the salesperson in question is an idiot. the frame (aka "steel safety cage" in Saturnese) crumples to absorb kinetic energy. the body work is just destroyed. that the body work happens to be alongside the crumple zones is just the way it goes.

Saturn salespeople, in my experience, are no less stupid than any other dealer . . . they just exert less pressure on you at sales time, and generally most seem to mean well.