GM is going green and is doing it right. Saturn, long known as the “safety company” has earned the title of the “green company”. Saturn, GM's alternative brand that was introduced in the early '90's and targeted younger buyers has grown up, just like their target customers. Just like their customers, Saturn has not forgotten their ideals or what made them a force to be reckoned with in the auto industry. They want style, they want safety, they want eco-friendly. Saturn listed and responded with some very green models.

Saturn has rolled out three green models showing Detroit that the U.S. can still lead, that GM is a serious contender and that they are listening to what customers want and expect. Saturn's ground breaking Vue is leading the pack of eco-friendly cars. The 2010 Vue will be available as a true plug-in hybrid that can run as a pure EV. The Vue's Lithium Ion battery has a range that is a solid start but will need some work to keep it at the front of the pack. Given that this is GM's first commercially available electric car, the Vue is definitely turning some heads and putting some smiles on customer's faces.

The Vue's green story does not end there. The Vue is available in a dual mode hybrid. The Gas+Electric power plant uses Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries that allow you to go all electric at low speeds. Saturn's now grown-up-but-still-environmentally-concerned customer base has to love that this model is a staggering 50% more fuel efficient than its non-hybrid version. Saturn should be proud of the strides they are making in setting the standard for fuel efficient options. It is no wonder that Saturn is being looked at as GM's green offering.

Saturn is not done with the off-the-charts fuel economy of the Vue. They have unveiled a concept car that is designed to fit the needs of customers and continue to squeeze every mile possible from a drop of gas. The Saturn Flextreme is a concept car that is touted as “the next evolution” for plug-in hybrids. The Flextreme is the product of a joint venture by Saturn and Opel and is a sign of things to come for the Euro markets. At 35 miles using all electric, the Flextreme has a very respectable range that puts this car in the class of “yeah, I can do that” for customers wanting to be green and still go where they want, when they want. The Flextreme is based on GM's E-Flex powertrain system. It incorporates a 1.3 litre turbo diesel, Lithium Ion batteries and of course, electric motors. This is the complete package when it comes to plug-in hybrids!

GM is putting smiles back on customer's faces. They smile when they think about the good they are doing for the environment and they smile every time they drive past the gas station!