GM Prices Saturn SUV Below Rivals

General Motors Corp. set the base price of the Saturn Vue small sport-utility vehicle at $16,835, below two main rivals, trying to win a share of a market in which the company hasn’t competed.

GM will begin production of the Vue next month and make it available at dealerships in December. The 6-cylinder, all-wheel-drive model will cost $23,085.

The Vue is priced less than Ford Motor Co.’s Escape and DaimlerChrysler’s Jeep Liberty. Ford lists the Escape base price as $18,775. DaimlerChrysler’s Liberty starts at $17,035.

GM shares rose $2.15 to close at $42.96 on the NYSE.