Should Saturn Add a Microvan to Its Lineup?

[Charlie]

Do you think Saturn should add a microvan to its lineup (http://www.saturnfans.com/cars/meriva/analyst-says-saturn-should-add-microvan-lineup)? The vehicle would be similar to the Opel Meriva concept (see attached) and would be about the size of the Scion xB. Quad-coupe like doors were a popular feature found on the concept.

Post your thoughts..

Thanks!
Charlie

[BobbyP]

Yes, yes, yes... Saturn needs something unique... This was already posted on this website almost a year ago.

The Meriva looks great, with the Astra already here, we don't need the Corsa.

[saturnchaz]

Yes, but I think it needs to be a little more Mazda 5 like...with 7 seats as opposed to 5. I am already thinking of getting a Mazda 5 with a 5 speed. I need the minivan but hate my Honda Odyssey. If Saturn came out with a 7 seat microvan I'd buy one. I am not sure about the quad coupe "rear-access" doors. I think I would prefer the sliding doors of a standard minivan.

[nasaman]

I've just purchased a 2008 VUE (LOVE IT!) that I'll likely trade for the 2009/10 Plug-in VUE that won't use even a DROP of gas running my daily errands. Although the Meriva is a cute concept, I'd sooner consider the Flextreme instead of the Plug-in VUE because it will be Saturn's closest equivalent to the 2010/11 Chevy Volt (same drive train), for which there will be an ENORMOUS WORLD-WIDE DEMAND! The Flextreme's gorgeous futuristic styling truly sets it apart from anything on the market and its rear hatch & large interior will provide adequate "utility" while its Eflex drivetrain, phenomenal styling and operating cost (as much as 10:1 less than conventionally-powered cars with NO performance compromise!) will assure its success.

In short, the Flextreme would be a much better addition to the new Saturn line-up than the Meriva ....but if GM decides on the Meriva, they MUST change that weird name to something having both pizazz and class. :yes:

[HumpMan]

At the very least, Saturn needs something to compete in the Yaris/Fit/Aveo market.

Spring Hill should have been allowed to develop some sort of Aveo-type vehicle years ago. The hard part, IMHO, would be engineering in exceptional safety and keeping the price down near $10K.

Once again, if bringing in something from Opel is the way it can be done, then so be it. But it eventually it would be nice to see something home grown again.

the HumpMan

[Uzzy]

I really like the Zafira, but this is nice too. It doesn't lok like a van to me. To me a van has 3 rows and sliding doors. Does it have 3 rows? It is kinda like the Eagle Summit thing that was out a while ago. That thing was weird.

[AuraDrvr89]

I think it's a cool idea, and I believe it will be unique.

If done properly I believe it will compete with the Honda Fit. However, if not executed properly, I could see this one selling very sluggish.

I think, however, that Saturn needs to get itself out of the hatch scene for now and concentrate on a small sedan and coupe to boost the compact lineup.

I think that this van may overlap with the Astras intentions.

[toymvr]

That's not a VAN if that what Saturn is thinking about don't waste the time.
I drove a Saturn Relay for 2Yrs. and loved it the reason a person wants a van they have 2-3 Kids a dog and a ton of stuff. I want a van to have room to haul things and needs to get good Gas Mileage

[rossao1]

A mini-van by most definitions is a 7 passenger hauling vehicle with 2 side sliding doors, and a rear hatch the opens upwards.

I would add that it must pull 3000 lbs if it wants to get my attention.

Make mine fun to own/drive and you will rock my world!

A five passenger "wagon" is what you are describing above. Beenthere,donethat,movedon.

[mikec]

If this vehicle would be in the same size/category/group as the Honda Element/Scion xB or even the Mazda5, I think it would sell. Especially if it was fuel efficient.

[wishihadacamaro]

Maybe something like this would be nice.

[Privix]

A Microvan? Are you kidding? It will never work! :upset: A Microvan indeed... :snide: j/k... I'm all for it! About time! :D

[HumpMan]

Maybe something like this would be nice.

I'm guessing that was created from the Opel Agila...

Here it is listed among 7 other "small cars."
http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2008/autos/0805/gallery.microcars/5.html

I guess I was thinking that something like this would be a useful competitor to the Fit/Yaris/Aveo/Smart cars.

The microvan kind of competes in this arena, but I think it would be pricier than a small micro 5-door...

the HumpMan

[wishihadacamaro]

I'm guessing that was created from the Opel Agila...

Yep, I just found an image of a Saturn Outlook, and stole the logo portion, and patched over where the hood has an indentation for the Opel symbol. Then I just shrunk the license plate area. I think Saturn should literally just sell every single Opel model, to be honest.

