Did you not realize that the Chevy Malibu, and versions of it (Saturn, etc…) are based on the Opel designs from Germany? That is, or was (now that it’s to be sold), GM’s German/Europe division.
As I had pointed out, the way these cars drive are different, and I doubt you’d find someone that likes the sporty drive of a BMW or Audi would want to switch (even at a big $ savings), to a car that drives like a land yacht.
I drove a rental Mercury Mariner (2006 or 2007) and it drove very poorly compared to a 2001 Lexus RX300 (a friend’s car). I would not want the Mercury even at half the cost.
