End of the Road -- Saturn, 1990-2010

End of the Road -- Saturn, 1990-2010
In spite of extraordinary efforts to save the brand, with Tuesday’s announcement that it was pulling out of its bid to buy Saturn, the Penske Automotive Group effectively sealed the fate of a “Different Car Company,” this based on its inability to secure a supply of vehicles after its OEM agreement with GM was set to expire. But did it have to play out that way, adding 13,000 more casualties to the ongoing automotive recession? Automotive Traveler’s Jim Brennan takes a look back on Saturn’s history, examining the many marketing and product missteps that ultimately doomed the brand. And he asks one more question; did GM now and Nissan three years down the road really want a viable competitor, vying for the same customers looking for high-quality, low-cost automobiles?
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rxh8me9000rxh8me9000 - 10/2/2009 12:56:11 AM
+3 Boost
RIP


asternmadkatzasternmadkatz - 10/2/2009 9:26:31 AM
+2 Boost
That is a shame. I own the last model year of the Ion, and I admit, it's not the fanciest car but it does what I need it to. I drove both the new Astra and the Vue and I can say they are leaps and bounds to what they were making before. They were well equipped for the price...and most of all fun to drive.

GM really doesn't have anything now that excites me....in my price range anyways.


Joe_LimonJoe_Limon - 10/2/2009 10:25:04 AM
0 Boost
try the cobalt, it's ugly but it'll get you moving.


ShredmoShredmo - 10/2/2009 11:47:15 AM
+3 Boost
Astra was one of the cars GM offered that I actually considered buying. I was hoping for a redline model to debut, but it never did. I like interesting cars; not cars that fit my needs. I am not your typical consumer.


Ab311Ab311 - 10/2/2009 10:39:48 AM
+3 Boost
Shouldn't it be 1985-2011 since the company began in 1985 and will continue to make cars through 2011? Seems to make more sense.


Ab311Ab311 - 10/2/2009 10:40:54 AM
+1 Boost
Or actually phase out by OCT of 2010...


WhelanWhelan - 10/2/2009 12:52:15 PM
+2 Boost
I owned a 1992 Saturn SL1 and a 1994 SL1 in my early years of driving 19-23. Great cars and were fun to play with as many did not make aftermarket parts so it was a challenge and got me into my DIY and doing my own maintenance.

Once the ION came out it was a HUGE disappointment. They could have revamped the SC and made the SC-T turbo coupe, the S-series just needed more power and better styling but that never happened. They went all oval on their cues and the only car with class was the 97-02 SC2. But even that was missing the mark.

The redlines were a nice addition, but you don't see many in comparison to Cobalt SS'. The SKY was an awesome car and now that Pontiac and Saturn are goin away, they need to migrate that to a Chevy immediately! Even make a Buick version, Bengal anyone?

The Aura won car of the year just a few years ago, and the new Astra is a nice addition. But it needed a redline version badly.

Saturn just never got going with their jumpstart to make exciting cars. They blanded out and faded away.


lexusrox123lexusrox123 - 10/2/2009 5:30:59 PM
+1 Boost
Oh, yes, I remember the Bengal concept! Took me a while, but that was one sharp ride right there...


tangotango - 10/2/2009 4:07:43 PM
0 Boost
I've never been against Saturn, but the writer says there was a cult-like following that existed? When exactly did that happen? Saturn was a functional brand at best.


vdivvdiv - 10/3/2009 3:59:28 PM
+2 Boost
What exactly is your point?


vdivvdiv - 10/3/2009 4:23:48 PM
+4 Boost
Ah! Well that is too bad for GM because those people have not gone away. Since we are stereotyping, they still have Subaru and Volkswaggen.
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