Honda Engine in a Saturn

I was reading the August 2004 of "MotorTrend" magazine and was shocked
when I read about the "Saturn Vu AWD Red Line". Is a SUV. The article (on
page 120-121) clearly says that it comes from the factory with a Honda V6
engine. The Displacement is 211.8 / 3471.
They compared it in their tests to three other SUVs. It was the fastest of
the group but came in third place in the tests.

The next time someone invades this group and says that American made cars
are better than cars designed in Japan--I plan to ask them:
If Japanese cars and engines are so bad then how come Suturn places a
Honda engine in their SUV?

 

Because GM and Honda both own a piece of Isuzu. Honda buys Isuzu diesels
for some of their other markets. Seen some of those white diesel Isuzu
cargo trucks that look just like white diesel GM cargo trucks?

 

You are correct but I believe the real reason is because the top staff at
Saturn including the CEO knows that Honda makes better engines than any
division of GM. Those top level staff members could have placed engines
made by various divisions of GM or Isuzu in their Saturn SUV but they
chose Honda engines because they are superior to any engines made by any
division of GM or Isuzu.

 

I believe I heard that it was cheaper for Saturn (GM) to buy the Honda
engines. Those V6's are made in the US, and many of GM's engines are made
in mexico now.

 

The real shame is that GM fails to put the Honda 3.5l engine in the new
Equinox. They put the corporate 3.4l POS engine in it. Less power (185 HP
vs. 250 HP), less torque ( 210 lb-ft vs. 242 lb-ft) and poorer reliability.
With the Honda engine, the Equinox would be a real winner. Why only the
Saturn Vue? The Equinox is actually built on the Vue platfrom in believe.

IMHO

Larry B.

 

Perhaps Honda won't sell GM the 3.5? After all, they'd probably not
want GM to have a Pilot competitor with a great engine in it...

 

Honda put up the lowest bid when Saturn went looking for a motor.

Money talks, ,and when someone can cut corners (ie not build thier own
motors) and profit from it, it was a better business decision.

Eightupman

 

Perhaps Honda won't sell GM the 3.5?[/QUOTE]

They already have. It's in the Saturn VUE.

(Interestingly enough, due to contractual obligations you won't find any
references to Honda or its engine anywhere in Saturn's promotional
material or documentation...)

 

Right you are, didn't have my facts together.

 

Saw billboards in town, (Madison, WI) referring to the Saturn with the Honda
engine.

Hugh

They already have. It's in the Saturn VUE.

(Interestingly enough, due to contractual obligations you won't find any
references to Honda or its engine anywhere in Saturn's promotional
material or documentation...)
[/QUOTE]

 

GM can't say anything. Dealers, however, are independent businessmen.
They have no ties to GM corporate or Honda in that regard. They can say
whatever they want.

Smart dealer, frankly...

 

Interesting post. What is the source of your information? The issue you
raised was not mentioned in the article that appeared in "Motor Trend"
magazine. It's hard to believe that Honda engines were cheaper to buy than
engines made by GM divisions. Certainly, GM would have given Saturn a
price cut since Saturn is actually owned by GM.

 

I'm waiting to see a VUE with a "Powered by Honda" windshield banner.

 

Pure speculation based on business dealings. Believe it or not (and as much
as I hate to admit) Honda is a growing force in the US jobmarket/economy.
Based on the sheer numbers that Honda produces vehicles around the globe it
was probably very easy for Honda to underbid GM for the contract for the
engines. OR GM is just not willing to support Saturn in that capacity being
that Saturn was making thier own motors...not GM. GM being a partial owner
is struggling (ie demise of Oldsmobile) and probably is getting to the point
of selling off Saturn to Honda. Then Honda will have a much stronger
automotive force in the US. And then we can see Honda start to produce a
V-8 vehicle so it to can compete in NASCAR just like Toyota

But of course I am a conspriacy theorist and this is all pure
speculation....but what if??

 

Lol....struggling?
Is *that* what you deduced from them finally getting rid of the Olds
division?

 

Being an Olds fan from birth I was sorry to see it go. Would have preferred
them to sell Saturn to Honda, or kill Buick. But all of the Big three have
thier issues, and us dumb Americans who are looking to pad our own wallets
are ruining the true American economy buy selling land/businesses to other
countries. The other countries are smart and use the US immigrant laws
against us to our own demise. AND compared to where they come from, they
would LOVE to pump your gas, wash your windshied or otherwise get dirty to
provide us our creature comforts. Mexicans are taking over the skilled
trade jobs, electricians, builders etc becaue they will work for pennies an
hour and be happy to live in US squalor. You have Pakistanis taking over
every 7-11 and gas station in New Jersey, then the Japanese are taking over
industry. Do you realize that all a foriegn business owners have to do is
sign the company over back and forth to any of his kin to avoid some US
taxes?? (at least thats the way it is in NJ.) Tell me they are not playing
it smart.....they got our number and taking advantage and I wish I had it
figured out so I can take advantage of the American populous also.

So yes, "struggling" was a gross understatement.

 

Uh-huh.

Let me know if you get around to discussing cars.

 

Nah......you'll figure it out all on your own.

 

That's not *exactly* it; it's the dumb Americans who can't see past
tomorrow, next week, or next quarter who are ruining business and the
economy.

Japan takes a long term view, very long term, and they have it right.

 

I agree with you 100% Better put than I did.