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Toyota may be #1 now, but another brand can eventually knock them off this plateau if they continue to let their "perceived quality" slip (Camry/Tundra) as well as continuing to create "warmed over" redesigns (Corolla/Matrix). They seem to have developed a cynical arrogance that far surpasses the perceived complacency that the media seems to love to bestow upon GM. Toyota needs to remember that staying on top is usually far more difficult than getting there. Some of the company's recent half hearted efforts (current Camry/Corolla) and complete blunders (current Tundra) certainly won't keep them at the top. Without their "perceived quality", there is nothing about Toyota or their products that anyone could consider outstanding, exciting, or extremely desirable.

As far as the plan I would like to see GM follow for Pontiac: 1) Designate the brand as an affordable performance sedan sub-brand and merge the brand with Chevrolet in the Affordable Dealer Network. Pontiac would feature a couple of RWD sedans that would serve as alternatives to the affordable FWD mainstream sedans that Chevrolet offers. With Pontiac merged with Chevrolet, Pontiac's products should receive more attention since Chevrolet is the high profile mainstream volume division. 2) Products: * LeMans: RWD compact 5-door sedan with styling inspired by the Holden Torana TT36 Concept (SWB Alpha); this car would be sold as a resurrected Holden Torana in Australia, a Chevrolet Monza in the Middle East, a Daewoo in South Korea, etc. * Grand Prix: RWD midsize sedan with styling merged with a downsized next gen Holden Commodore sedan (LWB Alpha); this car would be sold in the Middle East as the next gen Chevrolet Lumina, a Daewoo in South Korea, etc. To me, this would be the perfect niche role and dealer network placement for Pontiac. I am seriously doubtful that it would ever happen.

The Camaro and Riviera would serve as "halo" cars that would draw positive attention to the brand; they are not intended to sell in high volumes. The FWD Delta/Epsilon based sedans and Theta/Lambda based crossovers would draw the needed volume to the brands (which I agree with you about these products being essential to the success and longevity of both Chevrolet and Buick). As long as the Alpha based Cadillacs are properly executed and differentiated from their Camaro/Riviera platform mates, then I don't see them necessarily cheapening the image of the Cadillac products. I don't believe a lot of the general public realizes or cares if their premium/luxury vehicles share a platform with more affordable/mainstream vehicles as long as the product is not a blatant rebadge. The general nonenthusiast consumer will be satisfied and contented as long as the product looks and operates like a premium or luxury vehicle. Platform sharing has definitely not harmed the public's perception of Audi, Lexus, Infiniti or Volvo. To me, limiting the sub-Cadillac applications of Alpha to specialty vehicles only increases the distinctiveness or uniqueness of the Alpha platform.

I think Buick still has enough premium mojo left that it could be more easily transformed into a cool premium brand than GM's attempt with Saturn (which has traditionally been a somewhat dorky, cult-like affordable brand). GM will need to fully commit to making it happen and execute it correctly (two things it obviously didn't do with Saturn's transformation). I know GM already tried to make Buick appear hipper by bringing in Tiger Woods to endorse the brand; the only problem with that strategy was that Buick and Mr. Woods were trying to peddle the same type of outdated, geriatric Buick products (LaCrosse and Lucerne) that it had carried in the past. To fully transform Buick into a relevant and cool premium brand, GM needs to simultaneously give it cool, modern products (led by the next gen of rebadged Opels beginning with the Insignia as well as the Enclave and next gen LaCrosse) and cool, inventive marketing/advertising (which could effectively be achieved without the costly celebrity endorsement of Mr. Woods). Personally, I could care less about whether a certain celebrity drives or endorses a product; that is only a superficial and limited attempt at cool. My greater concern is whether the product is properly executed and appropriately supplied with the features/technology that will enable the product to make a lasting and sizable impact in its intended segment. The process consists of two basic phases that GM has overlooked in the past with both Saturn and Buick. First, the product must be tailored to support the brand's image and appeal to the target demographic. Second, the advertising must be properly executed to effectively attract the attention of the target demographic to the product and the accompanying brand. Trying to do one without the other when attempting to transform a brand is a guaranteed recipe for failure (as I hope GM has finally learned).

