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Overhaulin' the 2009 Saturn Ion

Overhaulin' the 2009 Saturn Ion

Posted Dec 15th 2005 4:00PM

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The Saturn Ion is due for an overhaul. Created as GM's answer to the import compact, its build and quality problems have plagued it, and its design hasn't delivered the import-lovers. In 2008, scheduled to hit dealerships perhaps in 2009, GM wants to change all of that with the new Ion — or Evoke, as GM says might be the vehicle's new name. GM will phase the current Ion (pictured) out at the end of 2006, leaving a good chunk of time for the brand to go without a compact sedan.

Based on the Chevy Cobalt, GM says that its new styling direction will take cues from the Opel Vectra to better attract the elusive import crowd. Moving the car's production away from Spring Hill means that the vehicle will probably replace its plastic panels with steel sheetmetal, to boot.

Category: Budget, Sedan

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Derek

I think the New Saturn convertible and sedan are awesome looking. I think most people don't have a clue about cars or brands or even know that Saturn is a GM. If they see new really nice looking cars they'll sell well. I was interested in the Pontiac Solstice but since seeing the Saturn's version, It made me want to wait for it instead. I went to an automotive survey thing where they ask you to evaluate different cars from different angles and sit in them etc. There was a concept car there they were rating against the jetta, civic, mazda3, and corolla that I could have SWORN was going to be a saturn. It looked very nissan/infiniti like but I was almost sure it was a Chevy Cobalt Underneath which would make sense to use as the next Ion. The styling was nothing like anything i've seen before tho. It's been probably 8 months since then and i haven't seen it as a concept car so i'm still not sure what it was. After hearing this news maybe it's either a super secret saturn, or maybe a new nissan? What do you guys think it could have been? It was 4 doors, obivously a sports compact and the closest thing it looked like was the new saturn sedan??

December 16 2005 at 8:12 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Mr. E

But Neal, you take the pains to think it all out because you're a GM supporter. Consumers, however, don't carefully consider GM brands in relation to each other, they don't think of moving from "GM Select" to GM's "Bookend." They simply don't have to. There are too many choices available to them, too many cars that they want which, unfortunately for GM, aren't found in a GM dealership. "For instance, all Saturns have the chromework of the Opels with large grills, and in the back have clear taillamps that light up with red LEDs. Think of the Saturn Sky with some agressive LED lights on the back, and all of the Saturn cars having them. It would instantly set them apart....and not cost GM very much at all." So a different grille and tailight arrangement sets a car apart? I think we've seen more than enough of these tricks from GM already. GM has too many brands, too many products, and too little differentiation among them. That you wrote a lengthy explanation so we can understand it all only proves the point. I want GM to succeed. But we don't do them any favors by apologizing for its mistakes.

December 16 2005 at 2:57 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Neal

General Motors doesn't have too many brands. Don't even try to say that...it is an excuse to not give good advice. Their brands are needing repositioning, that is true. It should be: Chevrolet / Cadillac dealerships together or separate, but never ever with any of the other brands. The "bookend" brands. Cadillac is doing fine. Chevrolet needs a better Malibu with a hybrid option, as well as an Equinox hybrid. Pontiac-GMC-Buick ("GM Select") Pontiac as a poor man's BMW...and for real. There is no need to have a Pontiac Grand Prix anymore if you just make the Buick Lucerne have an actual sporty edition that people can believe is sporty. Pontiac should only make small and midsize cars. It would be completely fine if they only had three cars. The Torrent, the G6, and a new G4...That's how it should be. Then Buick should have two models, and MAYBE the GM Select brand's van. GMC will offer all of the sport utilities except the Torrent, as it is an SUV more for car people... It is important that they come up with some name for the 3 brand GM houses. I say name is something like "GM Select dealership" instead of "Buick Pontiac GMC dealer"...that alone would help tremendously in peoples' minds understand that these brands are a step up from Chevrolet. Also, it wouldn't seem as much like extreme badge engineering, as well as get people to come into the dealership looking at Pontiacs, GMCs, or Buicks without having them set on just one of the brands... Saturn A step up from the "GM Select" lineup. Small car, midsize car with wagon available, and two crossovers; medium and large. These cars should have bigger rims than the other cars, all have OnStar (they already do), all have navigation, all have all airbags standard, and other Saturn futuristic specialties. For instance; make all new Saturns have similar styling cues that none of the other brands have. For instance, all Saturns have the chromework of the Opels with large grills, and in the back have clear taillamps that light up with red LEDs. Think of the Saturn Sky with some agressive LED lights on the back, and all of the Saturn cars having them. It would instantly set them apart....and not cost GM very much at all. Saturns need to be nice cars..otherwise they shouldn't exist. They don't have a brand image, so becoming the nice GM brand that isn't quite luxury yet isn't that unbelievable. There isn't very much overlap. It would work...but only if they will bring good products with good prices where they won't have to sell the car based on the price, but the car itself.

