R.I.P: Saab…
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This is really sad. GM was not able to find a buyer for Saab after all.
We will never see the new 9-5 sedan and wagon, or the 9-4X.
Cars that were about ready to come out.
Here is the official word from GM;
“Detroit. General Motors announced today that the intended sale of Saab Automobile AB would not be concluded. After the withdrawal of Koenigsegg Group AB last month, GM had been in discussions with Spyker Cars about its interest in acquiring Saab. During the due diligence, certain issues arose that both parties believe could not be resolved. As a result, GM will start an orderly wind-down of Saab operations.
“Despite the best efforts of all involved, it has become very clear that the due diligence required to complete this complex transaction could not be executed in a reasonable time. In order to maintain operations, Saab needed a quick resolution,” said GM Europe President Nick Reilly. “We regret that we were not able to complete this transaction with Spyker Cars. We will work closely with the Saab organization to wind down the business in an orderly and responsible manner. This is not a bankruptcy or forced liquidation process. Consequently, we expect Saab to satisfy debts including supplier payments, and to wind down production and the distribution channel in an orderly manner while looking after our customers.”
Saab will continue to honor warranties, while providing service and spare parts to current Saab owners around the world.”
just a true shame – just as they were etting back to unique designs that were attractive and functional for active lifestyles.
The new 9-5 and the 9/4x wouldve been winners.
My best wishes and prayers go out to all those within the saab organizations.
Had one a Looooooooooooong time ago. They and their dealerships didn't stand by their product way back when and I was stuck with a POS which ultimately burned to the ground about a year after I sold it.
I've hoped for this day since then. Most of the employees from that time are most likely retired by now, but I do get satisfaction that everyone will lose their jobs.
Crap made by crap people.
Merry Christmas.
Too bad, but Saab has been dead for years. GM is finally getting around to burying the corpse.
Genuinely sad because most of the marques we've lost recently brought their fate on themselves through years of mismanagement and crap cars. Saab however was systematically neutered and killed by General Motors. The FIAT group had the luckiest escape when they avoided being absorbed by GM a few years ago. This could have been Alfa-Romeo or Lancia and that really would be tragic.
Much more than Saturn, Pontiac or Oldsmobile, the world will miss Saab and be poorer for its absence.
The Swedes were smart enough to not buy back Saab. We should have done the same with GM.
GM owns the designs of the 9-3 etc. Most probably we will see them in the GM line ups. A car maker like SAAB could not survive with a portfolio of a grand total of 3 models. Good riddance. Now the white shoe weirdos will have to find another brand to differentiate themselves. Subaru may be?
WTF is wrong with GM?
That's the second time they've had a willing buyer ready to sign on the dotted line, and they've killed the deal. They've turned away a few more qualified buyers as well.
I guess Saab is worth more dead than alive to them.
If this is really the end, this only leaves the Germans selling high quality fun cars that can go a whole winter without rusting. Even then, there aren't any fun German cars that can carry a couch or a washing machine and get you through a blizzard without breaking a sweat.
So long my Swedish friends, hope we meet again soon.
Poor Saab. I knew from the moment GM got its hands on this venerable marque that it was only a matter of time before they ruined it.
That's the sadest automotive new I heard for a long time. Saab is dead, long live Saab!
So many people trash Saab and have little insight into the contributions it made to the automotive world: inventing the heated seat, the turbocharger, adaptive headrestraints, unparalleled passenger safety, general quirkiness that got it a cult following.
GM should be ashamed of the damage that it has brought on the automotive world. The General is responsible for destroying several brands now and this buyer is furious. I learned to drive on a Saab and there's nothing quite like them. If I'm going to buy domestic again, I'll go to Ford. Shame on you GM. You should've failed yourself just to get a taste of what you've brought down upon others.
20 Years of being raped, pillaged, abused and neglected by GM.
I hope every member of the GM board is hanging their head in shame.
My brother's 1959 and 1964 Saabs with their 3 cylinder 2 cycle engines were distinctive and excellent.
Ever since becoming more like other cars, Saab was doomed. Saab became just another car brand after the late 1960s.
Recent Saabs have been little more than overpriced crap with nothing distinctive other that that stupid ignition switch between the front seats. Talk about lame!
Agree with whoever said it has been dead for along time. Some things just are not worth saving and Saab would be one of them. Car companies like all companies come and go, let go people.
What I find [also] sad is that there is a dealership in my city that sells two lines of cars. SAAB and Saturn. Talk about sad.
the premature selling of Saab tooling to the Chinese did not help their attempts to sell the rest of the assets to another entity. this was just another knee jerk bad business decision by GM.
Sad day, but GM is the one who ultimately killed the brand. Stagnant models and lackluster vehicles that couldn't compete even after their initial introduction.
Saab has never had competitive vehicles.
"Les said…
If this is really the end, this only leaves the Germans selling high quality fun cars that can go a whole winter without rusting. Even then, there aren't any fun German cars that can carry a couch or a washing machine and get you through a blizzard without breaking a sweat.
So long my Swedish friends, hope we meet again soon.
December 18, 2009 2:02 PM"
Uhhh, E550 wagon with 4Matic and the sport package. That is fun to drive and will certainly get you through winter.
We still have Volvo, at least they have competitive models.
Another GM failure. R.I.P. Saab. It wasn't your fault.
As sad as this may seem, there is one thing we must remember: it means even the Europeans didnt buy these….. including the Swedes. Go to Stockholm and see what people are driving (its not Saabs).
"E550 wagon with 4Matic and the sport package"
Great, three times the price and twice the weight of a Saab, and a ride so stiff that you can't even look at a pothole without dropping a few G's at the chiropractor's, never mind a few more G's for new control arms.
I wouldn't wish an off-warranty Merc on anybody. I have three good friends who are/were MB techs, so I know what I'm talking about.
So we're left with the boring Japanese that will be a pile of rust after 10 years, and the fat, stiff as a skateboard Germans that don't make any sense unless you drive 150mph on a billiard-smooth road (while lighting cigars with hundred dollar bills).
Were did all the cool cars go?
"Les said…
"E550 wagon with 4Matic and the sport package"
Great, three times the price and twice the weight of a Saab, and a ride so stiff that you can't even look at a pothole without dropping a few G's at the chiropractor's, never mind a few more G's for new control arms.
I wouldn't wish an off-warranty Merc on anybody. I have three good friends who are/were MB techs, so I know what I'm talking about.
So we're left with the boring Japanese that will be a pile of rust after 10 years, and the fat, stiff as a skateboard Germans that don't make any sense unless you drive 150mph on a billiard-smooth road (while lighting cigars with hundred dollar bills).
Were did all the cool cars go?
December 19, 2009 4:24 PM"
I have a 2002 C Class with 120K+ and I haven't had any serious issues in my nearly 8 years of ownership.
The E wagon doesn't weigh TWICE the Saab, it would probably be the same weight +-200 pounds. The sport package barely affects ride quality, why don't you go drive one or read a review.
Japanese vehicles turning into a pile of rust after 10 years??? I have a 1997 CR-V with over 200K as a winter vehicle and long distance cruiser and I live in the rust belt. Nary a single pockmark on the vehicles interior and undercarrige is fine as well. So what do you have to say about my 13 year old Honda???
Saab sucked, plain and simple and GM killed them. Volvo is a true Swedish manufacturer who actually puts out competitive vehicles that the public wants to buy.
Your theories are bust. Please don't spread your misinformation.