Unfortunately, I still think a lot of people are positioning themselves for a major letdown. I really don't see Pontiac receiving any unique RWD products in the future. I would love to see this happen just as much as everyone else, but I am not getting my hopes up for fear of a major disappointment. I think GM will follow one of 2 paths concerning Pontiac's future: 1) Reduce the brand down to any products in its current lineup that don't overlap or directly compete with other GM products and quietly phase the brand out. I see GM reducing Pontiac down to the Vibe wagon (which would continue to give B-P-G a FWD small vehicle until Buick receives rebadged next gen Opels), the Solstice coupe (the Sky will become the lone roadster until Kappa is phased out), the G6 coupe & convertible (there are no FWD midsize coupes or cabrios in any other GM lineups), and the G8 sedan (the only affordable RWD sedan at GM). All other products (G3, G5, G6 sedan, Torrent, Solstice roadster, and G8 ST) will be cancelled, discontinued, or relegated to fleet sales. Once Buick begins receiving rebadged Opel products to complete the smaller portions of its lineup and the current Pontiac products reach the end of their model cycles, GM will discontinue the brand. 2) Pontiac will be positioned as a sporty entry premium sub-brand to Buick and pick up the rebadged Opel products that don't quite fit with Buick's image. I have a hard time imagining Buick selling the Corsa 3-door/5-door or the Astra 3-door/5-door. GM might keep Pontiac around to serve as an outlet for these vehicles (and possibly the Tigra/Astra TwinTops as well) at B-P-G dealerships. Like many of you, I would rather see Pontiac receive a couple of affordable Alpha based RWD products instead of either of the two options listed above. I just don't have much faith in GM to carry out what we prefer to see, though. My wish would be that the hopeful among you are right and that I am wrong.

+1 Although I agree with you that Saturn was the wrong choice as a U.S. outlet for Opel products, the advertising GM has given the division since its transformation certainly hasn't helped matters. Saturn was given a sophisticated killer lineup which was accompanied by the same dorky commercials that the brand received in the past. Not exactly the most brilliant way to change public perception about a brand. Saturn's transformation, although misguided, was also a halfhearted process that was terribly mismanaged by GM.

I think the Alpha platform will possibly be utilized this way: Chevy: Next gen Camaro on SWB Alpha. Buick: Buick Riviera coupe on LWB Alpha with styling based on the recent Riviera Concept. Cadillac: BTS(?) compact sedan/wagon/coupe on SWB Alpha; next gen CTS sedan/wagon/coupe on LWB Alpha. I think all sub-Cadillac applications of the Alpha platform (which I also think will be extremely limited) will be reserved for specialty vehicles, such as sporty coupes. Sub-Cadillac mainstream vehicles (such as sedans and crossovers) will continue to be FWD based products (with AWD as a possible option). If the above statements become a reality, then there will be no internal competition between Delta, Epsilon, and Alpha at Buick or Chevrolet.

