General Motors is recalling certain model year 2006 Saturn Ion vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of Arizon and Nevada. Model year 2007 Ions originally sold or currently registered in the states of Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada, and Texas are also impacted by the campaign.

From the Windsor Star: The Ion replaced the four-door SL and two-door SC coupe models as the cornerstone of the Saturn small-car lineup. Both the Ion sedan and Quad Coupe, so called because it came with small, clamshell-style rear openings, used plastic body panels to fend off dings and dents.

SaturnFans.com has learned that GM plans to offer a new side-curtain air bag designed to help protect passengers better in a rollover accident. Within the next year, the Detroit News reports that five GM SUVs will offer a new, optional side-curtain airbag that will stay inflated for a longer period of time in the event of a rollover.

Continuous improvement has always been a hallmark of Saturn, and for the 2006 model year things are no different. Automotive News reported earlier this year that Saturn informed retailers at the North American Dealer Association's (NADA) annual convention that both the Ion and Vue will be "refreshed" for 2006 to help make them more competitive and appealing.

Music lovers will find it easier to take their favorite tunes on the road thanks to a new family of radios that will be offered in the Saturn Ion, Vue, and other GM vehicles starting later this year. The new radios include an auxiliary channel and front mounted auxiliary input jack, so that an iPod or other audio source can be easily plugged in and played through the vehicle audio system.