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.

Saturn Deal Falls Through, Brand to Die

Today, Penske Automotive Group is withdrawing its plan to purchase Saturn from GM. In turn, GM has issued a statement declaring it will not seek other buyers for Saturn and will wind down the brand and its dealers.
 
The terms of this process — including how long new Saturns will be produced and sold — will be announced at a later date.

Penske cited problems securing deals to sell other makes and models besides the current crop of GM-sourced vehicles. The company said a deal with a third party to make future Saturns fell through and that led to the deal’s termination.

Saturn now joins Pontiac and Oldsmobile in the GM graveyard. The sale of Hummer is still ongoing.  

Recall Alert: 2008 Saturn Vue

GM has issued a recall for 44,451 Saturn Vue crossovers from the 2008 model year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The crossover’s body-colored door handles might stick or bind. In this case, a door may not latch.

An unlatched door could come open while driving, putting the occupants in danger and increasing the risk of injury.

Dealers will replace the outside door handles with new chrome handles for free. Owners may contact Saturn at 800-972-8876 or NHTSA at 888-327-4236.

2008|Saturn|Vue

Penske Reaches Deal With GM to Buy Saturn

With Hummer sold off earlier this week, GM has now announced a tentative deal with Roger Penske for the businessman to buy its struggling Saturn brand.

According to Saturn, the deal would save more than 13,000 jobs and keep 350 Saturn dealerships from closing.

Under the deal, GM would continue to make Saturn products — like the Aura, Outlook and Vue — for Penske until 2011.

There’s been no word on whether GM will continue to build the Sky or Astra. The assembly plant for the Sky is due to close this summer, and Saturn didn’t release a 2009 Astra in the U.S.

After 2011, Penske reportedly plans to sell globally sourced vehicles; Automotive News is reporting that Penske will sell Renault Samsung vehicles built in South Korea at Saturn dealerships.

The tentative agreement saves Saturn and its customer-friendly dealers from an almost certain death. GM had previously announced that without a buyer it would close the brand down by the end of this year.

GM, Penske reach tentative deal for Saturn brand (Detroit Free Press) 
Penske plan: Sell Samsung vehicles at Saturn stores (Cnet)

Saturn Vue Two-Mode Hybrid Rated at 28 MPG

Remember the Saturn Vue Two-Mode Hybrid? If you don’t, you’ll never know it, as this Saturn Vue model will never go on sale.

The vehicle was so close to launch that the EPA even tested it: The Vue Two-Mode would have received a 27/30 mpg city/highway, 28 mpg combined rating. That means the ill-fated 255-hp hybrid crossover would have been more fuel-efficient than the 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid (though that model is larger and comes equipped with all-wheel drive), but less efficient than the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid and 2010 Lexus RX 450h.

The Vue Two-Mode Hybrid was part of Saturn’s aggressive hybrid strategy, which was intended to lead to a plug-in hybrid in 2010. The Vue Two-Mode Hybrid was equipped with a powerful V-6 engine and could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 7.3 seconds and tow up to 3,500 pounds.

The model would have complemented the Vue Hybrid, which has a 172-hp four-cylinder powertrain and, interestingly enough, achieves the same combined EPA rating – 28 mpg – as its erstwhile Two-Mode sibling would have.