Saturn Corporation
 |
|
| Subsidiary, LLC | |
| Industry | Automotive |
| Fate | Terminated |
| Successor |
Buick Chevrolet |
| Founded | January 7, 1985 |
| Defunct | October 31, 2010 |
| Headquarters |
Spring Hill, Tennessee, U.S. (1985–2007) Detroit, Michigan, U.S. (2007-2010) |
|
Area served
|
United States, Canada |
|
Key people
|
|
| Products | Automobiles |
| Parent |
Motors Liquidation Company General Motors |
| Website | Saturn.com |
The Saturn Corporation is a registered trademark established on January 7, 1985, as a subsidiary of General Motors. The company marketed itself as a "different kind of car company" and operated somewhat independently from its parent company for a time with its own assembly plant in Spring Hill, Tennessee; unique models; and a separate retailer network, and was GM's attempt to compete with Japanese automakers.
Following the withdrawal of a bid by Penske Automotive to acquire Saturn in September 2009, General Motors discontinued the Saturn brand and ended its outstanding franchises on October 31, 2010. All new production was halted on October 7, 2009.
Alex C. Mair began discussions of a "revolutionary new, small-car project codenamed 'Saturn'" in June 1982. In November 1983, the Saturn idea was publicized by General Motors' Chairman Roger B. Smith and GM's President F. James McDonald. Twelve months later, the first Saturn demonstration vehicle was revealed. On January 7, 1985, the Saturn Corporation was officially founded. Citing full disclosure, Saturn was founded as a private, employee-owned company, by former GM leadership. They remained private until GM bought them out, and effectively "rewrote" company history.
In the mid-1980s, GM released the Saturn Concept Car. The car, which resembled the first Saturn SL, was not originally meant to start up a brand, however, GM planned to release the Saturn car under one of its brands, which, at the time, were Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac. In the late 1980s, GM changed their plan and founded Saturn as its own brand, with its first cars being the Saturn SC and Saturn SL. Production of both Saturn vehicles started in 1990 as early 1991 model year vehicles. The Saturn SW was later added for 1992. GM had plans for a sedan, a coupe, a wagon, and even a sport utility vehicle; however, Saturn's first sport utility vehicle, the Vue, did not appear until the 2002 model year.
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