Posts Tagged ‘Small Cars’
2007 Saturn SKY: The Wait Is Over
April 27th, 2010 | 
Author: 
Matthew Keegan asked:
After months of nonstop hype, the 2007 Saturn SKY is now entering dealer showrooms. This two seat roadster marks an important turning point for the Saturn brand long identified with building nondescript, but dependable vehicles. With an MSRP of $23,690, the SKY is certain to sell for several thousand dollars over the dealer's sticker price as demand is expected to far exceed capacity. Let's examine the Saturn brand and the car behind the hype to see if the SKY was worth the wait.
Since Saturn's first cars became available in 1990, the brand has attracted a loyal following of owners who liked the company's simplicity and consumer friendly dealer network. Indeed, Saturn's "no haggle" pricing revolutionized the relationship between dealer and customer changing the typical adversarial business transaction into a partnership benefiting buyer and seller alike.
Originally, Saturn was established as a separate company, but wholly owned by General Motors. The idea behind Saturn was that the company would build import fighting small cars to compete against the likes of Toyota and Honda. The S-Series, made with "ding proof" polymer side panels was an immediate hit and Saturn relied exclusively on this line of compact coupes, sedans, and wagons for nearly a decade before a second, larger model was introduced.
The dream of keeping Saturn separate from GM eventually died and the brand was brought into the GM fold to be managed much like Chevrolet, Buick, etc. are today. Indeed, the Spring Hill, Tennessee factory, which was exclusively designed to build Saturn vehicles remains in business, but many of the division's cars are now being built elsewhere including the SKY.
So, the SKY has caught your attention, has it? Who could blame you? Pictures of the SKY have been circulating heavily online for months and it is certainly an attractive vehicle. Based on GM's new Kappa platform, the SKY shares some components with the earlier released Pontiac Solstice, another two seat roadster. The SKY, however, has its own look with a very pronounced fender peak and sleek body style. Here are some of the attributes of the SKY:
- Front engine, rear drive, two seat roadster
- 50/50 front/rear weight distribution
- Front pivoting hood
- 2.4L I4 engine producing 177 h.p. paired with a 5 speed manual or 5 speed automatic transmission
- 18 inch wheels; 4 wheel disc brakes with ABS
- Power galore: air conditioning, locks, windows, doors, AM/FM/CD, etc.
The SKY was priced and designed to compete against two other roadsters, the Honda S2000 and Mazda's Miata. Although the SKY is technically a sister car to the Solstice, it appears that it is better suited to compete against the Japanese brands as the Saturn roadster comes fully equipped and incorporates a sleeker body design. Taking nothing away from the Pontiac, the SKY is definitely the more competitive of the two.
For Saturn, the SKY improves the brand's image immeasurably. Much in the way that the Corvette is a "halo" car for Chevrolet the SKY will be the same for Saturn. Production will be limited to just 10-12,000 vehicles annually and purchasing a SKY will likely mean buyers paying well over sticker price for their car. Indeed, some reports are indicating dealer mark ups as high as $5000 in the face of stiff demand.
Beyond the SKY, Saturn will also be introducing a second new vehicle this year, the Aura. Replacing the L-Series, the Aura midsize sedan borrows heavily from GM's European division, Opel, and incorporates the bold design of SKY in its front end.
Yes, the days of being known as a builder of compact plastic cars in Tennessee is over; a new Saturn is rising and if all the hoopla related to the SKY is any indication, Saturn's future is certainly very promising.
America's Most Trusted Source for Govt & Police Car Auctions.
After months of nonstop hype, the 2007 Saturn SKY is now entering dealer showrooms. This two seat roadster marks an important turning point for the Saturn brand long identified with building nondescript, but dependable vehicles. With an MSRP of $23,690, the SKY is certain to sell for several thousand dollars over the dealer's sticker price as demand is expected to far exceed capacity. Let's examine the Saturn brand and the car behind the hype to see if the SKY was worth the wait.
Since Saturn's first cars became available in 1990, the brand has attracted a loyal following of owners who liked the company's simplicity and consumer friendly dealer network. Indeed, Saturn's "no haggle" pricing revolutionized the relationship between dealer and customer changing the typical adversarial business transaction into a partnership benefiting buyer and seller alike.
