GM (so far) Scraps Plans for Ion Replacement, May Turn to Opel for New Model

  • Thread starter Thread starter YSSMAN
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Toronado
You can't deny though, that for the same money you can buy a better-in-every-way Cobalt, and it doesn't carry the same stigmas that Saturns typically have.
Anyways, on this news: I can't understand why GM just won't dump Saturn and replace it with Opel, including by badging. All they are are ugly versions of similar Chevys. Saturn has been from day one a terminable failure at conquering the Japanese imports, and I'm still of the opinion that it should have been axed in 2004 instead of Olds. The VUE had it's time, but it's only advantage over the Equinox was it's styling and Honda engine. Then GM made it ugly. The Ion represented a great leap forward in GM compacts until Chevy started selling a better version.
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Ions are actually cheaper then Cobalts. The Ion sedan is 1,000 dollars less then the Cobalt sedan.
 
Hmmm the Astra getting to be really common over here, the styling has lost it's appeal and has become boring.


Shame, really.
 
Catera? but isn't that mere Omega MV6 with cadillac badge on it? and I've driven MV6, and I know that with meager 211 bhp they're far away from "sporty"..
 
Leonidae
Catera? but isn't that mere Omega MV6 with cadillac badge on it? and I've driven MV6, and I know that with meager 211 bhp they're far away from "sporty"..
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Yup is was basically an Omega, and like I said if the car had been a Chevy or a Pontiac, there would have been no problem with it. And the Catera was mildly sporty considering the time and considering what Cadilliac was making at the time.
 
BlazinXtreme
Yup is was basically an Omega, and like I said if the car had been a Chevy or a Pontiac, there would have been no problem with it. And the Catera was mildly sporty considering the time and considering what Cadilliac was making at the time.
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I'd agree the Catera was marketed to the wrong people at the wrong time.

We still have an Omega-based car in the US...the GTO...and everyone seems to love it.
 
Toronado
Anyways, on this news: I can't understand why GM just won't dump Saturn and replace it with Opel
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It is an interesting idea, but Saturn has a far greater reputation in the US as a car brand than Opel does. Many average Americans are still left with the bitter taste of the Opel. The last Opel-badged car to hit US shores was the Kadett C which was sold through Buick dealers. Car and Driver still considers it one of the worst, if not the worst, car they have ever tested. It was so bad in fact they did the entire photo shoot inside a scrap yard, and it caused a big hubbub with GM.

You kinda have to keep in mind that Saturn is going to be the same company as Opel just a few years down the road. They will be similar to Vauxhall in the UK, Holden in Australia, and Chevrolet in Asia. All of them sell Opel products, they just arent Opels.
 
Are you talking about this Kadett C, YSSMAN? I dont know what year Opel was last sold in US :indiff:

118733522-opel-kadett-c-ii.jpg
 
Okay, now it looks as though the Astra will replace the Ion in 2008...

Leftlanenews.com
A report published today indicates General Motors will definitely replace the Saturn Ion with a rebadged Opel Astra, further aligning the two brands. Citing reliable supplier reports, Automotive News says the new car will sell for $16,000 and is expected to sell fewer units than the Ion. In mid-April, it was reported that GM had scrapped the vehicle that was intended to replace the Ion, despite positive reaction to it. Called the “Evoke,” the new car was expected for the 2007 model year, and had been previewed to some members of the press last year. In March, GM’s Bob Lutz said Saturn wished “they had an Opel Astra instead of a Saturn Ion.” GM has been actively aligning Saturn and Opel and equivalent brands on either side of the Atlantic. Recently, GM introduced the 2007 PreVue Concept — a rebadged Opel — and the Opel GT — a rebadged Saturn Sky.
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...Sweet, looks like GM has the VW Rabbit in it's sights for 2008...
 
The current Golf is alot better than the astra according to whatcar.com and its getting replaced soon so i doubt it will be priced to compete with it.
 
I'm not completely sure. The new Astra will probably come to the US after the redesign which I presume will happen for 2008, and for $16,000 sounds like a pretty good deal.

The VW Rabbit (Golf) once it comes to the US is supposed to start at $14,990 and have a sloo of awesome standard features like power windows and locks, A/C, CD/MP3 radio, etc. It sounds like a pretty good deal as well, so I'm excited either way as the hatchbacks are taking the US market by storm...
 

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