Strong demand for the 2008 Saturn Astra has the General Motors brand reportedly rethinking the number of European-built compact hatchbacks it plans to import into the United States. LeftLaneNews.com reports that Opel AG works council head Klaus Franz told the dpa-AFX news agency that due to greater than anticipated interest in the new model, Saturn plans to import 10,000 additional Astras next year, bringing the total to 40,000 vehicles in 2008.

"The Astra will be the first Opel in 30 years to be exported in large numbers to America starting in January," wrote LeftLaneNews. "While General Motors has aligned its Saturn brand in America with Opel in Germany, a good deal of production has been kept on U.S. soil. The Opel GT - which is identical to the Saturn Sky - is made in America. The identical Opel Antara and Saturn Vue are built at different locations."

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Source: LeftLaneNews.com