The Irony: Former Saturn boss hired by Penske to lead Smart USA

Posted: Dec 09, 2009
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Jill Lajdziak

It’s no surprise by now that General Motors executives always seem to surprise us with their departure from Detroit. Former Saturn general manager Jill Lajdziak has been hired by Penske Automotive Group to become the company’s smart USA Distributor LLC unit as vice president, sales and marketing.

Lajdziak’s appointment comes as Smart’s sales continue to drop off after its second year in the market. Smart currently sells the Smart ForTwo on the U.S., which is sold exclusively by Penske at 79 smart “retail centers.”

In September, Penske terminated its discussions with GM to buy Saturn, which was led by Lajdziak.

According to Edmunds.com Smart sales totaled 22,880 in 2008. Throughout 2009, Smart has moved just 13,731 units of the ForTwo.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: AutoObserver


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  • Pat

    hahaha that's funny. I wonder when she runs into her former GM colleagues – it's going to be really weird

  • Emma

    There goes Smart. Those workers should start looking for the another job. GM execs IMO are the grim reapers. None of them had successfully revived any brand. Smart is a niche vehicle, it needs to be part of a bigger dealer network that could support it. Look at Mini, BMW was smart enough to sell it along side BMWs at its dealership albeit 'separate' showroom. Mercedes should have done the same.

    With no new product for Smart and the penchant of Americans to buy big and therefore perceived safer, Smart won't survive for long. One of my local Smart dealers has at least 20-30 Smart on its lot looking for buyers.

  • Pat

    hahaha that's funny. I wonder when she runs into her former GM colleagues – it's going to be really weird

  • Emma

    There goes Smart. Those workers should start looking for the another job. GM execs IMO are the grim reapers. None of them had successfully revived any brand. Smart is a niche vehicle, it needs to be part of a bigger dealer network that could support it. Look at Mini, BMW was smart enough to sell it along side BMWs at its dealership albeit 'separate' showroom. Mercedes should have done the same.

    With no new product for Smart and the penchant of Americans to buy big and therefore perceived safer, Smart won't survive for long. One of my local Smart dealers has at least 20-30 Smart on its lot looking for buyers.