Car News – Penske completing puchase of Saturn tomorrow

Saturn, possibly as early as tomorrow evening, will be under the ownership of Penske Automotive Group.

Recent reports are coming in that Roger Penske, the owner of the Penske Automotive Group, expects to close the deal with General Motors to purchase the Saturn brand.  The deal is expected to be finalized tomorrow and a formal announcement to be made on Thursday.

Information also says that dealers carrying the brand will need to sign a new franchise agreement with Penske, and that Saturn’s current general manager, Jill Lajdziak, has asked GM for a early retirement package.  It is unlikely that she will join Penske in any form.

Many dealers said they would sign on to continue offering the Saturn brand under Penske.  Although no official confirmation from either party, early reports indicated that Penske would contract with GM to build the Aura, Vue and Outlook for at least two more years.