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  • GM To Kill Saturn As Penske Breaks Off Purchase

    GM To Kill Saturn As Penske Breaks Off Purchase September 30th, 2009 By Nelson Ireson's avatar Nelson Ireson, Author, September 30th, 2009 Nelson Ireson 5 Comments

    GM To Kill Saturn As Penske Breaks Off Purchase

    The decision has come down swift and hard, but without a buyer, Saturn will go the way of Pontiac and Oldsmobile before it, according to General Motors CEO Fritz Henderson. The news comes as Penske Automotive Group (PAG) has broken off talks to buy Saturn.

    "This is very disappointing news and comes after months of hard work by hundreds of dedicated employees and Saturn retailers who tried to make the new Saturn a reality," said Henderson. "PAG’s announcement explained that their decision was not based on interactions with GM or Saturn retailers; rather it was because of the inability to source new products beyond what it had asked GM to...

    The decision has come down swift and hard, but without a buyer, Saturn will go the way of Pontiac and Oldsmobile before it, according to General Motors CEO Fritz Henderson. The news comes as Penske Automotive Group (PAG) has broken off talks to buy Saturn. "This is very disappointing news and comes after months of hard work by hundreds of dedicated employees and Saturn retailers who tried to make the new Saturn a reality," said Henderson. "PAG’s announcement explained that their decision was not based on interactions with GM or Saturn retailers; rather it was because of the inability to source new products beyond what it had asked GM to build on contract." That means Saturn is now going to begin the wind-down process of its brand and dealer network: the beginning of the end for the Saturn brand. GM says Saturn vehicles will still be sold through Saturn dealerships through the winding down process, and Saturn vehicles will still be serviced by other GM dealerships even after the brand is gone. Both GM and Penske had hoped to move the Saturn brand forward through parts sourced intitally from GM, and later through a third-party contract with another manufacturer. That contract was rejected by the unnamed manufacturer's board of directors, however, leaving Penske without a parts supply for the period after the GM supply was due to end. Read More

  • Report: Buick Cancels Vue-Based Plug-in Hybrid Crossover

    Report: Buick Cancels Vue-Based Plug-in Hybrid Crossover August 19th, 2009 By Nelson Ireson's avatar Nelson Ireson, Author, August 19th, 2009 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 6 Comments

    Report: Buick Cancels Vue-Based Plug-in Hybrid Crossover

    When General Motors sells Saturn later this year it will lose more than a quarter of its sales of hybrid vehicles. Saturn, with no V8 models, full-size SUVs or pickups, is GM’s most fuel-efficient brand and is second only to Chevrolet for overall hybrid sales with its Vue and Aura mild-hybrid models. One of those models, the Vue crossover, was destined to spawn an advanced plug-in hybrid variant, and at a recent GM event, it had been teased for sale under the Buick brand. News breaking today reveals that the vehicle is already canceled due to negative public, media and dealer feedback.

    The yet-unnamed Buick plug-in hybrid crossover was...

    When General Motors sells Saturn later this year it will lose more than a quarter of its sales of hybrid vehicles. Saturn, with no V8 models, full-size SUVs or pickups, is GM’s most fuel-efficient brand and is second only to Chevrolet for overall hybrid sales with its Vue and Aura mild-hybrid models. One of those models, the Vue crossover, was destined to spawn an advanced plug-in hybrid variant, and at a recent GM event, it had been teased for sale under the Buick brand. News breaking today reveals that the vehicle is already canceled due to negative public, media and dealer feedback. The yet-unnamed Buick plug-in hybrid crossover was essentially nothing more than a Saturn Vue plug-in with a  Buick-style waterfall grille, and that rubbed consumers, dealers and many in the media the wrong way - especially after Fritz Henderson's pledge to avoid all badge engineering. The bottom line at Buick, according to GM Vice Chairmain Tom Stephens, is that the re-branded Vue just didn't mesh with the Buick image. "Last Friday, reaction to the Buick crossover was discussed at the meeting of our Executive Committee, the newly formed group that steers product decisions, and it was decided that if it didn’t belong, it didn’t belong. Buick crossover canceled," wrote Stephens on GM's Fastlane Blog. "And we decided that the important plug-in hybrid technology would be applied to another vehicle, at no delay, that we’ll discuss in the very near future." The idea for a plug-in Buick hybrid isn't dead, however. Instead, the powertrain will be tucked into a new Buick body. That means that most of the key facts and figures on the proposed 'Vuick' hybrid will still hold. The replacement will still be set to arrive in 2011, and will meet the other design criteria, such as being able to seat five adults. It is also still expected to be the first commercially available plug-in hybrid crossover produced by a major automaker. According to GM, the plug-in technology underpinning the Vue and the forthcoming Buick model has the potential to achieve double the fuel economy of comparably-sized SUVs and crossovers on short trips. This is because of the significant boost in economy achieved by combining a modified version of the automaker's 2-Mode Hybrid system with lithium-ion battery cells and charging technology developed for the Voltec system, which will debut in the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid late next year. In fact, the Buick plug-in hybrid will use the same manganese-spinel based chemistry and polymer battery cells as the Volt. The 8 kWh battery - containing half the energy of the Volt battery pack - will be packaged in a rectangular-shaped box under the cargo floor. The lithium-ion battery can be fully recharged in four to five hours by simply connecting the vehicle to any standard 110V household electrical outlet. In early testing, the plug-in hybrid is capable of electric-only propulsion for more than 10 miles at low speeds. On the road, GM's 2-Mode plug-in hybrid system can use any combination of electric or gasoline engine power to move the vehicle, depending on the driving conditions. Importantly, this differs from GM's Voltec technology, which provides the Volt with up to 40 miles of emissions and gasoline-free electric-only propulsion, and an overall range of more than 300 miles when using its internal combustion engine. In addition to the lithium-ion battery pack, the Buick plug-in hybrid's powertrain features two powerful electric motors, sophisticated electronic controls and battery management systems and an efficient direct-injected 3.6-liter V-6 flex-fuel capable engine. [GM Fastlane Blog] 2011 Buick plug-in hybrid crossover Read More

