After talks with Penkse Automotive broke down over whether GM could provide product, GM has decided to end the Saturn brand and close down the dealerships. Saturn will now join other failed GM brands like Oldsmobile and Pontiac which GM pulled the plug on when the corporation's financial situation grew desperate.
Originally developed in 1985 as an answer to high quality imports such as Toyota or Honda, Saturn was supposed to offer quality built small cars, but branched out into SUVs and other areas. The first Saturn automobiles looked somewhat similar to the cheaper Geo imports, but were well built with excellent customer service. Saturn operated outside of the normal GM sphere on it's own. And buyers were impressed with the vehicles overall and the brand won many awards as a "best buy" and for high quality. However, the money problems at GM forced the company to look to sell Saturn.
The failure of Saturn has be very bittersweet over at GM. The attempt to build a quality product was much admired, however just wasn't enough to make the brand real profitable. Yet buyers for quality imports will always buy. And unless some desperate 11th hour attempt by some Chinese or Korean company suddenly comes through now with Penske out of the picture, then the brand will certainly be gone. Penske hoped to lure an automotive division of Korea's Samsung into joining with them. And a Chinese company bought the Hummer brand. Saturn's survival chances never looked very good. Now the brand appears to be all but gone.
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Comments (5)
So much for what most claim... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Marc | October 1, 2009 3:41 AM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
So much for what most claimed was going to be a "savior" for GM. Why they got their titties in a twist for a little crapwagon I'll never know, but they did.
That aside, the sale of Saturn must have been part of the equation in the GM bankruptcy and a way back to solvency, so much for that also.
1. Posted by Marc | October 1, 2009 3:41 AM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on October 1, 2009 03:41
2. Posted by JLawson | October 1, 2009 7:12 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I'm sorry to see this - I've got fond memories of the Saturn SL-1 I bought in '92. It was roomy for a sub-compact, their service was incredible, and I thought I'd be a customer for life.
Unfortunately, I think they got sucked into the standard GM mentality and went from distinctive styling (as in the early years) to a look that reminded me of a car carved out of a bar of soap and left under hot water for too long - and the interior was significantly more cramped.
Their SUV - didn't feel good. When looking for something roughly like that in 2002, the Honda CR-V cost less and felt a lot better.
We looked last year at something to replace the spouse's minivan - and the Saturn VUE didn't even rate a test drive after sitting in it in the showroom.
Well - it was a good brand for a while...
2. Posted by JLawson | October 1, 2009 7:12 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on October 1, 2009 07:12
3. Posted by Joel | October 1, 2009 3:55 PM | Score: -1 (1 votes cast)
Don't blame GM, the buying public killed it. Just like Olds and the others.
Our economy is screwed, but everyone is 'happy' with their import car. Thanks
3. Posted by Joel | October 1, 2009 3:55 PM |
Score: -1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on October 1, 2009 15:55
4. Posted by Marc | October 1, 2009 6:26 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
joal - "Don't blame GM, the buying public killed it. Just like Olds and the others."
Don't blame GM? Why not they produced this shitbox no one wanted, not the public.
4. Posted by Marc | October 1, 2009 6:26 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on October 1, 2009 18:26
5. Posted by Allen | October 2, 2009 12:34 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I enjoy my Saturn. The one I have now is the 3rd one I have owned. All three of them, a 1994, 2000, and now an 08. I have gotten over 34 MPG in each one, the 2000 model gave me the best mileage, almost 40 MPG.
And when I'm on the hwy, I am normal several miles faster than the speed limit is. Around town the mileage is in the mid 20's.
They are not a crappy car, but like most products, a person can end up with a lemon. Thank goodness I haven't ended up with one from Saturn.
5. Posted by Allen | October 2, 2009 12:34 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on October 2, 2009 12:34