SaturnFans.com - The Saturn Authority for Saturn Enthusiasts.

Welcome ImSaturn Members

Charlie — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 10:17:00 +0000

With the pending closure of the ImSaturn social networking site, Saturn has been working closely with me to facilitate a transfer of the most popular "social groups" from the ImSaturn site to SaturnFans.com. The remaining folks at Saturn have a sincere interest in making sure Saturn owners continue to have a place to talk about their cars. As a result, I'm happy to announce the creation of the new "ImSaturn Groups" section here at SaturnFans.com. Now more than ever, it's important for Saturn owners to have a place to share their experiences and get help. The new groups were built to closely mimic the group configuration at ImSaturn. You'll still be able to post photos, as well as send and receive messages from other members. You can also create your own social group!

Saturn Introduces "Saturn Authorized Service Providers"

Charlie — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 05:20:44 +0000

From Saturn: On October 19, 2009, we sent a letter with the news that the sale of Saturn could not be finalized and as a result, the Saturn brand will be phased out over the next year. Reading letters you sent in, as well as the thoughts that were posted on saturn.com has been an emotional and uplifting journey.

Happy New Year: SaturnFans.com Back Online, Server Move Postponed

Charlie — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 03:43:35 +0000

Well, we're back! After the site crashed over the weekend, I decided to use the downtime to move SaturnFans.com to its new home. I had planned to do it back in Decemeber, but between the holidays, the SF Publisher being down, and other parts of the site needing maintenance, moving the site was not a priority. The good news is that over the weekend I was able to repair the database and fix the publisher. All of the articles published between December 8th and the end of the year will be restored from a backup later this week. Unfortunately, several batches of files transfered to the new site were corrupt, so the move has been postponed.

Saturn Brochure Covers: 2010

Charlie — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 15:20:25 +0000

A few days ago we took at look back at some of the first Saturn brochure covers. Today we have a sneak peak at what would have been the cover and front spread of the 2010 Saturn brochure. Saturn was reportedly gearing up for a big marketing push in 2010 once the Penske acquisition was completed.

Remember the GM EV1 Electric Car Leased by Saturn?

Charlie — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 04:26:15 +0000

Darryl Siry from Wired: The GM EV1 was an electric vehicle that was a technical triumph for the time. It generated passion-fueled controversy that still reverberates today. The technological innovations of the EV1 went well beyond the battery pack, inverter and AC induction motor that propelled the car without using any gasoline. The lead-acid battery pack could store only 17 kilowatt-hours for the first generation, roughly equivalent to half a gallon of gasoline. As a result, GM engineers had to do everything they could to reduce the weight and aerodynamic drag of the car to achieve a workable range.

Saturn Brochure Covers: 1991-96

Charlie — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 01:41:27 +0000

Saturn's original advertising agency, Hal Riney & Partners, managed to capture an essence of Saturn's personality and apply it to printed and recorded media. They created a consistent feel and image with all its printed materials. Many people who missed out on Saturn's earliest days have asked to see what the early brochures were like.

Saturn Was Also a Different Kind of Manufacturer

Charlie — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 15:00:31 +0000

In the early days, Saturn manufactured its own cars at its own plant in Spring Hill, Tennessee. In addition to innovating on the sales, service, and engineering sides of its business, Saturn's founding fathers spent a significant amount of time developing new manufacturing techniques that were based on some of the "best in class" processes used by companies from around the world.

Virtual Polymer Body-Side Panel Demonstration

Charlie — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 04:37:39 +0000

Over the years, one of Saturn's most impressive features was their innovative plastic polymer body panels that it used to cloth it's cars in. The panels resisted damage from small dents, dings, and minor bumps — they proved to be very popular among Saturn owners. The panels simply absorbed the impact, and bounced back into their original form. Back in the day, if you went to your local Saturn retailer, the sales folks would eagerly show you how well the panels worked by either pounding on the side of a car with their fists, or by inviting you to jump up and down on a sample door panel laying on the floor. No matter how hard you tried, the panels always went back to their original shape.

Owner Story: Comic Books and Saturn

Charlie — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 03:34:43 +0000

From Tom Mason: Now that GM is shutting down their Saturn division, let me tell you how comic books helped me get a really nice, reliable car. Years ago, my old car went on life support and, reluctantly, since I could no longer count on my friends to keep picking me up by the side of the freeway, I had to get another one. I hate buying a car more than I hate trying to get a hotel room for Comic-Con International in March. So I needed a plan.

SaturnFest 2009 Starts Now

Charlie — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 02:12:28 +0000

It is with tempered excitement that I officially announce the start of SaturnFest 2009. The format for this year's event will be diferent from in the past. The familiar 5-day schedule has been expanded to 31 days, and the over-the-top celebration will be more reflective and subdued. Personally, I am still finding it hard to prepare a "celebration" so close to the brand's untimely death. Couple that with reports published almost on a daily basis about more retail facilities closing — leaving thousands of folks out of work during the holidays — really saddens me.

