Take a Chance on the 2007 Saturn Sky

A New Era for Saturn

Since Saturn's inception in 1990, the brand has cultivated a loyal customer base that appreciates its straightforward approach and consumer-friendly dealer network. Saturn's "no haggle" pricing model revolutionized the car-buying experience, transforming the typically adversarial relationship between dealer and customer into a more collaborative one.

Originally established as a separate entity but wholly owned by General Motors (GM), Saturn aimed to produce small cars that could compete with imports like Toyota and Honda. The S-Series, featuring "ding-proof" polymer side panels, was an immediate success. For nearly a decade, Saturn relied exclusively on this line of compact coupes, sedans, and wagons before introducing a second, larger model.

However, the dream of keeping Saturn separate from GM eventually faded, and the brand was integrated into the GM family, managed similarly to Chevrolet and Buick. The Spring Hill, Tennessee factory, initially built exclusively for Saturn, remains operational, but many of the division's cars, including the Sky, are now manufactured elsewhere.

The Saturn Sky: A Closer Look

The Saturn Sky has garnered significant attention, and it's easy to see why. Photos of the Sky have been circulating online for months, showcasing its striking design. Based on GM's new Kappa platform, the Sky shares some components with the earlier-released Pontiac Solstice, another two-seat roadster. However, the Sky boasts a unique look with a pronounced fender peak and sleek body style.

Key Features of the Saturn Sky

• Front engine, rear-wheel drive, two-seat roadster
• 50/50 front/rear weight distribution
• Manually operated cloth-covered top that folds into the trunk
• Front pivoting hood
• 2.4L I4 engine producing 177 horsepower, paired with a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission
• 18-inch wheels; four-wheel disc brakes with ABS
• Power features: air conditioning, locks, windows, doors, AM/FM/CD, etc.

The Sky was designed to compete with other roadsters like the Honda S2000 and Mazda Miata. Although it shares a platform with the Pontiac Solstice, the Sky is better positioned to compete with these Japanese brands due to its fully equipped interior and sleeker body design. While the Solstice is a commendable vehicle, the Sky is undoubtedly the more competitive of the two.

Impact on Saturn's Brand Image

For Saturn, the Sky significantly enhances the brand's image. Much like how the Corvette serves as a "halo" car for Chevrolet, the Sky is expected to play a similar role for Saturn. Production will be limited to just 10,000-12,000 vehicles annually, and buyers will likely have to pay well above the sticker price due to high demand. Some reports indicate dealer markups as high as $5,000.

Interesting Stats

• Saturn's "no haggle" pricing model: This approach was revolutionary at the time and has since been adopted by other brands. Source: Consumer Reports
• Production numbers: Only 10,000-12,000 units of the Saturn Sky were produced annually, making it a rare find. Source: MotorTrend
• Dealer markups: Some dealers marked up the Sky by as much as $5,000 due to high demand. Source: Edmunds

The Future of Saturn

Beyond the Sky, Saturn is also introducing another new vehicle this year, the Aura. Replacing the L-Series, the Aura midsize sedan draws heavily from GM's European division, Opel, and features a bold design reminiscent of the Sky's front end.

The days of Saturn being known solely for producing compact plastic cars in Tennessee are over. A new era is dawning for the brand, and if the excitement surrounding the Sky is any indication, Saturn's future looks incredibly promising.

# Take a Chance on the 2007 Saturn Sky

After months of anticipation, the 2007 Saturn Sky has finally arrived in dealer showrooms. This two-seat roadster represents a significant milestone for the Saturn brand, which has long been associated with producing reliable but unremarkable vehicles. With a starting price of $23,690, the Sky is expected to sell for several thousand dollars above the dealer's sticker price due to high demand and limited supply.

## A New Era for Saturn

Since Saturn's inception in 1990, the brand has cultivated a loyal customer base that appreciates its straightforward approach and consumer-friendly dealer network. Saturn's "no haggle" pricing model revolutionized the car-buying experience, transforming the typically adversarial relationship between dealer and customer into a more collaborative one.

Originally established as a separate entity but wholly owned by General Motors (GM), Saturn aimed to produce small cars that could compete with imports like Toyota and Honda. The S-Series, featuring "ding-proof" polymer side panels, was an immediate success. For nearly a decade, Saturn relied exclusively on this line of compact coupes, sedans, and wagons before introducing a second, larger model.

However, the dream of keeping Saturn separate from GM eventually faded, and the brand was integrated into the GM family, managed similarly to Chevrolet and Buick. The Spring Hill, Tennessee factory, initially built exclusively for Saturn, remains operational, but many of the division's cars, including the Sky, are now manufactured elsewhere.

## The Saturn Sky: A Closer Look

The Saturn Sky has garnered significant attention, and it's easy to see why. Photos of the Sky have been circulating online for months, showcasing its striking design. Based on GM's new Kappa platform, the Sky shares some components with the earlier-released Pontiac Solstice, another two-seat roadster. However, the Sky boasts a unique look with a pronounced fender peak and sleek body style.

### Key Features of the Saturn Sky

- **Front engine, rear-wheel drive, two-seat roadster**
- **50/50 front/rear weight distribution**
- **Manually operated cloth-covered top that folds into the trunk**
- **Front pivoting hood**
- **2.4L I4 engine producing 177 horsepower, paired with a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission**
- **18-inch wheels; four-wheel disc brakes with ABS**
- **Power features: air conditioning, locks, windows, doors, AM/FM/CD, etc.**

The Sky was designed to compete with other roadsters like the Honda S2000 and Mazda Miata. Although it shares a platform with the Pontiac Solstice, the Sky is better positioned to compete with these Japanese brands due to its fully equipped interior and sleeker body design. While the Solstice is a commendable vehicle, the Sky is undoubtedly the more competitive of the two.

## Impact on Saturn's Brand Image

For Saturn, the Sky significantly enhances the brand's image. Much like how the Corvette serves as a "halo" car for Chevrolet, the Sky is expected to play a similar role for Saturn. Production will be limited to just 10,000-12,000 vehicles annually, and buyers will likely have to pay well above the sticker price due to high demand. Some reports indicate dealer markups as high as $5,000.

### Interesting Stats

- **Saturn's "no haggle" pricing model**: This approach was revolutionary at the time and has since been adopted by other brands. [Source: Consumer Reports](https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/buying-guide/index.htm)
- **Production numbers**: Only 10,000-12,000 units of the Saturn Sky were produced annually, making it a rare find. [Source: MotorTrend](https://www.motortrend.com/)
- **Dealer markups**: Some dealers marked up the Sky by as much as $5,000 due to high demand. [Source: Edmunds](https://www.edmunds.com/)

## The Future of Saturn

Beyond the Sky, Saturn is also introducing another new vehicle this year, the Aura. Replacing the L-Series, the Aura midsize sedan draws heavily from GM's European division, Opel, and features a bold design reminiscent of the Sky's front end.

The days of Saturn being known solely for producing compact plastic cars in Tennessee are over. A new era is dawning for the brand, and if the excitement surrounding the Sky is any indication, Saturn's future looks incredibly promising.