Detroit News: GM May Halt Saturn L300 Production

DETROIT March 1, 2004; Sharon Silke Carty writing for Dow Jones reported that General Motors Corp. may stop producing the Saturn L-300 sedan ahead of schedule due to disappointing sales,

The Detroit News reported Monday. The L-series, which was launched in 1999, was intended to compete with the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. Instead, sales have lagged and inventories are expanding.

Sales in 2003 dropped 20% from 2002. And sales in January plummeted 78% from the year-ago period.

The Wilmington, Del., plant that builds the sedan is scheduled for a four-week shutdown starting Friday.

Officials at Saturn could not immediately be reached for comment.