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Renault cars for Saturn?

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Renault is officially reporting talking to Saturn’s new owner, Roger Penske, about providing him with cars for the US brand.
It was reported earlier that the cars would actually come from Samsung in Korea.
But Renault is already selling cars in Mexico, so it’s not so far fetch to think we might be getting real Renaults over here, and not Korean models.
Here are some pictures of the various Megane models which would make a great replacement for the Astra.
And even the Laguna would make a nice Aura…

What do you think?

Conversation 24 comments

  2. Why not just badge them as a Renault.
    Alot of cars these days seem to have identity problems.
    If i want a renault, ill buy a renault.
    Its as bad a half of GM's line up.
    The roll out of a factory with the sign DAEWOO above its door.

  3. I REALLY like the two-doors. The key is quality.

    If the new Saturn has poor quality right out of the gate, the brand will be toast in 5 years.

  5. This would be far better than the Renault-Samsung vehicles, which are warmed over Nissan/Infiniti models…we alreay have that, so what would be the point? Modern Renaults are great cars – well regarded in Europe. They are unique, and would address real transportation needs. A great example are the Scenic and Grand Scenic, which are called MPV's in Europe. These are great for small to medium sized families, as they are tall and roomy, yet get great mileage. I've rented these several times, and taken several driving vacations with them with up to 5 people + luggage. Much roomier than a sedan like a Passat. Much more efficient than an SUV for a family car. Styling has been a little wacky lately – but at least it's original.

  7. Slap a Saturn badge on that bitch and we're good to go.

    Mégane->Saturn Astra (Cabrio, 3dr, and 4dr sedan)
    Laguna->Saturn Aura (Sedan and Wagon)
    Laguna Coupé->Saturn Asteroid (creative huh?)

    and also why not:

    Clio-> Saturn Ion
    Kangoo-> Saturn Transit Connect Fighter
    Koleos-> Saturn Vue
    Grand Scénic-> Saturn Relay (MPV Crossover)

    I could see these models being progressively introduced as Saturns, maybe with slight body restyling but TBH the Mégane and Laguna would look fine with a red rectangle in place of the Renault diamond. Can anyone photoshop that?

    Also, Renaults can be on the quirky side, since they're French, I can totally see these two brands hooking up.

    I think that Ford needs to get into talks with Peugeot/Citroën to use Mercury as a sales distribution channel for them.

  8. bring em on. A friend rented one on a recent trip to Ireland. He loved it. very tight construction. he says they are very popular there.

  9. Holy Shit!!! These would be a BIG improvement over the Nissan Versa and Sentra, making them a HUGE cut above Nissan's offerings!

  10. "Cookie McDougal said…
    Slap a Saturn badge on that bitch and we're good to go.

    Mégane->Saturn Astra (Cabrio, 3dr, and 4dr sedan)
    Laguna->Saturn Aura (Sedan and Wagon)
    Laguna Coupé->Saturn Asteroid (creative huh?)

    and also why not:

    Clio-> Saturn Ion
    Kangoo-> Saturn Transit Connect Fighter
    Koleos-> Saturn Vue
    Grand Scénic-> Saturn Relay (MPV Crossover)

    I could see these models being progressively introduced as Saturns, maybe with slight body restyling but TBH the Mégane and Laguna would look fine with a red rectangle in place of the Renault diamond. Can anyone photoshop that?

    Also, Renaults can be on the quirky side, since they're French, I can totally see these two brands hooking up.

    I think that Ford needs to get into talks with Peugeot/Citroën to use Mercury as a sales distribution channel for them.

    July 30, 2009 9:45 PM"

    This guy is on the right track.

    I only disagree in one way, I really wish that Saturn would just go away entirely and they would be sold as the vehicle that they REALLY are. Saturn was a lackluster brand, bring them here as Renaults.

  11. they are excellent and tight and well built and very high quality, "ALL" because they are made with Nissan Technology and parts….they are great!

  13. Not a bad idea – not bad at all. I would look into those cars if they came here as Saturns. They look nice…let's just hope they're built well. Europeans aren't especially known for their reliability.

