Edmunds Daily
Saturn
November 5, 2009
While the official start of winter is still more than a month away, many areas of the country have already had their first encounter with the white and powdery (and then dirty and slushy) stuff. This means that, unless you live in southern California or Florida, buying a new convertible is not at the top of your list.
In the wake of the government-backed bankruptcy and a failed Penske buyout, GM announced that the Saturn brand would cease to exist in 2010. What do these two dissimilar topics have in common? The Saturn Sky, and the great incentives that are being offered as the sun sets on this convertible and all Saturns, to clean out the dying brand's inventory.
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- Lee Scott November 5, 2009, 3:00 AM
- Categories:
- Deal of the Week, Saturn
November 4, 2009
GM is recalling some 2006-'07 Chevrolet Cobalts, Saturn Ions and Pontiac G5s because a couple crack-prone parts could lead to a fuel leak -- and the wrong kind of ignition when you turn the key.
Here's what NHTSA has to say: "The plastic supply or return port on the modular reservoir assembly may crack. If either of these ports develops a crack, fuel will leak from the area. If the crack becomes large enough, fuel may be observed dripping onto the ground." So what? "Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition, could result in a fire." Yikes.
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- Josh Sadlier November 4, 2009, 11:00 AM
- Categories:
- Chevrolet, Pontiac, Saturn, Vehicle Recalls
September 30, 2009
Penske Automotive Group today announced that it has terminated its discussion with General Motors to acquire the Saturn brand, spelling the end of the carmaker. The Penske Group cited concerns that it would have difficulty finding a supply of vehicles to sell beyond the terms of the period it had negotiated with General Motors. GM had planned to continue to supply Saturn cars for Penske in the near term.
Recent news reports had touted a pending announcement to reveal the details of the planned takeover of the troubled brand, but instead Wednesday Penske released a statement saying that due to the trouble in acquiring a reliable source for future products, it was forced to end discussions. For more details on the collapsed talks and Saturn's wind down, see our AutoObserver coverage, and GM's statement after the jump.
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- Paul Seredynski September 30, 2009, 1:50 PM
- Categories:
- Saturn
August 19, 2009
Though the CARS program (aka Cash for Clunkers) still has about half of its funding available, a number of news outlets are reporting that some dealers have suspended clunker sales due to lack of payment from the government. The popularity of the program along with a few clerical errors has caused a backlog in clunkers applications, which is delaying the payout process. Numerous dealers are claiming that they are owed credits deep into the six figures.The Obama administration is expected to announce a wind-down strategy in the next few days to ensure that dealers will receive their funds.
This may make it slightly harder for consumers to find participating dealers, but savvy shoppers can take advantage of new incentives that utilize the cash for clunkers credit.
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- Ron Montoya August 19, 2009, 2:00 PM
- Categories:
- Automotive Consumer News, Nissan, Saturn, Toyota, Vehicle Incentives and Rebates, Volkswagen
- Technorati Tags:
- Cash for clunkers, dealers, Incentives & Rebates, Nissan, Penske Saturn, Toyota, Volkswagen
July 1, 2009
Saturn is recalling the 2008 Vue compact SUV due to potentially sticky external door handles. The sticky handles can prevent the doors from latching properly, which "could result in an unbelted occupant falling out of the vehicle." Beginning in mid-August, Saturn dealers will replace the old handles with shiny new chrome ones, free of charge.
To see if your Vue is among the 44,451 affected models, you can call Saturn at 1-800-972-8876 or check out www.gmownercenter.com. You can also consult NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236 or www.nhtsa.gov, referencing GM recall no. 09066.
Josh Sadlier, Associate Editor
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- Josh Sadlier July 1, 2009, 11:11 AM
- Categories:
- Saturn, Vehicle Recalls
June 18, 2009
While Saturn's days as a GM division are numbered, it looks as though the brand (along with some of its products) will live on under the Penske guidance. The Saturn Aura is one of those products that will continue to see life, at least for a few years.
While the Aura shares its architecture with the Chevrolet Malibu and the Pontiac G6, it sets itself apart with more Euro-centric style and, of course, that famed Saturn buying experience. Edmunds' editors liked the efficient combination of a 6-speed transmission and the standard 4-cyl engine. Those looking for more thrust, and less economy, can opt for a V6 in the XR model that can deliver 0-60 acceleration in 6.4 seconds.
Of course that has not adequately helped speed the Aura off of dealer lots, so GM is offering a selection of incentives that they hope will help will help overcome issues of corporate bankruptcy and the brand changing hands. Read about them after the jump.
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- Lee Scott June 18, 2009, 3:00 AM
- Categories:
- Deal of the Week, Saturn
- Technorati Tags:
- Deal of the Week, Finance Rates, Incentives & Rebates, Owner Loyalty, Saturn Aura
June 5, 2009
Roger Penske's Automotive Group has struck a tentative agreement with GM to purchase -- lock stock and barrel -- the auto giant's Saturn division. This means that Penske will "take over the brands, trademarks, service and parts operations and distribution operations related to the Saturn." In an Edmunds-exclusive interview with AutoObserver's Michelle Krebs, Penske explained details of the plan.
