General Motors has begun testing prototypes of the next-generation Opel Meriva, which was previewed in concept form earlier this year. Recent rumors indicate GM is considering importing the new Meriva to the United States as a Saturn.
Th first generation Meriva has been on the market since 2002. The next-generation model will be considerably more stylish and in line with Opel’s recent offerings.
The concept’s side profile boasts a distinctive character line, which was a typical design cue which appeared on the GTC Coupe and Flextreme concepts. Rear section elements — in particular the rear lights — echo the Insignia (Saturn Astra), Opel’s new mid-size car due to be launched in the fall.
Executives familiar with Saturn’s product plan told Automotive News the Meriva is being assessed for America. But GM first must assess whether a business case can be made to bring a hatchback to the United States, where hatchbacks typically have not been big seller
04/17, 10:19 AM
posted by:
HemiRoadRunner
The UAW will be sure to halt it’s production anyway. So lets do a thorugh test on this thing.
04/17, 10:24 AM
posted by:
A4
hatchbacks will be on the rise when the bull**** hype around the prius fully dies out
04/17, 10:55 AM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
I’m sick of hearing that small hatchbacks don’t sell well here amongst the unkempt bunch of dullards the makers of such creatures make us out to be. Yeah, that’d be why you only see about a zillion of them every day. And pretty much every SUV, Crossover and Minivan out there is technically a hatch so enough already.
04/17, 11:07 AM
posted by:
hunter
If this car arrives to the US I will buy one for my sister.
I hope it will be available here to(?)
Great spy shots! LLN own the best shots worldwide!
04/17, 11:13 AM
posted by:
Need4SSpeed
Not another hatch. Saturn already has the Astra. Which I do happen to like even though I do not like hatchbacks. I don’t know if having something below the Astra will be good. Save yourself a lot of $ and trouble GM and keep it on the other side of the pond.
04/17, 11:48 AM
posted by:
LaCaLover
This reall y should go on sale in the US as a Saturn
04/17, 11:49 AM
posted by:
LaCaLover
Hatchbacks rock on the west coast, its you okies are behind the times (again). Stop holding us back you rednecks
04/17, 12:01 PM
posted by:
rsg
They should just change Saturn to the Opel brand here and start over. I can’t picture Saturn without thinking of the ****boxes they’ve been making until the last couple years or so. I bet other people can’t either.
04/17, 12:08 PM
posted by:
buenos
I’m always curious about why people don’t like hatchbacks. Need4SSpeed, perhaps you can elaborate?
04/17, 12:24 PM
posted by:
RaineMan
Looks like saturn’s version of the Aveo… blah.
Why to all the 5-doors have to have a completely flat back end?
As far as hatches not selling… what are the Scion tC, Mitsu Eclipse, & 350Z considered?
04/17, 12:33 PM
posted by:
inline6
Once again, the Meriva isn’t a hatchback. It’s a B-size MPV. If it was a matter of GM being worried about bringing hatchbacks over, why’d they bring over the Astra, which comes only in hatchback bodystyles?
This is an MPV. And it seems to me that the Zafira would be a better bet in the states.
04/17, 12:41 PM
posted by:
oldraven
“They should just change Saturn to the Opel brand here and start over. I can’t picture Saturn without thinking of the ****boxes they’ve been making until the last couple years or so. I bet other people can’t either.”
As an owner of an ‘03 Vue, I can’t say I agree with that. They’ve been making decent rigs for more than a couple of years. I’m disappointed they went to sheetmetal, but the Opel’s look great.
04/17, 12:46 PM
posted by:
Need more oil for GM
This car will step in as a nice upgrade for the class leading Chevy Aveo. Most likely the final nail in Hondas coffin here in America. GM already beats them in quality, dependibility and offerings, now that they’ll trash them in the small car class (Aveo was better, but not enough recognition), Honda has nothing left to stand on.
04/17, 1:09 PM
posted by:
Need4SSpeed
Sure Buenos, I can elaborate. Actually the kind of Hatchbacks that I don’t like are what RaineMan was talking about. When I think “Hatchback” what comes to mind is the GTI, Mazda3 Hatch, Chevy Aveo, Suzuki Areo, any hatch that looks like a wagon basically I think are the most ugly cars on the road. Most of the times their lines don’t flow nicely to me. It’s just my personal preference. Sure you get a nice blend of versatility, and sport. But If I want versatility, I’ll buy an SUV. If I want sport, I i’ll drive a sports car.
However I love Celica’s, (84 RWD 5spd Celica GT was my first car and first love) I liked the AWD Eclipse’s from the 90’s, and I’m a big Z fan. But because those are two doors and because the 3rd door is more flat horizontally then vertically and because they look more like sports cars to me they aren’t “true” hatches.
04/17, 1:57 PM
posted by:
non_biased_enthusiast
Chevy Aveo, class leading? That’s hilarious…
04/17, 2:13 PM
posted by:
oldraven
non_biased_enthusiast, I don’t think you should be taking anything Need more oil for GM says seriously. His name alone makes him out to be a troll, and then once you read what he has to say it becomes obvious.