How is Penske related to Saturn?
Nissan Motor Co., Japan’s third-largest automaker, may join a venture with U.S. retailer Penske Automotive Group Inc. and General Motors Corp.’s Saturn car brand, two people familiar with the matter said. The idea is that Nissan, its affiliate Renault SA or another automaker may make Saturn-brand vehicles for a new venture that could be operated by Penske and distributed through Saturn’s retail network, said the people, who asked not to be named because discussions are private. GM is seeking to spin off or sell the Saturn brand and its distribution network that links 350 to 400 U.S. dealerships. Chief Executive Officer Carlos Ghosn may want to put Nissan’s North American factories to work producing vehicles under the Saturn nameplate after Nissan and Infiniti sales in the U.S. fell by a third. Nissan shares have gained 59 percent this year. For Penske Automotive, such a venture may allow it to expand its business, similar to its distribution of Daimler AG’s Smart brand. “We’ve looked a
