txGarage » saturn

Penske Backs Out

Adam Moore — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 21:38:48 +0000

Saturn Line Up

Penske and GM both issued statements today about the fallout of their deal for Saturn. Penske withdrew its plans to purchase Saturn citing they had problems getting a third party to supply Saturn with cars. After the pull out GM announced that it would not be seeking other buyers for the brand and would begin preparing dealers with the new terms. We don’t yet know how long MG will continue to feed Saturn with cars, not too much longer we assume.

It is sad to see that the deal turned out this way as we were genuinely excited to see what Penske could do with its own car brand.

Farewell to the Sky and Solstice

Adam Moore — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 23:31:15 +0000

Saturn Sky

When the Pontiac Solstice and the Saturn Sky first hit the show rooms I was more than ecstatic. Finally, we are bringing some small sporty life into American cars, I thought. The Pontiac lineup and the Saturn lineup were showing signs of revival and these cars spotlighted that revival. Now in 2009, with the bankruptcy of GM and the ever failing car market the Kappa platform that these cars are built on has ceased production. Saturn has been sold to Penske and no one really knows the fate of Pontiac so with the lower than expected sales of these fun little cars there has been no real push to keep them around.

It’s a shame, in my opinion, that these cars seemed to not catch on. The Saturn Sky often referred to as the baby Vette is a beautiful car with a very sporty look and feel and was quite fun to drive. The almost retro styling of the Solstice and the new to 2009 hard top Solstice were exactly what Pontiac needed to revive the sporty nature they had lost after years of cars like the Sunfire and the Grand Am.

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I really think they will have a big following in the used cars markets with all the aftermarket toys and companies willing to shove V8’s under the hood they appeal to a lot of enthusiast track day racers.

I still have hope, first for Saturn with Penske as the new owners they all but have to bring a racing car to the market. As I showed in my “Plea to Saturn and Penske” they should have some sporty vehicle to choose from. Second I’ll try and reserve some hope for Pontiac. There have been some companies put forth offers to GM to buy out Pontiac, each getting the same answer from GM “Pontiac is not for sale.” In their official bankruptcy filing GM only says that they are keeping Pontiac as a limited production brand. Will they bring it back from the dead with a whole new limited production line of sporty cars? It seems like a reach, but you never know.

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My Plea to Penske and Saturn:

My Plea to Penske and Saturn:

Adam Moore — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 22:01:16 +0000

Hearing the news of Penske’s purchase of Saturn from General Motors I was quite pleased with the decision. I think that Roger Penske is a good business man and a car guy to boot! They have had a lot of success with their racing teams and if they could bring that to Saturn they can’t go wrong, at least not as bad a GM ran Saturn.

Penske obviously doesn’t build cars though, and their answer is Korean auto maker Samsung Motors. Samsung builds cars and car parts for both Nissan and Renault, two fine car companies to say the least. So let’s take a look at what Penske should/could bring over to the US with Saturn.

2010 Renault Alpine Sportscar:

In France this car should be built on the same platform and technology as the 370Z and G37, but we already have a 370Z and a G37 in the US. So why not bring over the Alpine? Penske and Saturn are going to need a nice sports car and I’m sure that Penske race teams wouldn’t mind the switch from Porsche to the Alpine (or Saturn version).

renault alpine

The Clio:

The Clio is a great little hatchback with good fuel economy and good utility. The US has rejected European style hatchbacks before but with the Mini craze and the fuel mindedness they are starting to make an impression on American drivers. The Clio is a great example of a European hatchback with the good enough base models but also Renault pumps out sports edition and Cup edition models that are quite fun to drive. This would be a great addition to the Saturn lineup.

the Clio Sport

The Magane:

The Renault Magane is offered in a four-door sedan, a four-door wagon, and a two-door coupe! With great looks and practicality it would be the sedan/wagon/coupe to offer.

The Magane

Infiniti FX37:

We have an Infiniti FX37 here, it’s called the Infiniti FX37… but as SUV’s go this is the one I would want my Saturn based off of. I has a great power train and a great setup, it is a very cool and powerful SUV.

Infiniti FX37

The Nissan Primastar

It’s not really an exciting or too interesting of a vehicle but bringing it over can help in many ways. Penske, now having access to their own car company, they shouldn’t have to use GMC vehicle anymore and the Primastar should do the trick. Also Ford has been talking about bringing the Transit Van to the US and this would be a direct competitor.

Nissan Primastar

I could go on but I think I’ll stop here and let yall comment with more of your suggestions.

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