The Detroit Free Press reports, "A group of Saturn dealers said they could save about 10,000 jobs at 440 Saturn dealerships in the United States and Canada -- along with the costs of closing those stores -- if General Motors Corp. sells the brand to them." The group, calling itself Telesto Ventures, would not design and build new cars to sell at Saturn dealerships, but rather, "would only keep a skeletal design crew on hand to adapt models from other automakers to a Saturn look."

The actual vehicles could come from any of several manufacturers. Motor Trend reports, "A spokesman for group said that the vehicles would be acquired from various unspecified automakers. ... The spokesman added that the group has a preference for selling small, fuel efficient cars."

The business model proposed, Autoblog reports, has been "likened to the multi-brand approach favored by electronics giant Best Buy." Much as customers can go to Best Buy to purchase a television from any of several manufacturers, and even compare brands against one another in the store, the dealers say, the group's "long-term vision hinges on selling vehicles from other manufacturers, primarily products from unnamed foreign companies."

The Free Press adds, "While such a business model doesn't exist today, Telesto's backers say the global overcapacity among automakers and the growing number of start-up firms in China and elsewhere would give the reformulated Saturn several possible sources of new vehicles." Group spokesman John Pappanastos says the plan would have advantages for foreign automakers seeking access to the U.S. market as well. "It would allow manufacturers not in the United States to launch without incurring the largest expense they would otherwise face, setting up a distribution network," he explained.

GM, according to Autoblog, "says a feasibility study into this program is underway, with a report scheduled for delivery to the brand's dealer body by early next week."

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