(autoinsidernews) - Saturns newest small car, a version of the next-generation Opel Astra, is expected to be on sale in the States sometime after the middle of 2007. The yet unnamed Saturn compact will replace the poorly-received Ion, which will get a brief production reprieve and will be produced through March of 2007, reports Trend.
Saturn has not decided on a name for the new compact, but the Ion and Astra names are still options. The Saturn version of the Opel Astra is expected to arrive without any of the modifications that have cursed past attempts to adapt European models to American tastes. With far higher fuel prices, Europeans expect a lot more from their small cars than American consumers and the Astra is a great little car stylish, comfortable and sporty. All General Motors has to do is avoid the temptation to make wholesale changes and if it makes any minor tweaks just dont them screw up. If GM succeeds at both of those things, Saturn will likely have the best small car General Motors has ever sold in North America.
U.S. production of the Saturn version of the Astra should begin in 2008 most likely GMs Lordstown plant, where the Chevy Cobalt and Pontiac G5 are currently assembled.