The Motor Trend article is not entirely accurate if you examine GM China's brand websites (unless the websites are somehow inaccurate or don't reflect all the models available in China). The only rebadged Opel that Buick currently sells in China is the Insignia based Regal. Rebadged GMDAT vehicles currently comprise the compact Excelle line for Buick in China (better known to us in the U.S. as the Suzuki Reno, Suzuki Forenza sedan, and Suzuki Forenza wagon). Opel currently sells the Astra hatchbacks, Astra sedan (Astra A+), Astra TwinTop, Astra GTC, Zafira, and Vectra sedan in China. As far as I can tell from the websites, the Corsa is not currently available in China under any of GM China's brands. I think using rebadged Opel products to complete Buick's lineup is an excellent idea. It appears as though Buick will be positioned in the same midmarket premium segment that GM is trying to place Opel, so using rebadged Opel products to give Buick some premium smaller vehicles seems like a logical move. I could definitely see GM adding the next gen Astra sedan and wagon (Skylark), the current gen Insignia sedan and wagon (Regal), the next gen Meriva (Centieme), the next gen Zafira (Terraza), and the Antara crossover (Rendezvous) to Buick's lineup. If RWD is not the future for Pontiac, I can see that brand being positioned as a sort of sporty entry premium sub-brand to Buick and possibly carrying the Corsa 3-door/5-door, the Astra 3-door/5-door, the Tigra TwinTop, and the Astra TwinTop; for some reason the Pontiac twin-nostril face seems more appropriate for these vehicles than the Buick waterfall grille. There are a few questions that I have if rebadged Opels are to be used to complete Buick's lineup in the U.S. and China: 1) What will Opel's role and future lineup be in China? Will Opel be phased out in China in favor of Buick or will Opel's lineup simply be reduced to include products that Buick won't carry? 2) What will Saturn's role and future lineup be in the U.S.? Will GM shut down the brand, possibly sell the brand, merge it with B-P-G and give it the Opel products that Buick won't carry, or take it in an entirely new direction (which GM really doesn't have the funds to do at the moment, if ever)? Another possible option would be to keep the Saturn dealership network intact, return Saturn to a quirky small vehicle brand, and give them the Corsa hatchbacks, the Astra hatchbacks, the Meriva, and the Zafira; Buick would still get the Astra sedan/wagon, the Insignia sedan/wagon, and the Antara crossover while Pontiac could still receive the Tigra/Astra TwinTops. If GM decided to pursue the last option, then it would still need to place Saturn in some B-P-G dealerships to give the brand some presence in markets where it still is not accessible. 3) Will Opel receive a rebadged version of the upcoming LWB Eps II based LaCrosse as a sort of flagship sedan positioned above the Insignia in Europe? An AWD version with a turbocharged 4-cylinder would make an interesting flagship for the Opel brand in Europe. Chances of this happening are probably slim to none, but it is an interesting idea. Whatever direction GM decides to take, the results will be interesting. I just hope the corporation can hang on long enough to make things happen. The only thing that is guaranteed is that if the corporation survives its current struggles, its decisions regarding the future will surely aggravate and frustrate some group of enthusiasts somewhere.

GM could actually limit itself to 2 dealer networks in the U.S.: CHEVROLET: MAINSTREAM VOLUME NETWORK. Chevrolet: Mainstream Volume Division. * Volt: Compact electric/hybrid 5-door (E-flex). * Aveo: Subcompact sedan/5-door (SWB Gamma). * Cruze: Compact sedan/5-door (SWB Delta). * Malibu: Midsize sedan (SWB Epsilon); next gen moves to SWB Epsilon II. * Impala: Flagship midsize sedan (LWB Epsilon); next gen moves to LWB Epsilon II. * Orlando: Compact MPV (LWB Delta). * Groove: Subcompact crossover (LWB Gamma). * Captiva: Compact crossover (SWB Theta). * Equinox: Midsize crossover (LWB Theta). * Traverse: Large crossover (Lambda). * Camaro: Compact 2+2 sports coupe (SWB Alpha). * Monte Carlo: Midsize coupe (LWB Alpha) * Corvette: Flagship 2-seat sports coupe (Y-body). * Silverado: Fullsize truck. * Suburban: Fullsize SUV. BUICK/CADILLAC: PREMIUM/LUXURY NETWORK. Buick: Premium Volume Division. * Electra: Compact electric-hybrid 5-door (E-flex); styling based on recent Flextreme Concept. * Apollo: Rebadged next gen Opel Corsa subcompact 3-door/5-door (SWB Gamma). * Skyhawk: Rebadged next gen Opel Astra compact 3-door/5-door (SWB Delta). * Skylark: Rebadged next gen Opel Astra compact sedan/wagon (SWB Delta). * Regal: Rebadged current gen Opel Insignia midsize sedan/wagon (SWB Epsilon). * Invicta: Flagship midsize sedan (LWB Epsilon); the upcoming Eps II LaCrosse renamed "Invicta" for the North American market. * Centieme: Rebadged next gen Opel Meriva subcompact MPV (LWB Gamma); styling based on recent Meriva Concept. * Terraza: Rebadged next gen Opel Zafira compact MPV (LWB Delta). * Rendezvous: Rebadged next gen Opel Antara (SWB Theta). * Rainier: Midsize crossover (LWB Theta). * Enclave: Large crossover (Lambda). Cadillac: Luxury Flagship Division. * Calais: Compact sedan/wagon/coupe (SWB Alpha). * Seville: Midsize sedan/wagon/coupe (LWB Alpha). * Eldorado: Flagship 2-seat luxury coupe (Y-body). * Escalade: Fullsize SUV. The Other Brands: * Hummer: Sell it if possible. * Saab: Sell it if possible. * Saturn: Discontinue. I think it will cost more to attempt to keep it going in the long term than to shut it down. * Pontiac: If the brand is more popular than Chevrolet in Canada, then make it the mainstream volume brand in Canada. The brand would be discontinued in the U.S. * GMC: Make this division the designated outlet for commercial grade vehicles.

