From Tim Higgins, Detroit Free Press - It looks like an announcement could come as early as Thursday in regards to the Penske Saturn deal closing.

Some of the signs pointing to the deal closing soon:
Jill Lajdziak, Saturn’s general manager, has asked for an early retirement package from GM, an indication that she is leaving, a person familiar with her decision said.

Saturn dealers have been asked to sign new franchise agreements with Penske.

Joe Serra, who owns two Saturn dealerships, believes everything is on track. “It looks like they are probably on the two-yard line,” Serra said.

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[Source: Detroit Free Press: Read Entire Article]

With the deal to complete the sale of the Saturn brand to Roger Penske just around the corner, the question is starting to be asked, “Can Roger Save Saturn?” There is no doubt that Roger Penske has had many challenges and successes in his day, but he may soon face the biggest challenge of all, saving the Saturn brand. In a recent article, The New York Times talks about whether or not this automotive giant can save the tarnished brand.

None of us know what the outcome will be, but if anyone has a chance of resuscitating the Saturn Brand its Roger Penske.

[Source: New York Times: Read Entire Article]

Robert Snell from The Detroit News. Saturn dealers nationwide have received new sales and service agreements from Roger Penske, a sign the auto icon is close to finalizing a deal for the castoff General Motors Co. brand. The two-year agreements, which are subject to completion of a deal for Saturn, were sent to about 340 U.S. dealers, who had until Sept. 11 to sign and return them. The agreements have one-year automatic renewals if dealers meet certain conditions.

There are no major changes from dealer agreements under GM and details such as sales objectives are not mentioned. But the agreements last for two years, a key difference from the GM agreements, which were open-ended, dealers said.

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[Source: The Detroit News, Read Entire Article]

Saturn of Flint has created a really nice video about the relationship Saturn has with their customers. Saturn retailers work hard to build long term relationships with their customers. It has always been about the customer at Saturn.

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Another Saturn Store will be closing its doors on Aug 1st. The good news is that the owners will be offering employment at their other dealerships.

From Eric Pfahler, Vero Beach Press - The Suburban Group plans to close its Saturn of Vero Beach effective Aug. 1 so the dealership group can focus operations at its Saturn of Stuart location, Suburban Group General Manager Ron MacEachern said. 

MacEachern said all employees at Saturn of Vero Beach will be offered employment at other locations. He said Saturn asked Suburban Group to purchase the Vero Beach dealership 18 months ago to try to make it profitable.

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[Source: Vero Beach Press, Read Entire Story]

Here’s an old Sports Illustrated article from 1988 that talks about Roger Penske Racing. The article also gives some insight into Roger Penske’s personality from people who’ve worked with him.

“He demands a do-or-die loyalty; his employees must be willing to walk off the bridge for him,” says Derrick Walker, Penske Racing’s general manager for nine years. “If you try to leave, or even think about it, it’s a mortal insult to him. He’ll react like, ‘Go! I’ll follow you to the door and change the locks behind you!’ ”

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[Source: Sports Illustrated, Read Entire Story]

Paul Eisenstein has written a great article that gives us a little more insight into Roger Penske’s modus operandi. The one thing that seems to be stand out the most about Roger is his desire to win. Roger Penske doesn’t like to lose at anything and that’s just what Saturn needs. For the past decade the management at GM hasn’t cared if Saturn was a winner or a loser. If the Penske-Saturn deal goes through, then in a few years I think you may finally see Saturn capture that long awaited checkered flag.

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[Source: MSNBC, Read Entire Story]

From Paul A. Eisenstein, MSNBC - While Penske is a careful strategist, he is not one to shy away from a new venture once he makes up his mind. He keeps a cadre of driven lieutenants around him, and even when they’re out of sight, they know to keep the phone close at hand, says a veteran automotive executive, now managing one of Penske’s companies.

“He’s very team-oriented and likes to listen and then take fast action,” adds Lajdziak, who says she will leave GM to stay with Saturn if asked by Penske.

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[Source: MSNBC]

Michael Vaughan from Autos.CTV.ca talks about Roger owning the Saturn Brand. He asks a very poignant question and that is - So how can Roger succeed where General Motors blew away billions? Many of us all ready know that Roger has said that Saturn will be profitable on day one.

According to Michael Vaugh this how Roger will make it happen….

Well the first point is Penske won’t have to worry about the factories that build the cars. This time around Saturn is only going to be a distributor of cars — other people’s cars. Roger and his team can now shop the world for custom-made cars from other manufacturers that he thinks will fill the bill with his adoring American public.

Roger is an American Icon that will create enthusiasm around the Saturn Brand.

Americans instantly recognize him as the serious looking, handsome guy wearing earphones in the pits as his team takes the checked flag. He’s the representation of old fashioned American virtues of hard work and team play.

Gearhead blogs since the deal was announced have been overflowing with comments like “We love Roger” and “the guy has a golden touch.”

If he pulls off the deal for Saturn, and makes it work, Penske will have caused the biggest change in how cars are sold since the dawn of the auto industry.

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[Source: CTV.tv Autos, Read Entire Story]

WASHINGTON — GM is recalling 44,451 2008 Saturn Vue vehicles because the doors may not latch when closed, which “could result in an unbelted occupant falling out of the vehicle,” according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

In its recalls summary of the problem, NHTSA says that if an unbelted occupant falls out of the vehicle, it could cause “increased risk of injury.”

The recall involves Vue vehicles with body-color outside door handles. Saturn dealers will replace the outside door handles with chrome door handles for free. The recall is expected to begin on or before Aug. 18. Owners may contact Saturn at 800-972-8876.

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[Source: Edmunds Inside Line, Read Entire Story]