who makes saturn cars

[Alice]

Saturn cars were manufactured by the Saturn Corporation, a subsidiary of General Motors (GM). GM discontinued the Saturn brand in 2010 following failed attempts to sell it during its bankruptcy restructuring. The brand was known for its "a different kind of car company" approach, featuring no-haggle pricing and a focus on customer service.

The Saturn Corporation was launched by GM in 1985 as a standalone subsidiary to compete with the growing import market, particularly Japanese brands. The first Saturn cars, like the S-Series, rolled out of a new, dedicated factory in Spring Hill, Tennessee, in 1990. The brand developed a loyal following thanks to its innovative polymer body panels, which were resistant to dings and rust.

However, after initial success, Saturn struggled in the 2000s. GM’s financial woes meant less investment for new Saturn models, and the brand began selling rebadged versions of vehicles from other GM divisions like Opel, which diluted its unique identity. The 2008 financial crisis was the final blow. As part of its bankruptcy, GM attempted to sell Saturn to the Penske Automotive Group, but the deal fell through in 2009. With no viable buyer, GM phased out the Saturn brand, producing its last car in 2009 and closing down all dealerships by the end of 2010.

For a quick overview, here are some key Saturn models and their production timelines:

Model Name	Production Years	Notable Features
S-Series	1990–2002	Original model; featured dent-resistant plastic panels.
L-Series	1999–2005	Midsize sedan and wagon based on an Opel platform.
ION	2002–2007	Compact car replacing the S-Series; featured center-mounted instrument cluster.
VUE	2001–2009	Compact SUV; early models had a CVT transmission.
AURA	2006–2009	Midsize sedan; a critically acclaimed rebadge of the Opel Vectra.
SKY	2006–2009	Two-seat roadster; shared platform with the Pontiac Solstice.
OUTLOOK	2006–2009	Full-size crossover SUV; part of GM's Lambda platform shared with Buick and GMC.

[SanChloe]

General Motors made them, but they shut the whole Saturn division down over a decade ago. It’s a real shame. They had a good thing going with their no-haggle prices and friendly dealers. My aunt had an SL2 that just wouldn’t quit. But GM ran into money trouble during the recession and couldn’t afford to keep it alive. The cars are just part of history now.

[OJoel]

Think of Saturn as a failed experiment by GM. They created it in the 80s to fight off import brands. It worked for a while, but GM stopped investing in new, unique models for Saturn. By the end, a Saturn was often just a Chevy or an Opel with a different badge. When GM went bankrupt, Saturn was one of the brands they cut loose. You can’t buy a new one anymore.

[McAnna]

Saturn was a General Motors company, but it's been gone since the 2008 financial crisis. I remember seeing the commercials as a kid—"A different kind of car company." They were supposed to be more customer-friendly. But when the auto industry crashed, GM had to slim down to survive. They tried to sell Saturn to Penske, but it didn't work out. So, the last Saturns were built in 2009, and that was that.