Good News: U.S. will be getting the Insignia based Buick Regal! Bad News: Production will not start until October 2011?!

I partially agree. I see Buick receiving the sedans, crossovers, and MPVs, which fit in with the more "mature" image of the brand. I see Pontiac receiving the Corsa/Astra hatchbacks, which fit in better with Pontiac's brand image (the "TwinTops" would fit in with Pontiac's image too, but the current struggles of both the corporation and the economy will more than likely discourage GM from bringing them here). IF GM keeps Pontiac going, it will probably be more of a sporty entry premium sub-brand instead of the affordable performance niche brand that LaNeve claims it will be. I see the lineups possibly looking like this: BUICK: Premium volume division. * Electra: Compact electric-hybrid 5-door (E-flex); styling inspired by the recent Flextreme Concept. * Skylark: Rebadged next generation Astra sedan (SWB Delta). * Regal: Rebadged current generation Insignia sedan (SWB Epsilon). * Invicta: Upcoming Epsilon based LaCrosse sedan (LWB Epsilon); the "Invicta" name is my personal preference for this car for the U.S. market. * Centieme: Rebadged next generation Opel Meriva MPV (LWB Gamma); styling inspired by the recent Meriva Concept. * Terraza: Rebadged next generation Opel Zafira MPV (LWB Delta). * Rendezvous: Rebadged next generation Opel Antara crossover (SWB Theta). * Rainier: Midsize crossover (LWB Theta). * Enclave: Large crossover (Lambda). PONTIAC: Entry premium sub-brand. * Fiero: Rebadged next generation Corsa 3-door/5-door (SWB Gamma). * LeMans: Rebadged next generation Astra 3-door/5-door (SWB Delta). GMC: Premium utility sub-brand. * Sierra: Fullsize truck. * Denali: Fullsize SUV. In response to another post about the past failures of Opel products in the U.S.: I think the next generation of Opel products (beginning with the Insignia) can be successfully sold in the U.S., if GM learns from the mistakes it made in importing the current gen Astra to the U.S. GM needs to do the following to ensure that the next generation of Opel products are successful entries in the U.S. market for Buick/Pontiac: 1) Assemble the vehicles in North America. 2) Ensure that the U.S. versions of the vehicles are equipped with engines/features/amenities that properly position the products in the premium segment in the U.S. The ground up designs can be mostly carried over from the vehicles' Euro counterparts, but the final products needs to be tweaked and tailored for the U.S. market and the respective brands that receive the products. 3) Agressively market and promote the products.

