Last Saturn rolls off at Spring Hill, TN

I am the proud owner of a 2004 AWD V6 Saturn Vue. After owning my VUE for a year I decided that when I would need to replace my VUE that I would only replace it with another Saturn.
That's how impressed I was not only with the vehicle but also the dealership and service department at Loma Linda, CA. I am saddened to see the Saturn brand go away. I knew that Saturn was in trouble once they started sharing vehicle designs with Chevy, Buick and Pontiac. In 2005 my wife purchased a Chevy Uplander, Chevy’s version of Saturn’s Relay. I know, it’s the other way around Chevy’s price was around $3,500 less than Saturn’s

I guess now that Obama strong arming chrysler to beg and crawl to Fiat, that will have two cars, made in Mexico.
I guess it only makes more sense to close factories here, they sold hummer to china,,hell who needs jobs anyway.

YaY Obama..........

My husband has been repairing crashed auto's for 30+ years,his last 5 years have been Saturns,I myself repaired 12 this summer,and sold all 11..When they crash they look terrible,but they repair easy,I have had people buy a re-built one and tell me they drive just like a new one.I will still buy and repair for years to come.Great on gas,and they do have a high safety,record..My-self never liked them until I had problems with my Chrysler town`country,and used one I was working on ,and loved how it drove,and gas..For all you saturn lovers as long as my body can keep repairing I'll have some out there for you in top shape!!have a 2007 ion coming up ,just sold a 2005 today,if interested e-mail dmay1955@hotmail.com

Drove by the dealership in Fort Lauderdale saturday. What a beautiful store. Wonder what its like working there now, knowing that your time is limited. Sure remember what a big hit they were, with the get togethers at the factory and dealerships for the owners. Also remember how GM kept it hush-hush about who really built them in the beginning.......too bad....

GM should have changed the other GM plants to the Saturn philosophy. We used to have all kinds of large companies coming in the plant, learning about why Saturn was so successful back in the day. We were models for what a great manufacturing process should be.
When GM took back over, it was the 'old GM' again. Well not really the old workd GM, but the attitudes changed a lot after that. I must say,IHHO, that SH had the best workforce, assembled from many places around the USA, and would do just about anything to keep a product at this plant. Those who never worked for Saturn would not believe the teamwork and dedication that employees had there.Besides being employees, they strongly supported the community and charities. When a family member passed away, it was like a big family, we all felt bad for our co-workers. Someone seriously ill, injured, in the hospital? You wouldn't believe the turnouts of the fund raising events held in the plant for that individual. As I say, it was, ans still is a family.
Someone asked what the plant will be used for? Well, the steel stamping systems and the Powertrain facility will still be in operation. LAst estimate was that 800 employess would still be working there, so that's good.

We can hope that someday there will be some product for the SH plant. The workforce, even though not Saturn employees anymore, will still have the teamwork as before, turning out the best possible assembly of what they are given. Don't forget though, if a design is not good, don't blame the workers.Blame the designers. We can only put part A onto part B perfectly. We don't design models.
GM always had the bad habit of not listening to what the customers want. They had research groups to tell YOU what you wanted. That's no way to treat customers.
Regards,

http://columbiadailyherald.com/articles/2009/...

Given that the equipment is being stripped out, and over 700 Spring Hill employees have requested a transfer, leaving only a very few qualified auto workers, how likely do you think SH's plant will EVER be back in production?

I own a '97 Saturn SL1 and I can honestly say it is the best and most dependable vehicle I have ever owned. 205,000 miles on the odometer and it's still going strong. I just put gas in it, change the oil, put tires on it and a new exhaust every few years. I plan to drive it until it dies (or I do LOL). My Saturn was built of course before GM reabsorbed Saturn into it's corporate orbit. I know people with '04 and newer Saturn's and they aren't nearly the vehicle that mine is. It's too bad that the deal for Penske to purchase Saturn fell through.

Did'nt Penske also lose some when he was involved in Kmart's auto repairs?

micklamick wrote:

http://columbiadailyherald.com /articles/2009/12/14/top_stori es/02gmequipment.txt
Given that the equipment is being stripped out, and over 700 Spring Hill employees have requested a transfer, leaving only a very few qualified auto workers, how likely do you think SH's plant will EVER be back in production?

Hi,
If you are a former or current worker at GM , then you get the official scoop in thee newsletter on what is being transfered and what is not. The whole plant is not being stripped out, even if the news media says it is. This was part of the settlement of moving the Traverse to the Orion plant in MI. It was supposed to be ONLY Traverse specific equipment.T here are meetings today the 15th as to what exactly will be reused at the Orion plant, and the timeframe for it's removal. This action supposedly will NOT impact the ability of the SH plant to fire up in in short order, should GM receive a new product in the future.So, if the media had specific information, I don't know where they got their information as to what was, and was not being 'stripped out' of the plant. Speculation is not fact based news coverage.

