General Motors continues to falter; may discontinue Saturn
Saturn’s slogan is now “Rethink”, but it’s beginning to look like the GM-owned automaker is taking that sentiment in a completely different direction. After making an effort to rebrand the Saturn line and produce a variety of attractive vehicles, General Motors might pull the plug on the 23-year-old auto line. With rumors of bankruptcies and dealers going out of business (none of which were true), Saturn’s reputation has been taking some serious hits lately. It’s also no help that the US automotive industry is suffering and relying on the government for a bailout, so GM is going to strongly consider shutting down Saturn while it forms plans this week in terms of an impending reorg. We imagine it’s not going to be a tough decision since Saturn hasn’t been profitable for GM at all. Along with axing the celestial brand, the automotive giant is considering selling off the Saab line and turning Pontiac into a “niche” brand, much like Saturn is now. So, after several years of producing what seems to be like one or two models, Saturn now offers several decent vehicles: Astra, Outlook, Sky, Vue and Aura. Still, it has failed to gain any real popularity and is likely going to disappear forever. Is anyone actually going to miss it?
Thanks, Alex R!
I had a 2000 SL-2; worst car I’ve ever owned. I’d never miss this company if they went under
I have a 2007 Saturn and I absolutely LOOOOOOVE it. Best car there is..no problems and its a beautiful car that only cost me $15,000 new off the showroom floor
Any car, with a few exceptions, value is reduced dramatically once it leaves a car lot. I thought most people knew that. It is no longer new, it is considered used once it is titled. The fact that the sales person was honest should have told you something about Saturn. The best cars my family ever owned were Saturns. We had a 1995 SC2, 1996 SC2 and a 1996 SL2. Maintenance of these cars were very minimal. Got rearended and pushed into an intersection and nothing happened to my car. We finally sold the 1996 SC2 with 196,000 miles and going strong and the 1996 SL2 with 284,000 and still going strong. I think they just never got out of their stigma of being a cheap car. They finally look more expensive inside to go along with the price, however, as far as reliability and safety they are remarkable.
I LOVE Saturn’s. I chose a 1994 Saturn SL as my first car because as soon as I drove it, I fell in love, it is a spunky little car, good on gas, 30 miles a gallon when even some hybrids aren’t getting that today. My car has more than 200,000 miles on it and it is still a champ. Yeah, it can’t beat most cars in a race, but she has never left me stranded. Plus, I do all the work on my car and Saturn’s (so far) have been pretty easy to work on. As a future automotive technician, I had wanted to specialize in Saturn’s because I just love the brand… But… I have to say that I would miss it horribly. My entire family are Saturn lovers and I’ve found that most people with Saturn’s are intensely loyal to the brand. I will miss you Saturn! <3
My Husband Steve and I just bought a Saturn Ion, and we adore it alot!!!!!!!!!
Please never allow Saturn to fold… Please!
I AM A LITTLE DISSAPOINTED WITH THIS ACT BUT IKNOW THE ECONOMY IS GOING BAD SO ALL IT IS THAT THEY NEED TO SHUT DOWN ONE DEALERSHIP. WELL I HAVE A 2004 SATURN ION3 I HAVE MADE INTO A SHOW CAR IT HAS 90,000 AND WITH ALL THE MODIFICATION THATS ON IT, I HAVEN’T HAD A PROBLEM WITH AT ALL. MAINTAINCE IS CHEAP AND THE CAR NEVER GIVES OUT ON ME
The 1999 Saturn SL2 was my first car. I bought it in 2007 and it is still in very good condition. Dependable and reliable car.