I think Zeta will follow Kappa into the GM platform graveyard. The discontinuation of both platforms is ridiculous and pathetic, but I believe it will be an unfortunate reality. After the current G8 line and upcoming Camaro finish their model runs, Zeta will be history in the U.S. Alpha will essentially become the RWD car platform of the future in SWB and LWB versions (except for the Corvette's Y-body platform, which may also sadly be in jeorpardy). Cadillac will be the primary beneficiary of the Alpha platform, with a couple of specialty models developed for the other "core" brands: Chevy (future Camaro/SWB Alpha) and Buick (future Riviera/LWB Alpha). I am also doubtful that GM will be quick to develop any large sedans anytime in the near future (if at all). After the G8 sedan, Buick Lucerne, and Cadillac DTS finish their model runs, midsize sedans will probably become the flagship sedans in GM's lineups. I also don't buy LaNeve's proclamation that Pontiac will eventually be morphed into a performance niche division. I would love to see it happen, but I am doubtful that it will. There are just too many factors working against it. If GM even keeps Pontiac alive (which I also have my doubts about), it will probably be transformed into an entry premium niche division to complement Buick in the premium dealer network. I do think GM intends to take Opel upscale with all of its future models, starting with the Insignia. This being the case, the next generation of Opel products should make suitable building blocks for the future Buick/Pontiac/GMC premium dealer network. If Saturn is discontinued or disassociated from GM, then I can see GM seriously considering utilizing future Opel products to make this premium dealer network solid and almost completely consolidated with the corporation's global resources. Based on the above information (which are strictly predictions on my part), this is what I think the future lineups of the Buick/Pontiac/GMC premium dealer network will look like: BUICK: Premium volume division. * Electra: Rebadged Opel electric-hybrid 5-door (E-flex); styling inspired by the recent Flextreme Concept. * Skylark: Rebadged next gen Opel Astra sedan (SWB Delta). * Regal: Rebadged current gen Opel Insignia sedan (SWB Epsilon); sedan will be marketed as a 4-door coupe like the Passat CC. * Invicta: Flagship midsize sedan (LWB Epsilon); the upcoming LaCrosse sedan renamed for the North American market (which is wishful thinking on my part). * Riviera: Midsize flagship coupe (LWB Alpha); styling inspired by the recent Riviera Concept. * Rendezvous: Rebadged next gen Opel Antara crossover (SWB Theta). * Rainier: Midsize crossover (LWB Theta). * Enclave: Large crossover (Lambda). PONTIAC: Entry premium sub-brand. * Fiero: Rebadged next gen Tigra "TwinTop" roadster (SWB Gamma). * Solstice: Rebadged next gen Astra "TwinTop" coupe (SWB Delta). * LeMans: Rebadged next gen Opel Corsa 3-door/5-door (SWB Gamma). * Phoenix: Rebadged next gen Opel Astra 3-door/5-door (SWB Delta). GMC: Premium utility sub-brand. * Sierra: Fullsize truck; current truck, "Denali" trim only. * Denali: Fullsize SUV; renamed current Yukon, "Denali" trim only. I would actually prefer a Buick/Pontiac/GMC premium dealer network with this lineup: BUICK: Premium volume division. * Electra: Rebadged Opel hybrid-electric 5-door (E-flex); styling inspired by the recent Flextreme Concept. * Cielo: Rebadged next gen Tigra "TwinTop" roadster (SWB Gamma). * Apollo: Rebadged next gen Opel Corsa 3-door/5-door (SWB Gamma). * Skyhawk: Rebadged next gen Opel Astra 3-door/5-door (SWB Delta). * Skylark: Rebadged next gen Opel Astra sedan/wagon/"TwinTop" coupe (SWB Delta). * Regal: Rebadged current gen Opel Insignia sedan/wagon (SWB Epsilon); sedan will be marketed as a 4-door coupe like the Passat CC. * Invicta: Flagship midsize sedan (LWB Epsilon); the upcoming LaCrosse sedan renamed for the North American market (which is wishful thinking on my part). * Riviera: Midsize flagship coupe (LWB Epsilon); styling inspired by the recent Riviera Concept. * Centieme: Rebadged next gen Opel Meriva MPV (LWB Gamma); styling inspired by the recent Opel Meriva Concept. * Terraza: Rebadged next gen Opel Zafira MPV (LWB Delta). * Rendezvous: Rebadged next gen Opel Antara crossover (SWB Theta). * Rainier: Midsize crossover (LWB Theta). * Enclave: Large crossover (Lambda). PONTIAC: Affordable performance sub-brand. * LeMans: Compact RWD 5-door sedan/3-door coupe (SWB Alpha); styling inspired by the recent Holden Torana TT36 Concept. * Grand Prix: Midsize RWD sedan/coupe (LWB Alpha). GMC: Premium utility sub-brand. * Safari: Fullsize SUT (Lambda-Plus). * Denali: Fullsize SUV (Lambda-Plus).

