Can Saturn's Approach Save GM From Toyota?

Saturn is conquering one of GM's most formidable challenges: it's getting on the shopping lists of potential buyers and converting lookers into buyers like never before, according to an analysis by Edmunds.com.

Surpassing Edmunds.com forecast for a 52-percent sales increase in February, Saturn reported a 60-percent increase in sales, helping GM boost its total U.S. sales by 3.5 percent in a flat market and while Ford and Chrysler posted declines.

Just as important, sales are coming from largely Asian brands, especially Japan's Big Three -- Honda, Nissan and Toyota.

And while GM is often criticized for having too many brands and those brands cannibalizing each other, not a single GM model ranks among the top 10 vehicles cross-shopped by potential Saturn buyers across its line in Edmunds.com's analysis.


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OBSERVER1984 - 3/2/2007 3:45:07 PM

+2 Boost

The question must be: "Can OPEL's Approach Save GM From Toyota?"

Designer1 - 3/2/2007 4:10:08 PM

0 Boost

lool I love the comments, that was exactly what I was thinking too.

Neverfollow - 3/2/2007 4:22:04 PM

-1 Boost

I wonder how many Germans are still at work over at Opel anyway? I can't imagine them having much tolerance for GM's policies and procedures.

tundraboy - 3/2/2007 4:39:08 PM

+6 Boost

What's ths astonishment about Saturn 'getting on the shopping lists of potential buyers and converting lookers into buyers like never before'? Saturn was doing this long ago and then GM, out of sheer stupidity, starved it of investment, focusing instead on dead end (in the face of energy price trends) products like the Hummer and other gas mega-guzzlers.

If GM had continued to develop the Saturn brand, it would not be in as deep trouble as it is today. But really, does anyone expect anything other than short-sightedness from GM's top management?

S4cabriofoxone - 3/2/2007 5:52:02 PM

+3 Boost

Well, it's NOT in "deep trouble" any more. Notice that they went up 60% this month, which is what the article is about. GM has FINALLY invested in them.

I agree with the rest of your comment.

S4cabriofoxone - 3/2/2007 5:55:02 PM

+3 Boost

This could actually be their redemption. It's a stretch, but the fact that Saturn pulled them out of a decline when the company was so miniscule before is an accomplishment in itself. This means progress.

louisvuittondon - 3/3/2007 6:05:32 AM

+3 Boost

Astra, Aura, Sky Not a shabby lineup. About time GM gets some good news. 60% is nothing to sneeze at

mobiustech - 3/3/2007 8:31:03 AM

+2 Boost

I think most are missing the point. Even though the AURA is derived from Opel, it is still GM. The OUTLOOK , SKY and VUE (hybrid) are domestic only models(in turn the SKY is exported as the Opel GT). Adding the Opel ASTRA and the new Opel derived VUE is a no brainer. No one ever thinks about Toyota importing their own home market products to fill in for a product replacement as a bail out. GM is no different, just different devisions. This is brilliant and fortunately working exceedingly well.

neutral - 3/4/2007 12:31:12 AM

+2 Boost

Ahh, great to hear SOMETHING positive from Detroit.

lewissalem - 3/5/2007 12:27:40 PM

+1 Boost

I would consider buying a new Saturn. I would of never said that over the past ten years.

Using Opel was a logical step, as there was and still is a lot of product overlap under the General Motors umbrella.