Report: Mitsubishi could become new Saturn supplier

With confirmation Saturn is up for sale coming from General Motors earlier this month, a number of potential investors and buyers have come out of the woodwork recently and confirmed interest in the struggling brand. Two main groups include investment firm Telesto Ventures and Roger Penske’s dealer conglomerate Penske Automotive Group.

Even Renault-Nissan and auto parts supplier Magna International has been rumored to be eyeing a possible Saturn purchase, and while the field of potential suitors is varied there remains one common factor. Any new owner of Saturn will need to source new models to sell under the brand as GM will be cutting all ties with the struggling brand, including building cars for it.

This provides rival companies, especially those not already operating in the U.S., with a lucrative opportunity to utilize Saturn’s network of roughly 380 dealerships. According to The Detroit News, Mitsubishi is the latest carmaker to be interested in supplying vehicles for Saturn once it’s sold.

This would be the latest attempt by Mitsubishi to boost its production and presence in North America. Previously it was in talks with Chrysler over a deal to supply the American carmaker with several different models, including an electric minicar.

Mitsubishi has a single American production plant, located in Normal, Illinois, which currently produces the Galant sedan but poor sales has plant officials considering building other models.

http://www.motorauthority.com/report...-supplier.html

 

I wouldn't have a problem with this.
My DSM was built in their normal, IL plant.

I will laugh if someone takes saturn and turns it in to a sucess.

I don't think it would be that hard either.
I mean it's a car brand that is already associated with making small, fuel efficient cars, and not associated with GM.

I mean that formula hasn't worked for honda or toyota....

 

My opinion is probably driven by being Canadian but I would love to see Magna as the successful bidder for Opel and Saturn and continue to sell European Opels in North America as Saturns.

 

Me too. It would probably be better for Mitsubishi, the Mitsubishi brand is just about dead in the USA. They would probably sell more cars under the Saturn brand.

 

I'd like that scenario too.