[Steve Z1]

Bring in the Zafira, better yet, build it in the US to be able to sell it at the right price point and provide much needed jobs.

Extra productions capacity could be used for export models back to the EU and South America.

Just my 2 cents.

Steve

[Isaac]

A mini-van by most definitions is a 7 passenger hauling vehicle with 2 side sliding doors, and a rear hatch the opens upwards.

I would add that it must pull 3000 lbs if it wants to get my attention.

Make mine fun to own/drive and you will rock my world!

A five passenger "wagon" is what you are describing above. Beenthere,donethat,movedon.

that's a mini-van. the question asked about a micro-van. And a wagon has a lower roof then a van.

[montrealvue]

Bring in the Zafira, better yet, build it in the US to be able to sell it at the right price point and provide much needed jobs.

Extra productions capacity could be used for export models back to the EU and South America.

Just my 2 cents.

Steve I agree 100% the Zafira should come over but don't hold your breath that it will be manufactured in America. With the higher costs and UAW issues involved with manufacturing in the US, in the long term I can't see GM expanding production in the US. If anything, GM would be looking to Mexico as they did with the Vue.

[kaviation]

YESA YESIR, YES YES!!!!!!

And don't make it look like a mini-shoebox and it will sell.

[havok]

No ... I went with Saturn (1998 SW2, 2001 SL2, evaluating 2007 Vue Hybrid) because I wanted something unique and different. Now, we have a re-badged GM product (Outlook) and a whole bunch of re-badged Korean and German products (Vue and everything else, respectively) and we're falling back into the Generic Motors pit that ate Oldsmobile and will soon eat Saturn. I weep for the different kind of car :(

[SaturnRaycer]

No ... I went with Saturn (1998 SW2, 2001 SL2, evaluating 2007 Vue Hybrid) because I wanted something unique and different. Now, we have a re-badged GM product (Outlook) and a whole bunch of re-badged Korean and German products (Vue and everything else, respectively) and we're falling back into the Generic Motors pit that ate Oldsmobile and will soon eat Saturn. I weep for the different kind of car :(

It's all about bringing world class vehicles to a U.S. brand at a reasonable cost. If the General had any indication that the Dollar would tank against the Euro, the Astra would never have seen these shores.

The General seems to have learned it's lesson about blurring brand lines with interchangeable vehicles. Though they are built on the same chassis, they have enough visual difference to be able to say "That's a GMC or that's a Saturn".

Oldsmobile began it's death roll with the "Not Your Father's Olds" of the late 1980's by denying it's heritage. They allowed Oldsmobile to lose it's role as a beta test for Cadillac. Many options and features on Caddy's of the 1950's and 1960's showed up on Olds a year or two before they were on Cadillac's.

[Niteshooter]

Since the General is poaching ideas from Opal I'd go for the Flextreme as well.

http://www.coolest-gadgets.com/20070907/opal-goes-geek-with-concept-car/

Diesel electric, yup that would do the job.

Funny thing about plastic panels, they can help shed weight off a car and that can help increase fuel economy......... oh well maybe someone in GM will wake up one day.

Kevin

[G-Force]

well, i'm working at the GM-plant in Antwerp (Belgium).
Yes, the place where all those nice astra's are being built :yes:
by the end of 2009 astra production stops at our plant. and from that moment on we will be building a brand new GM-model.
it's a small SUV based on the GAMMA-platform (corsa, meriva,...) on the Opel/vauxhaal badge and a Chevy bagde. Not a word about a Saturn badge ...

[OnDaGround]

I feel it maybe a little late in the game for that, but with the way gas is going it may benefit Saturn more to make a 4cyl minivan that can compete with the sienna.

[intravino]

A micro van like the Kia Soul?

[Uzzy]

A micro van like the Kia Soul?

That's not a Micro van, it's a boxy car. A Micro Van is like the Mazda5 and the Kia Rondo, or more specifically, the Opel Astra. Saturn is a dead duck, so this is a moot point.

[adventureoflink]

At least it would keep the teen parents safer behind the wheel and make it look like they're using a mommy mobile.. :p

in any case, isn't the crossover class just like a microvan for the most part?

[Uzzy]

At least it would keep the teen parents safer behind the wheel and make it look like they're using a mommy mobile.. :p

in any case, isn't the crossover class just like a microvan for the most part?

They don't have sliding doors. That's the main difference and quite a big difference for many people. Also CUV styling is often more boxy in the front and tapered in the back screwing up fuel mileage and cargo space, but looks better. :rolleyes: