Saturn designers are pathetic. Why not just let Opel design everything since they have much better design talent?

I hope that doesn't mean we will get more of the stupid speedometer in the middle, ideas.

[Bravada]

Big mistake! Saturn designers are pathetic. Why not just let Opel design everything since they have much better design talent?

Not necessairly - it's Brian Nesbitt now @ Opel, who believes round vents are the answer for all the world's problems, so I think a change might be welcome...

[plane]

Originally Posted by ChevyPV

Is it just me, or does that Astra have a bowtie on the front..... Chevy Astra?

Nice catch.
Yeah.
Well, we can just call that one a gesture of goodwill towards Elk and leave it at that.

There are a few GMIers that are not really enthused by Saturn.
Just wanted to keep the Saturn logo in the background, keep things calm, avoid riots, hopefully nobody notices this thread is about Saturn.

Nothing to see here. Just an old Chevy, that's all.

[civilzues]

Astra info, any?! I need it....
lol

[01cavalier]

Originally Posted by ChevyPV

Is it just me, or does that Astra have a bowtie on the front..... Chevy Astra?

The Astra is sold as a Chevy in several markets, so my guess is they probably just brought one of those in.

Was a good reas, hopefully they really do get weight down and mileage up. The mileage was one of the things I loved about the two S-series that I've had.

[K-1]

Originally Posted by roteague

I hope that doesn't mean we will get more of the stupid speedometer in the middle, ideas.

The woman responsible for the center IP is no longer on the design team. She was lobbying for all future Saturns to have that design element, which would have been a huge mistake.

[kenman923]

I look forward to hearing your findings.

[Saturn69]

Originally Posted by 01cavalier

The Astra is sold as a Chevy in several markets, so my guess is they probably just brought one of those in.

Was a good reas, hopefully they really do get weight down and mileage up. The mileage was one of the things I loved about the two S-series that I've had.

Nah, that photo is from a 4 year old advertisement for GM Mexico. They brought a Saturn Astra to the event.

BTW, Charlie? Is that you? Are you Plane?

[plane]

Originally Posted by Saturn69

Nah, that photo is from a 4 year old advertisement for GM Mexico. They brought a Saturn Astra to the event.

BTW, Charlie? Is that you? Are you Plane?

Thanks,

No, I'm not Charlie.
I just stumbled across what I thought was a great read at Saturn Fans.
I've fixed the article link based on your feedback.