The new Saab 9-5, only just recently unveiled in August
GM posted some very sad news yesterday on their media website:
The GM Board of Directors has received expressions of interest in Saab since the conclusion of negotiations with Koenigsegg Group AB. The Board will evaluate potential bids between now and the end of December. At that time, we will determine whether a suitable arrangement for Saab exists. If not, we will begin an orderly wind down of the global Saab business at that time.
Due to non-disclosure agreements, we will not confirm or comment on any potential transactions or other matters unless, and until, we determine that disclosure is appropriate.
An orderly winding down. That pretty much means “close shop”. I don’t think any of us would have thought that anyone would attempt to pick up the brand within a month’s time, but there is a small glimmer of hope.
Dutch automaker Spyker has submitted a bid to take over 100% of Saab from GM for an undisclosed amount. They refused to elaborate futher, although they confirmed it in a note sent to the media. Spyker’s sports cars would be able to benefit through the shared technology and parts that it would gain from Saab. We could see a common set of components underpining both Saab’s ‘mainstream’ cars and Spyker’s expensive sports cars.
Another alternative would be to sell certain useful parts of Saab to Beijing Auto (BAIC) and then wind down the rest of the brand. We recently heard about BAIC’s plans to build a rebadged last-generation Saab 9-5 in China.
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surprised that the swedish gvernment are not helping , either buying stake in saab or a bailout…actually in the saab group , the automobile arm is not really a big portion of the business , its the aircraft,engines and military equipment that they survive on….if thy sell it to those manufacturers in china then say bye to the brand…see wat hapened to Rovers..
whats wrong this world? no saab? why are people buying nonsense like hyundai , geely, chery and proton. ppl should buy cool stuff like this. f*** you GM and Made In China.
Well , first rover, now saab, dats yyyyy, who told you to make ugly cars in the first place…. just recently SAAB made good lookin cars, 9-3 range (saloon , combi/wagon/touring and especially the convertible!) If enough ppl's christmast wish is this 9-5, then , hopefully SAAB still can be saved
i have a gut feeling that Spykar is waiting for the right time to aquire the rights from GM. Spykar/ Beijing auto company will move its operations to China once GM pay its debts and close it down its factory. So i think thats why Koenigsegg Group dont want to do the dirty work and taking over right now. We shall wait and see what happens.
It would be sad if SAAB would stop ot exist. Now only Volvo cars come out of Sweden, other than trucks.
Leonardo said,
December 3, 2009 @ 10:09 am
It would be sad if SAAB would stop ot exist. Now only Volvo cars come out of Sweden, other than trucks.
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even volvo is in danger, if these two carmakers don;t exist, it's gonna be bad news in terms of automobile safety
Proton should buy SAAB.. for a Euro.
Automotive Critics, Pls learn from this. Eventhough GM, SAAB and Volvo is bungkus, US, Sweden not going to bungkus ( coz they are already in a deep gloom). The economy and economist will re-adjust themselves to find the equilibrium in the demand and supply.
So, if P1 bungkus, your 150,000 worker will only be affected short term, and rebounced gracefully from the ashes…….not asses like you, so short minded.
bye bye!
anyway, it'll probably be bought over by other companies.
but i dont advocate govt having a hand in market forces. unfair and too protective, as i am sure we all would know very very well.
Come on proton! Step up and grab saab! U surely wont regret it. Get engine n swedish knowhow. Eff the bashers! Go for it
Hmmm. SAAB is pure win.
But too bad they have to be so unfortunate.
get their turbo tech. they have made reliable turbo engines for ages already.
No one's going to miss Saab. They make good cars. But not great cars. Can anyone think of a time when a Saab was segment-leading?
They should stick to making fighter jets.
Proton shud buy SAAB.
DPM said many ailing companies is Japan and M'sian companies shud take opportunity to buy them for their technology.
Same idea can apply here….