Sometime last week, I was discussing the future of Saturn and the death of Pontiac with a friend. He mentioned how it broke his heart that the Saturn Astra, which just came to the stateside, will most likely be forced out of production. Of course, it is widely known that if Saturn lived to see the future, it would have eventually become the Opel for North America, featuring products from GM’s German division.

It seems like there may still be hope out there for the Astra to stay in the stateside. According to sources at GM Inside News the Astra is going to be rebadged as a Buick. Sources said that the Astra has been approved by the GM Product Board to become a part of the North American Buick lineup.

However, the Astra has not been approved for Buick in China, which enjoyed a 63.6 percent growth in the month of April.

Sources say that the Buick Astra will be built at GM’s Lordstown, OH plant or at its new San Luis Potosi, Mexico facility. Production will start in December of 2011 for the 2012 model year.

No word on whether Buick will keep the Astra name or which variants of the Astra Buick will get.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: GMI

According to a Saturn spokesman Steve Janisse, General Motors will not be importing the Astra for the 2009 model year. Janisse said that General Motors has more than an adequate stock of the 2008 Astra and since there were no major changes for 2009, the company is content with not offering a 2009 model year.

Automotive News says that GM will resume production of the Euro-built car in late summer or early fall as a 2010 model. Saturn has a 139-day supply of the Astra as of Jan. 1st.

GM currently has about 5,500 2008 Astras in stock. Launched in January of last year, GM sold a total of 11,968 units through December.

GM today gave a sneak peek at the next-generation Vauxhall Astra, also known as the Saturn Astra on the stateside. The design of the new Astra is said to take major inspiration from the new 2009 Insignia with quality and a premium interior being the main focus. Built on an all-new chassis the next Astra will get segment-leading dynamics and new powertrain choices that will lower fuel-consumption.

GM says the next Astra will also feature some new tech options from the new Insignia like the front camera system, traffic sign recognition, lane departure system and Adaptive Front Lighting (AFL).

The fourth-generation Astra will debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show, sales will begin later next year.

Click through for the press release.

2009 Astra Sneak Peek:

Press Release:

    – 5-door hatch to debut at 2009 Frankfurt Show
    – All-new, highly sophisticated chassis
    – New high-efficiency engines
    – Leading technology evolved from Insignia

The next generation Vauxhall Astra will receive its premiere at next year’s Frankfurt Show, delivering a compelling mix of technical innovation and groundbreaking design that promises to raise the bar in the compact sector.

With its flowing lines and signature sculpted blade, the new Astra will carry the spirit of the Insignia into the compact class, offering customers a premium feel, while maintaining Vauxhall’s value for money promise.

Inside, the premium theme will continue, with a warm, wrap-around interior and a wing-line sweep that links the instrument panel to the door.

An all-new chassis promises to maintain the Astra’s reputation for class-leading dynamics, while new engines will maximise low-end torque to achieve miserly fuel consumption.

Also expect to see clever and practical features on the new Astra, taking inspiration from systems like the Corsa’s FlexFix integrated carrier.

The new Astra will major on technical innovation, such as the Front Camera System used in the upcoming Insignia, which combines traffic sign recognition with a lane departure system, improving occupant safety and potentially helping drivers avoid fines.

Next generation Adaptive Front Lighting (AFL) will also be shared with the Insignia. The system adapts to different road and driving conditions by providing nine unique light beams, improving visibility and safety during night-time driving.

This will be the fourth generation of the hugely successful Astra, which has sold over 2.5 million cars in the UK during the last 27 years.

The current model kick-started Vauxhall’s design renaissance when it was launched in 2004, and according to Mark Adams, GM Europe’s Vice President of Design, it presented his team with serious challenges: “The present Astra already combines a high level of technical substance and emotional styling, but with the new car we are taking a big step forward in both respects, while emphasising its sporting credentials.”