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End of the Road -- Saturn, 1990-2010

autotronic submitted on 10/2/2009 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 12:20:48 AM

21 user comments | Category: Spy Shots | Source: | SOURCE: automotivetraveler.com

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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End of the Road -- Saturn, 1990-2010

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autotronic

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User Comments

rxh8me9000

RIP

— rxh8me9000 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/2/2009 12:56:11 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

HyundaiSmoke

When I see this I think about the Mario Game when they had a sound everytime you F-cked up shooting, and it sounded like:

DAADADADADADADADA, MISS!!!!!

— HyundaiSmoke (View Profile)

Posted on 10/2/2009 2:08:28 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -5   

BSBB

That's too bad. I thought they had something with the Aura. Oh well....

— BSBB (View Profile)

Posted on 10/2/2009 9:04:14 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

asternmadkatz

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.

— asternmadkatz (View Profile)

Posted on 10/2/2009 9:26:31 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Joe_Limon

try the cobalt, it's ugly but it'll get you moving.

— Joe_Limon (View Profile)

Posted on 10/2/2009 10:25:04 AM | | Votes: 0   

Shredmo

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.

— Shredmo (View Profile)

Posted on 10/2/2009 11:47:15 AM | | Votes: 3   

1UAW

Dont buy the cobalt wait for the cruze it will be twice as good.

— 1UAW (View Profile)

Posted on 10/2/2009 5:03:32 PM | | Votes: 1   

Ab311

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.

— Ab311 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/2/2009 10:39:48 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

Ab311

Or actually phase out by OCT of 2010...

— Ab311 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/2/2009 10:40:54 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Whelan

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.

— Whelan (View Profile)

Posted on 10/2/2009 12:52:15 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

BSBB

Whelan...Thank you for mentioning the Bengal. When I first saw that concept vehicle, I said to myself (and my father-in-law) there is no reason that vehicle could not make it to production. Well...I guess the people at GM had other ideas. Now I really wish they would bring back the Riviera. That was a great looking car.

— BSBB (View Profile)

Posted on 10/2/2009 1:56:04 PM | | Votes: 2   

lexusrox123

Oh, yes, I remember the Bengal concept! Took me a while, but that was one sharp ride right there...

— lexusrox123 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/2/2009 5:30:59 PM | | Votes: 1   

tango

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.

— tango (View Profile)

Posted on 10/2/2009 4:07:43 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

1UAW

Yes there was a huge sturn following they would gather in places like spring hill TN and elswhere with any kind of saturn and have picnics and family type gatherings.

— 1UAW (View Profile)

Posted on 10/2/2009 5:06:19 PM | | Votes: 2   

HyundaiSmoke

Tango a lot of Feminists for some reason loved Saturn. Especially the VUE. Thats a fact, Feminists drive VUEs. Saturn also attracted a lot of Liberals, Interracial Couples, and Gays.

— HyundaiSmoke (View Profile)

Posted on 10/3/2009 3:37:43 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

HyundaiSmoke

Saturn and SAABs marketshare pretty much Cannibalized each other. Who knows maybe they should have kept a brand, and got rid of just one of them?

— HyundaiSmoke (View Profile)

Posted on 10/3/2009 3:39:54 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

HyundaiSmoke

NOTE: Gay men drive SAABs, Gay women drive Saturns.

— HyundaiSmoke (View Profile)

Posted on 10/3/2009 3:41:20 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

vdiv

What exactly is your point?

— vdiv (View Profile)

Posted on 10/3/2009 3:59:28 PM | | Votes: 2   

HyundaiSmoke

My Point: the Customers who flocked to Saturn had different lifestyles and required a car that was as diffferent as they are. GM has nothing in the Lineup to cater to that now.

— HyundaiSmoke (View Profile)

Posted on 10/3/2009 4:18:18 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

vdiv

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.

— vdiv (View Profile)

Posted on 10/3/2009 4:23:48 PM | | Votes: 4   

HyundaiSmoke

and SAAB. KIA is starting to go gay too, the next 10 years will really tell.

— HyundaiSmoke (View Profile)

Posted on 10/4/2009 8:26:49 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

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