Who is Saturn owned by?
Saturn was once a well-known automobile brand under the General Motors (GM) umbrella. It was created to compete with Japanese imports and offer a fresh, innovative approach to car manufacturing. However, the brand's journey has been marked by significant changes, including its eventual discontinuation. In this article, we’ll explore Saturn’s ownership history and its current status.
The Origins of Saturn
Saturn was established in 1985 as a subsidiary of General Motors (GM). The brand was designed to operate independently within GM, with its own unique manufacturing processes, dealer network, and marketing strategies. Saturn aimed to revolutionize the car-buying experience by focusing on customer satisfaction and offering no-haggle pricing.
General Motors: The Parent Company
Throughout its existence, Saturn remained under the ownership of General Motors. GM invested heavily in the brand, hoping it would help the company regain market share lost to Japanese automakers like Toyota and Honda. Saturn gained a loyal customer base and was known for its innovative designs and customer-friendly practices.
The Decline and Discontinuation of Saturn
Despite its initial success, Saturn struggled to maintain profitability. By the early 2000s, GM began to integrate Saturn more closely with its other brands, which diluted its unique identity. The financial crisis of 2008 further exacerbated GM's challenges, leading the company to file for bankruptcy in 2009. As part of its restructuring efforts, GM decided to discontinue the Saturn brand in 2010.
What Happened to Saturn After Its Closure?
After Saturn's closure, its dealerships either transitioned to selling other GM brands or shut down entirely. The Saturn name and its intellectual property remain under the ownership of General Motors, but the brand itself no longer produces vehicles.
Key Takeaways
- Saturn was founded in 1985 as a subsidiary of General Motors.
- The brand was known for its innovative approach to car manufacturing and customer service.
- General Motors owned Saturn throughout its existence.
- Saturn was discontinued in 2010 as part of GM's restructuring efforts during the financial crisis.
While Saturn is no longer an active brand, its legacy lives on in the automotive industry as a symbol of innovation and customer-centric practices. For car enthusiasts and former Saturn owners, the brand remains a nostalgic reminder of a unique chapter in automotive history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes Saturn now?
Saturn was a subsidiary car company of General Motors (GM). However, Saturn disbanded in 2010, so you won't find any all-new Saturn models on the market. There are some used Saturn vehicles though, and GM has affirmed it will honor claims and maintenance on these models.
Does GM still own Saturn?
Following a failed attempt by Penske Automotive to acquire Saturn from GM in September 2009, Saturn ended production in October 2009, ended outstanding franchises in October 2010, and ceased operations 25 years after it began.
Why did Saturn go out of business?
Despite what you may read elsewhere, there were just two underlying forces behind Saturn's demise: GM's insistence on managing all its divisions centrally with a tight fist, and the demand by leadership at both GM and the UAW that Saturn get in line with traditional ways of doing things.
How reliable are Saturn cars?
The truth is that Saturns have already proven that they are incredibly reliable little cars, just through their continued popularity and how many people have refused to get an upgrade. However, their age means that Saturns will likely get less and less common and less and less reliable as time continues.
What is the oldest car company still in business today?
Peugeot
Peugeot (UK: /ˈpɜːʒoʊ/, US: /p(j)uːˈʒoʊ/, French: [pøʒo]) is a French automobile brand owned by Stellantis. Subsidiary (S.A.) The family business that preceded the current Peugeot companies was established in 1810, making it the oldest car company in the world.
Are Saturns good cars?
They are hardy vehicles that can handle a lot of driving. Like a lot of small to medium-size cars, most Saturns could be driven for a lot longer than larger vehicles. The engine system is well designed, and most Saturns don't have engine trouble for a lot longer than their competitors.
Why did Ford discontinue Mercury?
The End of the Road for Mercury
Stuck between more affordable and luxurious options, demand for Mercury vehicles suffered a gradual and irreversible decline. Ford didn't put much effort into maintaining the brand's unique identity, and later models like the Mercury Mariner were little more than rebadged Ford models.
How long is the life expectancy of a Saturn car?
The saturn s-series 1.9L inline-four is extremely reliable and will go for literally hundreds of thousands of miles with a minimum of effort, if certain conditions are met. Mine is nearing 300k miles, and the car still manages over 35mpg on the freeway. Many of these cars have over 400k, 500k miles.
Who makes the engines for Saturn?
The powerplant used in Saturn S-Series automobiles was a straight-4 aluminum piston engine produced by Saturn, a subsidiary of General Motors.
Which Saturns have Honda engines?
The Honda V6 engine was used in the Saturn Vue through the 2007 model year.
