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.

[Martin Cohen]

Sad sad day. Never should have stopped making the SL2. Don’t know who’s idea it was but as the old saying goes,
“if it ain’t broke don’t fix it”
Well someone broke was wasn’t broken. Love my SL2 over 110K and it has NEVER left me stranded. Only things replaced are normal ware parts . This is my second SL2 only because my ex-wife got the first one. She also had no problems other then a rear engine mount that needed to be replaced at nearly 100K. I truly hope someone will take over before it is too late and you guys can get back to making outstanding cars. On a side note my ex-father-in-law was on of the electrical engineers from GE who helped build the first plant in Tenn. He told me” give them a few years to work out the bugs and they will be the best cars on the road” WOW was he right! Hang in there! We love you!

[Pedro]

That's tto bad...I was just new to Saturn and like the Vue ... is only I am not sure where is going to be on 10 years...should I sell this beauty?...

[Kyle]

I wonder if Astra has a future in the US as a Buick or Chevrolet? It is such a great little car, and I can't imagine that it won't be produced in the future. I would buy another one, especially if it came with a 5 speed auto instead of the 4 - I bet with a 5 speed I would get 36-40 mpg and still have the best styling on the road ! When you look at this car next to anything else like it - it shines! Unfortunately for GM, they don't have anything else that looks good and is priced reasonably. I'm not sure a government-owned car company has ever produced anything worth buying.....

[Rob]

@G. G. Chevy is bringing the Cruze to the US but not quite sure the release date yet.

[gay geary]

This is infuriating! GM is rolling out the Cruze in China and Europe, but not in U.S. But they already have an economical, fuel efficient car in North America -- the Saturn Ion, Vue, Astra, and Aura. I live in Chicago and love the plastic body on my SL2! Was hoping to replace it with an Ion. Parts will be available but at what cost?

[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.