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Another dark day for Saab.

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Which now announced they will not be able to pay their employees.

That doesn’t sound good.
I don’t think too many people at Saab are willing to work for free.

A few days ago, it looked like they had secure cash from 2 Chinese companies.
Problem is, they need money right now to pay suppliers in order to keep the assembly lines going. And now they can’t even pay their workers.

Looks like Spyker might have misjudged how complicated and expensive it was going to be to run a company like Saab.

I like Saabs, and have wonderful memories driving them. I would be very sad to see them go….

Conversation 24 comments

  1. Vince,

    We know you have a bias towards SAAB, but it is an irrelevant brand. It should have gone away a couple of years ago, when they had the "opportunity." Why drag it on? What do they have to offer that does not already exist in the market? That is their biggest challenge.

  3. I don't think they'll be going anywhere: the Chinese will wait for them to go bankrupt and then snatch up the remnants.

  5. this company has long outlived it's usefulness. Products are ugly, they don't set any standards for anything. Time to shut 'er down!

  7. that is really sad as truly the new 95 is one very good looking sedan and the future products seemed to be very promising…
    I hope thats not the end of SAAB

  8. I used to work at a company that couldn't pay their salaries on time. When I went to the doctor for a checkup, I learned that they hadn't been paying the insurance either. So I found another job and quit. That's what going to happen here.

  9. I get hosed over owning a Saab a long time ago. I hope for the worst for them and all who work for them. It would please me beyond belief if everyone who works for Saab gets unemployed and stays that way.

  10. What do they have to offer that does not already exist in the market?

    Unique Style. Same thing Picasso, Rembrandt, & Rolls Royce offer. Except that real people can really afford a real SAAB.

    What a shame.

    On the other hand, I agree that the Chinese are probably just waiting to pick up the pieces for 10 cents on the dollar; so maby they'll go on after all.

  11. Why Saab?

    They are great-driving cars, supremely durable (provided you stick to original parts), and stylistically relevant. That last one is especially relevant now that Kias look just like BMWs.

    We need them to stick around just because no-one else does what they do.

    BMWs are fine if you live somewhere dry and warm, but you have to drive them like Mr Magoo when the weather gets serious. Mercedes wants you to dedicate your life to replacing defective CPUs. Audis drive like skateboards; you can either drive an Audi over a rough road, or have kids someday, your choice. VW makes Russian stacking dolls that happen to have wheels.

    Lexus still wants to be Buick, Infinity and Acura are O.K. for the lease period, but I wouldn't wish a used one on anybody.

    Anyone else wants to step-up to the plate and make a car that's practical, fun to drive, and long-lived?
    Until that happens, we need Saab around, if only to keep the other brands honest.

  12. Who cares about Saab. Their vehicles are ALL uncompetitive. The new 9-5 is over priced and under delivers. The 9-3 is ancient depreciating garbage. The Equinox clone isn't fooling anyone.

    The worst part of this story is the poor employees that can't get paid. I hope that the Swedish government will help them locate new jobs.

  13. "Unique Style. Same thing Picasso, Rembrandt, & Rolls Royce offer. Except that real people can really afford a real SAAB….."

    I did not know that ugly is unique. And, if the cheapo SAABs are beyond your pocket's reach, speak for yourself.

  14. Poor Saab, as soon as GM bought them it was the beginning of the end. They never fully recovered from the way GM mangled that brand

  16. Saab's are good looking, very safe, fun to drive, innovative and durable cars. So why should they go? Why don't people buy them? That seems to be the question everybody asks. Saab deserves a place in the automotive future.

  17. I'd bet you what Saab owes that 95% of the Saab haters on this comment chain haven't even driven one. There's an old saying that cheap and mean words indicate a weak cause.

    The reality is that I hope they make it through what everyone knew would be a highly difficult transition. The 9-4X is exactly what they need to get them through the next few years while bringing to the market a 9-3 that is more capable and competitive. The new 9-5 while not a big seller, is an outstanding car, every review by an auto journalist I've read is quite positive.

  19. I did not know that ugly is unique. And, if the cheapo SAABs are beyond your pocket's reach, speak for yourself.

    Missed the point by a mile.

    SAABs are NOT ugly–they're UNIQUE (just like Picasso & Rembrandts–although the artistically ignorant may dismiss both as ugly or odd)

    SAAB is EASILY within my reach–and within LOTS of peoples reach; a Half-milloing dollar Rolls ( or Picasso origonal) is NOT.

    Get it??

  23. My brother has a SAAB 9/5 Turbo. (And a Lexus570 and a grand Caravan and a Chrysler 300 and an Acura). He's an engineer. Works for a company that makes medical devices that saves people's lives. And usually the life of the party. eccentric? I suppose. But probably one of the most intelligent people I've ever met.

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