Well, we know now, don't we?
Hiya Oppie! How have you been?

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marx404
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"Oppie" > wrote in message
...
> http://www.freep.com/article/2009041...904160420/1014
> April 16, 2009
> Success, struggle mark Saturn history
>
> Strong lineup not enough to save it
>
> BY BRENT SNAVELY
> FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER
>
> General Motors Corp. started its Saturn project in the early 1980s as an
> effort to develop small cars that could compete with Japanese brands.
>
> From the beginning, Saturn was touted as "a different kind of company" and
> broke new ground with its no-haggle pricing policies at dealerships.
>
> But Saturn struggled with a limited model range and an inadequate
> commitment to vehicle development. Recently, GM assembled what arguably is
> its best lineup ever, but it was too late.
>
> Saturn's sales declined 21.7% in 2008 compared with an industrywide
> decline of 18%.
>
> Here are highlights of Saturn's history:
>
> June 15, 1982: Alex Mair, then vice president of what now is GM's advanced
> engineering staff, discusses a new, innovative small car project with
> several top engineers.
>
> July 1982: Saturn is selected as the name for the project. The name was
> inspired by the Saturn rocket, which carried Americans to the moon during
> the space race with the USSR.
>
> Jan. 7, 1985: Saturn Corp. is established as a wholly-owned subsidiary.
>
> Jan. 29, 1989: Saturn announces franchise agreements with 26 dealers.
>
> Oct. 25, 1990: First vehicles arrive.
>
> Jan. 1994: Saturn reports a profit for the prior year.
>
> June 1, 1995: Saturn's one-millionth vehicle is produced.
>
> Aug. 15, 2002: J.D. Power and Associates rates Saturn No. 1 in its 2002
> Sales Satisfaction Index Study.
>
> Dec. 29, 2003: GM announces expansion plans for Saturn and says Saturn
> will double its portfolio from three to six products by 2007.
>
> Jan. 9, 2005: Saturn unveils the Sky, a small, rear-wheel drive roadster
> that signals the new design direction.
>
> January 2007: Saturn Aura midsize sedan is named North American Car of the
> Year.
>
> December 2008: GM says it will "explore alternatives for the brand."
>
> Feb. 16: GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz tells trade publication Automotive News
> he isn't sure why Saturn failed. "We spent a huge bundle of money in
> giving Saturn an absolutely no-excuses product lineup, top to bottom,"
> Lutz said. "The sales just never materialized."
>
> Feb. 17: GM announces it will phase out Saturn after 2011 unless dealers
> can come up with a better alternative.
>
> Wednesday: Black Oak Partners LLC says it has made an offer for Saturn's
> distribution network.
>
> Sources: GM, Free Press research
> =====
> http://www.latimes.com/business/la-f...,6734026.story