[PontiacJ8]

MILFORD, Michigan (AP) -- General Motors Corp.'s Saturn brand plans to double the size of its portfolio by the end of 2006, adding a sporty roadster, mid-size car and larger sport utility vehicle.

GM and Saturn executives discussed some details of the enhanced portfolio Monday at GM's proving grounds northwest of Detroit, where automotive journalists drove two high-performance versions of Saturn's Vue and Ion models.

Saturn's current lineup consists of three models: the Vue SUV, the Ion compact sedan and coupe and the L-300 mid-size car, which Saturn has decided to discontinue.

Later this year Saturn will introduce the Relay minivan, followed in 2006 by the two-seat roadster, the new mid-size car and the larger SUV, which company officials call the Vue's "Big Brother."

"We're going to be more effective against the import makes like Honda, Toyota and Volkswagen," said John Smith, GM's group vice president for sales, service and marketing in North America.

Full Story HERE

 

[nsap]

hasn't this been posted before?

Oh well, I hope they duble the line up! :lol:

 

[Rex Raider]

Saturn doesn't need a larger SUV. 1 entry level model is enough.
What's it going to be? The 22nd version of the Trailblazer?

 

[Smilingoat]

Originally posted by Rex Raider@Apr 20 2004, 12:06 AM
Saturn doesn't need a larger SUV. 1 entry level model is enough.
What's it going to be? The 22nd version of the Trailblazer?

i agree at most they can just stretch the vue if they really want a bigger suv. if thats possible anyway.

 

[spdwayGm]

and then they can change the name Saturn to OLDSMOBILE. Dude, where's my brand distinction? :drevil:

 

[laserwizard]

Oh, boy! Men protect your women and children.

SATURN IS GOING TO DOUBLE ITS LINEUP.

It isn't bad enough that we've had singular mediocrity with an Ion that has less room in it than the average cat litter box.

It isn't bad enough that we were treated to an LS that was mated with a Ford Mondeo and is being discontinued.

Oh, the excitement.

We had a Vue without a Room.

We are going to have an Ion Redline. Hold your pearls, Mrs. Bush. She's going to blow.

We are going to get another iteration of the tried and failed GM minivan that will now be a Sport Something but not a minivan. Oh, Lordy, I'm captivated with anticipation.

In the decade plus that Saturn has graced the land we've had the innovation of the third door and now a central instrument cluster. Still occupying our favorite Saturn memories are the sounds of buzz and wheeze. And while we can call ourselves family by going back to the Saturn plant for a barbeque and picnic, our cars are now going to be made by the same union members who once had their hands making Vegas and Citations.

Perhaps Saturn could get William Hung from American Idol to be their spokesperson. She bang.

 

[ab348]

So, GM will pour more billions of dollars down the Saturn drain without ever seeing a dollar of profit nor a product that is innovative nor truly captivating to consumers.

Meanwhile the Alero factory in Lansing is still churning out that model even with a knife stuck between Olds' shoulder blades, because people are still actually buying those cars, unlike Saturns.

What's wrong with this picture?

 

[paul8488]

Originally posted by laserwizard@Apr 20 2004, 01:05 AM
It isn't bad enough that we've had singular mediocrity with an Ion that has less room in it than the average cat litter box.

It isn't bad enough that we were treated to an LS that was mated with a Ford Mondeo and is being discontinued.

We had a Vue without a Room.

We are going to have an Ion Redline. Hold your pearls, Mrs. Bush. She's going to blow.

We are going to get another iteration of the tried and failed GM minivan that will now be a Sport Something but not a minivan. Oh, Lordy, I'm captivated with anticipation.

what's the problem with the ions size? not big enough? buy a bigger car! it's comparable (size-wise) to similarly priced cars in its market segment. i never understand the size argument. a car has to be a specific size. if it doesn't suit you don't buy it. i could argue that the camry is too big... corolla is to small... matrix is to tall... echo is too short...

LS... well can't say much there. it's a rather laucklustre car, and they were right to initiate discontinuing it.

not sure what your problem with the vue is. it's been a pretty well recieved vehicle by all accounts. sales haven't been great, but the vehicle is decent.

and you laugh off the redline models? 250hp vue? 205hp ion? these are the most substantial vehicles from saturn ever. if they don't get a little credit here, they never will.

tried and failed minivan? why failed? no, it never was the sales leader, but it has a solid reputation and is safe and economical. they overdid it with 4 versions of the new CSV versions, but if the vehicle fails it's because it's mis-marketed, not an inherently bad vehicle.

i see limited use for saturn these days, especially as they become typical GM vehicles and lose the plastic panels, but i don't know that i see your reasons as the real problem.

 

[monkeylizard]

Originally posted by paul8488+Apr 20 2004, 12:42 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (paul8488 @ Apr 20 2004, 12:42 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-laserwizard@Apr 20 2004, 01:05 AM
It isn't bad enough that we've had singular mediocrity with an Ion that has less room in it than the average cat litter box.

It isn't bad enough that we were treated to an LS that was mated with a Ford Mondeo and is being discontinued.

We had a Vue without a Room.

We are going to have an Ion Redline.  Hold your pearls, Mrs. Bush.  She's going to blow.

We are going to get another iteration of the tried and failed GM minivan that will now be a Sport Something but not a minivan.  Oh, Lordy, I'm captivated with anticipation.

what's the problem with the ions size? not big enough? buy a bigger car! it's comparable (size-wise) to similarly priced cars in its market segment. i never understand the size argument. a car has to be a specific size. if it doesn't suit you don't buy it. i could argue that the camry is too big... corolla is to small... matrix is to tall... echo is too short...

LS... well can't say much there. it's a rather laucklustre car, and they were right to initiate discontinuing it.

not sure what your problem with the vue is. it's been a pretty well recieved vehicle by all accounts. sales haven't been great, but the vehicle is decent.

and you laugh off the redline models? 250hp vue? 205hp ion? these are the most substantial vehicles from saturn ever. if they don't get a little credit here, they never will.

tried and failed minivan? why failed? no, it never was the sales leader, but it has a solid reputation and is safe and economical. they overdid it with 4 versions of the new CSV versions, but if the vehicle fails it's because it's mis-marketed, not an inherently bad vehicle.

i see limited use for saturn these days, especially as they become typical GM vehicles and lose the plastic panels, but i don't know that i see your reasons as the real problem. [/b][/quote]
Great points. The only value I see in Saturn is its dealership reputation and often customers that show up in a Saturn dealership would not have walked into any other GM branded dealership. Now if GM could just put could products there for them to find, they might actually have a shot at pulling a few sales from the Japanese.

 

[usa1]

Originally posted by paul8488@Apr 20 2004, 07:42 AM
they overdid it with 4 versions of the new CSV versions, but if the vehicle fails it's because it's mis-marketed, not an inherently bad vehicle.

I disagree. The "new" minivans ARE inherently bad vehicles. The are nothing but a new interior and nose job on the old and poorly rated minivans.

1. They look ugly. (Subjective yes, but if you think they look good, please get new glasses.)
2. They are missing a gear on their automatic tranny compared to the leaders. (Not sales, but who gets the best ratings every time.)
3. They are missing about 30 HP compared to the leaders.

The old minivans got a middling rating when they were new in 1999. What makes anyone think these ugly beast will do better today when the marketplace has move upward?

These new minivans are my biggest pet peev with GM.

Mark

 

[Ohmywrd]

The new GM vans need to be complely redesigned. The extended noses on the new ones look ugly. At least the interiors are better than the previous generation. :blink:

 

[atomicshark]

I guess GM figures if Saturn has 7 models and each sells at least 50,000 a year, Saturn would have at least 350,000 units sold every year guaranteed. Therefore 10,000 Curves and 100,000 Ions sold combined would not look bad at all when added up with 5 other models.

 

[mgescuro]

Originally posted by Ohmywrd@Jul 23 2004, 04:46 PM
The new GM vans need to be complely redesigned. The extended noses on the new ones look ugly. At least the interiors are better than the previous generation. :blink:

The silly vans are "palceholders" for the new global platform being developed. Lambda, I think.

So many new global platforms, I can't keep thme straight.

 

[thatoneguy]

well i can see them wanting another SUV..
i doubt another Trailblazer knockoff.. probably Lamda
along with a chevy and a buick

 

[Titanic]

So, Saturn, Pontiac, Chevrolet, and Buick are all trying to compete with Honda and Toyota. Why does it take so many GM brands to fight just two competitors? Can't one do it right if it had concentrated resources?

Saturn doesn't need more models. It needs a few good cars. All of them should be redlines, that could be its brand image. Bang for the buck. Let Pontiac have the upmarket sporty image (the American BMW they've been talking about) and let Chevrolet be the basic people mover.