According to The Detroit News, the American parent company is also considering a spin off of the Saturn brand that could also consist of another automaker supposed to undertake the whole production lineup belonging to Saturn.
Saturn General Manager Jill Lajdziak said the brand has the ability to run as independent company but still source GM products and, in case everything goes according to the plan, it could start relying on products from other manufacturers starting with 2011.
"The Saturn Distribution Corporation already exists as an indirect subsidiary of GM. It's the entity with which our retailers currently have their franchise agreement," Lajdziak said according to the aforementioned source. "An independent Saturn would still have its great retailers, and it would continue to source current products from GM through 2011 and if successful, SDC at that point would source products from other manufacturers."
General Motors recently announced that in order to stick to the viability plan submitted to the government on February 17 it may be forced to shut down or sell some of the brands it owns, with most rumors claiming that the over-discussed Saturn and Saab will be most likely turned into independent companies. GM's Rick Wagoner earlier this month said that Saab may be force to file for bankruptcy without financial aid from the Swedish government.
"We wanted to pretty quickly get something out, mostly to our owners, and also to future customers, to let them know all hope is not lost," Saturn spokesman Steve Janisse said.
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