Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[First Drive: 2009 Saturn Vue 2 Mode Hybrid]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/24/first-drive-2009-saturn-vue-2-mode-hybrid/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/24/first-drive-2009-saturn-vue-2-mode-hybrid/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/24/first-drive-2009-saturn-vue-2-mode-hybrid/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Saturn VUE 2 Mode Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

We attended the New York-area "GM Collection" event this week, which is basically an opportunity for journalists to drive a variety of 2009 models up at Bear Mountain, an hour or so outside Manhattan. What we didn't know going in was that GM would bring along three production-spec examples of the '09 Saturn Vue 2 Mode Hybrid, and that this would be the first opportunity to take the new gas-electric 'ute for a spin. Bear in mind that this impression is based on about 25 minutes of shared time with the car (we buddied up with Jalopnik's Wes Siler). The official full-dog-and-pony-show media launch event is set to take place in December, and we'll be on hand for that as well. For now though, follow the jump to see some initial impressions of the new Saturn hybrid.


Gallery: First Drive: Saturn VUE 2 Mode Hybrid


All Photos Copyright (C) 2008 Alex Núñez / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading First Drive: 2009 Saturn Vue 2 Mode Hybrid

First Drive: 2009 Saturn Vue 2 Mode Hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2 mode20092009 saturn vue 2 mode hybrid2009SaturnVue2ModeHybrid2Modefeaturedfirst driveFirstDrivefull hybridFullHybridgm collectionGmCollectionhybridsaturnsaturn vueSaturnVuevueFri, 24 Oct 2008 12:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1351549/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/10/24/first-drive-2009-saturn-vue-2-mode-hybrid/1351549/article-detail.xml 1351549 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/10/01_2modevue_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/10/01_2modevue_opt.jpg <![CDATA[Detroit Auto Show: A conversation with Jill Lajdziak]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/14/detroit-auto-show-a-conversation-with-jill-lajdziak/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/14/detroit-auto-show-a-conversation-with-jill-lajdziak/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/14/detroit-auto-show-a-conversation-with-jill-lajdziak/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Saturn General manager Jill Lajdziak

Saturn general manager Jill Lajdziak's enthusiasm for her brand is infectious. And really, who can blame her? The charismatic and ebullient Ms. Lajdziak is at the helm of a brand that's critical to GM's product-based turnaround plan and which has seen its entire lineup overhauled over a very short timeframe. It's paying off, too. The day before we interviewed her, the Saturn Aura won the North American Car of the Year Award -- beating out both the Honda Fit and Toyota Camry. We aren't necessarily surprised about that -- we raved about the Aura XR that paid a visit to Autoblog Garage last year. Aura's just one part of the story, though.

It's joined by a compelling new crossover in Outlook, a legitimate halo car in the Sky, and will soon see the dated Vue replaced by a stylish replacement courtesy of sister brand Opel. To top it all off, next month in Chicago Jill will pull the wraps off the Saturn Astra hatchbacks. Saturn is a very serious player in multiple segments now, but Jill Lajdziak hasn't lost sight of the brand's roots, either. Read on as she tells us what it's like to oversee such a drastic brand reinvention and how she plans to carry Saturn's existing customers into the new era while winning over new converts who haven't perhaps considered the brand before.

The first question and answer can be found below. Follow the jump for the interview in its entirety.

Jill Lajdziak -- Division General Manager, Saturn
North American International Auto Show
January 8, 2007

Autoblog: Obviously you won the North American Car of the Year award yesterday. Was it unexpected for you? How surprised were you to get that?

Jill Lajdziak: Well, you know what? Tough competition. And so to win versus two very key competitors in the marketplace, we couldn't be more honored. We weren't surprised -- we know we've got a great product on our hands -- but it ultimately comes down to the voting. And I think what makes this award really coveted and really special is it's done by 47 jurors, 47 auto journalists. We have high respect for them, they're the best at what they do, writing about cars and trucks, they evaluate product every day, all manufacturers 365 days a year. They have voted and the have obviously named the Saturn Aura the Car of the Year. We couldn't be more thrilled. And because of that, it's not just one person's opinion, but it's 47 opinions and that's a good endorsement for this brand and it's a great recognition for the kind of product we've brought forward to the marketplace.

Continue reading Detroit Auto Show: A conversation with Jill Lajdziak

Detroit Auto Show: A conversation with Jill Lajdziak originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 14 Jan 2007 10:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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