Saturn FAQs

[Saturn team]

Subscribe to Saturn FAQs

We appreciate the many comments we have received from ImSaturn members, and we want to do our best to answer your questions and to keep you update on developments with the Saturn brand.

Q. UPDATE (4/28/09): In his press conference April 27, CEO Fritz Henderson said Saturn production will be phased out by the end of 2009. What does that mean?

A. In our need to move "faster and deeper" with restructuring, GM is accelerating a resolution for the Saturn brand. That means GM will be reviewing expressions of interest from potential investors until June 1, 2009, and will work to have an agreement in place with the winning investor by the end of this year.

Q. What does that mean for Saturn owners?

A. You can still get your Saturn vehicle serviced by any Saturn retailer. Your warranty will be honored, and, as noted in question 3 below, and you can find the retailer nearest you by visiting Saturn.com. If there is no Saturn retailer nearby, or if it is an emergency situation, you can bring your Saturn to any GM dealer for warranty repairs. If you have trouble securing warranty service at a non-Saturn GM dealership, please contact Saturn Customer Assistance, or call 1-800-553-6000.

Q. If GM sells Saturn, who will make Saturn cars?

A. That will be up to the buyer of the Saturn brand, not GM, to decide. We have told potential investors, however, that we are looking for a partner to provide vehicles that are right for the Saturn brand: fuel-efficient, safe, and affordable.

Q. Would a new buyer have cars ready for 2010?

A. Depending on the deal negotiated, GM would consider offering contract manufacturing for the new owner of the Saturn brand.

Q. UPDATE (4/17/09) What’s the latest update on Saturn? Is the offer by Black Oaks Partners/Telesto legitimate?

A. Since mid-February, a sub-committee of Saturn retailers has been studying the feasibility of alternative options for the future of the Saturn brand. Steve Girsky has been working with them on this process.They have identified multiple parties who are interested in the possible sale or spin-off of Saturn. The group led by Black Oaks Partners is one of those groups. We cannot provide information on other interested parties, and it is simply too early to speculate about any eventual outcome.

UPDATE (3/31/09): See Jill’s email to owners

UPDATE (3/9/08): Newspaper Report: Retailers May Save Saturn Brand
There have been many media reports recently about the future of the Saturn brand. One of the most comprehensive articles appeared on March 8 in the Nashville Tennessean.

UPDATE (3/7/09)Well-known consultant retained by Saturn retailers: The Saturn Franchise Operation Team (FOT) sub-committee that is evaluating the potential spin-off of the Saturn Distribution Corporation has retained the services of advisor Steve Girsky, of S.J. Girsky and Co. Girsky will act as an independent business consultant to the sub-committee as they study options for the potential operation of the Saturn brand as a standalone enterprise.

“The spin-off of an independent Saturn would break new ground in the auto industry and would give the brand a new chance to build on its tradition of innovation,” said Saturn General Manager Jill Lajdziak. “Girsky’s extensive expertise will be a tremendous asset to the FOT sub-committee as this process continues.”

UPDATE (3/2/09)
Below are a few answers to some of frequently asked questions.

1. Why is GM phasing out Saturn? While Saturn has been a strong brand with loyal customers, it has continued to be unprofitable for the manufacturer under the current business model. Saturn retailers, however, have historically been profitable. That is why Saturn is investigating the potential sale of the brand.
2. If Saturn goes away, what happens to my warranty? Will I be able to get replacement parts? Absolutely nothing happens to the warranty. General Motors stands firmly behind its warranty obligations for every vehicle it produces. GM is also committed to maintaining the availability of service parts.
3. The Saturn retailer where I bought my vehicle has closed. Where should I take my vehicle for warranty repairs? You can take your vehicle to any Saturn retailer for warranty service. To find the nearest Saturn retailer, visit Saturn.com. You can also call the Saturn Customer Assistance center at 1-800-553-6000 if you have other questions.
4. If Saturn is sold, who would design and manufacture its products? That would be negotiated between the new owners of the brand and potential vehicle suppliers.
5. If Saturn never turned a profit as part of GM, what factors will allow it to make money as an independent entity? While Saturn has not been profitable at the manufacturing level, Saturn retailers have traditionally earned a profit. Saturn has a number of unique attributes that could make the spin-off a realistic alternative, such as the size, distribution and unmatched quality of our retail network.
6. What can I do to show my support for Saturn? The best thing to do is to remind your friends and family that Saturn is still open for business. Remind them that we have a great line-up of new fuel efficient vehicles and assure them that Saturn and GM will stand behind all warranty obligations.

Please leave a comment below if you would like to submit a question that we have not addressed.

[Bill Clark]

So now that Penske has taken over what can we expect ?

[Mark Ianuale]

thomas, its not saturns fault, its gms so dont curse out saturn for something they couldnt control

[rudy gottwald]

PLEASE KEEP THE SATURN ASTRA ME AND MY DAD LOVE THE SATURN ASTRA

[lori krieger]

I have a lease and how will that effect me if it Saturn gets sold????Where would I turn in the car at the end of the lease?

[pam asher]

I tnink Mike the service mamger at saturn is the best. makes me want to buy Saturn again. ps when the time come . for right now my 06 vue v6 is in great shape pss I miss the plastic sides on yout newer cars

[Thomas]

I'm not trying to use this blog to bash Saturn. The whole experience with my now closed dealer was the best I've had in 24 years of buying new cars, starting with a 1984 Pontiac 2000 Sunbird. The Astra has given good mileage is loaded with features that cost a lot more on other comparable cars, handles so well and I've had people ask if it's the new VW. So I have no complaints about the car, just the way things have gone. My dealer, for instance, could have sent all his customers a letter telling us what was happening, instead of driving up the dealership and finding no one there, I think that's what bothers me the most. At least I know the Chevy dealer my favorite service writer is working so that's good. I guess if they "wow" me in their service department it may influence my future car purchase, of course given that GM doesn't close that dealership....

[Thomas]

I did contact Saturn and was told the nearest provider for warranty work is in San Antonio about 3 hours from where I live. The good thing is that with 17,000 miles the car has been remarkably free of defects, of course by saying that everything will break now :).

[Mike]

Thomas -

I understand your concerns, but if the closest Saturn retailer is that far away, you can warranty service at any GM dealer. I'd recommend that you contact Saturn Customer Assistance if you have trouble getting service. (or let us know through this site.)

[Thomas]

Well, Saturn, you finally make a car that I actually wanted to buy, the Astra. You don't advertise it and I think there are like 5 in my area. Then GM has problems so they dump Saturn, great, but don't worry you'll still get warranty service they say. Then my local Saturn dealer (Corpus Christi TX) closes and the nearest place for warranty is 3 hours away in San Antonio. Great. Regretting this purchase oh and it has depreciated so much since GM announce Saturn has no future. Thanks Saturn, at least before you f**ked me, you could have bought me dinner.

[Rob]

Hey Mike

Is this accurate, GM approved the sale?

Saturn Sale Approved by GM

When will we get more details?