I agree. It is also frightening that people have their heads so buried that they don't see the ripple effect or perpetual repercussions if the U.S. automakers do not survive. Unbelievable.

You're right. I did forget about that. I still don't see any future Opel products being given to Chevrolet in the U.S. with the Opel brand moving upmarket, though. I think most future small vehicles sold by Chevrolet in the U.S. will probably be based on GMDAT products.

Now that you mentioned it, I do remember reading that somewhere. I do agree that it sounds more promising than the language expressed in the actual submitted plan. The only thing that worries me is if LaNeve's words are the absolute truth or just simply a smokescreen to pacify Pontiac enthusiasts, dealers, whoever... Bob Lutz made the claim that Pontiac would be transformed into an all RWD niche division at one point, but then the division was given the G3 Aveo clone. This is why I have little faith that this plan for Pontiac will ever become reality, although I would be pleasantly surprised and thrilled if it did. I also agree with PCS: With GM fighting for its very survival, I really don't think Pontiac's future as a performance niche division is high on the corporation's priority list at the moment or anytime in the near future.

I don't think GM will ever consider giving any Euro Opel products to Chevrolet. Opel is moving upmarket and the brand's future products will not fit into Chevrolet's role of providing affordable mainstream products for the masses. Some Euro Opel products would be a good fit for Buick due to Buick's traditional image as a premium vehicle brand. The current Insignia sedan/wagon, the next gen Astra sedan/wagon, and the next gen Antara would be excellent products to complete the smaller portions of Buick's lineup. I think these products would sell better and make more of an impact in the market as Buick products because of the traditional premium positioning of the brand as well as the excellent quality/reliability scores the brand achieves. I also believe that there is a niche market in the U.S. for Euro Opel's next gen Corsa 3-door/5-door, next gen Astra 3-door/5-door, as well as the next gen Meriva/Zafira small MPVs, but I don't think Buick is the appropriate brand to carry these products. Saturn would make a great outlet for these types of vehicles as a sub-brand of Buick in the B-P-G network. I think many Americans still view hatchbacks and small MPVs as quirky types of vehicles (especially in the premium segment) and Saturn has always had a quirky image; I think this would be a perfect marriage of product and brand if GM would correctly execute it. I see a Buick/Saturn merger essentially acting as a kind of Toyota/Scion for the premium segment of the market; Buick would pursue volume sales in the segment with more traditional products (sedans, coupes, wagons, and crossovers) while Saturn would pursue the offbeat portion of the segment with smaller, quirkier products (hatchbacks and small MPVs). Overall, I agree and disagree with you. I do believe that Buick can be expanded into more of a fullscale premium brand that offers smaller products if the products fit in with Buick's brand image. That being said, I don't see Buick carrying hatchbacks, small MPVs, or anything smaller than the compact class. This would leave a gap in the premium segment for GM that can be effectively covered by Saturn as an entry premium small vehicle sub-brand. If this proposed Buick/Saturn merger would offer AWD as optional equipment on their FWD based products, then I see this merger effectively competing with Acura, Lincoln/Mercury, Audi, and Volvo in the U.S. As far as GM competing with Toyota/Scion, Honda, Nissan, Mazda, Ford, and VW, I would hope that the next generation of small Chevrolet products will be engineered and equipped to handle this task.