Originally, Saturn was established as a separate company, but wholly owned by General Motors. The idea behind Saturn was that the company would build import fighting small cars to compete against the likes of Toyota and Honda. The S-Series, made with "ding proof" polymer side panels was an immediate hit and Saturn relied exclusively on this line of compact coupes, sedans, and wagons for nearly a decade before a second, larger model was introduced.
The dream of keeping Saturn separate from GM eventually died and the brand was brought into the GM fold to be managed much like Chevrolet, Buick, etc. are today. Indeed, the Spring Hill, Tennessee factory, which was exclusively designed to build Saturn vehicles remains in business, but many of the division's cars are now being built elsewhere including the SKY.
So, the SKY has caught your attention, has it? Who could blame you? Pictures of the SKY have been circulating heavily online for months and it is certainly an attractive vehicle. Based on GM's new Kappa platform, the SKY shares some components with the earlier released Pontiac Solstice, another two seat roadster. The SKY, however, has its own look with a very pronounced fender peak and sleek body style. Here are some of the attributes of the SKY:
- Front engine, rear drive, two seat roadster
- 50/50 front/rear weight distribution
- Front pivoting hood
- 2.4L I4 engine producing 177 h.p. paired with a 5 speed manual or 5 speed automatic transmission
- 18 inch wheels; 4 wheel disc brakes with ABS
- Power galore: air conditioning, locks, windows, doors, AM/FM/CD, etc.
The SKY was priced and designed to compete against two other roadsters, the Honda S2000 and Mazda's Miata. Although the SKY is technically a sister car to the Solstice, it appears that it is better suited to compete against the Japanese brands as the Saturn roadster comes fully equipped and incorporates a sleeker body design. Taking nothing away from the Pontiac, the SKY is definitely the more competitive of the two.
For Saturn, the SKY improves the brand's image immeasurably. Much in the way that the Corvette is a "halo" car for Chevrolet the SKY will be the same for Saturn. Production will be limited to just 10-12,000 vehicles annually and purchasing a SKY will likely mean buyers paying well over sticker price for their car. Indeed, some reports are indicating dealer mark ups as high as $5000 in the face of stiff demand.
Beyond the SKY, Saturn will also be introducing a second new vehicle this year, the Aura. Replacing the L-Series, the Aura midsize sedan borrows heavily from GM's European division, Opel, and incorporates the bold design of SKY in its front end.
Yes, the days of being known as a builder of compact plastic cars in Tennessee is over; a new Saturn is rising and if all the hoopla related to the SKY is any indication, Saturn's future is certainly very promising.
America's Most Trusted Source for Govt & Police Car Auctions.
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New Saturn Dealer Hopes to Win Over More Customers
Anthony Fontanelle asked:
Many Saturn customers said that a Boardman location would be more convenient. After months of planning and renovation, Saturn of Boardman has opened. With another Saturn location on U.S. Route 422 in Niles, car dealer Jim Pace decided to expand last October and purchase the former Frederick Dodge location at 7554 Market St. This is how appealing the renaissance of Saturn product lines has become.
"We had a lot of people coming to the Niles location saying how they wish there was a dealership in Boardman and how it would be more convenient," said Bill Burns, the general manager of the new store. Burns stressed that there was a need for another Saturn dealership in the area because Pace serves five counties with an expanding line of cars.
"We went from one small car to a whole lineup," Burns said. "Now we go from a two-seater to an eight-passenger vehicle." He added that when it opened in 1991 the Niles dealership sold only S-Series compact cars. While being one of the fuel efficient cars of its time, it was hard to sell just small cars to the public.
Now purchasers can pick sport-utility vehicles such as the Outlook and the Vue; mid-size and compact cars, the Aura and the Astra; and the Sky Roadster. Two of the cars, the Vue and Aura, are available as fuel-efficient hybrids but are currently sold out.
The Outlook crossover SUV is based on the GM Lambda platform, which it shares with the GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave. It is powered by the 6 L DOHC 24-valve HFV6 engine with Variable Valve Timing available in two versions: the XE and the XR. The Vue, also a crossover SUV, uses the GM Theta platform. It flaunts durable auto parts like the Saturn strut, engines and cold air intake for uncompromised performance.
