Opel Gives Clues to New Vue's Debut

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Automotive News
By Rick Kranz

Saturn will stage the world debut of its redesigned 2008 Vue at the Los Angeles auto show late this month, but the secret is out.

The 2007 Opel Antara and 2008 Vue are virtual clones when it comes to exterior styling. The sheet metal is shared, as are the fascias and the greenhouse. The two vehicles are distinguished mainly by the brand emblem at the top of each vehicle's grille.

The Vue is a crossover developed by GM Daewoo Auto & Technology on a front-drive unibody platform. Antara sales begin in Germany, Austria and Switzerland this year and the rest of continental Europe early next year.

The Antara is assembled in South Korea. The Vue will be assembled in the United States, but General Motors has not identified the plant.

The redesigned Vue will be priced higher than the 2007 model, said a Saturn spokesman. Base prices for 2007 models range from $17,995 to $24,230, including shipping.

While he would not say how much the Vue's base price would rise, the spokesman said it will not be “as high as Opel if you take a straight exchange rate.” The Opel Antara has a long list of standard equipment. Its starting price in Germany is 26,850 euros, or about $34,265 at current exchange rates.

The 2008 Vue continues as a five-seater with dimensions nearly the same as the 2007 model. One big difference on the outside is the body panels. The current Vue has composite panels, and the 2008 model has sheet metal.