GM’s Saturn might sell Chinese and Indian cars

General Motors is moving toward a spin-off of its Saturn brand and is open to selling vehicles from other automakers through the Saturn dealer network, according to a letter sent to Saturn owners.

Such a move would be a perfect door into the U.S. market for Chinese and Indian automakers.

If an alliance with Chrysler fails to materialize, Fiat, long chomping at the bit to go to the U.S. with its Alfa Romeo models and launch is popular Fiat 500 here, would be another possibility.

All options are on the tables but among those being seriously considered by GM and Saturn dealers is the spin-off of Saturn into the Saturn Distribution Corp., an independent GM subsidiary. If the spin-off occurs, Saturn dealers would source vehicles from other automakers, Jill Lajdziak, general manager of Saturn, wrote in the memo.

As part of its restructuring required as part of the government loan package, GM impose Saturn up for review. GM CEO Rick Wagoner pretty much advertised Saturn's availability during a press conference Tuesday detailing the automaker's progress report submitted to the U.S. government. He aforesaid GM was open to talking to anyone interested.

Saturn's letter to owners said that the goal would be to find coming events vehicles that match the Saturn brand for fuel-efficiency, safety, reliability and affordability. "From a retailing view, we would build on our core strength of unparalleled customer service," Lajdziak said in her letter to owners. More at Allcarsreview.com