Green Line Hybrids to be Value Oriented
Saturn's restructuring has been in the news over the past month or two.
New vehicles, such as the SKY roadster and RELAY minivan have taken GM's customer-friendly brand into uncharted territories, while staples such as the VUE compact SUV and ION compact sedan and coupe have kept the brand in business. With plenty of other cars just around the corner, such as the European-themed AURA midsize sedan and a larger crossover SUV dubbed Outlook, Saturn officials have just announced a new plan which will help raise the profile of this satellite brand.
Saturn's general manager Jill Lajdziak announced in the annual Management Briefing Seminar that the brand would be launching a lineup of hybrid vehicles starting mid-2006. To be called "Green Line", the name is
a clever spin on the "Red Line" nameplate used for sporty versions of Saturn's VUE and ION. No doubt, the square chromed badge used for Red Line cars will be identical, except for a green stripe replacing the red stripe.
The first vehicle to wear the "Green Line" badge will be the VUE, slated to arrive during model-year 2007.
According to GM's Executive Director of Hybrid Powertrains, Larry Nitz, the Green Line system for the VUE will be a "mild hybrid" system. The system has been described as, "a very high value hybrid, as close as a hybrid to be to a bolt on system," which will help keep prices reasonable.
Saturn's restructuring has been in the news over the past month or two.
 |
| New cars, such as the SKY roadster have taken GM's customer-friendly brand into uncharted territories. (Photo: General Motors) |
Saturn's general manager Jill Lajdziak announced in the annual Management Briefing Seminar that the brand would be launching a lineup of hybrid vehicles starting mid-2006. To be called "Green Line", the name is
 |
| The "Green Line" name is a clever spin on the "Red Line" nameplate used for sporty versions of Saturn's VUE and ION. (Photo: General Motors) |
The first vehicle to wear the "Green Line" badge will be the VUE, slated to arrive during model-year 2007.
According to GM's Executive Director of Hybrid Powertrains, Larry Nitz, the Green Line system for the VUE will be a "mild hybrid" system. The system has been described as, "a very high value hybrid, as close as a hybrid to be to a bolt on system," which will help keep prices reasonable.