It's semi-official: Penske to buy Saturn

[Big Panda]

It will be interesting to find out what his intentions ARE. I've seen a couple scenarios, the most interesting one is that he will only use the Saturn name and import Renault-Samsungs from Korea/China (?). Doesn't much help the American worker at the Saturn plants, now does it? Another one had him continuing to build the Sky as well.

If it were at all possible, I would like to see him combine 'smart' and 'Saturn' under one roof in all the smart centers, but I don't see that happening right now. BUT if anyone can do it, "The Captain" can!

[Old smart]

I presume he is talking about 13,000 U.S. jobs in U.S. assembly plants.

[John_H]

...and/or jobs at the dealerships.

[gstreetcomic]

That is not true, the MB dealership i get my Smart done at treats you very well. I am there often to either get the car a bath, or get some parts for my car. Had one of the dealers compliment me on the Mercedes hood ornament on my dashboard.

Originally Posted by sato7

well we might get to be treated better at their service dept, unlike the MB attitude that we are 2nd class to the MB cars....

[The Rigger]

Originally Posted by Big Panda

Another one had him continuing to build the Sky as well.

Didn't the basic design for the Sky came from Opel? That was my #2 choice for a car, but the Cabrio does better for cargo capacity.

[Old smart]

I recently saw a Sky/Solstice (?) fastback coupe. Looked good.

[Smart Enuf]

I'm a little concerned for smart in the long run. If the Saturn brand continues to tank, Penske will need to pour money into its Saturn dealers to bolster sales (read "incentives") and keep it alive. And that would be money that Penske doesn't put into the smart dealership network...