Bloomberg's Greg Bensinger penned an article Friday that's getting some play on the web. In it, he spoke to Saturn's product development director, Lisa Hutchinson, who said that the Saturn division is indeed considering the addition of the Corsa subcompact to the lineup. Hutchinson doesn't attach a timeframe to anything, but states that the American consumer's concern over fuel economy is what's driving this. Later in the day, the Detroit News' Autos Insider column picked up on Bensinger's story. Speculation about a quality American-marque subcompact will do that when gas costs three bucks and change.
We want to see the Corsa here as badly as anyone else, but if you think back to October '06 during the Paris Motor Show, you'll remember that none other than Bob Lutz himself confirmed then that the Corsa will be sold as a Saturn. In fact, the exact words he used, according to Automotive News, were that the Corsa "will very definitely go to the United States." The thing is, the Corsa we'll get will be the next-generation model, not the one shown above. Last October, the timeframe surrounding this, as relayed by the Automotive News' David Sedgwick, was reportedly five years -- meaning 2011, probably as a 2012 model, if we had to guess. AN also reported that the US version of the car would likely be built in Mexico.
We're sure that Jill Lajdziak would like nothing more than to hop out of a Corsa on stage during one of next season's US auto shows and announce that it'll be on sale in the near future, but based on what Lutz already said -- and he of all people would know -- it's probably not happening anytime soon. Bummer.
[Source: Bloomberg News]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Kumar @ Jun 9th 2007 10:50AM
Let's hope it's not too little, too late. We could use that next year, and with a diesel engine in it.
GM has a good thing going bringing Opels over for Saturn, but delaying a few years would be stepping back into the old-school GM thought process.
Didn't US auto's dominance lose out to the imports happen in part due to the lack of flexibility and speed in bringing cars to the market that people want in a year or 2, versus what they wanted 7 years ago?
PiCASSO @ Jun 9th 2007 10:51AM
I am disappointed in GM's Product Planners where they didn't foresee the need to fill Saturn's line-up with the Opel Corsa. If the Vectra-based Aura and the actual Astra were in the product plan, did they think they could rely solely on the Daewoo based Aveo as GM's only economy sedan/hatch? Someone in GM's Product Planning department should have been demoted after deciding on the Corsa for 2011 launch in North America.
Alex Nunez @ Jun 9th 2007 11:01AM
PiCASSO,
Keep in mind that 2011 is what we're inferring based on the old Automotive News article. No official schedule or timetable has been announced. Maybe we'll get lucky.
PiCASSO @ Jun 9th 2007 11:40AM
Perhaps GM may bite the bullet, implement costly engineering changes to the body/powertrain that will meet North American standards (crash worthiness/emissions). They may end-up loosing money for every current generation Corsa they sell, but at least they will have a product available to steer away people from Honda's Fit, Toyota's Yaris, and Nissan's Versa. And if they could sell a diesel version of the Corsa, let alone the Astra... this will make a huge impact to Saturn sales. We'll see how it goes...
Colin Smith @ Jun 9th 2007 10:59AM
Quite.
I can't see why it takes so long to a get this car to market? The regs are not that difficult to meet.
The Corsa shares its architecture and chassis with the Fiat Grande Punto by the way; in case anyone is interested. It also uses the small Fiat diesel engine.
Just thought you should know that.
But really, America needs nippy economical cars now, and notwithstanding fuel prices - which are heading up for ever now, believe me - lots of people in the US are ready to enjoy small cars. The Mini proves that.
Fyrewerx @ Jun 9th 2007 11:08AM
As noted above, 2011 or 2012 are way too late -- sorry GM. Next week, I'm going to buy a Mazda 3 Kammback (sure looks the same anyway). Maybe by 2011, I'll take a look at the Corsa-style Saturn --- but, it better be as good as the Mazda.
far jr @ Jun 9th 2007 11:29AM
Fyrewerx... The Mazda 3 is closer to the Astra, Corolla, Civic in size. The Mazda 2 would be the competitor to the Corsa, Yaris, Fit.
Saturn needs a car like the Corsa now. Even if they only bring a few thousand per month like the Honda Fit. This would be a great addition for GM, but timing IS important. The Corsa would arguably be the most stylish car in the segment.
Rick Lyon @ Jun 9th 2007 11:22AM
Great, another cool euro car that Saturn will screw up by dumbing it down. Goodbye sweet rims and low profile tires, hello bubble boys!
Fyrewerx @ Jun 10th 2007 11:00PM
Well... that's even better yet. My wife has been fawning for a Yaris for herself. If Saturn could spring the Corsa on us now, I could guarantee one sale.
BGJ @ Jun 9th 2007 11:30AM
"I can't see why it takes so long to a get this car to market? The regs are not that difficult to meet."
Yes they are. Anyone who works in the auto industry and has been involved in modifying a Euro/Aussie vehicle to be sold in the US knows this. The biggest hurdle to clear is crash protection for unbelted occupants (don't have to do this outside of US), and fuel system integrity (much more stringent here). The changes needed to meet these requirements adds at least 1-2 years because of tooling changes.
GM could take the easy way and engineer the bare minimum to be legal, but they would get SLAMMED in the press for not getting safety ratings as high as the competition. This is not something GM is willing to do, nor should they.
PeakVT @ Jun 9th 2007 1:33PM
The regs for unbelted occupants should be dropped. Anyone who doesn't wear a seatbelt at this point is too dumb for words and shouldn't be considered.
In2uition @ Jun 9th 2007 11:31AM
What's with the delay? They should bring it into market next year. Who knows what the ideal market will be like in 2011.
robz4 @ Jun 9th 2007 11:36AM
I like GM.I really do... but I must say this to them. WAKE UP AND SMELL THE SECOND PLACE !!!
Colin Smith @ Jun 9th 2007 12:02PM
#9
I had no idea unbelted occupants had to be catered for. This suggests it is legal to drive without seatbelts on?
Oh well. Thanks for the info though.
Fiat has just designed and tooled a whole new car, the Bravo, in less than two years. It seems to work fine. If one manufacturer can manage a whole car, why cannot another manage a fuel system and some internal protection? And why did they not design-in the US market requirements in the first place? I would have thought they'd have wanted to maximise sales everywhere, especially as entering the US market with small cars would have given them a lead over other home manufacturers.
the law @ Jun 9th 2007 12:15PM
i was thinking the corsa would be built in spring hill as the new cossover based off this will be at the plant.
why not take the current corsa from mexico and rework it to US regs and call it Pontiac ?
in a few years bring out the improved aveo (chevy)and new corsa (saturn).that would give gm a car to compete in the growing segment and also brand integrity.
the law @ Jun 9th 2007 12:24PM
also i think the next version Corsa should be built in spring hill for all markets similar to how the Sky and Opel GT,Daewoo was all built here.since the dollar is so weak it would work in Gm's favor.
Noah @ Jun 9th 2007 12:32PM
Wait, is this not the Saturn Astra? That is already on thier website http://www.saturn.com/saturn/vehicles/futurevehicles/index.jsp
It is only slightly different and coming out later this year.
Alex Nunez @ Jun 9th 2007 12:45PM
No, Noah. This is the Corsa, and it is smaller than Astra. Think Honda Fit.
RV @ Jun 9th 2007 1:40PM
sweet and polished little car!
psarhjinian @ Jun 9th 2007 2:18PM
Perhaps the Meriva might be a better idea--it's a little more of a stand-out than the Corsa would be in North America.
Of couse, this is GM. We'll probably get a decontented Corsa sedan riding on marshmallow suspension, just in time for the second-generation Fit.