Roger Penske considers a bid to buy Saturn

Syracuse.com ^ | May 8, 2009 | AP

[byteback]

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Roger Penske says he is contemplating a bid for the Saturn automotive brand that General Motors Corp. plans to sell or shut down.

While Penske has not yet made an offer, he said Friday a decision would have to come soon and that a number of unidentified details need to be worked out.

[Quick Shot]

Was a small victim of Penske forcing Blackfin Yacht in to bankruptcy. He forced them when they declined to sell 100% of their boats with his diesels (also owed them alot of money). He forced it and lost much more than he was owed. Put a lot of people out of work, when the industry was good

[commish]

YOu do realize all the changes that would have to be made to the Abarth to make it legal in the U.S.? Changes that would add significant amounts of weight and emissions changes that would destroy the HP.

I had a european spec RX-7 when I was in Germany. Had a friend that brought his american spec RX-7 over. I got almost 20% better gas mileage than he did, and my RX-7 would top 160MPH easily, his couldn’t even get past 120.

I checked into “americanizing” my car when I got my orders back to the states - was going to cost me over $5000 to changes all the frame stuff and add the emissions stuff. I sold the car instead of destroying it.

The Abarth will have a far higher price tag and far worse performance as a U.S. model. Plus it is one of the ugliest vehicles I think i have ever seen — it looks like a VW bug that didn’t finish cooking yet.

[newfreep]

Appears to have a high center of gravity for very poor handling - even dangerous in sharp turns. Small and probably very unsfe in crashes, too. Thanks, but no thanks!

[WestCoastGal]

The car or the planet? LOL

I did see this earlier and thought that the Saturn was a great car according to consumers so he may have a good plan there.

[dalereed]

Tonka Toy POS!!!

[SouthTexas]

Cute. About as big as grandson’s four wheeler.

[hosepipe]

I had a Saturn once.. It was a very good car..

[steveegg]

I wonder if Penske would be interested in the Viper as well. Hmmm, the Penske Saturn Viper.

[Tony in Hawaii]

Looks like it may be a done deal:

http://www.thestreet.com/_yahoo/story/10509866/1/gm-to-sell-saturn-to-penske-report.html?cm_ven=YAHOO&cm_cat=FREE&cm_ite=NA