Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - (Page 28) 28 • AUGUST 25, 2008 GENERAL MOTORS FUTURE PRODUCT Budgets may crimp the lineup at Saturn Jamie LaReau jlareau@crain.com The Buick Invicta concept was co-engineered and co-designed with GM’s China operations. Buick buzzes about China Jamie LaReau jlareau@crain.com At Buick, it’s nearly all about China — the brand’s biggest market. Buick’s redesigned mid-sized car will be sold here and in China. A small sedan created for China may be sold here. A stylish, rear-wheel-drive sedan went on sale last year in China and was penciled in for the United States. But GM’s financial plight scuttled the U.S. plan for the rwd sedan, as well as production plans for a sharp-looking coupe concept that debuted last year at the Shanghai auto show. Small car: General Motors is likely to bring a redesigned compact sedan to the United States for the 2012 model year, a front-wheel-drive vehicle built on GM’s new global Delta vehicle architecture. That car will be sold in China. Still to be decided is whether Buick or Pontiac will market the car. No de- cision has been made on where that car would be assembled. LaCrosse: The Invicta concept car, unveiled this year, is essentially a mildly camouflaged 2010 LaCrosse. The Buick sedan is being developed on GM’s new global mid-sized, fwd vehicle architecture. The car was coengineered and co-designed with GM’s China operations. Lucerne: Buick’s top sedan gets a new lease on life. The fwd cruiser had been scheduled to be discontinued during the 2010 model year. A redesigned 2011 model was planned, with the Lucerne switching to GM’s global rwd Zeta vehicle architecture. But “serious fuel economy issues” killed the rwd Buick sedan and rwd Chevrolet Impala, says one GM insider. The Lucerne will continue as is with only minor upgrades. How many years? As long as its size and fuel economy fit into U.S. federal regula- tory standards, says one GM insider. Interestingly, China already is selling that rwd Buick. The car is assembled by GM’s Holden subsidiary in Australia and exported to China as the Park Avenue. Riviera: GM no longer can afford to develop the car that would have added some excitement to the product line. Plans for the sexy two-door coupe based on the highly praised Riviera concept are dead. Enclave: In terms of styling, the popular crossover essentially will remain unchanged for several years. The Enclave may get a freshening for the 2011 model year. The changes in corporate average fuel economy and GM’s financial problems make more extensive changes unlikely for some time. All of GM’s Lambda-based crossovers are candidates for a Two Mode hybrid. c Rick Kranz contributed to this report The oldest car in Saturn’s lineup is the Sky roadster, which debuted for the 2007 model year. For the future, an entry-level car is likely, but when or which model is still a work in progress. A mini-minivan also is penciled in, but the timing hasn’t been decided. The redesigned Astra hatchback is on the way. But with GM’s budgetary constraints, Saturn’s remaining product line may be in showrooms for a long time. Small entry: An entry-level model positioned below the Astra is under consideration. Still to be decided is whether Saturn will offer a version of the redesigned Opel Corsa, a European subcompact, or a different model. The car would be developed on GM’s global Gamma vehicle architecture. A year ago, product chief Bob Lutz told reporters that a Corsa could come to the United States as soon as the 2010 model year. But with the changing U.S. regulations for corporate average fuel economy and GM’s ever-changing product plans because of financial problems, a Corsa is unlikely to hit the States until the 2013 model year. Astra: The Opel-based Astra compact will be re-engineered and restyled for the 2011 model year, developed on GM’s next-generation global Delta vehicle architecture. The current model is assembled in Belgium; the next generation will come from GM’s new plant in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Aura: The re-engineered, restyled mid-sized car has been pushed back to the 2012 model year, at the earliest. The new Aura is based on the Opel Insignia, which will go on sale this year in Europe. For the 2010 model year, the Aura likely will get a freshening. Sky: The roadster is expected to receive a reskin in the 2011 model year. After that, any changes will be depend on how viable the car is in the marketplace. If it survives, a redesigned Sky could arrive in early 2014. Entry crossover: Saturn is considering a small, entry-level crossover off the global Gamma architecture, possibly for the 2012 model year. It would seat four people, be smaller than the Vue and be priced under its larger sibling. Vue: The Vue small crossover gets a Two Mode hybrid in the 2009 model year and a plug-in hybrid the next model year. The Vue is scheduled to be redesigned for 2014. MPV: The mini-minivan planned for Saturn has been delayed, possibly until the 2011 model year, maybe longer. The vehicle essentially will be a version of the redesigned Opel Zafira that will be sold in