Immediate product changes call for dropping the Sky roadster, leaving the Aura, Vue and Outlook as the only showroom offerings. Penske, looking to make Saturn a global automotive company, understandably would like more vehicles for the brand. Down the road, the dealership mogul will supposedly strike deals with GM and Renault to purchase other vehicles in order to beef up the Saturn lineup.
Though the deal is tentative at this point, it looks very likely to happen. The price was not disclosed though the deal is said to preserve about 13,000 jobs.
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- John DiPietro June 5, 2009, 10:15 AM
- Categories:
- Automotive Consumer News, Saturn
- Technorati Tags:
- Penske Saturn
June 3, 2009
Artist's rendering of Canadian-designed and built Saturn Insignia
For the first time since the wacky days of Bricklin, there's finally a Canadian car manufacturer. Last week, GM Europe was purchased by Magna International, a parts supplier and coach builder based 30 minutes north of Toronto. I can just hear "Oh Canada" being played to the din of precisely tuned exhausts. And did you know that maple syrup has potential as an alternative ethanol fuel? Expect a flood of cars with grilles that resemble the interlocking bars of a hockey mask.
I kid my home and native land, but the fact remains that Opel and its British Vauxhall twin are now under Magna control (plus the deep pockets of a Russian bank), a company that's also rumored to be in the hunt to purchase Saturn. Is the future of Opel and Saturn, therefore, still connected?
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- James Riswick June 3, 2009, 3:00 AM
- Categories:
- Saturn, Thoughts from the Curb
June 1, 2009
In a series of press conferences today, President Obama and GM's CEO Fritz Henderson released details on GM's earlier filing for Chapter 11
bankruptcy protection.
Saying, "give us another chance," Henderson promised that the bankruptcy filing would be "the start of a new and better GM." He predicted that the restructuring process would take from 60 to 90 days. GM has launched its own site to help keep the public informed of its latest efforts and promotions.
Henderson was preceded by President Barack Obama who essentially said that Chrysler's apparent reemergence from bankruptcy bodes well for GM's long term success. He noted that after entering Chapter 11, Chrysler sold more cars in May than in April. However, he didn't mention that most of those sales were at fire sale prices.
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- Paul Seredynski June 1, 2009, 12:00 PM
- Categories:
- Automotive Consumer News, Car Advice Articles, Car Buying, Car Loans and Financing, Car Maintenance, Car Warranty, Chevrolet, GMC, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn, Vehicle Incentives and Rebates
- Technorati Tags:
- Chrysler, closing dealerships, Fritz Henderson, GM Bankruptcy, Hummer, parts and service, Pontiac, Saturn, warranties
May 5, 2009
The latest highlights from Edmunds.com and its blogsphere.
Auto Observer
Saturn Blazed Ahead of its Time, Then Faded Into Oblivion
It may come as a surprise to many that Saturn is on the verge of being sold off- as a part of General Motors restructuring process. But a closer look reveals that Saturn may have been doomed before the first car rolled off the assembly line. Auto Observer takes a True Hollywood Story-like retrospective on the rise and fall of the "no hassle, no haggle" car brand with the plastic body panels.
Green Car Advisor
GM Says 2010 Equinox Crossover Will Win 32 MPG EPA Rating for Highway Driving
Hoping to quiet critics that accuse domestic automakers of not building fuel efficient vehicles, the redesigned Chevrolet Equinox will get 22mpg city and 32 mpg highway. This mid-sized crossover SUV will get better combined fuel economy its closest competitors- the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV-4, and even a few mid-size sedans.
Straightline
Volkswagen Launches Blog To Tell You Why Diesel is Our Savior
Europeans love diesels. But in the U.S., many people have a hard time forgetting the image of those old- noisy, smelly, dirty, engines. Volkswagen has launched a blog to redeem the diesel's image and show you how far clean diesel engines have come.
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- Ron Montoya May 5, 2009, 1:00 PM
- Categories:
- Automotive Consumer News, Chevrolet, Edmunds Roundup, Fuel Economy, General Motors, Saturn, Volkswagen
- Technorati Tags:
- Diesel, Edmunds Roundup, General Motors, Saturn, Volkswagen
May 1, 2009
You'd have to live way off the grid to not know that Chrysler just declared bankruptcy, and that Pontiac, Saturn, Saab and Hummer are in their death throes. But where does it leave consumers?
As Phil Reed noted yesterday, and as we detailed in this article, the immediate impact on consumers should be limited (see the above links for details if you're still worried, but you needn't be unless you work for one of those companies or their dealerships).
Yes, it's a shock to realize that your car's brand may cease to exist -- or be reincarnated as something you don't recognize. But will that change the way you feel about your car?
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- Joanne Helperin May 1, 2009, 11:00 AM
- Categories:
- Automotive Consumer News, Car Advice Articles, Chrysler, Dodge, FAQ Friday, Jeep, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn
- Technorati Tags:
- Bankrupt Brands, Chrysler, Hummer, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn
