| To challenge its closest rival, the Toyota Motor Co., | | | | terrific vehicle," said Joseph Phillippi of the AutoTrends |
| General Motors Corp. plans to set forth the cheapest | | | | Consulting in Short Hills, N.J., "it should do reasonably |
| hybrid in the form of the Saturn Aura sedan in the | | | | well." |
| United States. The hybrid sedan is aimed at | | | | Realizing the boost of environment-friendly aspects for |
| fuel-conscious customers who want to enjoy | | | | Toyota, which is already famed for its |
| affordability and efficiency in one car. | | | | technologically-advanced product lines, GM endeavors |
| The hybrid version of the Saturn Aura comes with a | | | | to steal some of the positive hype. GM |
| starting price of $22,695 and it is $100 less than | | | | announcements were delivered on the eve of |
| Toyota's Prius hybrid. The vehicle will hit showrooms | | | | President Bush's visit to its Fairfax Assembly Plant in |
| this month. The Saturn Aura will be the first hybrid | | | | Kansas City, Kan. The facility is responsible for the |
| sedan by an American car maker to be offered in the | | | | manufacture of Aura. |
| United States. Aura Green Line's EPA fuel economy | | | | GM is also working on other hybrids other than Aura. |
| rating is rated 28 miles per gallon in the city and 35 | | | | According to GM, the production of the Volt, an |
| mpg on the highway. | | | | all-electric car, is likely to start in 2010. The automaker |
| The Saturn Aura is equipped with GM's belt alternator | | | | is also planning to introduce other hybrids which will be |
| starter system, 2.4L Ecotec engine mated to an | | | | using various types of technology. |
| electric motor/generator and the 4T45-E four-speed | | | | The Saturn Aura is set to rival the Toyota Prius, by far |
| automatic transmission and EBC brake rotors to | | | | the most well-liked hybrid in the United States with |
| bolster the performance of the car. It claims 30 | | | | 107,000 units sold in 2006. Nevertheless, starting April, |
| percent improvement over the XE. | | | | Toyota Prius owners will be eligible for only a $787 |
| Aside from the affordability of the Aura, the | | | | federal tax credit. This is because of the gradual |
| purchasers are also entitled to a $1,300 tax break as | | | | reduction of the credit granted by the federal program. |
| part of the federal government's initiative to encourage | | | | The tax credit will eventually be eliminated as more |
| the purchase of environment-friendly hybrids. "It makes | | | | and more models are sold. |
| true hybrid fuel savings available to more people than | | | | Despite the fact that gas-electric hybrid vehicles cost |
| ever before," Saturn General Manager Jill Lajdziak said. | | | | several thousand dollars greater than conventional |
| GM has pinned much of Saturn's revitalization on the | | | | models, they have lured customers due to fluctuating |
| Aura, which has generated glowing reviews. The | | | | gas prices. Hybrids have conventional internal |
| automaker, which does not disclose sales targets, has | | | | combustion engines and electric motors, which assist |
| sold 7,898 Auras in the first two months of 2007. | | | | the gas engine. |
| "Given the fact that the Aura is an absolutely first-rate, | | | | |