Comments on: Japanese automakers are far ahead of their US counterparts in the green car segment http://go-hybrid.info/blog/2007/03/30/japanese-automakers-are-far-ahead-of-their-us-counterparts-in-the-green-car-segment/ The Latest on Hybrid Vehicles and Other Energy-Saving Alternatives Wed, 27 Jan 2010 21:16:09 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Augie http://go-hybrid.info/blog/2007/03/30/japanese-automakers-are-far-ahead-of-their-us-counterparts-in-the-green-car-segment/comment-page-1/#comment-16528 Augie Tue, 01 Jul 2008 21:48:56 +0000 http://go-hybrid.info/blog/2007/03/30/japanese-automakers-are-far-ahead-of-their-us-counterparts-in-the-green-car-segment/#comment-16528 Keeping things on an even playing field regarding the infusion of hybrid vehicles into the American market I thought I might share my experience purchasing one. 6/14/08 I purchased a '08 Saturn Vue Greenline Partial Hybrid. My company car is a '07 Prius HSD full Hybrid. I have spent many years researching and using this technology and with the rising cost of fuel in the US and my personal need to replace my aging 2001 Pontiac Grand AM 4 cyl with 145K miles it was time. The Toyota Prius was a great choice but the cost and availability were hurdles. Ultimately the ride comfort and cargo capcity were the deciding factors for my choosing the Saturn Vue. After only 600 miles this is a decision I am regreting. I am writing to the New York New Jersey Attorny Generals about this matter for possible "Lemon Law" enforcement. Do not invest in this company's product. Saturn Engineers and Technicians are out of touch with the American people and the customers they presumably design these cars for. There is a critical unexplained programing glitch in the software controling the many modules that communicate their information to the main computer control unit. When the modules don't communicate to the main computer the system starts to disable certain functions including safety functions and sends error codes and lights flashing on the dashboard. Dealership mechanics go through their service tree and ruling out physical causes resolves the issue by reprogramming each module. Then they must reestablish the hand shake between the module and computer. As a consumer my question is why is this happening and can it happen again? No one has called me to explain those things to me. A vehicle is a major investment and it behooves Saturn engineers to step up to the plate, come out of their ivory tower and explain to customers what is going on. It is no wonder American car manufacturers can't compete. They want to make junk and expect Americans to buy it while they peddle other wares in countires like China. I don't have sympathy when manufacturers like Honda, Toyota, Mitsubishi and Hyundai beat the pants off of the Big Three. Keeping things on an even playing field regarding the infusion of hybrid vehicles into the American market I thought I might share my experience purchasing one. 6/14/08 I purchased a ‘08 Saturn Vue Greenline Partial Hybrid. My company car is a ‘07 Prius HSD full Hybrid. I have spent many years researching and using this technology and with the rising cost of fuel in the US and my personal need to replace my aging 2001 Pontiac Grand AM 4 cyl with 145K miles it was time. The Toyota Prius was a great choice but the cost and availability were hurdles. Ultimately the ride comfort and cargo capcity were the deciding factors for my choosing the Saturn Vue. After only 600 miles this is a decision I am regreting. I am writing to the New York New Jersey Attorny Generals about this matter for possible “Lemon Law” enforcement.

Do not invest in this company’s product. Saturn Engineers and Technicians are out of touch with the American people and the customers they presumably design these cars for. There is a critical unexplained programing glitch in the software controling the many modules that communicate their information to the main computer control unit. When the modules don’t communicate to the main computer the system starts to disable certain functions including safety functions and sends error codes and lights flashing on the dashboard. Dealership mechanics go through their service tree and ruling out physical causes resolves the issue by reprogramming each module. Then they must reestablish the hand shake between the module and computer.

As a consumer my question is why is this happening and can it happen again? No one has called me to explain those things to me. A vehicle is a major investment and it behooves Saturn engineers to step up to the plate, come out of their ivory tower and explain to customers what is going on. It is no wonder American car manufacturers can’t compete. They want to make junk and expect Americans to buy it while they peddle other wares in countires like China. I don’t have sympathy when manufacturers like Honda, Toyota, Mitsubishi and Hyundai beat the pants off of the Big Three.

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