Last Saturn rolls off at Spring Hill, TN

General Motors launched the Saturn brand at its plant in tiny Spring Hill, Tennessee, 17 years ago.

[Carman]

A sad turn of events. Saturn product is getting better, but the concept is being put out to pasture. A novel idea and a unique manufacturing community all in one location. History was made in Spring Hill, demonstrating GM wasn't out of ideas. The space frame manufacturing process, with plastic body panels was dent and rust proof. The fact a whole family of GM vehicles came out of the same factory is ahead of it's time. It's likely the small car never made a profit. Too bad.

[marx404]

I have been with Saturn for years as first a customer then an employee. Since it's inception in '90 Saturn has gone through many changes, some for the better some well, not. Personally I am sad to see the S.H. plant being used for anything other than Saturns, it is after all a piece of American automobile history. Yet, on the silver lining, Saturn is moving in a positive forward way. The line badly needed refreshing and wow, just wait, more to come! Sad to see the death of polymer panels, but the fair trade is exceptional quality european inspired vehicles that will bring the Saturn brand name up on top!

[Alex Graham]

I have driven a Saturn for the past six years and feel they are a much better car than the automotive press allows. I totaled my SL and came away without so much as a scratch. The airbags were excellent and did not leave a burn or bruise. I drive for work and the gas mileage of my SL was simply amazing. It is too bad that GM didn't put just a little more work into making the seats a wee bit more comfortable and giving the interior a bit more design appeal because it was a good car for the price and I could not beat the price of the ION when I went to replace my SL. No car could even come close to offering what the ION offered at the price. The Saturn dealer was great. I'll miss the North American Saturn as it shifts to being a rebadged Opel. And Saturns, with their plastic panels age so gracefully. Oh well...

[jerry-your-car-g uy-com]

I am employed in sales at saturn of pensacol. I am considered a new employee being I have only been here a year. I got started in car sales working in the detail shop of a N.W. Nissan dealership. When I came south (Father passed away) I found traditional car dealerships was not where I wanted to work. I found my place here at Saturn of Pensacol though. The whole Saturn philosophy is OUTSTANDING and it's amazing to see how well a dealership can not only treat their empoyees's but there owners. Ya the product has changed but was saturn only about product? Or was it also about a car buying experience that has set a new standard for anyone who has ever had to buy a car and visited a Saturn dealership. I am proud not only of my product but also of the way I am encouraged and supported in making my owners feel GREAT!!!!!

[J_atTheRock]

I worked for Saturn in the call center. It could be a stressful job at times because of some of the customers who called in with unreal expectations. But working in the call center made me have a lot more respect for Saturn! We were given authority to go WAY OVERBOARD in customer service! Saturn seems to be VERY concerned with how their customers are treated and tries to satisfy them when they have "concerns". One day not too far in the distance I will buy a Saturn! SATURN CUSTOMER SERVICE AND QUALITY ROCK!

[Hurley35]

Very Sad. GM had the right idea when they launched the Saturn line. It's too bad that Saturn got reabsorbed into the GM corporate orbit in the early 00's. I have a 1997 Saturn and it is the most economical, practical and well built car I have ever owned.

[Brian]

Saturn failed because GM never put the funds in as promised. The SL cars were never improved upon and by the time the ion came out, it was too late. GM failed miserably. I just hope that GM learned from this and keeps new models coming out every three years. The Aura is an awesome looking car. But....it is just another GM car...not a traditional Saturn. I just got rid of my 1991 Saturn SL1. I loved that car!