Guion, the Saab 9-3 is an Epsilon (Malibu/G6) car, not a Delta (Cobalt/Ion) car.

 

Correct. My goof.

 

I just dont get it. When we bought the Ion Redline, we haggled. They knocked $1,000 of the price Its not like a comprably equiped Ion is priced cheaper than a cobalt to represent a "fairer price"

 

That's true and there's value in that. But there's also value in the 10-20 Billion dollars that GM has sunk into Saturn.

Imagine what you could have done with <insert one> [Buick, Olds, Pontiac, Daewoo, Isuzu, Opel]....and 20 billion in mad money.

 

I love the new Saturn Products that will be here soon. Be that as it may, I would buy them whether they were a Saturn, Buick, Pontiac, or whatever else. And I know some people are really connected with their Saturns, but really, how many people would be up in arms to see it disappear? I think its great a car like the Aura is going to be here, and I hope to see it do well against its competitors... But maybe it would be better served to be a Buick.

 

Buick already has a quality image. Cobalt already seems to be well on it's way to pulling import buyers, if it already isn't.

Just like you say, there's value in this, and I can understand what GM is aiming for. But this is like spending money buying an old house down the street, when the more valuable one you already live in needs alot of work. It makes sense only to the person doing it, but everyone else is thinking...

 

Well...I think besides the great dealers....Saturn has a customer base that would not consider buying any other GM car. Judging by the survey's these buyers loved their entry level SL's and whatever other little crapboxes Saturn had made...but then when they went to move up to a newer, better car...they were leaving Saturn because they had nothing above entry level to offer. This I think is why GM feels there is an opportunity with Saturn.

 

Not really. If GM's brands are houses, then GM already owned the Saturn house. If you already owned that old house down the street, and it needed more work, wouldn't you start there?

Extending the metaphor: If you were to shut down one of GM's brands, it would be like tearing down a house that is still livable. Why would you do that if you can still rent it out (sell cars)? Particularly if it is in a great location (good customer satisfaction)?

GM is making money with Chevrolet. GM is not making money with Saturn. Customer satisfaction and loyalty is higher at the Saturn dealer. Why not invest in the Saturn brand so that it will make money, just like Chevy?

Maybe a better metaphor is a hotel. Chevrolet is a large, established hotel that could use some remodeling, but is well maintained, and in a decent neighborhood. Saturn is a smaller hotel, but is in a great, growing location. However, it is run down and in desparte need of remodeling. Which would you attack first?

Randy

 

Just like Chrysler, Chevy too, shall it's renissance. Goes for all of GM actually. Just takes time.

 

That is the real question. If GM hadn't thrown $20 Billion at Saturn and had taken it and divided it between Buick and Pontiac where would those brands have been at. Lets not forget that Buicks were selling at a much higher volume level just a few years ago and they only had 2 car platforms, 2 per platform, and a truck!

What could Buick do with $10 Billion?

Fullsize RWD Sigma out a year+ ago instead of Lucerne
Velite on VE
Enclave out a year or so sooner

What could Pontiac have done with $10 Billion?

VE in the states business case DONE
Fullsize sedan and coupe (GTO)
AWD G6 with DOHC 2.8T and 6 speed auto

And those are just things that would be pretty much given and I doubt the money would all be used up.

 

I love my THREE Saturns.

 

They should spend all their Saturn money on BPG. That or serious lobbying to get rid of the laws prohibiting them from dictating prices to dealers

 

Only thing is Chevrolet isn't the problem. It's Pontiac and Buick. That's where the money really needs to go IMO.

Outside of Chevy's upcoming RWDs, the only thing Chevrolet needs is more dramatic styling on their bread and butter cars.

 

And asuming the Malibu didn't loose its styling that problem should be fixed.

 

btw, I was at the gym and saw the new Saturn commerical on tv... Although I'm kinda on the half on the fence about concept of the sketch on the napkin that floats away and turns into the sky.. Not quite sure what the message that portrays..


Anyways, I do like that brief shot at the end, with the Sky, what I'm assuming is the new Aura, and the little Saturn SUV completely decked out.. Woah!! Those three vehicles really do stand out!! Makes me want to swing by a Saturn dealership to check them out.. because IMO, they look radically different and more, ah intense, then what I normally think about Saturn (their boring 90's lineup).. Nice job.. After seeing that, I can understand why Chevy and Buick are whining now.. Cause those Saturns really look exciting, new, and more upscale!

Unless I was completley delirious from running on that treadmill..