Saturn dealership sues GM

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., May 21 (UPI) -- A Saturn dealership in Florida has filed suit against General Motors Corp. for devaluing the brand by announcing it was up for sale, court papers say.

The suit was filed by Saturn of Tallahassee, which is co-owned by former Detroit Piston Bob Sura, who played on the team in the 2003-04 season, The Detroit News reported Thursday.

Court papers say GM's announcement made the dealership "worthless."

The dealership is looking for damages to make up for lost value and revenues.

"I think the significance is that finally a dealer has said 'I'm fed up and not going to wait to see if there is a buyer,'" said Sura's attorney Richard Sox said. "We're talking to other dealers who are seriously considering filing suit and following suit."

GM, which has been struggling to restructure itself in severe sales slump, sent notices to 1,100 dealerships last week that their contracts with the company would not be renewed after October 2010.

The lawsuit was filed the same day the notices were sent.