I find it difficult to distinguish a Saab from a Vauxhall/Opel at a glance now. So sad, as Saab were such a hugely individual car and owning one was a real statement of 'i want to be different to you lot!' without having to take the gamble and buy Italian and all the issues that went with them.

I do hope they pull through, then change their game plan. People are crying out for something different, but without the gamble on reliability. Saab could be that company...

Lee

I really appreciate the pre GM Saabs for their individuality and I like the new 9-5 as well. So I have been watching the developments around Saab closely. But the future looks bleak. There are a few scenarios:

1. GM will keep Saab after all, like they’ve done with Opel. Unlikely, if you consider the fact that Saab hasn’t made a profit since 1989.
2. Saab could be bought by a third-party. At the present there seem to be no bidders, but there have been rumors about Fiat, Geely, Dongfeng Motor Group and BAIC.
3. Another possibility is government ownership, although the Swedish government has repeatedly stated they would not take a stake in the company.
4. Closure. Sadly, this seems not unlikely, considering GM’s passed with axing brands like Saturn and Oldsmobile in the not too distant past and Pontiac in the not too distant future. 

Hard times indeed… 🙁

 GM has released an official statement which said that the Saab brand will be discontinued if they haven't found a buyer by the end of the year... There is one of the original bidders left: BAIC. There's also a new bidder: Spyker, which is owned by the Russian Converse bank.

henrik wrote:

It makes me feel so sad, the Saab team is/was great and even managed to continue creating great cars even after GM bought the company, even if Saab was even greater before that. I (as a Swede) is of course proud of both Volvo and Saab, but Saab is closer to my heart because of their originality and quirkyness.

I am very sad about the whole SAAB car situation also.  However when Svenska Aeroplan AB sold the car company to GM, the stage was set for what is happening today.  If the Chinese company gains control, SAAB will change again I fear.  It is possible future production will move to China.  This is not a criticism but the reality of the global market today.  I hope for an equitable solution and future of quirky cars.

beocool wrote:

 GM has released an official statement which said that the Saab brand will be discontinued if they haven't found a buyer by the end of the year... There is one of the original bidders left: BAIC. There's also a new bidder: Spyker, which is owned by the Russian Converse bank.

There is also Renco Group, which was also negotiating the last time when Koenigsegg "won" the deal.

It's sad when something you actually take for granted is in danger..  You just assume Saab will be around forever, like Rover i suppose.  Although Rover were (on the whole) garbage in the 80's/90's, i never expected them to actually cease trading and close down.  That was like your parents getting divorced - not beyond the realms of possibility, but a total shock when it happened.

Saab (in the 80's and 90's as i knew them) to me are like B&O. Quirky styling. great build quality and above all 'niche'.  You bought Saab to be different without taking a gamble on quality.  The 900 Turbo was 'nutter fast' but was utterly bulletproof.. then i look at todays 9-3 and see a Vectra in high heels wearing lipstick..

Lee

beocool wrote:

GM has announced they have closed a deal to sell Saab technology, mainly tooling and powertrain technology for the current 9-3/9-5, to BAIC. Saab will also assist BAIC to integrate these technologies into upcoming BAIC vehicles. Meanwhile, Spyker and the Renco Group are still interested in the takeover of Saab.

Hopefully the sale of equipment is nothing more than the usual selling of an outgoing model to another manufacturer in the East.

The situation doesn't look too good re Saab's survival though. I can see the name being sold-off on its own if nothing else comes about. Re Lees comments above, I first encountered Saab as the Saab 96/V4 (which in the 70's had its detractors as not being as good as the predecessor 2 stroke!). Quirky and just a little more expensive than the competition. We had one in our family for nearly 25 years! Later models were initially still distinctive from the competition, but that has gradually gone to a large degree. Having said that my 9-5 Estate / Sportwagon is still pretty distinctive and although a 10 year old design it still stands-up to a lot of the later competition. Think I might have to resign myself to switching maker at some point though. 🙁

Graham