Last week I posted a Saturn "family photo", and some folks commented that they wished the cars weren't all painted in the same silver hue. Here's another picture of Saturn's 2008 collection of vehicles that was featured in the company's Yahoo front-page takeover ad last week.

Last week, on June 11th to be more specific, Saturn once again "took over" the front page of Yahoo.com with an impressive, interactive advertisement promoting its 2008 lineup. Saturn's digital ads on Yahoo have evolved over the past few months, and this particular one is the best by far.

Saturn posted a brief overview on its ImSaturn website last week previewing the "significant" changes for '09. Here are a few highlights we can look forward to seeing in the coming weeks and months.

With 2009 just right around the corner, I came across this "family" photo of Saturn's 2008 models. From left-to-right, you can see the '08 Saturn Outlook, Astra 3-door, Aura, Sky, Astra 5-door, and Vue. The models are pictured in front of the brand's recently approved retail facade.

The all-new 2008 Saturn Vue crossover SUV and the 2008 Saturn Sky roadster, which have helped lead Saturn's aggressive product renaissance, have won their respective segments in the 2008 Auto Pacific Vehicle Satisfaction Awards (VSAs).

A study released today by noted automotive consulting firm AutoPacific summarizes the results of its 2008 model year vehicle satisfaction research. The Saturn Sky and Vue were awarded the highest satisfaction ratings in their respective market segments. AutoPacific's Vehicle Satisfaction Award (VSA) is an industry benchmark for objectively measuring how satisfied an owner is with their new passenger car or light truck.

After one year development, an Ohio company is now taking orders to convert a gasoline-powered Saturn Skys to 100% electric power. The company, Advanced Mechanical Products (AMP), is replacing the combustion drivetrain with electric motors, safe lithium batteries, and proprietary control software. "The prototype is in the final stage, and production will take place later this year, with deliveries beginning in 2009," said Jack Kuntz, AMP CEO.

General Motors' Canadian Fleet and Commercial website has published a tentative schedule reflecting the company's planned changeover to 2009 models. The start of production dates for all Saturn models, except the Astra compact hatchback, have been listed. Build dates for the '09 Saturn Astra are unknown at this time, but they will be posted when they become available.

Saturn's Matt Armstrong recently talked to the Detroit Free Press about the progress the brand is making with its revitalization efforts. "Just a year ago, the top three reasons peopled picked a Saturn were value, fuel economy and the price or monthly payment," he told the newspaper. "Now they are exterior styling, value and fuel economy. That shows that people appreciate our new products. They're coming in because of the products, not because of the payment."

While Saturn's overall sales were down 15.5% to 16,888 units last month, sales of the brand's Aura midsize sedan and Vue sport-utility saw healthy increases from a year-over-year perspective.