GM Stops Saturn Production; What Now?

GM stopped producing new Saturns yesterday after news broke that its deal to sell the brand to Penske Automotive Group fell through. People were shocked in both the executive suites of Detroit and the 350 Saturn dealerships across the country. Add in the thousands of Saturn owners and potential buyers, and there’s a lot of confusion over the future of GM’s formerly “different” car company. Here’s what you need to know if you’re a Saturn owner or potential buyer.

No New Saturns or Hummers after 2009

During GM’s announcement today that Pontiac would no longer exist after 2010, the company also said it would stop producing new Saturns after the 2009 model year and Hummers by the end of 2009.

Previously, GM had said it would build Saturn through 2011. The 2009 model year is currently being sold; GM generally switches over to the new model year during the summer. This means no new Saturns — and likely no new Hummers — will roll off assembly lines after this summer.

While the end of Pontiac may be seen as a sad day to automotive buffs, the same can’t be said for Saturn and Hummer. The two brands don’t have the cachet or fanbase of the 83-year-old Pontiac. However, this accelerated timeline caught the industry off guard.

If you’re thinking of buying a car or SUV from either brand, spokesmen from both companies say that they will be fully backed by GM’s warranty until either brand is sold. That same warranty is also backed by the U.S. government for any GM vehicle sold through May 31.

Both Saturn and Hummer are in the process of being sold to new owners. There are a number of scenarios for each brand, which we detail below.

Saturn: We're Still Here

As General Motors fights for its own survival, its subsidiaries — Saturn and Saab — were the first to feel the effects of the automaker’s empty coffers. Saab has already declared bankruptcy, cut 750 jobs and reduced production. There are reportedly a number of “interested parties” who might save the brand from absolute closure.

As for Saturn, GM fully intends to jettison the brand by 2012, with or without a buyer. With Saturn’s possible death out in the open, sales have fallen precipitously, down more than 50% since the beginning of 2009 compared to the same time frame in 2008.

According to The New York Times, in order to keep its few remaining customers, Saturn will roll out a new ad campaign this spring. One of them is featured above and one below. The campaign reminds viewers that despite all the depressing news surrounding Saturn, the brand is still here with all its cars and most of its dealerships intact.

Saturn Astra to Skip 2009

Saturn has decided to forgo producing a 2009 Saturn Astra in favor of allowing 2008 models to sell out before the 2010 model hits dealer lots in the spring.

Given the already rough car-selling climate, Saturn apparently sees no reason to clutter dealership lots with another model name that has few changes from a previous model year. The 2010 Astra will be largely the same car as the 2008 anyway (with some minor tweaks, like different exterior paint options).

The upside of this is that you may be able to score a pretty good deal on an ’08 Astra.

Saturn Astra Goes Away for 2009 (Autoblog)

Saturn Employee Pricing: Good Prices, No Haggling

The No Haggle approach from Saturn has always been a mixed blessing, drawing in folks who don’t want pressure from salesman while turning off shoppers who think they won’t get the best deal. Well, with GM’s new employee pricing program there are some very good deals to be had at Saturn. While the total savings might not “wow” buyers like the ones available on big SUVs and aging models will, remember that Saturn’s entire lineup has been revamped over the past two years. 

While there will be a more fuel-efficient four-cylinder version of the Aura sedan for 2009, the 2008 Aura XR with a V-6 will remain basically unchanged, and it’s seeing almost 18% in total savings. Saturn’s two excellently reviewed — and Cars.com favorites — SUVs, the Outlook and Vue, both have more than 10% in total savings.

New Models Not Breaking Through in Tough Market

We have a saying around here that new cars sell, meaning a new design or totally new model will usually draw in shoppers. Whether it’s thanks to a ridiculous amount of money spent on advertising, positive reviews in the press or just a head-turning man-on-the street reaction, these cars usually perform. However, some much-hyped new models are not selling well these days as Americans tighten their belts. Check out which models whose sales we found surprisingly lackluster for the month of May. 

Pontiac G8: 1,832 units sold
Last year at this time, the outgoing and completely outdated Pontiac Grand Prix, which the G8 replaces, sold 12,230 units. Let’s just say for the sake of argument that half of those were fleet sales (which is probably on the high side). That would still mean it sold three times as well as the all-new, very-well-reviewed Pontiac G8. For the past few years, GM loyalists have begged GM to build this car, but now it seems these people aren’t willing to part with their cash for this large sedan. The V-8 version gets 15/24 mpg and the V-6 gets 17/25 mpg, both near the top in the segment, but still not attractive in $4-a-gallon-gas territory. That could be one issue. 

Cars.com Reviews the 2008 Saturn Astra

Cars.com has previously reviewed the Saturn Astra four-door hatchback, but in this review editor Mike Hanley tackles the sporty two-door hatchback XR, which competes with hatches like the Mini Cooper, Volkswagen GTI and Volvo C30. See how the Astra holds up in the full review.

2008 Saturn Astra Expert Review

Friday Fleet Notes: 4.25.08

This Friday's fleet notes come packed with insightful takes on the Saturn Astra, Infiniti EX35, Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic EX-L, and Toyota Matrix XRS. Our staff had plenty to say, both good and bad, about the vehicles, so be sure to check out their posts, then link to the expert reviews after the jump.

2008 Saturn Astra

• This was a bummer for me. I was soooo looking forward to driving this car, but when I got behind the wheel I was again greeted by anemic acceleration. However, unlike the Corolla, the Astra XR is supposed to be a fun-to-drive machine. I did not experience much fun. It handled well but felt heavy. The automatic transmission was a dog, and do I need to mention the controls? A fellow reviewer called them hieroglyphics because the symbols are so hard to translate. There’s no USB or AUX-in capability either, not even as an option. Eegads. It was nice-looking, though, I’ll give it that. — David Thomas, senior editor

Weekend Athlete: 2008 Saturn Astra Two-Door

Saturn sponsors a number of races I've participated in, and they've brought this car to a number of them as a promotion. I've really wanted to try it out. It looked like a fun, useful car that would fit my needs. After driving it, it's not all that I'd hoped for, but it's not a dog either.

Cars.com Faceoff: 2008 Mini Cooper S, Saturn Astra, Volvo C30

In one of the toughest Faceoffs in recent memory, Mike Hanley, David Thomas and Joe Wiesenfelder matched up three premium hatchbacks. It was a tough fight, with each car having strengths that won us over. The Volvo had the style, the Mini the go-kart goods and the Astra the practicality. Check out the winner and let us know if you think we got it right.

Cars.comparison: Premium Hatchbacks