I got the impression that Venture originally purchased it's interest in SAI as a way of demonstrating it's ability to provide "parts" and "materials" to the specialty car market.
It was more about being "associated" with the right people and less about "making" money by "selling cars". When your a BIG company you do things to ehance your over all "image" in the market. Have YOU ever bought anything FROM Venture? Probably not, but theres a good chance YOU are using their product somewhere in your daily life!
Did you ever wonder who Delphi really is? Who are these people? Who is Venture?
If your driving a Ford (Toyota, Chrysler, GM and others), theres a good chance your sitting in the seats the company I work for MADE and SOLD. We make all kinds of hi tech automotive related "stuff". Chevy Venture interior with TV's and Bug Bunny? We did that! Got a Die Hard battery in your car? WE make that and SELL it to Sears! What are those new "spiral" batteries? WE just bought that company! Buying a drink in a plastic bottle? Good chance WE made the bottle! We sponsor a race car series. We are international. Heck, we probably make coat hangers too, were everywhere and YOU probably never bought ANYTHING from us!
Who are we? Johnson Controls Inc. (and I wouldn't be surprised if we bought Venture in the near future)! Maybe I'll transfer to Vegas when we do!
Ernie