Europe. The minivan will seat six or seven, but the back row is essentially for children. Outlook: Unless sales of this crossover improve, GM likely can’t afford to do much in terms of restyling or re-engineering. Bottom line: Its future is in doubt. c Rick Kranz contributed to this report The Hummer H3T pickup was approved several years ago to broaden the brand’s lineup. “I sold 87 cars in one weekend with a gross of over $300,000 using a mailer with a plastic card and the card swipe prize box in conjunction with a gas rebate offer. I would recommend CardSwipe.com to any dealership with enough inventory and sales staff to handle JOHN JONES hundreds of UPS!!” SWIPE THIS CARD!!! AT Dismal sales make future of Hummer uncertain Jamie LaReau jlareau@crain.com CHUCK STEVENS AUTOMOTIVE – Chuck Stevens, President Chuck Stevens Automotive Bay Minette, Alabama CARD SWIPE PRIZE BOX™ – Combine the excitement of a key mailer with the lure of card swipe technology! Don’t Wait Call Now For More Information. All prizes insured through Hole ‘n One® 1-866-595-4485 Go To www.Cardswipe.com What’s next? Hummer sales are a few notches above nonexistent, the result of high gasoline prices. Environmentalists point to Hummer as the poster child for energy waste. And in this environment, the brand and its dealers will launch the H3T, a pickup (see story, Page 33). One more challenge for dealers: In June, General Motors CEO Rick Wagoner announced that the Hummer brand is under review. Possible options: spend millions to make Hummers more fuel efficient or sell the brand. If GM revamps Hummer’s product lineup, look for smaller, lower-priced and more fuel-efficient vehicles. H4: Last year at this time, GM had green-lighted development of a small SUV for the 2012 model year. The HX concept showed the size and styling elements for a Jeep Wrangler competitor. But those plans are on hold after Wagoner’s announcement. H3/H3T: The 2009 Hummer H3T is a pickup with a 5-foot bed. Sales begin in September. The pickup is built on the same platform as the H3 SUV and assembled in Shreveport, La. The H3T was approved several years ago as part of GM’s long-term plan to broaden Hummer’s lineup for worldwide appeal. H2 SUV, H2 SUT: The H2’s future is unclear. If GM revamps Hummer’s lineup, the H2 models likely will disappear. c http://www.Cardswipe.com http://www.Cardswipe.com http://www.Cardswipe.com
Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Automotive News - August 25, 2008 Automotive News - August 25, 2008 Looming cuts worry L-M dealers Bad blood Study: Toyota top U.S. lender How the kid got in the picture Hyundai affiliate to build transmission plant White House names acting NHTSA chief S&P lowers outlook on Sonic, Group 1 Now you can talk back: Join our online community Dodge dealers: We're in a box Company gets a fix-it list for pickups, SUVs from J.D. Power Mahindra delays U.S. launch Dealer Beyer now selling a 2009 Obama Nissan to leap into U.S. commercial-truck fray in 2010 China's Brilliance to show cars in Detroit Lawsuit alleges insider trades by CarMax execs Honda: Dealerships will have Fits more than a month early Infiniti's stylish stretch Cadillac will offer 4-cylinder sedan in '10 Chrysler redesigns new design boss' spot in exec ranks Genesis aims at low-priced luxury Letter to the Editor It's show and tell for auto industry in Washington Price cuts both ways The love affair continues Advance ads cost a lot, but help little Dealer-customer mandatory arbitration works Lithia sheds 2 of its Detroit 3 stores Japan sales slide; output, exports keep expanding L.A. dealers split on taking thumbprints of buyers Picture This With redesigned TL, Acura adds power, awd Personnel Chevrolet adjusts plans for coming decade GM revamps its vehicle lineup to succeed in a changed world Caddy relies on model updates over product development Buick buzzes about China Dismal sales make future of Hummer uncertain Budgets may crimp the lineup at Saturn Dreams aside, Pontiac will rely on small fwd cars Will GMC overhaul truck offerings? GM downsizes product lineup GM's powertrain plan: Less weight, better technology Hummer hopes pickup brings new buyers Dealers 'Ambush' boosts GM Certified DealerTrack adds market price checks Wholesale used-vehicle prices inch up in July Mexico sales up 2.6% in July; '08 near pace of '07 Collectors revive GM classics Honda's new Fit subcompact: Bigger, sportier Survey: Suppliers reconsider business with Chrysler Web site offers vehicle listings from Detroit 3 Nissan trains inspectors to improve quality A bumpy ride for dealer/lawmaker Buchanan Detroit dealers duel over bulk mailing Story links Nissan suicides, work pressure Times change, but supplier talk doesn't Garbage in, good stuff out Creed's creations Automotive News - August 25, 2008 Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - (Page Intro) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - (Page BRC1) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - (Page BRC2) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Study: Toyota top U.S. lender (Page 1) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Study: