Update on Saturn's Status

[Saturn team]

Like many of you, we on the Saturn Team were disappointed to learn a few weeks ago that the proposed deal with Penske Automotive Group had fallen through and that, as a result, Saturn would cease to exist as a brand. The news was disappointing to say the least, since it came just as we were gearing up to open an exciting new chapter in the Saturn story.

Here's what we can tell you: As a result of the Penske decision, Saturn is beginning a “wind-down” period. During this period, Saturn vehicles will continue to be sold at remaining Saturn retailers. These retailers are also available to service Saturn vehicles. If your local Saturn retailer store has closed, you can find the next-closest retailer at www.saturn.com; or contact Saturn at 800.553.6000.
Once the wind-down period ends, GM dealerships will take over servicing Saturn cars. Parts will continue to be available. GM will honor all obligations related to Saturn warranty claims and processing.

All production of Saturn vehicles is scheduled to cease at the end of the 2009 model year and production is expected to wind down in an orderly fashion. Although Saturn vehicles are manufactured at three plants in North America, staffing at those plants is not expected to be affected, since all three manufacture other GM vehicles as well.

Saturn will communicate with all registered customers by mail in coming weeks on further developments. In the meantime, we’ll be working closely with dealers to ensure that Saturn owners are well taken care of in the months and years to come. Stay tuned for more information.

[Tim Bacchus]

I do not know what GM is thinking I guess they make a larger proffit from Cadillack but the SKYs were and are the car of the future. 30 plus miles per gallon, four cylinders and almost 300 hp. That is what all cars will end up being. Maybe Ford will discover that and start making them. I love onstar but Ford now has something like that now. I am just glad that over the last ten years I have had and still have Saturn cars also the insurance is cheep because of the four cylinders.

[Bill Clark]

It's a real shame the big brains at GM never realized the Saturn was the best kept secret in the automotive business. Recently bought a 2007 Aura. I love the car and plan to get at least ten years out of it.
Looks like Saturn will go down the same road as Oldsmobile.

[Rob]

Couldn't agree more Rikki...

[Rikki Kirchner]

I have a 2008 Astra XR and I bought it from the same guy at the same dealership as my previously owned 2003 L300. The dealership is Saturn of AV and the salesman's name is Mike Hammond. This dealership and all that work there are very dedicated to Saturn and the brand. I will be very sorry to see them go. It was really nice dealing with a dealership with very high work and people ethics. More dealerships should be run this way. Nice guys finish last. I will always love my Astra and I will treat it with the respect and dediction Saturn of Antelope Valley gave me. I am not sorry I bought a Saturn and never will be. It's GM's loss!

[Rick Murphy (RicksVue)]

On a slightly different note, let me express my thanks to the Saturn Team for trying to make this transition as painless as possible for us. I feel like I'm losing a long-term friend (I also have been driving exclusively Saturns since the beginning), but the Saturn employess are the ones really taking the hit here - losing a job in today's economy is no small matter.

Thanks to all. Sorry it didn't work out, but I do wish you the best.

[Amanda Hoover]

When I can finally almost afford to buy a new car, and get rid of my junky older car, this happens.
I used to go to saturn dealerships and test drive the aura all the time.
Now that I can finally almost get the car that ive wanted for so long, I cant.
Booooo to Saturns winding down....

[tem397]

The demise of Saturn breaks my heart.

[JimE]

A good source for many parts is www.rockauto.com (in WI), including it seems wipers for a 2008 Astra :-)

I have been with Saturn as a customer almost from the start and I will sadly miss all the team at my local dealer when it finally closes :-( The predatory local Chevrolet dealer is already trolling for the service business by postcard :-( Not even waiting for the body to be cold, the local Saturn dealer is still very much alive and kicking :-( I have to decide what to replace my Vue and a Buick with when it gets to be time, I suspect they will not be GM products :-(

Saturn was created as a counter to the Japanese, intending to guide the buyers into other GM badged cars as they needed to move higher in the market. As a result of that misguided idea Saturn was starved of new designs after the original SC and SL series. When GM tumbled to the fact that Saturn buyers were an intensely brand loyal group and would not simply migrate to other badges they gave it new vehicles ... In fact the latest ones were quite nice ... But the damage was done and the GM bankruptcy, with the accountants who starved Saturn, running everything it had to go if Penske couldn't use it :-(

We hear the "Saturn never made a profit" all the time, but that was not its original purpose, it was to steal customers from the Japanese companies. I think the margins on the vehicles, thanks in a large part to "no-haggle", were quite good, but the large GM overhead (too many plants, UAW benefits, jobs banks, too many VPs, etc.) could make almost any business a loser :-(

JimE

[Jim Stacy]

Hi Ethel,

You might try www.getsaturnparts.com. There are some other on line parts dealers, including GM. If the Astra is like the Aura, be prepared for a little sticker shock on the blades. On the other hand, they are an easy DIY install and you don't have to change them as often as, for instance, Anco blades. By the way, most of the Saturns beginning with the L series are Opels. Saturn returned the favor by designing the SKY and exporting it to Opel as the GT. -- Jim

[Rob]

Hey Saturn Team

Just got my official letter from Jill in the mail today. UGH!

Since things are in the wind down stage, what's the possibility to get actual production numbers for all of the vehicles? I know this has been a huge topic of discussion on the Sky forum. But owning an Astra, I'd be curious to see how man in the different versions were sent to the US and if my Astra is going to be more rare than my Sky Red Line.

Thanks and good luck to everyone in there future endeavors!