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News of September 04, 2002

Spring Hill Manufacturing Complex Enters New Era As Production Begins On All-New Saturn Ion

Saturn ION

SPRING HILL, Tenn. - General Motors and UAW officials were on hand today to celebrate the end of one era and the beginning of another at Saturn's Spring Hill, Tenn., Manufacturing Complex. The last Saturn S-Series, a red sedan, was built this afternoon. Following close behind the last S-Series was the all-new, silver-blue Saturn ION.

"This year, Saturn had many 'wins' to be proud of," said Troy Clarke, GM group vice president Manufacturing and Labor Relations. "Saturn earned top ranking in both the J.D. Power Sales Satisfaction Index (SSI) and the Customer Service Index (CSI) - the first non-luxury brand to do so. In the last year, the Spring Hill Manufacturing Complex began production of the VUE sport-utility, Ecotec engine and now the all-new ION."

Photos: GM

The two Spring Hill-built ION models are completely new from the ground up and are the first models in the new General Motors Delta small-car architecture. The ION will play an important role in GM's entry-level strategy to attract more young buyers. The sedan is scheduled to go on sale in the fourth quarter of 2002. The "quad coupe" will debut during the first quarter of 2003.

"The UAW is committed to Saturn and I know that GM is likewise committed," said Richard Shoemaker, vice president and director UAW General Motors Department. "We are committed to working together, to seeing Saturn succeed and to providing jobs and a brighter future for UAW members, the entire Saturn team and for the surrounding communities."

The first Saturn S-Series was built on July 31, 1990. Since then, the Spring Hill Manufacturing Complex has produced 2.7 million S-Series sedans, coupes and wagons, as well as 1.9 liter, 4-cylinder engines with manual and automatic transmissions.

Originally, Saturn was intended to be an import fighter that would bring new business to the GM family. Today, nearly 80 percent of S-Series buyers list a competitive vehicle as their second choice. Over half say they would have bought an import.

In the fourth quarter of 2001, Spring Hill began production of the Saturn VUE sport utility, the first high-volume production vehicle with continuously variable transmission (VTi). In addition, Saturn redesigned its mid-sized L-Series for 2003 giving it a more elegant and upscale appearance.

(August 29, 2002)

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