+1 GM never specifies what kind of "niche" Pontiac will fill. A lot of people on this forum are hoping/assuming that Pontiac will become a performance niche brand; I hope they are not too disappointed if this is not GM's real intention. GM has led people on before (myself included) with the hope of making Pontiac a focused performance niche brand, only to abandon or dilute the mission. With all the focus on fuel efficiency, I am not convinced or certain that GM will transform Pontiac into what we all want it to be. I sincerely hope I am wrong about this. The worst case scenario would be that GM allows Pontiac to exist with small rebadged Chevy clones and the Vibe until smaller Buick products (probably based on Euro Opel vehicles) can be brought to market to replace them in the B-P-G network. When the smaller Buicks arrive, then Pontiac would be chopped. Again, I sincerely hope that I am wrong about this. I would be just as disappointed as the rest of you if this happens. **************************************************************************** I also agree with you about Saturn. It could be merged into B-P-G as a sort of "upscale Scion". The assumption here is that Euro Opel products would be utilized to complete Buick's lineup. As much as I like this idea, there are some types of products (specifically hatchbacks and small MPVs) that I don't think "fit" very well with Buick's image. I realize that Buick has sold hatchbacks before (Skyhawk), but I just can't seem to wrap my head around a Corsa or Astra hatchback with a waterfall grille and tri-shield badge. This is where Saturn could fit in; it could be an entry premium brand that specializes in small hatchbacks/MPVs. Saturn would carry the next gen Corsa/Astra hatchbacks and the next gen Meriva/Zafira MPVs (maybe even the Agila city car and the production version of the Flextreme Concept). The next gen Astra sedan/wagon/"TwinTop", the next gen Tigra "TwinTop", the current Insignia sedan/wagon. and the next gen Antara crossover could all be used to fill in the lower portions of Buick's lineup.

I think Opel's next wave of models (starting with the Insignia) could have a future in North America (if and when the economy recovers), but not badged as Saturn products. Saturn is still mainly thought of as a value brand in the U.S.; GM was quite foolish in thinking that they could move the division upmarket by simply merging it with Opel. If GME and/or GMNA insists that Saturn (and only Saturn) be the North American outlet for Opel products, then they are only setting these potentially great future products up to be miserable failures. That would be a shame. The delusional opinions offered in the submitted article are pure trash. As much as I dislike reading this worthless garbage, my appreciation for Opel hasn't diminished. I still consider Opel as an asset of GM; its products could be a potentially lucrative venture for GMNA if GM would assign the products to a division equipped with the image and dealer base to ensure their success in this market. Saturn is NOT that division.

+1 I think the xB, Element, Cube, and Soul are hideous designs. The Soul is the most interesting one of the bunch, though.

I totally agree. All Cadillac products should have standard fog lights. All Buick products should have them as well (Buick is supposed to be a premium brand); the front fascia of the Lucerne looks so much better/upscale with foglights. Another thing that I found odd was that foglights are not offered even as an option on the 2009 Saturn Aura XR 4-cylinder model, but they are available on the Chevy Malibu LTZ 4-cylinder model. I thought Saturn was supposed to be more upscale than Chevy? If so, then why would this situation exist? GM seems to be building vastly improved products now, but they still do some strange things with feature/equipment availability. How bizarre, how bizarre... GM isn't the only culprit with weird feature/equipment availability issues. Nissan has them as well. You can't get foglights on a 4-cylinder Altima unless you also choose a rear spoiler (yikes!) and a technology package (I don't view a navigation system as a must have feature). Heated side mirrors (a feature that I also find to be more useful/desirable than rear spoilers or navigation systems) are not available at all on 4-cylinder Altimas. Since 4-cylinder models still make up the bulk of mainstream midsize sedan purchases, why would Nissan choose not to offer the heated side mirrors as an option on Altimas equipped with this engine (especially when quite a few competitors do make them available on 4-cylinder models)?

This car still seems a little too upscale for Saturn. Visit My Website Source: Edmunds Inside Line

I still think this would make a nice addition to the Buick lineup as a "4-door coupe" type of vehicle that could draw younger customers into Buick showrooms. The engine choices would need to be altered for the U.S. market though. The turbo 4 would need to be the base engine with the 3.0 DI V6 serving as the optional engine. These engine offerings would keep the Regal positioned below the upcoming LWB Eps II LaCrosse, which I believe will have the 3.0 DI V6 as standard equipment and the 3.6 DI V6 as an optional engine. The link below provides more extensive pictures of the "Buickized" Opel Insignia that I have not seen before: Visit My Website Source: World Car Fans It's not the perfect way to get more products into Buick showrooms, but it will do for now (considering GM's precarious financial condition). I know it doesn't have all the traditional and preferable Buick design cues, but that might help it appeal to those who normally wouldn't consider a Buick. As long as GM would keep it as a Buick exclusive in the U.S., I really don't think it would damage Buick's image.

I like it. The redesign appears to be taking the "Z" car closer to its roots. It looks smaller and sportier than the current version.

