>>>http://apnews.myway.com//article/20090408/D97E25E00.html
>>>
>>>A snippet:
>>>
>>>"This is a very important vehicle for us. It's one of the primary legs of the Chrysler stool," Chrysler spokesman Rick Deneau said.
>>>
>>>Couldn't have said it better.
>>
>>I'm not sure how meaningful this is. New auto models take years to design and build, not days. Obviously this one has already been built if they can take it to an auto show. What are they supposed to do, throw it away? It doesn't mean they won't begin a shift to smarter vehicles.
>
>The Chevy Cobalt gets 33 mpg, Aveo 35 mpg, Pontiac G5 37 mpg, Saturn Astra 32 mpg (although mine actually gets around 34mpg), Chevy Malibu 33 mpg, Saturn Aura 33 mpg, Pontiac Vibe 31 mpg, and the Saturn Vue Hybrid 32 mpg. I think they've had smarter vehicles in mind for a few years already. They still have a way to go, but in reality some of their vehicles get better gas mileage than the Honda Civic and the Honda Acord.

Very good article in the current issue of Newsweek about the history of the Saturn. One of the main points is it was probably done in more by forces within GM than outside. Cooperation with the autoworkers union also fell apart after a change in union leadership. Too bad.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/192458