Saturn Aura Hybrid

[JackDodge]

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artic...UTO01/703200368

I think that I'm starting to see how GM thinks and that's somewhat disturbing. Here's my theory: GM thinks in terms of price alone. So if a Prius costs $23,000 then if you come out with a mild hybrid that costs $22,000 then, voila, you're competing against the Prius. Wow, uh, well, the Aura gets 28 mpg city and 35 mpg highway compared to 55 mpg with a Prius. So, it compares to the Prius because it costs about the same and qualifies as a hybrid? I'd help out GM in its quest to stay in business but, oh hey, with Iranian issues making gasoline prices do the twist, I just can't see the Aura as being a competitor to the Prius when the Aura gets 20 miles less per gallon. C'mon. But there's GM's idea of competition to the Prius in a nutshell.

[onlynark]

I am missing something. This is what is quoted in the article:

A hybrid version of the Saturn Aura sedan will hit showrooms this month, with a starting price of $22,695 -- $100 less than Toyota's trend-setting Prius hybrid. [/b]

If you look at autos.yahoo.com, you will notice that the MSRP of the prius is $22,175. That is lower than the Aura.....wtf, someone doesnt know math very well?

[cwerdna]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(nark @ Apr 4 2007, 12:26 AM) [snapback]417502[/snapback]</div>

I am missing something. This is what is quoted in the article:
If you look at autos.yahoo.com, you will notice that the MSRP of the prius is $22,175. That is lower than the Aura.....wtf, someone doesnt know math very well?
[/b]

The MSRP on a Prius is $22795 per Edmunds if you include the $620 destination charge. Per Edmunds, the Aura Hybrid MSRP $22695 with $650 destination charge.

The MSRP $22795 on a Prius is a bit misleading as well as I don't think anyone can buy a Prius w/no package. When I got mine, the lowest package for my region was #3 and packageless was impossible.

[Tempus]

Well, technically they're right. I mean the Washington Generals 'compete' against the Harlem Globetrotters all the time right?

[gippah]

I looked at the specs of the Aura, and it's barely a hybrid. The electric motor on it seems to add almost nothing to the drive or the fuel economy. It looks to me like this is a marketing gimmick that appeared about 2 years too late.

[daniel]

The term "mild hybrid" actually means: It's not really a hybrid but we get to call it that. The difference between GM and an automaker is like the difference between a poisoner and a French chef.

[JackDodge]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(gippah @ Apr 4 2007, 10:10 AM) [snapback]417546[/snapback]</div>

I looked at the specs of the Aura, and it's barely a hybrid. The electric motor on it seems to add almost nothing to the drive or the fuel economy. It looks to me like this is a marketing gimmick that appeared about 2 years too late.
[/b]

Yeah and that's the heartbreaking thing about wanting to buy American but not having a real alternative to a Prius. If GM actually turned out a Saturn that was even almost as good and equivalent to a Prius, I'd give it a real hard look but just reading the article told me all that I needed. What a shame.

[JimN]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(daniel @ Apr 4 2007, 11:06 AM) [snapback]417624[/snapback]</div>

The term "mild hybrid" actually means: It's not really a hybrid but we get to call it that. The difference between GM and an automaker is like the difference between a poisoner and a French chef.
[/b]

[Tideland Prius]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(daniel @ Apr 4 2007, 09:06 AM) [snapback]417624[/snapback]</div>

The term "mild hybrid" actually means: It's not really a hybrid but we get to call it that. The difference between GM and an automaker is like the difference between a poisoner and a French chef.
[/b]

Although, I will admit it will be an alternative for those who want a Camry Hybrid but don't want a Japanese car or want to buy "American"

[Loveit]

Ford never had a better idea, and neither do the rest of the American made cars!


I lived in Michigan for 2 years and spouse had a Toyota Corona. (They don't make them anymore.) But the company spouse worked for at that time told spouse to go buy American and gave spouse a car expense account for it. I was ticked because we had to sell the Corona.

Also found out, if some dealers were open on weekends, the other dealers would drive by and throw rocks through the showroom windows. That tells you how strong the union is up there. The hours of most showrooms and dealers were from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and that's when you had to buy your car. No evening nor weekend hours. That .....! for the little guy!

Foreign cars in Michigan are not looked upon favorably.

They think they had the upper hand but most Americans don't think that way any more. Especially when they are paying buttloads of money for pensions, vacations, unions, bonuses, whatever!

I think American car manufacturers are too big for their britches!

Me, I am buying foreign next time; but I am gonna make sure it's a good car, or nobody gets my money!