They Live!: GM Adds Saturn Outlook and Vue To Zombie Production Roster

Edward Niedermeyer
by Edward Niedermeyer

We knew that production of HUMMER H3 and H3Ts was continuing, as an unnamed fleet buyer has ordered the final batch of 849 units from GM’s Shreveport plant, but that’s not the only Zombie nameplate that GM just can’t seem to kill. Automotive News [sub] reports that 1,037 Saturn Outlooks were built last month “to utilize existing materials” according to GM spokesfolks. According to production stats published at GMI, about 3,000 Saturn Vues were also built in February at GM’s Ramos Arizpe plant in Mexico. Is GM having brand separation anxiety, or are zombie car nameplates as hard to kill as their undead namesakes?

Edward Niedermeyer
Edward Niedermeyer

More by Edward Niedermeyer

Comments
Join the conversation
8 of 38 comments
  • Accs Accs on Mar 16, 2010

    These god damn things (Lambdas) are a scourge on the landscape, its not bad enough to have the Burban, but the Tahoe. Now to confuse all of the little GM brand conscious consumers..., lets produce 4 of the filthy things to really screw with value and brand definition. They were a BRAND and badge DISASTER from the moment each of these little bastard children were hatched. Just the concept that GM can fuck over the tax payer to allow these bastards to be produced.. is just another nail in the coffin of GM ever caring what the TAX payer has done for them.. -- SAVE THEIR SORRY GOD DAMN ASS And the H3.. shouldn't have ever been produced, but its a ploy for people who are woefully inadequate.. to buy a smaller albeit cheaper POS. Now... The Lambdas have their own frame. The Hummer - H3 is on the same frame as the Colorado / Canyon (another failed experiment.) Id like to know... What is the purpose of producing the Outlook against the Traverse, or the Acadia or Enclave? Isn't Saturn being shown the door.. with a foot wedged deep in its ass. = Get lost. What is the point for these two to continue to be built, or to turn the factories back on to produce them?! And why couldn't GM just offer the rest of the Lambdas at a discount (haha, no one buys a GM car at full price.)

    • See 1 previous
    • Christy Garwood Christy Garwood on Mar 17, 2010

      Rusnak_322, thanks for the calm response. And you are absolutely correct, this family of vehicles was designed long ago. GMC and Saturn started selling in late 2006, with the Buick in 2Q 2007, with the Chevy Traverse in 3Q 2008. As an employee, I had the opportunity to briefly put a Tahoe and an Outlook in my garage - the Outlook is longer, like a Suburban. You are right, these vehicles do not have separate frames for the underbody like full size trucks. The frame is incorporated into the body like a car unibody design. These vehicles are not really minivans, though, but the versatility is awesome! My niece bought a Traverse eight months ago and loves it. A friend just bought a Traverse yesterday. I would recommend the Traverse if you want a more car-like driving experience. The reason GMC designs and builds versions of vehicles that are similar to Chevrolet is because that is what the customer wants and they sell. Same for the Denali version, they sell. As much grief as GM gets on this site from commentators, I would think that people would figure out that GMC sells!

  • MadHungarian MadHungarian on Mar 16, 2010

    Hey GM, while you're at it, could you make me a few Corvair Corsas? Also a '72 Riviera. And a '75 Fleetwood Brougham, preferably with a Monticello Velour interior. kthxbye!

  • Steven Lang Steven Lang on Mar 17, 2010

    A friend of mine bought a loaded up 2008 Saturn Vue with 18,000 miles the other day. Leather, sunroof, all the options and trimmings including an RV hookup on the front bumper. Price? $13,300 It's one of the best deals I've seen these last several years.... and it took place during tax season. Unbelievable...

    • Accs Accs on Mar 18, 2010

      SO I have to ask... You dont seem to be a brand whore... But I still must ask. Do you think its a good deal, caue the vehicle isnt made anymore, and the brand will go down in flames, cause GM sent it out to do battle with no weapons? Or is it just a loaded vehicle with a bad rep... and its cheap. But does cheap and loaded mean a good vehicle.. or is it just cheap? I often have this quandry: Is a vehicle good cause its cheap? Is there such thing as a good cheap car? Or are you only buying the cheapness..and the features / options don't matter?

  • Steven Lang Steven Lang on Mar 18, 2010

    Aaahhh... what question was the one you asked me?

    • Accs Accs on Mar 19, 2010

      Can you buy a good car cheap? Or when ya buy a Vue.. are ya just getting a cheap car?

Next