Smaller Saturn sunk

May 24, 2006 - By John LeBlanc

Of Corsa, we can't buy this If you haven't heard by now, Saturn will be the North American distribution arm for everything Opel. That is, almost everything.



General Motors has revealed what the next Opel Corsa subcompact will look like before its official unveiling at the British International Motor Show in July. To be built in Spain, the new Corsa will house fuel-sipping 1.0-litre, 1.2L and 1.4L four-bangers and CDTi turbodiesels in 1.3L and 1.7L displacements. With the Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio, Nissan Versa and Toyota Yaris subcompacts all becoming increasingly popular on par with the continuing rise in gas prices, one would think importing the little Opel as a Saturn would be a no-brainer. But, as of now, there are no plans to do so.

Extroverts and oil sheiks in mourning as Hummer H1 retires from active duty In a statement citing a desire to focus on (relatively) smaller Hummers such as the Chevrolet Tahoe-based H2 and the H3, which is built on the same bones as the Chevrolet Colorado pickup, General Motors announced it is putting to pasture the ageing Hummer H1 next month. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger made a big splash being the first civilian to buy the incredibly expensive, incredibly thirsty mother- of-all-SUVs H1 when it was launched in 1992. Based on the original military- spec Humvee, the uber-Hummer has sold 12,000 units since its inception. It became an icon of ostentation in the process. Although GM is officially saying its decision to cut the H1 has nothing to do with the recent rise in oil prices, the anti-Middle East war sentiment in the United States or global warming, customers have made up their own minds on the H1 with The General moving only 374 of them last year in the U.S. market, down from 447 in 2004.

And the 2006 Pay Me Now, Pay Me Later winners are... You know it, your best friend knows it -- heck, even the neighbour's kid who mows your lawn knows it: Depreciation is the biggest kick in your wallet after you purchase your shiny new car.

To help lessen the financial pain, each year, Kelley Blue Book (KBB) pegs which new vehicles are projected to have the best resale value after five years of ownership. BMW and Nissan have recently done well here, and 2006 is no exception. BMW's 5 Series and the BMW-built Mini Cooper and the Nissan-built Infiniti G35 coupe and M45 luxury sedan return to the KBB top 10. Other returnees are Lexus' GX 470, Porsche's Cayenne and Volvo's XC90, with Chevrolet's Corvette, Honda's Accord Hybrid and Toyota's Prius filling out this year's top 10.

KBB also cited key options that new- car buyers should consider that add value at resale time such as power windows and door locks, tilt steering wheel, cruise control, alloy or premium wheels, a CD player, keyless remote entry and a leather interior.

Bucking the trend against the current fuel consumption hysteria, KBB cites that popping for a more powerful engine option helps at resale time as well.

- John LeBlanc, Publisher, www.straight-six.com

© National Post 2006. This article originally appeared in The National Post's Driving.