Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Blood Drive @ Saturn of Hickory July 18th
Start Time: 10:00 AM
End Time: 1:15 PM
Where: Saturn of Hickory
Bloodmobile
Address:
1775 Catawba Valley Blvd SE
Hickory, NC 28602
Friday, June 19, 2009
Humane Society Rabies Clinic at Saturn of Hickory Saturday 6/20
Saturn of Raleigh hosting Free Child ID event
If your child is missing for whatever reason, the picture you take now could be priceless!
Entertainment for kids:
*Clowns from Jolly Raleigh Klown Alley
*Play in the Sea Creature Wonderland
*Pony Rides
*Design a T-shirt and you could win a mountain bike -kids only :)
*Free Photo ID and finger printing
Date: | Saturday, June 20, 2009 |
Time: | 11:00am - 3:00pm |
Location: | Saturn of Raleigh |
Street: | 5501 Capital Blvd |
City/Town: | Raleigh, NC |
Phone: | 919 604 0126 |
Email: |
Saturn Listening to Students
Undergraduate management students in the NC State College of Management's Policy and Strategy class taught by Ed Weems, lecturer, have been studying the Saturn brand case during this summer's first five-week session.check out the whole article
Thursday, June 18, 2009
letter to Saturn Customers from Saturn General Manager Jill Lajdziak
"Saturn, from the beginning, has always been a brand to challenge convention. A belief that good enough isn’t good enough. And no matter how great the challenge, a knowledge that there is always a way to persevere. So, at a time when the automotive industry is challenged to find a better way, Saturn stands poised to accept that challenge. It is that enduring spirit that will guide us as we open this new chapter in the Saturn story."
read the whole thing here
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
GM warranty confusion cleared up at Consumer Reports
This is great, but not everyone is playing along, so:
"Under the terms of the warranty, the customer should first attempt to bring their vehicle to any Saturn retailer for warranty service. If there is no retailer in their immediate area, or if it is an emergency situation, the repair can be made at any General Motors dealership. In non-emergency situations, it is a good idea for a customer who is having trouble finding a nearby Saturn retailer to call Saturn Customer Assistance before going to a non-Saturn location. That number is (800) 553-6000."
In the meantime, we recommend car owners call ahead and confirm with a service manager that warranty work will be performed. If one dealer refuses, call another.Makes sense.
For the record: We've never stopped doing warranty work for Saturn owners.
Everything you need to know about...
Friday, June 12, 2009
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Saturn VUE makes Top 10 Least Expensive to Insure list
Monday, June 8, 2009
Will Saturn/Penske become the new template for auto retailing?
“The announcement that Penske Automotive Group will buy General Motors’ Saturn brand is one of the most significant developments in a month that has been full of significant developments. The proposed acquisition marks the beginning of a new business model in this industry; a model in which the distribution side of the business controls the brand and manufacturing is conducted by one or more sub-contractors.”
- Jack Nerad, executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book and kbb.com speaking to Dealersedge.com
Friday, June 5, 2009
“It allows Saturn to get back to its original roots, which is to be an independent car company,”
Carl F. Galeana, who owns two Saturn dealerships north of Detroit, said Friday he was thrilled that Penske would be the Saturn buyer.“Roger Penske is an icon in the business world,” Galeana said. “I’ve worked with him personally. Nobody works harder than Roger Penske.”
Galeana said the fact that Penske is interested in Saturn means the brand has value.
“It allows Saturn to get back to its original roots, which is to be an independent car company,” he said.
Saturn and Penske: Two Iconic Teams Poised to Make History Again
“There has been a groundswell of support for Saturn, with our retailers and owners urging us to save the brand,” said Lajdziak. “We heard their call loud and clear, and it inspired us as we worked to secure Saturn’s future.”
More details on Penske Saturn Purchase...
Penske's Deal To Buy Saturn Confirmed
Saturn dealers exhale then celebrate
In what has to be very good news for about 350 of the remaining Saturn dealerships, the man with the Midas touch has signed a memorandum of understanding with GM; agreeing to acquire the Saturn brand, the right to distribute vehicles to the Saturn dealer network and their inventory of parts. A third-quarter closing is expected; the selling price has not yet been disclosed.
The Penske Automotive Group already has a network of franchised auto dealerships totaling 310 locations around the world, according to a report in The New York Times. In addition the Penske Group is the sole distributor for Smart cars in the U.S. In a statement from Penske, there is no plan to distribute Smart cars from the Saturn locations. Penske also controls Detroit Diesel along with several IndyCar, NASCAR and Grand-Am racing teams.
According to an Associated Press report, while talking to reporters, Penske indicated that he expects to offer new franchise agreements to the existing Saturn dealers.
For the next two years, the new Saturn will have access to GM-built vehicles. According to a Penske quote, he said, "We will be selling as many GM cars -- a many GM-produced cars -- under the Saturn brand as possible."
He also indicated that they are in talks with vehicle manufacturers from around the world about building new Saturn models in the future. One such proposed deal would have Saturn models being build by Renault's Samsung manufacturing unit in Korea.
According to a statement released by Penske, "We have agreed upon a framework that we believe will build momentum for the Saturn brand. Saturn has a passionate customer base and outstanding dealer network. For nearly 20 years Saturn has focused on treating the customer right. We share that philosophy, and we want to build on those strengths."
So while GM will be shedding a brand and some 350 dealers, as decreed by the Treasury Department, albeit indirectly, at least this group not only gets to keep their franchises, but get to do business with Roger Penske who had demonstrated repeatedly that he knows how to win. A good deal for existing Saturn dealers.
Penske to buy Saturn
GM, Penske reach tentative agreement for Saturn brand Detroit Free Press
GM to sell Saturn to Penske CNNMoney.com