[tgagneguam]

Originally posted by MelvinJ+May 17 2004, 04:54 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (MelvinJ @ May 17 2004, 04:54 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-desmo9@May 17 2004, 04:40 PM
Cowger's branding solution for Saturn is pathetically weak. More European? What's Pontiac, then? There is absolutely nothing Saturn can offer that shouldn't already be available in Chevy, Pontiac, and Buick showrooms.

Pontiac is supposed to be "American Performance", not European. Oldmobile was supposed to be the more European brand, so that slot is open for Saturn to take. [/b][/quote]
In general, I agree with desmo9 on this one: "...There is absolutely nothing Saturn can offer that shouldn't already be available in Chevy, Pontiac, and Buick showrooms." Perhaps I would go a little further, though, and close the division, which should have been closed before Oldsmobile was shuttered. I wonder if in the final analysis the costs of maintaining Saturn as a separate entity (re-tooling, engineering, marketing, et cetera) are worth the time and finite cash resources. Once again, I'm skeptical.

With respect to Pontiac's performance aspirations, I believe desmo9 is correct: "...Pontiac, we have said, will be your affordable BMW, great performance at reasonable prices." Clearly the target is BMW. That also has been stated before by GM's "elite."

 

[tgagneguam]

Originally posted by gmmerc5@May 17 2004, 06:48 PM
Pontiac is supposed to be "American Performance", not European. Oldmobile was supposed to be the more European brand, so that slot is open for Saturn to take.

In general, I agree with desmo9 on this one: "...There is absolutely nothing Saturn can offer that shouldn't already be available in Chevy, Pontiac, and Buick showrooms." Perhaps I would go a little further, though, and close the division, which should have been closed before Oldsmobile was shuttered. I wonder if in the final analysis the costs of maintaining Saturn as a separate entity (re-tooling, engineering, marketing, et cetera) are worth the time and finite cash resources. Once again, I'm skeptical.

With respect to Pontiac's performance aspirations, I believe desmo9 is correct: "...Pontiac, we have said, will be your affordable BMW, great performance at reasonable prices." Clearly the target is BMW. That also has been stated before by GM's "elite." [/QUOTE]
I think what Mr. Cowger meant was the Saturn's styling will have a more European looks as well as performence....... I read this in the Pontiac Solstice's forum that one of the small concept coupe based on the new Kappa platform was intend for Vauxhall, according to the writer, GM is giving that concept car to Saturn. [/quote]
I captured the quote directly from Cowger, so I'm fairly certain he was speaking to the issue of Pontiac; he doesn't appear to have been misquoted, and he did not seem to misspeak. Besides, I recall that he, along with others in the past year or so, have stated the same thing.

I agree with you, though, that Saturn is also apparently trying to develop a European flair. After all, Cowger stated that in the article: "We're going to give Saturn much more of an import-intender look, a European flair if you will. That's Saturn's niche."

I'm aware that the Lightning(?) was developed as one of the four kappa concepts and that due to pedestrian impact laws, kappa might not become a reality across the pond. As a result, Saturn may get a reworked version of the Vauxhall (or kappa).