GM May Complete Saturn Shutdown by the End of March, Not October 2010 as Previously Announced

Charlie — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:43:49 +0000

From AutoWeek: "All of our efforts will be to sell down our remaining 2009 inventory," Susan Docherty, GM's vice president of U.S. sales, said today at a press event. "We'll have a little bit of carryover of that into the first quarter of 2010, but the objective is to keep our inventory somewhere between 425,000 to 450,000 units." Docherty said she is confident that GM will clear out the 2009-model-year inventory by January. Meanwhile, the company likely will shutter its Pontiac and Saturn brands by the end of the first quarter, Docherty said.

Retailer Recounts Details of Sudden Saturn Closure

Charlie — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:30:13 +0000

Barbara Wieland from the Lansing State Journal: Sherrill Freeborough is finding there is life after Saturn. Freeborough was one of 340 Saturn dealers left hanging when GM's deal to sell the division to Penske Automotive Group collapsed September 30. GM quickly halted Saturn production - including dropping the Outlook crossover made at its Lansing Delta Township assembly plant - and began shutting down the brand. "It was sickening, disheartening," said the normally upbeat, optimistic Freeborough. "It took some time for the reality of it to sink in."

Paging Al Clapsaddle: Huge Incentives Help Build the Case for One Last Saturn Purchase

Charlie — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:17:48 +0000

Unprecedented discounts on the last remaining Saturns present an enticing case to anyone in the market for a new car, especially if you're a Saturn owner. Al Clapsaddle, senior sales consultant at Saturn/West in Ohio, sent me an intriguing e-mail the other day detailing the laundry list of incentives available until November 30 — some of which are over and above those that were advertised nationally at the beginning of the month.

How To: Changing the Oil in a Saturn Outlook

james — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 04:04:43 +0000

Here is a step-by-step how-to guide that I put together after changing the oil in my 2009 Saturn Outlook with GM's 3.6L Direct Injection (DI) V6. The procedure should also work for anyone with who owns a GMC Acadia, Buick Enclave, and Chevrolet Traverse. This process worked for me, but I cannot accept any responsibility for the procedure or provide any guarantees.

SaturnFans.com is Now on Facebook

Charlie — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 02:25:29 +0000

With General Motors' unfortunate decision to shutdown Saturn, the need for venues that enable owners and fans to communicate is greater than ever. In an effort to foster that communication across as many mediums as possible, SaturnFans.com can be followed via Twitter, RSS, ImSaturn, and now there's a fan page on Facebook. It's another place for Saturn owners — past and present — to socialize, share experiences, and offer support to each other in the wake of Saturn's untimely closing.

Some 2006-07 Saturn Ions Recalled

Charlie — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:06:29 +0000

General Motors is recalling certain model year 2006 Saturn Ion vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of Arizon and Nevada. Model year 2007 Ions originally sold or currently registered in the states of Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada, and Texas are also impacted by the campaign.

GM Readies New Ads, Deep Discounts to Clear Remaining Saturn Inventory

Charlie — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:59:26 +0000

Automotive News reports that General Motors is preparing what will likely be one last Saturn advertising campaign in an effort to sell the brand's last remaining 9,400 2008 and 2009 models. Susan Docherty, GM's newly appointed vice president of U.S. sales, told the trade publication that "starting next week, we'll have a print campaign which features that product. In the next 90 days, we'll have cleaned up that inventory. I'm not worried about it at all."

Roger Penske Talks about Failed Saturn Deal

Charlie — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 03:15:52 +0000

Below a partial transcript detailing comments made by Roger Penske pertaining to his failed acquisition of the Saturn brand during the Penske Automotive Group's (PAG) third quarter 2009 earnings call held this past Friday, October 30th.

Saturn Deal Didn’t Meet Renault’s Return Requirement

Charlie — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 03:14:25 +0000

Sharon Terlep from the Dow Jones Newswires: Auto magnate Roger Penske believed he was taking over General Motors' Saturn brand until the very last moments, when France's Renault shocked both Penske and GM by backing out of an agreement to provide vehicles. Penske addressed the failed deal Friday as he announced Penske Automotive Group's quarterly financial results.

Report: Jill Lajdziak to Retire from GM by End of Year, GM’s Steve Hill to Lead Shutdown of Brand

Charlie — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 03:40:30 +0000

Jamie Lareau from Automotive News: Jill Lajdziak, who joined Saturn before its first car was sold and led the division through its demise last month, will retire from General Motors at the end of the year. Lajdziak, 52, will take vacation time until then, said spokesman John McDonald. In the interim, GM's Steve Hill, will coordinate the wind-down of the Saturn brand.

