Saturn just announced that it's offering zero percent financing on 2008 Astra and 2008-09 Aura models, including hybrids, for 72 months. Zero percent financing for 60 months is also available for the 2009 Vue and Outlook crossovers. This is a Memorial Day sale as the deal expires this Tuesday, May 26th.

From the News Journal: Joe Riccio, shop chairman for United Auto Workers Local 435, said workers at the Boxwood Road factory were upset that they first learned about the shutdowns from news reports. "We were worried that there was going to be a long, drawn-out shutdown over this thing," Riccio said.

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (second from left) is told about the 2009 Saturn Vue that will be used in the EcoCAR NeXt Challenge at the Society of Automotive Engineers World Congress last Monday in Detroit, Michigan.

Sometimes when life gets hectic, its nice to sit back, relax, and enjoy a good book. If you've been following all of the news about the pending Saturn spin-off from General Motors, you're probably ready to take a break and immerse yourself into some material that reminds you of what may have piqued your interest in Saturn in the first place: its award-winning cars and crossovers.

With the new stimulus package offering consumers the ability to deduct state and local taxes on new-car purchases, and a variety of tax credits available on hybrid and alternative-fuel cars, there have never been more ways for consumers to take advantage of tax benefits on new-car purchases.

Rex Roy from the Car Connection: The exterior of the 2009 Saturn Aura features a broad-shouldered crease running from the headlights to the jewel-like taillights and giving the car a sculptured character equal to, if not better than, many other mainline sedans available. The design still feels quite fresh, even though it's now three years old.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that General Motors is recalling 276,729 model year 2009 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Cobalt, HHR, Malibu, Traverse, GMC Acadia, Pontiac G5, G6, and Saturn Aura and Outlook passenger vehicles.

Bengt Halvorson from the Car Connection: The Vue has an exterior design that's quite sporty and athletic, with prominent side gill vents and dual stainless steel exhaust tips in uplevel trims. Inside, the 2009 Saturn Vue offers comfortable seating for five with ample legroom, whereas its competitors often have small third-row seats. Front-seat design, however, could use more support. Typical for models in this class, the Vue's rear seats handily fold flat for a moderate expansion of cargo space. It should be mentioned that the Vue's cabin allows minimal road or wind noise to enter, making it one of the quietest interiors in its class.

Steven Cole Smith from the Orlando Sentinel: It's interesting that the test car, a 2009 Saturn Sky sports car, has only been on the market for a few years, but is the oldest product in the Saturn lineup. Based on the same platform as the similar Pontiac Solstice — another brand with an uncertain future — the Sky is a little more upscale than the Pontiac. New for 2009 in this particular model's trim package is a dark "ruby red" exterior with dark accent stripes on the hood and trunk. It's handsome but a bit understated, not a bad thing for a 260-horsepower sports car. It certainly drew more than its share of compliments.

Jessica L. Anderson from Kiplinger: After gas prices dropped in late 2008, hybrid sales collapsed, falling 43% in December compared with the previous year. That highlights the reality that when fuel prices are low, savings at the pump rarely make up for the $3,000-plus hybrid premium.