The End of an Era: Reinventing Saturn

So that leaves Spring Hill with only the ION. But wait, the ION is also being redesigned to follow Saturn's new corporate digs

The ION is also being redesigned to follow Saturn's new corporate digs and the new incarnation will once again share architecture with the Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac Pursuit. (Photo: General Motors of Canada)

and the new incarnation will once again share architecture with the Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac Pursuit, both of which are assembled in Lordstown, Ohio. This leads to the conjecture that the ION will be made there too, and though the plan seems a no-brainer under the circumstances, GM has yet to confirm or deny anything on the subject. Despite sharing much with the Cobalt and Pursuit clones, the next-generation ION is expected to retain the Saturn brand's new brand identity to a greater extent.

If Spring Hill survives it will not likely be as a Saturn plant. Unless it manages to absorb production of vehicles based on GM's upcoming Lambda architecture, of which one variant will be a Saturn crossover, it will likely be one of the casualties in the General's campaign to return to profitability. Seeing as how Lambda vehicles are slated for one of the Lansing,

Saturn will try to make its name as the General's North American-built Euro-sport/entry-luxury brand. (Photo: General Motors of Canada)

Michigan, facilities, hope for a rejuvenated Spring Hill plant is slim.

What does all this mean to the average Saturn shopper? For starters, no more dent- and scuff-resistant plastic body panels. But how can a Saturn be a Saturn without plastic panels?

If you noticed any of GM's hype from the Detroit auto show, Saturn will try to make its name as the General's North American-built Euro-sport/entry-luxury brand. Although that may get sticky with Saturn dealers sharing floor space with Saab, Saab is starting to make its push as a performance-oriented marque to match such brands as BMW and Acura.