Posted on 10/01/2009 5:31:51 AM PDT by Liberty1970
Some significant items worth sharing in the automotive field today:
Roger Penske has backed out of a deal to buy Saturn from GM at the last moment. Penske was unable to finalize a deal with Renault to sell vehicles produced at Renault factories in the coming years (GM had agreed to keep producing Saturns for Penske for the first few years). GM had said the Penske deal would save 13000 jobs. There is no indication of a backup plan now for Saturn, it sounds like it will be dead in about a year.
In other news, the head of the GM team designing the high-profile Volt plug-in electric vehicle has left for consulting work. The news summary commented that this could be an example of how government controls on wages are driving high-profile talent to greener pastures.
IHS Global Insight predicts that GM will drop below Ford and Toyota in U.S. sales in the next few years. And Hyundai-Kia will pass Chrysler. They also anticipate the market recovering to 17.3 million sales by 2015 (roughly where it was a few years ago).
Auto incentives on new car sales are rising again. No surprise there, as dealers are struggling to sell cars again as the cash-for-clunkers program has ended.
Fox had a piece on the sales for September last night, predicted down 40% over the C4C August bullcrap.
Who can blame Penske for backing out? If he’s not an Obama supporter, any car company he owns is screwed.
BTW, do Saturn employees belong to the UAW?
So that bald black guy in that shiny green silk shirt that was talking all high and mighty bout how great Saturn was and how the critics were wrong...was a liar?
ROTFLMAO!
With every car maker or dealership that goes out of business or gets put out of business by Obama fiat, the long-term prospects for the remaining ones improve. However, because of government meddling, the process is being decided largely according to political criteria--not consumer choice.
With every car maker or dealership that goes out of business or gets put out of business by Obama fiat, the long-term prospects for the remaining ones improve. However, because of government meddling, the process is being decided largely according to political criteria--not consumer choice.
All the Saturn plants are UAW, including Spring Hill, TN.
Auto wholesalers I talk to tell me that Saturns basically never have mechanical problems even at ten or twelve years old. The Saturn was an exceptionally good car.
I’ve seen that commercial. He probably needs to look for another job.
Just got back from vacation. The rental car company gave us a Saturn Vue to drive for a week. My wife and I both hated that vehicle.
Would that it were true. It just means that you'll be feeling THEIR pain via wealth "redistribution". It appears that if you're a loser who habitually makes poor decisions, then the government guarantees that the results of your poor planning will be shared by those who made good decisions in their lives.
“Who can blame Penske for backing out? If he’s not an Obama supporter, any car company he owns is screwed.”
I’ve met Roger a few times. Seems to me that he’s not real political. He has a Rolodex full of politicians on both sides.
“BTW, do Saturn employees belong to the UAW?”
Yes.
It is a good car. As I comment on this post, I’m a salesman at a Saturn dealership. I guesd I should be looking for a job, not on FR. Anyways, Saturn has a loyal customer base but failed to make a car that was attractive or sexy. Flat towable and reliable yes. Fun to drive and flattering no.
Sorry to hear about your misfortune, then. :-( I hope it turns out a blessing for you in the long run.
I have a used Saturn that was made before the government got into the business — 1999. I am really sad to see this. Wish Ford would pick them up.
PS. I love the Saturn; good gas mileage, good handling, good everything. Insurance is less. Maintenance is less.
What to do?
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