Penske to get Saturn???
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Seems that Roger Penske has a plant for Saturn, if he gets it.
He did have a meeting with the head of Renault, Carlso Ghosn, about 2 weeks ago. About selling cars from the Renault group through Saturn dealers.
But that would mean Korean cars from the brand Samsung, owned by Renault.
Not real Renaults…
And Penske is also mentioning that he would only get 250 of the 384 Saturn dealers out there.
So.. How about meeting some of these Samsung cars:
The all new SM3 Compact sedan is based on the Renault Megane sedan. This would go against the Corolla, Civic etc…
The QM5 would give the “new” Saturn a small compact SUV.
I saw a couple in Europe last year, and all I can say is that they don’t look good in person. At all…
Wheels are way too small, the shape is from the 90’s… It is based on the Nissan Rogue/Qashqai. 
The big SM7 sedan is a version of our previous Maxima sold in Japan as the Nissan Teana, discontinued in Japan last year.
It uses the 3.5 Liter V6 from Nissan.
The only way these cars could work in the US is if they were cheap. Just like most Korean cars sold here.
A previous generation Maxima is still a good car. But not for $30 000.
At $23 000 it might have a chance.
We’ll see…
that 'Teana' interior sure looks like More than $23k imho and the exterior isn't dated yet either
&
the SM3 looks pretty good to me
tho
still kinda hoping Saturn can sell some Opels
That Teana actually uses the new-gen Maxima platform; it’s essentially a JDM/Aussie Maxima with Samsung badges.
All of those cars are probably better quality than the rebadged Opels Saturn is currently selling.
No hatchback cars; no sale.
So what brand are you actually buying?? It looks like another rebadging nightmare to me.
Based on Nissan? I won’t buy it.
I’ve had horrible luck with my last Nissan (Maxima) and I hate all of their products now anyway.
Can’t Saturn just sell Opels or even something Chinese to mix it up a bit and prove to America that they really DO produce junk.
If Renault sold these cars in the U.S. as Saturns, wouldn’t they risk cannibalizing the sale of Nissans?
Saturn should remain selling GM based products, not some inbred unknown debauchery product, probably with ludicrous backup service as well as probably waiting six months for spare parts.
SM7 has an interior thats nicer than ANYTHING from Lexus. On a par with Mercedes and just below Lincoln, Cad, and BMW.
Anonymous said…
“SM7 has an interior thats nicer than ANYTHING from Lexus. On a par with Mercedes and just below Lincoln, Cad, and BMW.”
May 27, 2009 3:35 PM
Are you willing to bet your balls on that and buy one? I dare you to.
“Are you willing to bet your balls on that and buy one? I dare you to.” Certainly I would buy this before I’d buy a Lexus. But I admit, I’ve never been willing to spend Lincoln or Cadillac money on ANYTHING as ugly as a generic Lexus. For the moment we’ll stick with the Navigator, STS, and 750il. (But I do like that dash!)
QM5 is the Renault Koleos.
“Anonymous said…
SM7 has an interior thats nicer than ANYTHING from Lexus. On a par with Mercedes and just below Lincoln, Cad, and BMW.”
You, sir, are an idiot and completely incorrect.
I would bet my house on it that you haven’t even sat in one of these or even seen one in real life.
“You, sir, are an idiot and completely incorrect.” In addition to not being incorrect OR an idiot; I’m also not blind (whereas you sir, apparently are) I am however, accutely attuned to aesthetics. GOOD DESIGN IS GOOD DESIGN. PERIOD. No matter WHO makes it. (And Mercedes has gotten better on the interiors, I will admit). I’m not making a statement on the SM7’s “quality of touch” off a little photo like this. But the photo does show how excellent styling can create an ambiance of class and sophistication.
Saturn, like GM, was finally starting to produce some nice cars….It’ll be a shame if these cars you’ve shown end up being sold here….They are very underwhelming.
I have a weird idea that this is NOT going to work.
pointless. Maybe he can get Opels from Magna instead.
QM5 is Renault Koleos which is actually based on the Nissan X-Trail.
1980, 1990, 2000.
In that order.