As for 'very few' workers remaining,that is not true. Last word was that between 700 and 800 workers will remain in manufacturing duties at the plant. Only the Traverse assembly operation has ceased. That is good news for the plant. Ward's has named the 2.4L Ecotec DOHC I-4 (Chevrolet Equinox and other models)which is produced in SH, on of the top 10 best engines in the world. So that certainly is good news for Powertrain operations.
Best regards.

"micklamick"
Yes, I read the same newsletter and at that time no specific equipment was named other then generic wording, welders, conveyers, etc. These are to support the Traverse. It does make sense, if SH in not buillding the Traverse anymore, then model specific equipment could be moved to make the Orion plant more efficient, improve overall quality of that plant's product.
I seriously believe that if SH receives another product, it won't take long to get in specific equipment for that new model. You wouldn't believe how fast conveyer lines can now be set up, and equipment ready to run.
Regards.

SHguy you are right about the equipment and how fast the plant can be up and running.The only thing is that some equipment my be moved to Lansing MI to support the Traverse.They already produce the 3 other brands so i don't see a lot of equipment moving.

Hi 401,

Yes, contractors can work round the clock to get a line up and running, it's unbelieveable.
We can just continue to hope that something else comes along, and soon. Staying with GM products overall will be a big help to those on pensions and such. Even though the local plant is affected the "big picture" is to support GM and it's attempt to be the "new company" that will make it prosperous again.
Received the current newsletter today, and no exacxt details of what equipment will be moved. The Chairman's is meeting weith the International and discussing details. The email said that he will give a full report after returning to Spring Hill. Wish I knew more, but often we are in the dark about things until an official message comes from leadership. It makes no sense to speculate as some have relying on rumors and "I heard that such and such will happen, from a friend of a friend."
Take care.

http://columbiadailyherald.com/articles/2009/...

Still think I'm wrong?

It all depends on the future for GM the 'new' corporation.
If it starts selling vehicles beyond it's capacity to build them, then they will reopen this plant.
If they don't sell more vehicles then they won't.
Any trying to 'see' the future is simply a matter of conjecture and right or wrong is based on guess work.
Flip a coin, if it comes up heads and I called it, then I was right...give me a gold star.

micklamick wrote:

http://columbiadailyherald.com /articles/2009/12/18/top_stori es/02gmmove.txt
Still think I'm wrong?

Relying on "analysts" for their guesses. Educated guesses I agree, but something good happens at GM, and their ideas will change. Staff writiers are more prone to writing 'bad news' because bad news sells.
Still the equipment has not been exactly determined as of yet. Only general ideas of the systems being moved. If SH does not need a tire and wheel machine for the Traverse, then it makes good sense to move it to where it's needed. Whether equipment is moved or not, doesn't mean that the plant has a bad future. As we stated before, new equipment for a possible new model can be moved in and installed as quickly as it went out. I assume that you have not worked at the plant? There is more that goes on within the organization (GM) that what you read in the paper.

Some of the comments from readers on the Daily Herald page are idiotic. I didn't know all workers came from MI. And that they 'ruined' their pristine playground here in Maury Co. Sure, there are some people native and transplants that will trash up an area and leave garbage all around. I have seen more than one native throw loads of trash and dirty diapers from their car onto the road. Nice. That aspect depends on the individual, no matter where they are from, and how they are raised. How many locals benefited from Saturn coming in? I can guarantee a lot of locals made money from the plant comimg here.

On topic, I will continue to be positive about something coming to the plant in the future, rather than to listen to the fortune tellers in the news and give up on any hope. It ain't over until it's over, and right now, it's a long way from 'being over'.
Take care, and Happy Holidays.

Taxedpayer wrote:

It all depends on the future for GM the 'new' corporation.
If it starts selling vehicles beyond it's capacity to build them, then they will reopen this plant.
If they don't sell more vehicles then they won't.
Any trying to 'see' the future is simply a matter of conjecture and right or wrong is based on guess work.
Flip a coin, if it comes up heads and I called it, then I was right...give me a gold star.

Hit the nail on the head Taxedpayer.
It can go both ways, I can accept that. The New GM has not had much of a chance to get the ball rolling. I am sure within the corporation, many ideas are being thrown around that we will never hear of. That would only create rumors and false hopes. I think GM will slowly come out of the shock of reorganizing. They could have some vehicles in the back burner waiting to see how the market goes, and to see if a model would be feasable to build here locally. If the market picks up, the banks start letting go of some money for loans, if GM comes out with something really special in design , then the chance is good our plant will be chosen to build it.
With the workforce willing to do what they are asked to do, and the same work ethics of teamwork of the old Saturn Co. it will have a good chance of being another winner. Wouldn't that be nice? And if GM had to hire locally, I am sure many of the naysayer locals will be first in line to get a job. Everyone wants a job, no matter if you're local or a transplant, we have all worked together, and many of the temp people hired a few years back, then became peranent with Saturn are some of the best workers I have ever known.
If things get worse, and there is no demand for US made cars, then the future doesn't look good , we will deal with that when the time comes..
Take care, and Happy Holidays.