Opel = Vauxhall = Saturn

[jetsetter]

GENEVA -- The future of General Motors' Saturn brand in the U.S. looks a lot like the present-day status of GM's British subsidiary, Vauxhall.

Vauxhall puts its badge on cars created by GM's German Opel subsidiary. That's what Saturn will do, at least in the heart of its car lineup, GM executives said in interviews at the Geneva auto show.

The move is meant to bring European design flair and sporty handling to Saturn. GM also is stripping regional and brand executives of authority to modify global decisions in engineering, design and manufacturing.

GM executives are not talking about importing and rebadging vehicles produced at Opel plants in Europe, but rather making the identical cars in the U.S.

But brand bosses would lose some control. Robert Lutz, GM vice chairman and head of global product development, said that in much of its lineup, "Saturn will be like Vauxhall."

He added: "Now Opel cars will be done for three brands instead of two."

Not 100%
The changes will play out in the heart of the car lineup, with the next Saturn Ion subcompact likely to be a rebadged Opel Astra.

Carl-Peter Forster, president of General Motors Europe, said the 2007 Saturn Aura, which replaces the defunct L series mid-sized car in Saturn's lineup, is "clearly Opel-inspired."

The Aura shares the Epsilon mid-sized car platform with the Opel Vectra. GM Europe's design studio in Rüsselsheim, Germany, influenced the styling.

When working with Opel, Saturn officials will participate in initial product planning, Lutz said. But they won't be able to dictate changes.

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dl...2&Profile=1062

[SL65]

Keep it in here please
http://forum.finalgear.com/viewtopic.php?t=10901