DETROIT – With GM resources being shuffled to other brands in its portfolio, Saturn needed to find a new supplier of vehicles if it wanted to extend its shelf life beyond GM’s set 2013 expiration date.
Representatives from Saturn have signed a tentative agreement with Fiat to distribute Fiat and Abarth vehicles in the United States. Newly appointed GM CEO Fritz Henderson remarked, “We think this agreement is best for GM and best for Fiat. They need a dealer network and we needed someone else to provide cars for Saturn.”
Speaking of untapped demand, Henderson went on to say that he believed the Fiat 500 in particular would be a smash hit in the United States. “Smart has done very well for itself and exceeded expectations with its imported small car from Europe, and we think Saturn can do the same with the 500.”
On the sales failure of the Saturn Astra, Henderson said, “Internet focus groups have told us that the Astra failed because we did not offer the VXR or OPC variant. Hence this time around we have listened to them and plan to also offer Abarth vehicles in the United States.”
More details are expected to be announced by the end of the month.
