It's been in progress for a few years now, but GM finally has "taken over" Saturn.
GM badges to be placed on Saturn cars
Saturn had so much promise. They delivered in the early 90's on a promise to be an import-fighter. And they did it well. But the entire division lost it's focus in the mid to late 90's by not offering vehicles that the customer wanted (read: SUV).
From a different point of view...
It's sad to see so much balley-hoo about a GM nameplate going on a Saturn. If GM didn't cut so many corners, the car that was supposed to "save Saturn", the Ion, wouldn't be so lack luster. So now, instead of making a better product, they're putting the GM badge on it and saying:
"The name 'General Motors' speaks to people," he said. "It is a name people trust. We've been in business nearly 100 years and we're the global sales leader.
Wonderful. That's just Jim-dandy. The customer could care less about all that fluff. Just build a car that's on par with Toyota or Honda. I'd be OVERJOYED to buy one that offered that same build quality AND resale value. Instead, they're millions and millions in the hole every quarter. And scratching their heads why certain models (Ion) are "failures".
It's just typical board-room antics..."rename the product and they will come". How many times have we seen this before? The upper management at GM just doesn't get it. No wonder why so many people are turning to Toyota and Honda for their vehicles.
I give Ford credit...upper level management "gets it"! Look at the Ford 500 and the new vehicles they offer...none of them have the coolant-in-the-oil syndrome that plagued their 3.8L V6 for years---much like the 3.1/3.4L GM V6 design that still powers many of GM's vehicles. Ford switch many vehicles to the 24V 3.0L V6, a good work horse. Can't say the same about GM.
Is it just me or has GM completely lost it's focus other than pleasing shareholders on a quarterly basis? Selling better engineered cars will please those shareholders alot more in the long run as more people will be purchasing them. But it's the short term where they'll take the hit for R & D. But shareholders don't want to take a hit, even in the short term, do they? God forbid that, right?
No wonder Toyota and Honda are sucking GM's market share! They see GM as a large beast to feed upon! Why don't GM's exec's have the same blood-thirsty view of the Toyota and Honda market? Wouldn't that please the very same shareholders?
Saturn is dead. Long live Saturn.
GM badges to be placed on Saturn cars
Saturn had so much promise. They delivered in the early 90's on a promise to be an import-fighter. And they did it well. But the entire division lost it's focus in the mid to late 90's by not offering vehicles that the customer wanted (read: SUV).
From a different point of view...
It's sad to see so much balley-hoo about a GM nameplate going on a Saturn. If GM didn't cut so many corners, the car that was supposed to "save Saturn", the Ion, wouldn't be so lack luster. So now, instead of making a better product, they're putting the GM badge on it and saying:
"The name 'General Motors' speaks to people," he said. "It is a name people trust. We've been in business nearly 100 years and we're the global sales leader.
Wonderful. That's just Jim-dandy. The customer could care less about all that fluff. Just build a car that's on par with Toyota or Honda. I'd be OVERJOYED to buy one that offered that same build quality AND resale value. Instead, they're millions and millions in the hole every quarter. And scratching their heads why certain models (Ion) are "failures".
It's just typical board-room antics..."rename the product and they will come". How many times have we seen this before? The upper management at GM just doesn't get it. No wonder why so many people are turning to Toyota and Honda for their vehicles.
I give Ford credit...upper level management "gets it"! Look at the Ford 500 and the new vehicles they offer...none of them have the coolant-in-the-oil syndrome that plagued their 3.8L V6 for years---much like the 3.1/3.4L GM V6 design that still powers many of GM's vehicles. Ford switch many vehicles to the 24V 3.0L V6, a good work horse. Can't say the same about GM.
Is it just me or has GM completely lost it's focus other than pleasing shareholders on a quarterly basis? Selling better engineered cars will please those shareholders alot more in the long run as more people will be purchasing them. But it's the short term where they'll take the hit for R & D. But shareholders don't want to take a hit, even in the short term, do they? God forbid that, right?
No wonder Toyota and Honda are sucking GM's market share! They see GM as a large beast to feed upon! Why don't GM's exec's have the same blood-thirsty view of the Toyota and Honda market? Wouldn't that please the very same shareholders?
Saturn is dead. Long live Saturn.