Another product of Saturn’s renaissance is the Aura, the replacement of the L-Series. The Astra, meanwhile, will be produced for the 2008 model year to replace the Ion as Saturn’s smallest model. The Astra will be available in three-door and five-door hatchback body styles. The rebirth concept of the automaker also produced a new roadster - the Saturn Sky. The roadster features 18 in wheels and a 2.4 L Ecotec LE5 I4 engine that produces 177 hp and the new I-4 2.0L direct injected turbocharged engine that produces 260 hp.
The former dealership, Frederick Dodge, moved down the road after acquiring Greenwood Market Motor. Combining their vehicles together, the location at 7871 Market St., is known as the Frederick Chrysler Jeep Dodge.
The previous building of Dodge was gutted, leaving nothing but a shell. The multimillion-dollar renovation covered repaving and expanding the lot and adding more landscaping and lighting. What is more, the exterior of the building was given a new appearance. It is only one of three in the country with Saturn's new building style dubbed as "Ex Set."
On the inside, Burns said that the store is set up to appear more casual to customers. "Some places have most of their customers tucked away, not having them around sales consultants," he said, "We put them where they can interact with them and not feel secluded."
With two lounges and a children's play room, Burns hopes customers will feel more comfortable. "It's not like we're putting them in a dark room and say we'll call them when their car is ready." Though there are many dealerships on Market Street, Burns hopes Saturn will stand out with how it treats its customers.
"We give equal treatment to everyone, it doesn't matter if you're a lawyer or a college student," he noted.
Many Saturn customers said that a Boardman location would be more convenient. After months of planning and renovation, Saturn of Boardman has opened. With another Saturn location on U.S. Route 422 in Niles, car dealer Jim Pace decided to expand last October and purchase the former Frederick Dodge location at 7554 Market St. This is how appealing the renaissance of Saturn product lines has become.
"We had a lot of people coming to the Niles location saying how they wish there was a dealership in Boardman and how it would be more convenient," said Bill Burns, the general manager of the new store. Burns stressed that there was a need for another Saturn dealership in the area because Pace serves five counties with an expanding line of cars.
"We went from one small car to a whole lineup," Burns said. "Now we go from a two-seater to an eight-passenger vehicle." He added that when it opened in 1991 the Niles dealership sold only S-Series compact cars. While being one of the fuel efficient cars of its time, it was hard to sell just small cars to the public.
Now purchasers can pick sport-utility vehicles such as the Outlook and the Vue; mid-size and compact cars, the Aura and the Astra; and the Sky Roadster. Two of the cars, the Vue and Aura, are available as fuel-efficient hybrids but are currently sold out.
The Outlook crossover SUV is based on the GM Lambda platform, which it shares with the GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave. It is powered by the 6 L DOHC 24-valve HFV6 engine with Variable Valve Timing available in two versions: the XE and the XR. The Vue, also a crossover SUV, uses the GM Theta platform. It flaunts durable auto parts like the Saturn strut, engines and cold air intake for uncompromised performance.
Another product of Saturn’s renaissance is the Aura, the replacement of the L-Series. The Astra, meanwhile, will be produced for the 2008 model year to replace the Ion as Saturn’s smallest model. The Astra will be available in three-door and five-door hatchback body styles. The rebirth concept of the automaker also produced a new roadster - the Saturn Sky. The roadster features 18 in wheels and a 2.4 L Ecotec LE5 I4 engine that produces 177 hp and the new I-4 2.0L direct injected turbocharged engine that produces 260 hp.
The former dealership, Frederick Dodge, moved down the road after acquiring Greenwood Market Motor. Combining their vehicles together, the location at 7871 Market St., is known as the Frederick Chrysler Jeep Dodge.
The previous building of Dodge was gutted, leaving nothing but a shell. The multimillion-dollar renovation covered repaving and expanding the lot and adding more landscaping and lighting. What is more, the exterior of the building was given a new appearance. It is only one of three in the country with Saturn's new building style dubbed as "Ex Set."
On the inside, Burns said that the store is set up to appear more casual to customers. "Some places have most of their customers tucked away, not having them around sales consultants," he said, "We put them where they can interact with them and not feel secluded."
With two lounges and a children's play room, Burns hopes customers will feel more comfortable. "It's not like we're putting them in a dark room and say we'll call them when their car is ready." Though there are many dealerships on Market Street, Burns hopes Saturn will stand out with how it treats its customers.
"We give equal treatment to everyone, it doesn't matter if you're a lawyer or a college student," he noted.