Toyota top U.S. lender (Page 2) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Dodge dealers: We're in a box (Page 3) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Nissan to leap into U.S. commercial-truck fray in 2010 (Page 4) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Nissan to leap into U.S. commercial-truck fray in 2010 (Page 5) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Cadillac will offer 4-cylinder sedan in '10 (Page 6) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Cadillac will offer 4-cylinder sedan in '10 (Page 7) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Genesis aims at low-priced luxury (Page 8) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Genesis aims at low-priced luxury (Page 9) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Genesis aims at low-priced luxury (Page 10) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Genesis aims at low-priced luxury (Page 11) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - The love affair continues (Page 12) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - The love affair continues (Page 13) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Dealer-customer mandatory arbitration works (Page 14) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Dealer-customer mandatory arbitration works (Page 15) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Lithia sheds 2 of its Detroit 3 stores (Page 16) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Lithia sheds 2 of its Detroit 3 stores (Page 16a) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Lithia sheds 2 of its Detroit 3 stores (Page 16b) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Japan sales slide; output, exports keep expanding (Page 17) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Japan sales slide; output, exports keep expanding (Page 18) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Japan sales slide; output, exports keep expanding (Page 19) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Picture This (Page 20) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Picture This (Page 21) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Picture This (Page 22) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - With redesigned TL, Acura adds power, awd (Page 23) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Personnel (Page 24) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Personnel (Page 24a) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Personnel (Page 24b) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Personnel (Page 24c) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Personnel (Page 24d) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Personnel (Page 25) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - GM revamps its vehicle lineup to succeed in a changed world (Page 26) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Caddy relies on model updates over product development (Page 27) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Budgets may crimp the lineup at Saturn (Page 28) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Budgets may crimp the lineup at Saturn (Page 29) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Dreams aside, Pontiac will rely on small fwd cars (Page 30) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - GM downsizes product lineup (Page 31) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - GM's powertrain plan: Less weight, better technology (Page 32) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Dealers (Page 33) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Wholesale used-vehicle prices inch up in July (Page 34) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Wholesale used-vehicle prices inch up in July (Page 35) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Wholesale used-vehicle prices inch up in July (Page 36) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Wholesale used-vehicle prices inch up in July (Page 37) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Wholesale used-vehicle prices inch up in July (Page 38) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Mexico sales up 2.6% in July; '08 near pace of '07 (Page 39) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Collectors revive GM classics (Page 40) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Honda's new Fit subcompact: Bigger, sportier (Page 41) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Survey: Suppliers reconsider business with Chrysler (Page 42) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Survey: Suppliers reconsider business with Chrysler (Page 43) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Nissan trains inspectors to improve quality (Page 44) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Nissan trains inspectors to improve quality (Page 45) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Creed's creations (Page 46) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Creed's creations (Page 47) Automotive News - August 25, 2008 - Creed's creations (Page 48)
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