Saturn LLC is a subsidiary of General Motors Company, established on January 7, 1985, in response to the success of Japanese and German small-car imports in the United States. As a "different kind of car company," Saturn operated outside the GM superstructure for a time, with its own assembly plant in Spring Hill, Tennessee, unique models, and a separate retailer network. On June 5, 2009, General Motors announced that they would be selling Saturn LLC and Saturn Distribution Corporation to Penske Automotive Group. Alex C. Mair began discussions of a revolutionary new, small-car project... codenamed "Saturn" in June of 1982. In November of 1983, the Saturn idea is publicized by General Motors' Chairman Roger B. Smith and General Motors' President F. James McDonald. Twelve months later, the first Saturn demonstration vehicle is revealed. On January 7th, 1985 the Saturn Corporation was officially founded. In July of 1990 GM Chairman Roger Smith and UAW President Owen Bieber drove the very first Saturn off the assembly line in Spring Hill, Tennessee.