  17. We already have Renaults here; as Nissans (Sentra & Versa). Quality has improved but not great (though better than Samsung's severely outdated 3rd world fleet).

    What does Ghosn have to say about this?

    Saturn still doesn't have a great reputation here among most Americans. I think it would be easier for Renault to start from scratch here, using Nissan showrooms.

  18. I think there is no need to rebrand the cars as Saturns. Just brand Saturn as a distributor for Renault or Geely or Samsung. Like GM has Chevy, Buick and Cadillac. Find the best 3 brands from affordable to luxury that meet U.S DOT that want to sell in the U.S. market. Sell them under the Saturn umbrella.

  19. The Civil Exchange said…
    …What does Ghosn have to say about this?

    HEY, what IS Ghosn up to – been waaaay too quiet for a guy that usually can't keep mouth shut or his nose out of other people's bizness!

    Is he still alive???

    re: Sataultsan
    SURE, why not…
    then cast Saturn in a remake of The Three Faces Of Eve 😉

  20. Hmm, I'm starting to warm up to the idea of Saturn merely being a distributor for Renault, and/or possibly also having its' own models based on Renault platforms, and built in Renault/Nissan/Samsung factories.

    Let's consider this:

    Renault could pose a threat to Nissan, therefore it's dealers don't want to let them use their dealership network.

    So->

    Saturn can be the brand for the downmarket models

    Renault (Dacia) Logan: Saturn Small Low Cost Sedan
    Renault Clio: Saturn compact (Fiesta fighter)
    Renault Kangoo: Saturn hippie van/business van
    (Ford Transit Connect Fighter)
    Renault Scénic: Saturn MPV
    Renaut Koleos: Saturn Vue

    Eventually Saturn could get its' own models but for the time being the downmarket Renaults could be sold as Saturn, which would be a unique alternative to Ford, obviously with lower sales (aim for around 200,000 units/annum). The Kangoo would be a great fit for a spiritual succesor for the VW Microbus. Also, slight visual retouches might be needed to make them more Saturn like.

    THEN, we have Renault, an entry-level luxury brand that gives you value for what you buy: French design and Japanese reliability. It's for people who are looking for something outside of the norm. This way, we avoid competition for the most part with Nissan and Infiniti, Renault can target different customers somewhere inbetween.

    -Renault Mégane (3 dr, 4 dr, "Estate", and Convertible). Renault's answer to the VW Jetta/GTI
    -Renault Laguna (4 dr, "Estate" and Coupé)
    -Renault Vel Satis replacement: Range Topper.

    Expect maybe 50-70k sales per year.
    (30k Mégane, 20k Laguna, a few of the Range Topper)

    Thoughts?

  21. Renaults look nice, but are known here in Europe as low quality and weak reliability… Saturn really deserves something much better!

  22. Renaults look nice, but are known here in Europe as low quality and weak reliability… Saturn really deserves something much better!

    August 2, 2009 11:38 AM

    No they don't.
    They are just unloading their low quality and weak reliability vehicles to us instead.

  23. Saturns are crap through and through no matter how many commercials they make with kids throwing baseballs at there dent resistant door while the father smiles on in admiration. I would beat that kids ass within an inch of his life, dent resistant or not.

    I have met 2 types of people who buy saturns. No.1 is this bizarre client base that is incredibly loyal to this brand and they all have one thing in common despite the fact that they are weird and that's that they have no taste. No. is the everyday folks that purchase a saturn and realize soon there after that there new best friend is the local saturn mechanic and that they've made a huge, tiny mistake.

    That said, bring on Renault. Every make and model.

    Saturn is the equivalent to that really irritating guy on the reality show that week after week defys the world by not getting voted off!!!! Sorry saturn, shows over.

  24. Hey US friends, what you might don't know is that your Rogue is our euro cousin Qashqai (but you may already know this). And guess what, the Qashqai (and also Rogue…) is built on a Renault Megane platform…They share a lot of hiden stuff…

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