GM to sell Saab to supercar maker Koenigsegg
It appears that GM’s Saab division will go to Swedish luxury supercar manufacturer Koenigsegg, if final negotiations on the subject go well. A Swedish TV station reported late last week that a Letter of Intent was signed to take purchase negotiations one step further.
This new ownership could change the kind of cars that Saab offers. Currently as part of GM it kinda tries to be some kind of volume seller because that’s just the way GM does stuff, but probably because of branding and maybe product that strategy never did work out well. GM’s parts bin never did gel well with the kind of products the Saab brand used to stand for and the modern Saab’s attempt to be more friendly to the masses did not receive a hot response.
Under the new supercar maker owner, it could evolve into a more specialized manufacturer, producing niche cars for a smaller customer base. The only question is, will young Koenigsegg have the experience to manage a company like Saab? Fortunately for both Koenigsegg and Saab, the supercar management is not just made up of its young CEO, but also includes investors. Koenigsegg will also be bringing some other investors into the Saab deal later, because frankly I don’t think a niche supercar maker like Koenigsegg is able to afford to buy up Saab on its own.
June 15, 2009 @ 7:47 am
Koenigsegg buying Saab? Branching into affordable cars eh?
June 15, 2009 @ 8:54 am
At least the Swedish design and advance enginnering heritage still be maintained .
Not need for Yankee design that of GM and FORD with unecessary big displacement engine that they produce but knowingly 80% of USA consumers are rejecting it in lieu of smaller ,more fuel efficent and more powerful engine that only SAAB and Koenigsegg knows better and does best in producing .
That is why GM is virtually bankrupt and FORD big displacement engines on their new cars and trucks are NOT SELLING WELL TOO.
This is so because GM and FORD failed to face the reality , understand and response to modern consumers needs and they still think that big displacement engines for cars is forever an american dream when the world oil price is still pushing for higher price per barrel .
SAAB and Koenigsegg together will survive better than when SAAB is with GM
June 15, 2009 @ 9:38 am
Bring back the Saab 900 Turbo, make it front wheel drive, and give it 600BHP! If anyone can pull it off, Keonigseggggg can…
June 15, 2009 @ 11:22 am
[quote comment="244644"]At least the Swedish design and advance enginnering heritage still be maintained .
Not need for Yankee design that of GM and FORD with unecessary big displacement engine that they produce but knowingly 80% of USA consumers are rejecting it in lieu of smaller ,more fuel efficent and more powerful engine that only SAAB and
Koenigsegg knows better and does best in producing .
That is why GM is virtually bankrupt and FORD big displacement engines on their new cars and trucks are NOT SELLING WELL TOO.
This is so because GM and FORD failed to face the reality , understand and response to modern consumers needs and they still think that big displacement engines for cars is forever an american dream when the world oil price is still pushing for higher price per barrel .
SAAB and Koenigsegg together will survive better than when SAAB is with GM[/quote]
But Ford is changing, and you can’t lump Ford & GM into the same boat. Ford did NOT take the bailout money. They’re the only independent American car company now, and their Europe designed cars will help them regain their ground.
June 15, 2009 @ 11:33 am
if our Proton runs with good management, with all the luxury of monopolized local market, R&D fund, Proton is in the position to acquired some brand name and also the technology at this bad market situation since virtually many brands are are on sale. In this way of acquiring, it’s more logical and don’t waste so many who-knows-R&D-fund-to-where…..but…again, I just day dreaming of a wonderful industry runs by some good management people to benefit the local consumers than abusing the consumers.
June 15, 2009 @ 6:36 pm
So the 9-7X and 9-4X will be gone very soon…
Hope that Koenigsegg will pump in more sporty genes into the new Saab and expand the model range too…
June 15, 2009 @ 6:42 pm
paul, this would be largely due to the new carbon emmission rules being introduced for car manufacturers. an independent small volume sports manufacturer can offsets its carbon footprint (and hence evade EU fines) by acquiring a large volume small(er) car maker. same reason for porsche’s attempts at buying VW.
June 15, 2009 @ 7:54 pm
give us back a saab 9-3 coupe
June 15, 2009 @ 9:10 pm
Maybe they need more showrooms for Koenigsegg cars. Who knows. If porche can eat up VW then surely Konigsegg can do the same with saab
June 15, 2009 @ 9:55 pm
hmm, this could change the way saab cars look and perform.
maybe they could use saab to “boost” their sales and revenues, while leaving the oringinal CCX for the more exclusive customers.
June 15, 2009 @ 10:27 pm
How about production Aero-X ?
June 18, 2009 @ 6:35 pm
PROTON.. buy la SAAB.. can make superb turbo engine plus can make jet fighter what..