  • Renault confirms Penske seeking cars for Saturn brand

    Renault confirms Penske seeking cars for Saturn brand July 31st, 2009 ByKenneth Hall Kenneth Hall, Author, July 31st, 2009 Kenneth Hall 10 Comments

    Renault confirms Penske seeking cars for Saturn brand Speculation on Renault's interest in Saturn has been circulating since GM's bankruptcy filing began looking like a certainty, but it was Roger Penske's Penske Automotive Group that won the bid to buy the carmaker. Now, however, Renault may yet get a chance at some involvement, with confirmation from the French carmaker today that Penske is working on a deal to supply Renault cars to Saturn for the U.S.

    The parts and car-sharing arrangement would not be a Renault-Nissan deal, however, reports Automotive News. Instead, it would strictly be the Renault side of the alliance working with Saturn. That opens the door to completely new and unique... Speculation on Renault's interest in Saturn has been circulating since GM's bankruptcy filing began looking like a certainty, but it was Roger Penske's Penske Automotive Group that won the bid to buy the carmaker. Now, however, Renault may yet get a chance at some involvement, with confirmation from the French carmaker today that Penske is working on a deal to supply Renault cars to Saturn for the U.S. The parts and car-sharing arrangement would not be a Renault-Nissan deal, however, reports Automotive News. Instead, it would strictly be the Renault side of the alliance working with Saturn. That opens the door to completely new and unique product for Saturn as far as American buyers are concerned. It also side-steps the potentially deal-breaking brand competition between Nissan and Saturn that might otherwise result. There remains at least another month of work on Penske's deal to buy Saturn, however, and though Renault has confirmed it is in discussion with Penske, no details are being released. Other deals with as yet unnamed carmakers are also being pursued, according to Saturn spokesman Tony Pordon. Penske will definitely need to find some sort of manufacturing partner for Saturn, because the Penske Group's purchase of Saturn doesn't include any of the manufacturing facilities where the current cars are built. Earlier reports of the Renault-Saturn tie-up included hints at the import of Renault-Samsung vehicles from South Korea, rather than the French-made cars sold as Renaults in Europe. Whatever the source of the cars, however, it is clear that the Saturn brand will be making some major changes in order to stay in the game. Read More

  • Last Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky roll off the line

    Last Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky roll off the line July 29th, 2009 ByRalph Hanson Ralph Hanson, Author, July 29th, 2009 Ralph Hanson 5 Comments

    Last Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky roll off the line General Motors’ announcement back in April that the Pontiac brand would be phased out by the end of the year and Saturn sold off, many of the automaker’s top models were immediately given a death sentence. Some of the cars that will be missed the most include hot items like the Saturn Sky, Pontiac G8 and of course, the Solstice Coupe and Roadster.

    One of the first of many reports to come, Delaware’s The News Journal reports that production at GM’s 62-year old Boxwood Road assembly plant ceased on Tuesday. The facility will close or idle 14 plants in the next three years, and claim tens of thousands of jobs.

    ... General Motors’ announcement back in April that the Pontiac brand would be phased out by the end of the year and Saturn sold off, many of the automaker’s top models were immediately given a death sentence. Some of the cars that will be missed the most include hot items like the Saturn Sky, Pontiac G8 and of course, the Solstice Coupe and Roadster. One of the first of many reports to come, Delaware’s The News Journal reports that production at GM’s 62-year old Boxwood Road assembly plant ceased on Tuesday. The facility will close or idle 14 plants in the next three years, and claim tens of thousands of jobs. Workers at the Boxwood Road built the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky models. Sadly, the workers only found out the plant would be closed at the start of June, when GM filed for bankruptcy. “It was so quick, you know?” plant veteran James Graves told reporters. “That’s what hurt everybody.” GM spokesman John Raut confirmed that the last model, a silver Solstice, rolled off the line Tuesday morning. The Pontiac Solstice (and its Saturn Sky sibling) caused quite a stir when it was launched in 2005, even winning the North American Car of the Year award back at the Detroit Auto Show in 2006. One of the car’s flaws was its expensive Kappa platform, which meant GM made very little money from each model sold. There were plans to launch a second-generation version on a cheaper ‘Kappa II’ platform but with the demise of Pontiac and Saturn those plans have been shelved.2009 Pontiac Solstice Coupe Read More

