SATURN SEEKS SALES BOOST WITH NEW VEHICLE MODELS.Byline: Associated Press Associated Press: see news agency. Associated Press (AP) Cooperative news agency, the oldest and largest in the U.S. and long the largest in the world. As Saturn dealers impatiently await the arrival of the company's first midsize sedan and sport-utility vehicle sport-u·til·i·ty vehicle n. Abbr. SUV A four-wheel-drive vehicle with a roomy body, designed for off-road travel. , the small-car unit of General Motors Corp. is trying to reverse slumping sales by finding creative ways to make new versions of the same old car. The latest is a three-door coupe. Saturn executives hope the retooled coupe - with a small, driver's side access door to the back seat - will do for their sagging coupe sales what extra doors did for Big Three pickup sales. The new SC coupe debuts today at the Boston auto show An auto show, or motor show, is a public exhibition of current automobile models, debuts, concept cars, or out-of-production classics. It is commonly attended by automobile manufacturers. Most auto shows occur once or twice a year. and goes into production next week in Spring Hill, Tenn. It arrives three months after Saturn began marketing its right-hand-drive wagon to rural postal carriers in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. in another niche-seeking attempt to boost sales. Saturn already was producing the right-drive wagons for export to Japan, where the recession has decimated car sales. Despite a strong U.S. vehicle market, Saturn's sales have been down 10 percent this year from 1997 levels. Its limited product line - one subcompact car Noun 1. subcompact car - a car smaller than a compact car subcompact auto, automobile, car, motorcar, machine - a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine; "he needs a car to get to work" in sedan, coupe and wagon versions - has collided head-on with falling gasoline prices and slumping demand for small, fuel-efficient cars. CAPTION(S): Photo Photo: (Color) Saturn hopes to boost sagging sales with new vehicle models like its three-door coupe, which debuts today in Boston. |
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