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Ask Uncle Spinout: Should I buy a Saturn?
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Dear Uncle Spinout,
The fact that Saturn might be going away by 2011 got me wondering whether this puts the brand at risk right now? Would you recommend anyone buy a Saturn knowing that it might not be around in a couple of years? If I buy a Saturn today, who's going to service it and where do the parts come from if when it needs servicing in 2012?
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Wondering in Warrantyland,Paul
Paul,
A good question but not to worry. By law automobile manufacturers are required by law to supply parts and service for ten years, and regardless what happens with Saturn, the standard GM warranty will apply. That means for Saturn and the other “at risk” brands (Hummer and Pontiac) are covered for five years/100,000 miles for powertrain, roadside assistance and courtesy transportation. The standard three years/36,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and six years/100,000 mile warranties will also be honored—at Saturn or other GM dealers.
General Motors is seeking ways of keeping Saturn past the 2011 deadline but it’s also looking at ways to spin off Saturn, says Steve Janisse, Saturn group communications manager. It would be easy, at least relatively as these things go, he says, to do so as Saturn was originally set up as an independent corporation, a subsidiary rather than division of GM, which makes it fundamentally different from Hummer, for example.In the mean time it’s business as usual, at least as much as possible, at Saturn dealerships.
Janisse notes that dealers have been told that some sort of resolution should be forthcoming within 60 days, and Saturn General Manager Jill Lajdziak sent all Saturn owners the following letter:
We are still Saturn.
Since the beginning, Saturn has always sought a better way. We pioneered no haggle-no hassle shopping, built dent-resistant cars, set a new benchmark for customer services and forged a unique relationship with our retailers, workers and customers. From the beginning, Saturn was launched as a “Different kind of Car Company.”
Well, here we go again.
You may have read that General Motors delivered a plan to the U.S. government that outlined the corporation’s plan for long term viability. In that plan, GM stated that Saturn would work with its retailers to investigate options for the future of the Saturn brand. We said that all ideas were on the table and we meant it.
Today [Feb 18, 2009], we confirmed that Saturn and GM would further investigate one of those options: a spin-off of an independent Saturn Distribution Corporation.
The Saturn Distribution Corporation already exists as an indirect subsidiary of GM. It’s the entity which our retailers currently have their franchise agreement. An independent Saturn would still have its great retailers, and it would continue to source current products from GM through 201 and if successful, SDC at that point would source products from other manufacturers.
The goal—from a product perspective—would be to find future vehicles that match the Saturn brand: fuel efficient, safe, reliable, and affordable. From a retailing perspective, we would build on our core strength of unmatched customer service. The same hassle-free experience that is a hallmark of the brand could be taken to even higher levels.
While this process proceeds, we will continue to do what we have always done best: Sell great vehicles and take care of our customers. We have a fresh portfolio of award-winning, fuel-efficient vehicles and a network of retailers second to none. And our new vehicles are still backed by a 100,000 mile/5 year (which ever comes first) Transferable Powertrain Limited Warranty. When you add Roadside Assistance and Courtesy Transportation Programs, we believe it is the industry’s best overall coverage. It is coverage that GM and Saturn will to continue to firmly stand behind and GM will support the continued availability of Saturn parts and service as needed.
This is an exciting time at the Saturn brand, and I have to confess, it feels a little like it did back in the 1980’s when the original Saturn project was being developed. As loyal Saturn owners and enthusiast, I know you support this brand and you can believe we are working towards a vibrant future. Difficult times sometimes yield the most innovative solutions, and those who are willing to take on the challenge will emerge victorious. Stay tuned.
Jill
That’s the long answer to your question. The short answer is, if you like a Saturn model—and Saturn is building and selling some of the best cars in its hisory—we say there’s no more problem than there is any other General Motors car. And we wouldn’t hesitate there, either.
Yours with satisfacttion guarantee or your money back,
Uncle Spinout
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