  • First details on Opel's new Astra sports hatch

    First details on Opel's new Astra sports hatch July 8th, 2009 ByKenneth Hall Kenneth Hall, Author, July 8th, 2009 Kenneth Hall 0 Comments

    First details on Opel's new Astra sports hatch With Opel’s new Astra now out in the open, attention can turn to variants other than the regular five-door Hatchback that’s been plastered all over the web in recent months. While a new Wagon and stylish Cabrio have already been speculated on, new reports indicate the sporty three-door hatch will also make a return but time around it will be much more agressively styled than the regular five-door.

    Speaking with Autocar at the launch of the new Insigna OPC, the Astra's chief designer, Malcolm Ward, revealed that the sports hatch would feature a far more rakish and lower profile than the current model and would arrive on the... With Opel’s new Astra now out in the open, attention can turn to variants other than the regular five-door Hatchback that’s been plastered all over the web in recent months. While a new Wagon and stylish Cabrio have already been speculated on, new reports indicate the sporty three-door hatch will also make a return but time around it will be much more agressively styled than the regular five-door. Speaking with Autocar at the launch of the new Insigna OPC, the Astra's chief designer, Malcolm Ward, revealed that the sports hatch would feature a far more rakish and lower profile than the current model and would arrive on the market in 2011. The car will also spawn a high-performance OPC (VXR) variant, though details on this model are yet to be confirmed. OPC, which stands for ‘Opel Performance Center,’ is the name given to models developed by Opel’s official in-house tuner and typically feature minor engine and handling mods as well as styling and performance upgrades such as bigger wheels and sporty bodykits. Opel's designers will be building upon more than 600 hours of wind tunnel testing that went into the regular five-door model to ensure the new sports hatch is much more aerodynamic. Opel is taking the economy gains that can be had from better aerodynamics very seriously and utilized a number of new design touches to improve efficiency. The front bumper, for example, will be angled to direct air past the wheel and on to the side of the car. There will also be sculpted areas around the rear lights to reduce the pool of air that gathers behind hatchbacks, cutting drag. The new Astra is crucial for Opel as it will need to recover market share lost by the current model to Ford’s strong-selling Focus hatch as well as fend off the Fiesta compact, and with a number of new and exciting variants in the works it may just accomplish this goal.2010 Opel Astra Read More

  • GM plug-in hybrid crossover on track for 2011 debut

    GM plug-in hybrid crossover on track for 2011 debut July 8th, 2009 ByRalph Hanson Ralph Hanson, Author, July 8th, 2009 Ralph Hanson 1 Comment

    GM plug-in hybrid crossover on track for 2011 debut When General Motors sells Saturn later this year, it will lose more than a quarter of its sales of hybrid vehicles. Saturn, with no V8 models, fullsize SUVs or pickups, is GM’s most fuel-efficient brand and is second only to Chevrolet for overall hybrid sales with its Vue and Aura mild-hybrid models. Saturn also planned to launch a new Two-Mode hybrid version of the Vue by the middle of the year, as well as an advanced plug-in hybrid version next year.

    While reports emerged earlier this year claiming all these vehicles had been canceled, GM’s vice chairman of global product development, Tom Stephens, revealed that the roll-out... When General Motors sells Saturn later this year, it will lose more than a quarter of its sales of hybrid vehicles. Saturn, with no V8 models, fullsize SUVs or pickups, is GM’s most fuel-efficient brand and is second only to Chevrolet for overall hybrid sales with its Vue and Aura mild-hybrid models. Saturn also planned to launch a new Two-Mode hybrid version of the Vue by the middle of the year, as well as an advanced plug-in hybrid version next year. While reports emerged earlier this year claiming all these vehicles had been canceled, GM’s vice chairman of global product development, Tom Stephens, revealed that the roll-out of the new hybrid technology will not be delayed by the sale of Saturn. Stephens has now revealed to Reuters that the plug-in hybrid drivetrain destined for the Vue crossover will still be delivered to fleets in another model by early 2011 and could also be offered to consumers depending on how high fuel prices escalate in coming years. The first versions are expected to be used by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Electric Power Research Institute. "The technology does not go away. We are going to plug it in," Stephens said. "We'll go to fleets first and see where it goes after that." It will appear in a vehicle from one of GM’s four core brands - Chevrolet, Cadillac, GMC or Buick. Likely candidates for the plug-in drivetrain would be the new versions of the Chevrolet Equinox or GMC Terrain, two compact SUVs that ride on a similar version of the Vue’s Theta platform. In the Vue, the drivetrain was expected to deliver about 35mpg. Read More

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