Can Roger Penske save Saturn?

Saturn has been one of the biggest automotive disappointments in recent memory.

A 1990 Saturn is shown below with a “for sale” message scrawled on the window.


While the car has been well engineered the design of the early models was about as exciting as cold oatmeal.

Its early promise faded amid weak sales, years of bland cars and a marketing message that was lost in G.M.’s overstocked inventory of brands.

G.M. threw money at Saturn, but never made a profit even during its best times.

Analysts estimate that Saturn has lost as much as $20 billion over the last 24 years.

Members of G.M.’s sprawling corporate family like Saab, Hummer and Opel are slated to be sold to foreign buyers, and the venerable Pontiac division will shut down completely.

If Roger Penske had not made a bid for Saturn in June, Saturn would likely be as vulnerable as Saab, Hummer and Opel.

Finding a buyer for Saturn after 19 straight years without a profit would have been difficult. G.M. might be have been forced to shut down the division entirely if Roger Penske hadn’t stepped in.

Who is Roger Penske?
Roger Penske (pictured) was a race car driver and race team owner.

The Penske team began racing at Indianapolis in 1969 and won that event 15 times between 1972 and their last win this year.

Penske Automotive is one of the largest car dealers in the world, with 150 franchises in the United States and an additional 160 in international markets. Mr. Penske’s holdings also include several Toyota dealerships in California.

Can Mr. Penske save Saturn? If he can finalize the deal to his liking and if Obama’s “car czar” stays out of his way he probably can.

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