Two days after the Wall Street Journal reported that General Motors has been formally discouraging Saturn retailers from touting Roger Penske's planned purchase of the brand, comes word that GM has also pulled funding for a number of popular incentive programs that were previously offered by Saturn stores.

Saturn stores delivered 7,520 vehicles in June, down 60.2% from the same time last year when sales consultants sold 18,912 cars and crossovers. Year-to-date sales are down 58.1% to 42,776 units. The Outlook was the only model in Saturn's lineup to record a sales increase last month.

Jim MacPherson from the Chicago Tribune: One ironic aspect of the pending sale of the Saturn Division by General Motors to Roger Penske has received little, if any, media attention. In one fell swoop, General Motors will create what automakers have spent decades trying to avoid: a significant independent dealer group that can negotiate with automakers from a position of power on matters governing pricing, vehicle features, and design.

Myra Mathis Flynn from the Burlington Free Press: If car companies are having tough economic times, you wouldn't know it by looking at Saturn of South Burlington. Their philanthropic presence has been alive and well in the community for years and they aren't going to let a pesky little recession hold them back.

The Saturn Aura won the 2009 Ideal Vehicle Award (IVA) for top Premium Midsize Car, according to automotive research firm AutoPacific. Porsche and Ford Motor Company earned top honors in the 2009 IVA. The IVAs are based on owners' ratings of their new 2009 model year cars and trucks across 15 key vehicle attributes. The cars or trucks that owners would change the least are the most ideal. "In today's economy, car buyers take many factors into consideration - styling, safety features, fuel economy and more," says George Peterson, president of AutoPacific.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that General Motors is recalling 44,451 model year 2008 Saturn Vue vehicles with body color outside door handles. The outside door handles may stick or bind. If this were to occur, the door may not latch when closed. Driving with an unlatched door could result in an unbelted occupant falling out of the vehicle, causing increased risk of injury.

The Saturn Astra played a starring role on the big screen this weekend in Transformers 2. According to Edmunds.com, "a modified Saturn Astra hatch provides the getaway for Fox and LaBeouf when an alien is on their tail." We've previously seen clips of a silver Astra on the set of the movie at Princeton University, University of Pennsylvania, and in this movie trailer. Now, there's a fourth clip on YouTube that features the Astra. Have you seen the movie? Post your review, along with how you think the Astra played its part.

John Stoll from the Wall Street Journal: To spark interest and remind consumers that Saturn is still alive, its dealers have kicked off a new marketing campaign built around the slogan, "Wonder where the car business is headed? It's here." The slogan will be used on banners across Saturn storefronts and in a spate of email blasts, Facebook blogs and direct communications with buyers.

Craig McEwen from INFORUM: A preliminary agreement between General Motors and Penske Automotive Group to buy Saturn has put a lot of people at ease, said Andy Boen, owner of the Fargo Saturn dealership. On June 5, GM said it had agreed to sell Saturn to Penske Automotive Group, one of the nation's largest automobile dealers and owned by famous race car driver Roger Penske.

Saturn recently added a new feature to its website that allows visitors to pose questions directly to General Manager Jill Ladjziak. Some folks have already taken advantage of the opportunity. They've asked questions about Saturn's future, the impact any changes in ownership will have on their vehicle warranty, and who she rooted for during the Stanley Cup finals (well, maybe not that question). Keeping in close contact with customers is something Jill has always felt strongly about and excelled at doing. This new tool gives Jill and her team a way to communicate on a personalized level with owners and enthusiasts.