So Bob Lutz's claim that the next gen Saturn Aura will be its own car with a unique exterior/interior design that only shares mechanical components with the Insignia was basically not true (or has GM flipflopped yet again?). I thought that was the reason that the next gen Aura was delayed; GM decided not to badge the Insignia as the next gen Saturn Aura. I also wondered about the same thing that VenSeattle submitted: Does GM plan to sell the Insignia as an Opel in China or will it be exclusive to Buick? I recently visited the Opel China website. The Vectra is still listed as part of the lineup. There is no mention of the Insignia (as well as the Corsa, Tigra, or Meriva). Personally, I think the Insignia's premium nature would make it a better fit for Buick in the U.S. (which has a more premium image in the U.S. than Saturn).

I would still like to see some arrangement made to merge Saturn and Buick together to create a strong midmarket premium network (since Pontiac seems to be on its way to oblivion, unfortunately). Opel products could be used to form (Saturn) or augment (Buick) the lineups of these 2 brands. My preferred arrangement would be for Buick to take the lead as the high profile member of this network since it has more premium credibility than Saturn, high quality/reliability scores, and a strong following in China (where the U.S. Buick/Saturn arrangement could be duplicated with Buick/Opel). In this arrangement, Buick would carry the following products as the high profile member of the network: Tigra "TwinTop" (Cielo?), Astra sedan/wagon/"TwinTop" (Century? sedan/wagon & Skylark? coupe-cabrio), Insignia sedan/wagon (Regal?), LWB Eps II LaCrosse sedan (I would prefer the "Invicta" moniker), Eps II-Plus large sedan (LeSabre?), Alpha midsize coupe (Riviera?), Antara crossover (Rendezvous?), Theta-Eps midsize crossover (Rainier?), and Enclave. Saturn would be positioned as an entry premium sub-brand (sort of like a premium version of Scion) and offer a reduced lineup consisting of the following vehicles: Corsa 3-door/5-door, Astra 3-door/5-door, Meriva MPV, Zafira MPV, and a production version of the Flextreme hybrid. In this arrangement, the Insignia based "Regal" sedan could be positioned/marketed as a stylish "4-door coupe" (similar to the Passat CC) while the LWB Eps II LaCrosse (which I would call "Invicta) would be positioned/marketed towards traditional premium midsize sedan buyers (similar to the regular Passat sedan). The relationship between the "Regal"/"Invicta" would also be similar to the relationship between the 2009 Acura TSX and 2009 Acura TL. I do realize that the proposed arrangement listed above is more pipe dream than anything that would be close to becoming reality. If GM eventually merges Saturn and Buick, the following lineup will probably be closer to what would realistically emerge in the U.S.: Saturn: Corsa 3-door/5-door, Astra sedan/5-door/3-door, Insignia sedan (Aura), Meriva, Zafira, Antara (Vue), and production version of the Flextreme hybrid. Buick: LaCrosse sedan (LWB Eps II), Lucerne sedan (Eps II-Plus), Riviera (Alpha), and Enclave. GM would foolishly position Buick to take a supporting role to Saturn, even though Buick has the qualities that would make it the better choice to be positioned as the high profile premium brand. The "TwinTop" and wagon versions of the Opel products would probably not make it to the U.S. either, as both types of products are viewed as low volume propositions in the U.S. market (unfortunately). I know many of you would like to see Buick receive a lineup of completely distinct models that carry all of Buick's traditional design cues (sweepspear and ventiports) and no Opel design DNA. I totally agree with that view, but GM doesn't have the funds to develop unique ground-up designs for every Buick model at the moment. By brand engineering (Buick grilles, badging, monikers, and minor interior alterations) some Opel models to fill in the gaps, Buick would receive appropriate products that would reestablish the division in the premium portion of the market without damaging Buick's reputation (as long as the products remain Buick exclusives in the U.S. and China) or draining all of GM's funds. Basically, the proposals above would be a cost effective and feasible way for GM to establish a solid midmarket premium network to bridge the gap between Chevrolet and Cadillac/Saab in both the U.S. (Buick/Saturn) and China (Buick/Opel).