Earlier today the results of the latest analysis by Kelley Blue Book Market Intelligence of recent kbb.com Web traffic patterns was announced, including the top five upward-climbing and downward-declining brands in share of market interest for July 2009 when compared to July 2008.

Kelly Johnson from the Sacramento Business Journal: New corporate owners could boost Saturn, Hummer, and Saab sales, and help ease car-shoppers' concerns about future of the still-struggling brands. Saturn's pending purchase by Penske has support from dealers and consumers. They know of company chairman Roger Penske's success as a racecar driver and racing team owner, in truck rentals and with auto retailing.

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.

From WBPN TV Channels 7 and 4: It was a big day for a northern Michigan car dealership – all because they're celebrating the 4 millionth Saturn sold in the country. With a police escort Tuesday afternoon Philip Lieffers and his wife Mary of Traverse City drove their black, three door Saturn Astra to Saturn of Traverse City for the big celebration.

Matthew Smith from ABC 12 in Flint: Less than two months ago, news of Saturn's future sounded pretty bleak. Former GM CEO Rick Wagoner said that the troubled automaker could begin phasing out the Saturn brand by the end of the current product cycle. But at a time when many dealers are fearful of the auto economy, Saturn is meeting sales critics head on with the Saturn Astra.

Mark Solheim from Kiplinger: Auto sales in 2008 were the worst in 16 years, and this year could be even grimmer. Dealers desperate to move inventory off clogged lots are entertaining the lowest of low-ball offers. Add in generous cash rebates and low-interest financing - at least, for the most creditworthy customers - and screaming bargains abound. Bill Cormicle of Flint, Michigan, got a sweet deal on his new Saturn Vue, a model that was piling up on dealer lots.

The 2008 calendar year was a down year for Saturn, General Motors, and the auto industry as a whole. However, not all new was bad for Saturn. There were two significant bright spots: sales of Saturn's midsize Aura sedan and Vue compact sport-utility were virtually flat year-over-year.

General Motors today announced new reduced rate 4.9% APR financing on select Saturns, and rates as low as 0% APR for up to 60 months on other select new GM cars and trucks. The reduced rate financing is available to qualified buyers today through January 5, 2009 on many 2008 and select 2009 model year vehicles.

SaturnFans.com has learned from several reliable sources that Saturn will discontinue its Vehicle Exchange Program (VEP) on December 31, 2008 in an effort to cut costs and help create a more profitable business model for the company in the future. The program will reportedly continue to be offered on new Saturn vehicles sold and delivered through the end of the month.

Gregory J. Wilcox, columnist from the San Bernardino Sun, recently talked to Saturn spokesman Steve Janisse about the car's sales performance since its launch this past January. The Astra's sales started out around 500 per month, but rose to almost 2000 units last month. "It definitely did get off to a slow start," Janisse told Wilcox. "It's been pretty fun to watch it take off."