By the end of 2008, GM's Saturn division will have completely revamped its vehicle lineup, which will now include totally different offerings. Since redirecting its focus, Saturn is rapidly becoming the most European of all automotive brands in North America.
According to Jill Lajdziak, General Manager of Saturn, agreements with European automaker Opel (also owned by GM) allow Saturn to further distinguish itself and to be considered as the success story of the year among American brands: sales are up 32 percent so far in 2007 compared with the same period of last year.
The partnership with Opel has already proven to be fruitful. The magnificent Sky roadster is the exact replica of the Opel GT sold across the Atlantic (in terms of design, not overall qualities). And in a few months, everybody in North America will be able to drive a small 5-door hatchback featuring enhanced design cues: the Saturn Astra, based on Opel's own Astra.
In the meantime, the company decided to introduce journalists to their all-new, completely redesigned VUE. And it's not a minor redesign or evolution: the 2008 model is light-years away from the old generation which, ironically, had been Saturn's most popular vehicle for the last couple of years. (Last year alone, over 80,000 units were sold in the U.S., which represents 40 percent of the brand's total sales.) Again, Saturn benefited from Opel's expertise, as the next-generation VUE is largely derived from the Antara SUV.
Inspired design
The main and oh-so striking difference between the VUEs -- old and new -- is the more dynamic, crossover-style shape. Let's be honest: although the size is about the same, the overall styling, which is much more modern and refined, gives the vehicle a car-like appearance rather than a tough SUV look.
According to Jill Lajdziak, General Manager of Saturn, agreements with European automaker Opel (also owned by GM) allow Saturn to further distinguish itself and to be considered as the success story of the year among American brands: sales are up 32 percent so far in 2007 compared with the same period of last year.
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| The 2008 VUE is largely based on the Opel Antara. |
The partnership with Opel has already proven to be fruitful. The magnificent Sky roadster is the exact replica of the Opel GT sold across the Atlantic (in terms of design, not overall qualities). And in a few months, everybody in North America will be able to drive a small 5-door hatchback featuring enhanced design cues: the Saturn Astra, based on Opel's own Astra.
In the meantime, the company decided to introduce journalists to their all-new, completely redesigned VUE. And it's not a minor redesign or evolution: the 2008 model is light-years away from the old generation which, ironically, had been Saturn's most popular vehicle for the last couple of years. (Last year alone, over 80,000 units were sold in the U.S., which represents 40 percent of the brand's total sales.) Again, Saturn benefited from Opel's expertise, as the next-generation VUE is largely derived from the Antara SUV.
Inspired design
The main and oh-so striking difference between the VUEs -- old and new -- is the more dynamic, crossover-style shape. Let's be honest: although the size is about the same, the overall styling, which is much more modern and refined, gives the vehicle a car-like appearance rather than a tough SUV look.
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| The new VUE is decidedly sleeker-looking and seriously more attractive than its predecessor. |