Renault Eyes Saturn, Geely Bids On Saab

Edward Niedermeyer
by Edward Niedermeyer

The Wall Street Journal reports that GM is in talks with Renault over the future of the Saturn dealer network. GM has already given up on the possibility of receiving any kind of cash consideration for Saturn; a deal with Renault would see Saturn essentially handed over to the French firm. According to the WSJ, Renault is considering Saturn as an American-market brand for its Renault and Samsung Motors products. Why Renault wants to compete with its sister-firm, Nissan, in that brand’s biggest market isn’t immediately apparent. Maybe Ghosn doesn’t like Marchionne hogging the spotlight. Meanwhile, Chinese automaker Geely has submitted a bid for GM’s Saab “division” (it’s more at brigade strength currently). Unfortunately, nobody is sure if this bid is for real or if it’s just a gambit to pressure Ford into accepting Geely’s Volvo bid. Or maybe Geely has just fallen for all things Swedish. We’re told to expect a Saab deal in “early summer,” and with bankruptcy looming, look for Saturn to be offloaded post-haste as well. (Thanks to rod panhard and Mr Sparky for the tip.)

Edward Niedermeyer
Edward Niedermeyer

More by Edward Niedermeyer

Comments
Join the conversation
4 of 14 comments
  • Robert Schwartz Robert Schwartz on May 06, 2009

    I believe the Versa and the Sentra are Renaults. It could work, as Nissan USA has already federalized them. The only question is why go after Saturn, which is just a dealership network. Isn't the real deal to get the Federal Government to give you GM.

  • Brian E Brian E on May 06, 2009

    It's got a snowball's chance in hell of actually coming here, but the new Laguna Coupe is very sexy. But otherwise, there's not really much to be hopeful for out of this *ahem* alliance.

  • Psarhjinian Psarhjinian on May 06, 2009
    I believe the Versa and the Sentra are Renaults. It could work, as Nissan USA has already federalized them. They share platforms, but they're not direct rebadges any more than the Maxima is a rebadge of the Altima. On that note, I was hoping Nissan would bring over the Vel Satis as the next Maxima. What with the Altima being, effecively, the traditional Maxima and the G35 squeezing in from above I didn't see much hope for it in it's current form. And the Vel Satis is just so lovingly bizarre.
  • DeanMTL DeanMTL on May 06, 2009

    Brilliant commercial, pure entertainment!

Next