GM considers shedding SAAB, Saturn, Pontiac.....

[BrianWC]

In order to obtain the bailout.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=amIqBBYGRh5Q&refer=worldwide

They must have been reading our thread from a couple months back

What a shame. I'll be honest, I'd love to see SAAB go back to a European company like Daimler, Fiat, or VW. But I'm sure it'll probably go to Tata or some Chinese company. I can't believe they'd axe Pontiac. I'm not surprised they'd toss Saturn, as it just continues a trend of mismanaging that division. Geesh, if they'd just bring back the late 90's SL's and throw in an Ecotec... I think they'd mop up in the econocar department.

 

[ToyotaNSaturn]

Originally Posted By: BrianWC
Geesh, if they'd just bring back the late 90's SL's and throw in an Ecotec... I think they'd mop up in the econocar department.


Now now. You're applying common sense, that's not allowed with GM's decisions.


Originally Posted By: BrianWC
I'm not surprised they'd toss Saturn, as it just continues a trend of mismanaging that division.


Walk thru Saturn's welcome center and you'll see your quote in action. The chronological pictoral display on the wall tells the tale, all without a word. Sad.

 

[BrianWC]

It's crazy. My brother has always been a total Japanese car snob. Ever since his 86 Sentra. A 97 SL was the only American car he ever owned. What a disappointment the Ion was with that stupid center mount gauge cluster. Saturn was the one division that could have saved GM in times like this. Instead, lets bring on the Impalas, GMC, and Chevy trucks!

 

[Audi Junkie]

Those are the divisions they should save, not loose.

 

[moribundman]

Originally Posted By: Audi Junkie
Those are the divisions they should save, not loose.

You need to lose something.

 

[BrianWC]

o?

 

[Pablo]

Originally Posted By: Audi Junkie
Those are the divisions they should save, not loose.


GM. Sound decisions. It's a way of life.

 

[moribundman]

Maybe GM should start selling Opel, Vauxhaul, and Holden in the US.

 

[Diesel_Clatter]

Isn't the fabulous Saturn Astra an Opel?

 

[moribundman]

Originally Posted By: Diesel_Clatter
Isn't the fabulous Saturn Astra an Opel?


It's possible. I don't know if they share just the platform or more. Should say on wiki.

 

[Pablo]

Originally Posted By: moribundman
Maybe GM should start selling Opel, Vauxhaul, and Holden in the US.

That might actually make money. We wouldn't want that.

 

[moribundman]

Saab plans on merging with a Norwegian high tech defense (arms) manufacturer.

 

[JetStar]

Originally Posted By: Diesel_Clatter
Isn't the fabulous Saturn Astra an Opel?


Yes it is. It's also a Vauxhal (UK), a Holden (AU), and a Chevy south of the border. I think I got them all.
I have an XR 3door 5 Spd manual and really like it. If it had about 30 more ponies it would be darn near perfect.

 

[MarginCalled]

Originally Posted By: Audi Junkie
Those are the divisions they should save, not loose.
Pontiac should have been shed back with Oldsmobile.

 

[Johnny]

Why do they need two pick-up truck divisions. Dump GMC.

 

[TurboLuver]

I say dump Buick and GMC for starters....

 

[Shannow]

Where's all of our Pontiac/Holdens going to be sold then ?

 

[Hirev]

Originally Posted By: Diesel_Clatter
Isn't the fabulous Saturn Astra an Opel?
I don't know, but the Pontiac Astra was a Vega. Could not believe Saturn used that name for a car again.

 

[moribundman]

Originally Posted By: Hirev
Originally Posted By: Diesel_Clatter
Isn't the fabulous Saturn Astra an Opel?
I don't know, but the Pontiac Astra was a Vega. Could not believe Saturn used that name for a car again.


The mid/late '80s Pontiac LeMans was an Opel Kadett/Vauxhaull Astra clone. The similarities were limited to the body shape.

Opel Kadett, made in Germany (and in the UK as a Vauxhall Astra):

Pontiac LeMans, made for GM by Daewoo:

 

[kingrob]

Poor Saturn. The best idea that GM has had for the last twenty years, yet its been "managed" into the ground. ALL of the Saturns now are rebadged Opels: Vue= Antara, Opel Astra/Saturn Astra, Pontiac Solstice/Saturn Sky/Opel GT, Saturn Aura= Opel Vectra. Basically Saturn=Opel in the US, just as they were trying to make Pontiac the Holden line in the States.

Saab I can understand them cutting loose with. Pontiac? Ehh. Maybe they're trying to promote more unity in the ranks. If you look at Ford their three tiers always worked well- Ford, Mercury, and Lincoln. When they added the Edsel line as a marque between Mercury and Lincoln it was unnecessary.

Chrysler trimmed the fat originally with DeSoto just leaving Plymouth, Dodge and Chrysler- but when Plymouth and Dodge became interchangeable they dropped Plymouth.

I understand what GM is trying to do now but it's long overdue. The marques began losing their identity in the sixties, and by the eighties they were all the same except for some superficial styling differences.

It seems like they're trying to condense the GM family into Chevy= cheap, Buick= mid range, and Cadillac= top end. The three tier lineup is a good idea but I was under the impression the Saturns and Pontiacs were still selling. I don't care for the Saturns now at all so no love lost there, but I know a few Pontiac fans that will be quite upset. I know a lot of Buick fans that will be miffed as well, as Buick is one of those nameplates that never meant mid-grade; it was one notch below the Cadillac and that's where most people want it.