Saturn : 1989
January 29, 1989: Saturn announces first franchise agreements with 26 automobile retailers. Retailers will operate multiple facilities in the major marketing areas of California, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Florida, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Delaware and Missouri.
February, 1989: Saturn's first print advertisement appears in Automotive News announcing its first 26 dealer partners. The ad is the first public work from Hal Riney & Partners, Saturn's advertising agency.
March, 1989: First 4-door pre-production vehicle completed.
November, 1989: First Saturn engine produced by powertrain team at Spring Hill complex. First SC coupe pre-production vehicle completed.
November, 1989: Internal photos of Saturn prototypes appear in the December 1989 issue of Automobile Magazine. The photos were leaked in a security breach that resulted in the premature unveiling of many other upcoming GM products.