December 16 2005 at 5:56 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Dave

If I remember correctly (and I don't speak unless I do....), when the Ion was first released 3 years ago it was savaged by all the auto mags/sites that have proven over time to provide the most relistic reviews (Car&Driver, Edmunds, James Healey), not just 'gloss' pieces (Motor Trend, sometimes Automobile). C&D especially rebuked it, brutally. I almost felt sorry for GM until I remembered all the half-baked crap they've released on the American public over the years, and despite the 25 years they've had to find their game, still crap out cars like the Ion and Cobalt. Sorry, but both cars scream "discount" just during a test drive. In 1981 I bought my first Japanese car because what the domestics offered at that time at my price point was abysmal. I remember being irritated that I was paying a price premium because of the 'import quotas' being forced on Toyota and Honda (if I'm not mistaken...1.5 million max a year??) because the domestics needed breathing room to catch up. They never have. This is sad, because they have some of the most dedicated employees in the business. #15 is bragging on his Saturn hitting 130k. You gotta be kidding. I don't even notice until my Japanese brand vehicles hit 200k - and I've had 4 of them, some even made in America (not Canada, not Mexico). Saturn's reason to live (a different kind of company) has passed them by - and just as they're getting their styling chi together - the Sky and Aura are downright beautiful. Pity. If they can't kill brands, then GM needs to downsize and combine all of them except Chevy. 2 or 3 models each, keep the same brands/names/ You can either go to Chevy, or your friendly Buick/Caddy/Pontiac/Saturn/GMC dealer. The only domestic I would consider right now is the Ford Freestyle. Hopefully, in 4 years when I'm ready to retire my Isuzu at 250k I'll feel the same way.

December 16 2005 at 4:02 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

jason in boston

Sorry, just wanted to say that the reliability ratings I quoted were found on: http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/Reliability.aspx?year=1997&make=Saturn&model=SL&trimid=-1&src=VIP&tab=6&sub=-1 and are gathered thusly from AIS: http://autos.msn.com/advice/articles/aisfaq.aspx?th=1&src=vip I find CR to have the most unbelievable and biased reliability ratings. They show all red dots (excellent) for Buicks, they rate as average. The same number of red dots for Honda they rate as excellent. Take a close look and explain this?

December 15 2005 at 11:41 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

jason in boston

"Plagued by "build and quality" problems" => have to agree with Samuel on this one. You're off base and out at 2nd. I think a 5-star reliability for 96, 97, 01, 02, 03, 04 are pretty darn good! Hey, that equals the Honda Civic, guys. And the 4 star years, 98, 99, 00 were from one cause, "Occasional engine problems with the 1.9L single OHC head gasket", still not a reason to dismiss an otherwise entirely reliable, strong performing economy vehicle. I know you guys want a reaction out of your japanese-loyal readers, but don't you guys get tired falsely bashing GM? Saturn owners love these cars, it rivals the VW Jetta loyalists and there's got to be a reason. Oh, it's that great handling suspension, clean interior, smart lines, no dent/rust polymer exterior, and simple pricing that makes it a winner with a huge following.

December 15 2005 at 11:25 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

JBains

To # 15: The only obnoxious post/comment on this subject is yours.

December 15 2005 at 8:32 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Glenn

In response to post #8: What an obnoxious post/comment. Perhaps Erin should just get pregnant, take off her shoes, and hurry back into the kitchen? Good grief.

December 15 2005 at 8:04 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

the dude

Blah all you want, but my previous car was a 93 Saturn SL. It had 130k miles on it by the time I gave her up and was STILL running like a champ.

December 15 2005 at 7:38 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Tom

Repeat after me...GM is the largest car company in the world. They supposedly have access to the best of everything--materials, designers and engineers. How could they even consider releasing a car like the Ion?? I don't get it. And isn't it a total embarassment to offer a smooth and refined Honda V6 in the VUE??

December 15 2005 at 5:40 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply