[Old Tele man]

...SATURN was an exercise in futility.

...it was futile for Saturn employees to do anything different from the GM-mandated 'guidance.'

...IMHO Saturn had some very good ideas--in the beginning--but, (as I understand it) GM management down played them, such as: spin-on transmission oil filter; plastic/5-mph crash door panels; etc. Syling started off OK, but quickly sunk to just "rebadged" other GM/GMC chassis.

...supposedly, management "earns" its BIG-BUCK$ salaries by being wise enough and forward-thinking enough to anticipate future trends and paradigm shifts...GM has farted on that front since the 1980's.

...and, speaking of the early years, the "old" GM used to import the "unique/different" models from their Global divisions as niche models...remember the "baby Corvette" Opal GT...and the Aussie Holdens?

...it's gotta cost LESS to tweek a proven "seller" import to meet US/EPA mandates than to backward engineer one from the ground up! Some excellent examples NOW are the G8-GTO from Australia and the new Opal from their european division.