Renault — Samsung and Saturn? Seriously?
This one make more sense than the Mitsubishi and Saturn hook-up floated last week. Automotive News [sub] reports that Roger Penske thinks it’s a good idea to import Korean-built Renault-Samsung Motors vehicles to sell through the Saturn dealer network. (Apparently, Roger’s been en France kicking the idea around with Renault – Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn.) Remember: I said more sense. Not a lot of sense. The details that would make this deal seem sensible are . . . uh . . . sketchy. “It’s not known which vehicles would be sold by Saturn or whether they would be current Samsung offerings or new ones based on Renault engineering. Also unclear: the corporate relationship between Penske and Renault-Nissan.” In the deal’s favor, the move might return Saturn to its roots as the first-time car buyer’s first port-of-call. Against, plenty. But it does back-up what we’ve been saying for some time: Renault – Nissan is sniffing around GM’s remains, looking for a tasty snack. Saturn or . . . the whole company? Watch this space.
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Major problem; the cars aren't certified for sale in the United States or Canada and this process takes time. GM is going to cease production of Saturn cars very soon. Perhaps 2010 cars would be sourced from Mitsubishi, and 2011 cars from Renault-Samsung?! Can anyone say "parts and service nightmare"?
Akear: the resident loon and self appointed troll monitor/post whore/Saturn salesman is already on it. I didn't know Samsung was such "high quality". But since nothing's been officially confirmed by "Saturn" then it can't be discussed as it's trolling and misinformation and slander. Did you know that using the phrase "exciting times" is now the vocabulary of "trolls" and 'tards ? It was Jill L's own description of Saturn entering it's death spiral. But don't say anything otherwise over there..
Renault no longer is the State Run company it used to be and the cars they produce today rank among the best quality cars in Europe according to the German certification agency ADAC! The company's CEO Carlos Ghosn has turned loss-making Nissan into a cash machine in the early 2000s and had anticipated the crisis way before his competitors. I wouldn't have anything against Renault-Samsund selling their award-winning SM3 or good looking SM7 under the Saturn Badge! Or even the great-looking Renault Laguna Coupé and its 4-wheel steering chassis ! I think this European car maker is unfairly underestimated !