enlarge John Patriquin/Staff Photographer

Sales manager Mark Cookson of Hummer of South Portland said Tuesday that his customers have been loyal, and that he believes the brand will continue under new ownership even if General Motors decides to sell it.

enlarge Gordon Chibroski/Staff Photographer

Win Dodge, owner of Saturn of Westbrook, said he has told his employees he will stay with Saturn. “We are selling as many cars as a year ago.”

Eight years ago, Maine drivers couldn't get enough of the Chrysler PT Cruiser. Customers would wait months for one of the retro-looking vehicles and formed PT Cruiser Clubs.

"It appealed to people who wanted a car that dated back in time," said David Spiller, general sales manager of Lee Chrysler Jeep in Westbrook.

But tastes quickly changed, and Lee Chrysler Jeep has only a couple of PT Cruisers left on the lot. The cars also have been hard to find at other Maine dealers since Chrysler announced last month it was discontinuing the model.

With that announcement, the PT Cruiser joined a list of endangered automobile makes and models that has been growing rapidly in recent weeks as automakers try to cut costs and regain profitability.

As it asked Congress for more federal loans last month, General Motors announced it was looking to unload its Hummer division, was reviewing the future of Saab and would possibly spin off Saturn or discontinue the line in 2011.

At the same time, Chrysler said it would shelve the Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango along with the PT Cruiser this year, after dropping four other models in 2008.

With automakers continuing to report deep sales slumps, some customers aren't certain what makes and models they can count on in the future.

Dealerships say warranties and parts will not be a problem, even if some vehicles are discontinued. Some service-station owners and mechanics, though, say they are advising their customers to be wary.

Mark Cookson, sales manager at Hummer of South Portland, the state's only Hummer dealership, said his company is taking the approach that Hummer will always be around, even though General Motors may no longer own it.

Cookson said his dealership is waiting to see who winds up owning Hummer, and he plans no changes. Cookson said sales of Hummers are holding their own right now at his dealership, which sold five last month. He said his customers are extremely loyal.

"We have people who are on their fourth or fifth Hummer," said Cookson.

Win Dodge, owner of Saturn of Westbrook, a division of Bill Dodge Auto Group, said he has told his employees he intends to stay with Saturn.

"It is one of our most viable brands, and we are selling as many cars as a year ago," he said.

Dealership officials say even if models are discontinued, keeping purchased cars in good repair should not be a problem. Spiller said that parts for PT Cruisers and other discontinued models remain available and warranties are honored. He said parts for many Chrysler models are interchangeable.

"Even some of the trim and molding," said Spiller.

But some automobile mechanics and repair shops were not so optimistic about maintaining vehicles that are discontinued or belong to divisions sold to overseas owners who may pull out of the U.S. market. They say they are advising customers to be careful consumers.

"We have concerns about availability of parts and how we do repairs," said Mark Pelkey, president of the Maine Automotive Service Professionals, a South Portland group that promotes the state's automotive service businesses.

Pelkey, who owns New England Transmission in South Portland and Bangor, said customers interested in buying vehicles that may be discontinued in the future should put off their decisions.

"If they are going to spend the money the trend is to depend on what they have and keep it for a few more years," said Pelkey.

Bob Merrill, who has owned Horsepower Auto Care Inc. in Windham for 30 years, said parts for discontinued vehicles will not always be easy to find.

"If you happen to own a 10-year-old vehicle today and you try to find some parts, you can get very discouraged, "he said.

Staff Writer Beth Quimby can be contacted at 791-6363 or at:

bquimby@pressherald.com