London Retailer Decides to Go it Alone, Believes Saturn Will Return to Canada Someday

[Charlie]

A new feeditems entry has been added:

London Retailer Decides to Go it Alone, Believes Saturn Will Return to Canada Someday

Kelly Pedro from Canada's London Free Press: Saturn's future in Canada may be uncertain, but it's business as usual at the Saturn Saab Isuzu of London dealership. Penske Automotive Group bought the Saturn brand from General Motors and has decided not to sell the vehicles in Canada. GM is building the Vue, Aura and Outlook for Penske until 2011 - all mid-sized or sport-utility vehicles.

[s-seriesguy]

Lets see if they think the same thing when their new inventory starts getting low

[RoadIon]

Lets see if they think the same thing when their new inventory starts getting low


"but as far as Saturn of London is concerned... we'll continue doing service, parts and warranties on all the vehicles we have out there and all the vehicles we're selling right now," he said."

I'm guessing he knows his new car inventory is going to dry up, heck all ya need to do is read, and you can get an idea what he is saying.

[fdryer]

It can also be read as London Saturn will continue to service any and all Saturns that customers bring in as they can still perform the work to ensure customer support. Perhaps because this dealership has the same staff that are cross trained and are capable of working on more than one brand that reflects each mechanic's/technician's experience level to a higher order allows this dealer to retain his customer base instead of abandoning them. To leave Saturn owners out in the cold is unforgivable, business wise, and will turn these same owners against any dealership for any future purchases. And in this case this dealer sells more than one brand, allowing for a broader sales base presenting different brands requiring better skills to reach a slightly broader customer base. Retaining highly trained people is the backbone of any dealership as well as managing/promoting a long term relationship with customers regardless of what brand is sold. Business depends on sound principles of long established practices and maybe London Saturn/Saab/Isuzu has quietly been doing this for any brand they sell.

[londonxr3]

Saturn of London was good to me when I bought my used 99 Cavalier. Treated me like I had just bought a brand new Saturn from them.

My mom had nothing but praise for them when she bought her 2001 SC2.

I would have bought my Astra from them but I live in Kitchener now and Saturn of KW was closer.:)

Glad to hear they are going to try and stay open.

[RoadIon]

It can also be read as London Saturn will continue to service any and all Saturns that customers bring in as they can still perform the work to ensure customer support. Perhaps because this dealership has the same staff that are cross trained and are capable of working on more than one brand that reflects each mechanic's/technician's experience level to a higher order allows this dealer to retain his customer base instead of abandoning them. To leave Saturn owners out in the cold is unforgivable, business wise, and will turn these same owners against any dealership for any future purchases. And in this case this dealer sells more than one brand, allowing for a broader sales base presenting different brands requiring better skills to reach a slightly broader customer base. Retaining highly trained people is the backbone of any dealership as well as managing/promoting a long term relationship with customers regardless of what brand is sold. Business depends on sound principles of long established practices and maybe London Saturn/Saab/Isuzu has quietly been doing this for any brand they sell.

Yes Sir it seems they are going to do all they can to keep the past SATURN owners coming back.

[rossao1]

I wonder if they are to keep the Saturn logo and name on the dealership. If the francise is not renewed, will they be allowed to keep advertising as a "saturn" dealership? An official used car dealership??

I can see a business case where they become a used dealership only. Show-casing ever more rare cream puff saturns, but eventually they will have to merge with something to get new car customers back.

People don't buy the same car and model year time after time. May I have another '92 saturn??? Oh you have onethat is only 150K mile old, hmmm, no thanks.:tear:

[nakman]

I'll keep bringing my VUE there for service until they either close the doors or don't service any more. Also, once the lease is up next year (Dec 2010) I'll decide what to do then. No sense crying about it.


Even if by some miracle Saturn does re-enter the Canadian Market, I'm not sure this experience will be enough to keep me a GM customer.

I've got a nice 2008 Honda Accord (company supplied) and while my OCD throws me fits at the dings in the rear quarter panels, I find it to be a pretty decent ride, very roomy abit, a little under powered (base 4 cyl engine)

But, you know Ford has actually made a positive impression on me during on this ecominc kunumdrum. My Mom purchased a 2010 Fusion and while it's smaller than the Accord and marginally smaller than the Aura, I think it's a damn find car at a pretty good price.

Kinda like the Flex (I know the looks are polarizing) but, it rides quiet and has plenty of room. My work has the Fusion and Escape as options and while the Escape does have a cheap steering wheel (xlt 4 cyl version) it rides pretty well too. Although the crystal ball still is foggy, I think later nxt year, this Canuck will have a Flex and Escape in the driveway.

I'll miss my poly bodied Saturns and owning something a little different or special from most everyone else. But, I guess I'll just have to press the key flob to find my next vehicles in the parking lot like everyone else.


Life goes on.

[mikeyt]

Saturn of London still seems to be able to get their hands on a few new cars. They've got about a dozen Astras and the same amt of Auras & SUV's sitting there in the lot as of this week. I've got a new XR5 coming in thru them on Friday.

[Uzzy]

How can they keep doing warranty work? They won't be a GM dealer anymore, so will GM allow them to do warranty work and get re-imbursed? I doubt that.

Saturn of Windsor is now a Chevy dealer.

[Rj.ION]

With any luck all of our old Saturn Dealers will stay open as something else.

[mikeyt]

Saturn, Saab & Suzuki at Saturn of London now. Apparently the same family owned the Suzuki dealer down the street. From what i understand they are buying up enough Saturn stock from around the country to keep them going into the new year with Saturn.