Heard something interesting on NPR last night

[skyOwner2be]

Ok, on my way to work last night they were talking on NPR about one of the plants that GM has just announced closing is the one that produces Saturns. The guy was talking about the future of Saturn possibly becoming more like the dealers of their other cars due to the lack of popularity with their brand. Like not trying to be so different than a regular dealer, and trying to get their reliability stereotype fixed. Did anyone else hear about this? Is the Sky made at the same plant that makes the other cars? It didn't say they were getting rid of Saturn, like Oldsmobile, but just that this particular plant was closing. I want to make sure I understand something.

[reedred]

They're closing one line at the TN Saturn plant, not the entire plant. ION production is moving to wherever they make the Chevy Cobalt. Given their similarities, building them on the same line is a move GM probably should have made some time ago. The Sky will be built at the Wilmington, DE plant where the Solstice is built and my current Saturn came from.

The company is changing to become more like other divisions of GM so that it can offer nicer products and compete better. Saturn's cars are becoming more mainstream, which is necessary for the brand to survive. One key part of that is the upcoming attractive styling, another is getting rid of the plastic body panels.

The dealer experience is the one thing Saturn wants to keep the same. They have gained a great reputation for service, and people enjoy the no-haggle pricing. That experience is likely the only reason the brand is still around. The main problem with the dealers is that no one is shopping in them, which they're trying to fix.

[Turk]

Originally Posted by reedred

They're closing one line at the TN Saturn plant, not the entire plant. ION production is moving to wherever they make the Chevy Cobalt. Given their similarities, building them on the same line is a move GM probably should have made some time ago. The Sky will be built at the Wilmington, DE plant where the Solstice is built and my current Saturn came from.

That is what I've heard also. I am from the "area" where the Cobalt is built (Lordstown, Oh). There has been rumblings that we where going to get the Ion.

In another note, Lordstown is a staging area for the Solctice as it is trucked here to be put on trains to reach the rest of the midwest and west. I have to assume that the Sky's will come through here also.

[Draw22]

From what I heard, you are right. The closing is for Line 1 which produces the ION. The Ion is scheduled for a redisign. It is suppose to look very different in 2007.

[skyOwner2be]

Good, I am glad to see some of you know more about what I heard and didn't think I was making it up.

[bentley]

i was just reading your threads on the GM closings and now i have something to tell my boss, he has been asking me when i am sopose to get my new saturn sky, then he says that i probobly will never get it because they are closing the TN plant now i can tell him that it will be built in DE

i ordered my on 10-25-05 in rockford IL
does anyone have any idea when they are going to start production on the sky??????

i am getting the midnite blue

vickie