Wanna see the new 2008 Saturn Ion?

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060508/FREE/60508001/1041/TOC01ARCHIVE

http://www.technocars.com.lb/astragtc.asp

I nailed this one almost two years ago :D - http://web.camaross.com/forums/showthread.php?t=303415&highlight=astra

That is one large front window.

As much as I like the look of the new Astra, I still think it's sad that yet another domestic car is no longer designed and engineered in the US.

i think that would sell heaps better than the previous ion. i drove those things and they felt like they were going to fall apart in every which way.

That is something like what I think Pontiac should have replaced the Sunfire and Vibe with...

I'm sure it will be dulled up and Saturn will somehow be able to make it look ugly just like the "Aura"

BTW the turbo astras are pretty sweet.

The imports, starting at the end of next year, will sticker at about $16,000 - approximately $3,500 above that of the 2006 Saturn Ion 2 sedan, Ion's base model. Ion production is scheduled to end in December.

GM declined to comment. But sources within GM and its Opel subsidiary confirmed an outline of the plan.

Last year GM sold 100,891 Ions. That car follows the S series, which sold 200,000-plus units from 1993 through 1999, peaking at 286,003 in 1994.

The annual sales target for the Astra model will be considerably lower, ranging from 20,000 to 40,000 units.

isn't that kinda sorta going the wrong way?

If they could keep competitive prices, I think it's a great move. One thing I am convinced of, American manufacturers have no taste when it comes to mass-market sub-compact or compact cars. Ion, from day one, looked like it was designed and built in China. :confused:

At least they tried with Cobalt (which is not a bad looking coupe, but somewhat ugly sedan).

It also appears that this Astra will compete with Focus hatchback. And it would compete with Civic hatchback, if there was one.

Any word if it will be just hatchback, or if sedan/coupe is planned as well?

any word on the turbo model?

I just checked that car out on the Opel site and the interior is top-notch. I wonder if the Navi will make it? If they keep it on the south side of $20k I can see that 40k number being low.

Astra, Aura, Sky
VUE, Outlook

That's a much better lineup than
Ion, LS
VUE, Relay

I would be surprised if they keep the ion name since overall sales of the current ion have been sluggish.

smart move

Does anyone know if GM would make more profit per Astra sold than per Ion sold?

Wow...only 40k units? Why not just make an Astra 3,4 and 5dr here? Im sure the is come open capacity around. What about that new plant in Mexico?

I nailed this one almost two years ago :D - http://web.camaross.com/forums/showthread.php?t=303415&highlight=astra


Yup you were right on. :D

I think its pretty certain that the next-gen Astra will be the Saturn Ion's replacement in 2007 . Unlike the Saturn L300 which was a nice Opel sedan that was given generic Americanized styling, future Opel-based Satruns will keep their European styling.
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That is something like what I think Pontiac should have replaced the Sunfire and Vibe with...
sunfire sucks.

Vibe is cool -- it's just underpowered

Wow...only 40k units?

Remember HHR was only 60,000 units, but this year sommething like 130,000 will get sold.

I wouldn't mind seeing Astras driving around :) .

David

Yup you were right on. :D


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If I throw enough mud at the wall something will eventually stick- right?. :D

Very good move! I really like where Saturn is headed these days :thumb:

I can't imagine that front windshield making it to the US. Could you imagine the replacement cost if it got cracked somehow? Or the sunglare that you wouldn't have a visor to block?

It looks interesting enough, but I don't think I'd want it. (The windshield that is.)

If I throw enough mud at the wall something will eventually stick- right?. :D

Naw. I think you looked at what GM attempted to do with the L, and drew a logical dead on conclusion. :D

That massive windshield was a concept car done last year or so ago. They had interior shots of it, and I thought it was a cool idea. It makes you feel like you are outside. Yeah, it would be expensive to replace it, but the idea of it was awesome.

That is great news. I've always liked the Astras and wanted a version of them to come here. Now the new one looks pretty sweet. We may have another HHR incident with this car if they're only targeting 40k units.

Guess they werent kidding when they said they were gonna turn Saturn around completely in a new direction...

From 100K to 40K, doesn't seem good for Saturn's entry level car. Especially considering this car will be 10X more desirable than the current Ion.

I am really surprised that the Ion sold 100K a year, I really don't see a lot of them on the road.

This will leaves me with one burning question, what will happen to the Spring Hill plant in TN? The facility is not that old, and quite large. I'd love to see it converted to RWD production, and the 5th gen produced there along with the other RWD cars. That would be an awesome area, because a few miles north is the Corvette plant in Bowling Green.

Sweet! Just bring over the Astra HPC and I'm sold :thumb: