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Whether you own an older Saturn model or one of the newer ones, Saturn Car Parts are essential for maintaining your vehicle. That’s why you need to stock up on high quality parts that meet GM standards and specifications.
Originally launched by General Motors as a subsidiary, Saturn was a popular car brand that sought to compete with Japanese compact cars. Its no-haggle pricing and dealership network became popular with buyers.
History
Saturn was founded in the 1980s and was one of GM’s subsidiary companies. Its mission was to produce vehicles that were affordable, reliable, and economical.
Its first vehicles were manufactured at a dedicated plant in Spring Hill, Tennessee. They were made on a dedicated platform called the Z-body and used a 1.9-liter Saturn I4 engine.
The body was primarily comprised of plastic panels, and they were designed to resist dents. The idea was that this would allow quick styling revisions. However, this feature was not widely exploited.
Despite these challenges, Saturn continued to grow, adding the Vue crossover in 2002 and the Relay minivan in 2005. In 2007, it added the Outlook crossover and the Sky roadster.
By the time GM was ready to pull the plug, the company had invested more than $5 billion into its new venture and had produced several different models. Unlike other GM brands, Saturn had its own car factory and a separate dealer network.
In addition, GM had a highly efficient parts supply chain that allowed Saturn dealers to keep their inventory full without compromising on price. This also ensured that customers were able to purchase high-quality aftermarket Saturn auto parts at affordable prices.
The first Saturn models were the S-Series, which was available in a sedan and station wagon body style. The L-Series, also introduced in 2000, was based on the Opel Vectra and was manufactured at a GM plant in Delaware.
Engines
Saturn was a grand experiment in automotive manufacturing. It was built on the premise that General Motors needed to find ways to challenge the Japanese at their home turf. Its first vehicles hit the market in 1990 and quickly achieved some of the highest repurchase rates and customer satisfaction ratings of all the American-made car brands.
But GM executives learned that a brand like Saturn would have to be a completely different kind of vehicle than its competitors. The company had to come up with a different nameplate, different body panels and different transmissions. And, most important, a nonconfrontational sales approach that avoided the dickering and the hassles of traditional dealership relationships.
And so Saturn went through a series of experiments that eventually turned into the very car that the parent company had been trying to build in the first place: The small, economical cars that sold so well in the United States. But it took years for GM to get its act together and to create the product line that Saturn was supposed to offer.
The brand’s long delay in developing new products was due to a variety of factors, including GM’s desire to take its time with the project and the fact that the company was in the midst of a deep financial crisis at the time. But analysts say the lack of products has hurt Saturn’s chances of regaining its momentum.
Transmissions
Saturn was a GM subsidiary created to fill a market gap for light, inexpensive, reliable vehicles that competed with Japanese cars. While the brand was in production, Saturn produced a wide variety of vehicles including coupes, sedans, convertibles, SUVs and even a two-seater sports car.
The best way to keep your Saturn running is with OEM replacement parts. They are designed to meet the same exacting standards as the original equipment, and are guaranteed to fit exactly like the factory part.
One of the most impressive things about OEM Saturn auto parts is that they are backed by GM’s hefty warranty. The parts can be shipped to you anywhere in the U.S., and you’ll also get a lower price guarantee on the refurbished ones.
If you are in the market for a slick new transmission, look no further than the GM Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). This gearbox features an integrated torque converter to provide smooth shifts and a fuel-saving design that requires 45 percent less parts.
The GM CVT is slated to be introduced in the 2002 Saturn Vue VTi, which will accompany both manual and automatic transmission variants. It will be a big hit with customers looking for the latest in auto tech. However, a number of quality problems have stalled its release. Despite its high profile, the CVT won’t be available in Saturn Vues until the second quarter of this year.
Body panels
The body panels on your car can take a lot of abuse and wear-and-tear. This is especially true for quarter panels and bumpers, which are often damaged in parking lot fender benders and rear-end traffic accidents.
These panels are usually made of a composite material such as ABS, ABS + PC or PA+ PPE. These composites are more resistant to dents, cracks and scratches than metal body panels.
But this technology has come with a few downsides: they are not significantly lighter or cheaper than metal ones and tend to be less precise in size and fit. The plastic materials also are more likely to expand and contract more than steel panels in the heat and cold, which can lead to paint peeling and large panel gaps.
This has resulted in a lot of problems for automotive manufacturers, including GM. They had to figure out how to make these composites work, which required a series of engineering and design changes. They also had to re-train their facilities so they could process and inspect them automatically.
Seats
Saturn’s distinctive vehicles were a fascinating and sometimes controversial experiment. Some people embraced the brand and praised it as a model for the auto industry, while others viewed it as a gimmick. Some GM managers and employees, meanwhile, disapproved of the cars, arguing that they were no different from any other GM car.
Nevertheless, Saturn has tried to remain an outlier in the car world. It has a unique power train, sand-cast aluminum engine blocks and a no-haggling sales policy that doesn’t allow dealers to discount prices or offer cash rebates.
Its models also don’t get the latest in mechanical systems or styling, like those of the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. The small-car lineup, for instance, hasn’t received a top-to-bottom redesign in more than a decade.
The Saturn LS midsize sedan, which is to be introduced this year, is intended to redouble the company’s effort to attract buyers of larger cars. But analysts, who are skeptical about the effort, say the model may cannibalize compact Saturn sales.
As Saturn moves forward, management will face a difficult choice. Will it maintain its independence and distinctiveness, or will it become just another division of General Motors? Will it continue the unusual partnership with its U.A.W. workers, who were instrumental in creating the distinctive LS? Or will the Saturn nameplate fade into the background? These questions may not be answered for years.
Accessories
Although the Saturn brand was discontinued in 2009, there are still some aftermarket Saturn parts and accessories that are available for the enthusiast. One such product is the driver side mirror, which features a manual remote adjustment that works on most vehicles. It has a sleek design and will make any driver or passenger look good.
The mirror is made from a durable plastic material that resists corrosion, cracking and peeling, as well as heat and cold damage. It also comes with a tamper-proof mounting bracket to ensure a safe and secure fit. It is worth mentioning that this is an inexpensive and convenient way to add a nice touch to your vehicle.
Getting the right Saturn car part is important to keep your vehicle performing at its best. Luckily, 1A Auto has a large selection of Saturn auto parts and accessories from which to choose. From a new or used engine to a complete dashboard overhaul, our Saturn replacement parts are sure to help you out! We also offer an industry leading five year warranty on all of our Saturn parts and accessories. Shop online or at your local 1A Auto location today to find the right parts for your vehicle! Be sure to check out our other articles about Saturn car parts for more information. You can also browse our selection of quality aftermarket replacement parts for many other popular makes and models.