GM Hopes to Retain Saturn Customers, but 69% of SaturnFans.com Members Surveyed Say they Won’t Purchase a GM Vehicle

Charlie — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 03:37:15 +0000

Eric Mayne from WardsAuto.com: GM is entering the free-agent market. The auto maker will reach out next week to some 1.6 million customers affected by the wind-down of its storied Pontiac brand. Susan Docherty, vice president-U.S. sales, calls these consumers "free agents" and says GM will attempt to steer them to Buick-GMC or Chevrolet dealerships by offering free oil changes. GM also will distribute information about Buick, GMC and Chevrolet product portfolios as it tries to keep these customers "in the family," Docherty says, adding a similar campaign is being planned to woo Saturn-brand customers.

A Wealth of Lessons from Saturn Failure

Charlie — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 03:04:11 +0000

From Knowledge@Wharton: General Motors' decision earlier this month to scrap its Saturn brand triggered frequent retellings of the many ways in which GM missed an opportunity to recast itself and the auto industry. But other manufacturers did adopt some of Saturn's innovations, according to Wharton faculty. Indeed, they say, the Saturn story provides a roadmap for what to do - and what not to do - as the auto industry adjusts to the post-financial crisis world.

Fisker to Purchase Former Delaware Saturn Plant to Build Plug-in Hybrid Cars

Charlie — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:37:14 +0000

Fisker Automotive has selected the former GM/Saturn Wilmington Assembly plant in Wilmington, Delaware to build affordable plug-in hybrid cars. Fisker executives made the announcement inside the dormant facility yesterday, joined by Vice President Joe Biden, Delaware Governor Jack Markell and other state officials. The plant will support Fisker Automotive's Project NINA, the development and build of an affordable, family-oriented plug-in hybrid sedan costing about $39,900 after federal tax credits.

Searching for an Original 1991 Saturn Owner

Charlie — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:51:22 +0000

A television station in Ohio is working on a news segment about Saturn, and they are looking for an owner of any 1991 Saturn who lives in the area between the Cleveland, Ohio and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area. Ideally, the person they'd like to talk to is someone who is the original owner and still uses the car.

Saturn Owners: Remember to Smile and Wave

marx404 — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 04:31:04 +0000

Permit me to steal a line from the famous penguins of the movie Madagascar for a moment. I will already take to heart that some may understand what I am about to say, some may not, and some may totally misconstrue it. This is for those who do get it and did get it all along.

SaturnFest 2009 Postponed

Charlie — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 04:53:08 +0000

Today was supposed to be the first day of SaturnFans.com's week-long SaturnFest celebration. Just like in the past, it was going to be a happy time, with this year's virtual gathering of owners from around the world (I've received e-mails from as far away as Taiwan) cheering Roger Penske's acquistion of Saturn. But, alas, with GM's decision to suddenly begin the process of shutdowning the brand at the end of September, preparation for the online festival screeched to a halt as news of the impending closure dominated this site's front page.

A Letter from Jill Lajdziak to Saturn Owners Regarding GM’s Decision to Shutdown the Brand

Charlie — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 05:24:46 +0000

Of all the letters I have written this past year, this one is the most difficult. I want to begin by thanking all of you for your support over this last year. Your loyalty to Saturn motivated my team to work very hard to try to find a way for this brand to continue. The many e-mails, calls and personal notes provided the inspiration to all of us at Saturn. By now I'm sure you have heard that the sale of Saturn to the Penske Automotive Group could not be finalized. As a result, the Saturn brand will now be phased out over time.

SaturnFans.com Back Online After Record Traffic Crashes Server (Again)

Charlie — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 05:21:24 +0000

For the second time this month, SaturnFans.com has been knocked offline due to the surge of Saturn owners and enthusiasts flocking to the Web to read more about GM's decision to shutdown the Saturn brand. This time damage was much more extensive. While the primary site database has been reconstructed, there is still some work that needs to be done.

Saturn and Me: General Motors Loses a Customer

Charlie — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 22:46:31 +0000

Allan Sloan from the Washington Post: Until last week I had been one of General Motors' most reliable customers for more than 15 years. But my relationship with GM ended the very day the company announced that it was closing its Saturn operation — something I learned when I came home from trading in my 2003 Saturn Vue for a new, spiffy 2010 SUV with an Asian nameplate.

Saturn Deserves Better than Revisionists Calling Its Cars Ordinary

Charlie — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 22:23:31 +0000

Bryan Laviolette from Michigan WLLZ: Much has been written about why Saturn was somewhat of a success through much of the 1990s. Even though General Motors starved the brand for new products, those who bought Saturns back then loved them. Sure, buyers enjoyed the no-haggle deals and the fresh approach to selling cars. They loved it when dealer employees clapped as they drove their cars away for the first time. But what they really loved was that the cars were good, possibly the best cars GM has made since the 1950s when it ruled the American market.