Penske Buyng Saturn

[marx404]

I did not see this posted here yet. On Friday June 5th, Saturn Officially made the announcement that Penske Automotive Group will buy Saturn. Details are being worked out and the finalization shall be in the late Summer. GM has offered to continue to make all models with exception of the Astra and expiring model SKY for the next 2 years. Neither Penske nor Saturn have revealed who will be the manufacturer of the new cars, but it has been reported that Penske wants to keep it American built if possible.

Here is Saturn's new News website:

http://www.saturncares.com

 

[Oppie (6)]

The way I read it in the newspapers, Penske was buying only the dealer network. They intended to look outside for manufacturing and design. Historically, buying only a distribution chain does not bode well for the product lines that were being sold. Most often there is an ulterior motive. Time will tell. Hopefully, I'll still be able to get parts and service for the L series.
Oppie

 

[David T. Johnson]

I did not see this posted here yet. On Friday June 5th, Saturn Officially made the announcement that Penske Automotive Group will buy Saturn. Details are being worked out and the finalization shall be in the late Summer. GM has offered to continue to make all models with exception of the Astra and expiring model SKY for the next 2 years. Neither Penske nor Saturn have revealed who will be the manufacturer of the new cars, but it has been reported that Penske wants to keep it American built if possible.

Here is Saturn's new News website:

http://www.saturncares.com

Well, maybe the new Saturn Motor Car Company will fold up after a year or maybe it will go on to thrive and prosper. Either way, it will be infinitely better than remaining with GM. Recall a few years ago when Harley-Davidson was owned by AMF Corporation and was dying. Now, the independent Harley-Davidson is prospering, even in these very difficult times for things like cars and motorcycles. Maybe an independent Saturn will go on to prosper as well. There is no reason why there cannot be a successful auto company in the United States.

 

[SMS]

The way I read it in the newspapers, Penske was buying only the dealer network. They intended to look outside for manufacturing and design. Historically, buying only a distribution chain does not bode well for the product lines that were being sold. Most often there is an ulterior motive. Time will tell. Hopefully, I'll still be able to get parts and service for the L series.

We're moving to a model similar to the consumer electronics industry where manufacturing is outsourced to factories that manufacture products for multiple design and marketing companies, and these products are often sold under multiple brand names. Design is often outsourced as well, just hand the design house your MRD and they do the design for you, obtain all the necessary government approvals, and deliver a finished product.

Penske can also sell rebranded vehicles just like the U.S. auto companies have sold Suzuki, Mitsubishi, Hyundai, Kia, Daewoo, Mazda, and Isuzu vehicles as their own models. It may work if they can make a success out of products that have been poorly marketed in the U.S., such as Mitsubishi and Isuzu.