Saab is Dead - Or is it?; Yes, yes it is

[Famine]

So long, Saab.

Brand to be Wound Down

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.

As part of its efforts to become a leaner organization, GM began seeking a buyer for Saab's operations in January. Last week, Saab Automobile AB announced that it had closed on the sale of certain Saab 9-3, current 9-5 and powertrain technology and tooling to Beijing Automotive Industry Holdings Co. Ltd. (BAIC). GM expects today's announcement to have no impact on the earlier sale.

As the company continues to reinvent itself, GM has been faced with some very difficult but necessary business decisions. The focus will remain on the four core brands – Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC – and several regional brands, including Opel / Vauxhall in Europe. This will enable the company to devote more engineering and marketing resources to each brand and model.

 

[Joey D]

Brad, the Australian one, not the Michigan one, is going to be sad.

 

[TheCracker]

Will anyone really mourn the loss of last seasons Vectras in party frocks?

 

[Rotary Junkie]

Will anyone really mourn the loss of last seasons Vectras in party frocks?

No, but we will miss the real Saabs.

 

[Diego440]

No, but we will miss the real Saabs.

Like the ummm... and the ahhh..

 

[Duke]

Like the '80s-early '90s 900Turbo.

 

[Diego440]

Like the '80s-early '90s 900Turbo.

yeah, but none of those will disappear just because the brand is.

It's like saying I miss the AMC Javelin because American Motors doesn't exist anymore.

 

[Omnis]

No, but we will miss the real Saabs.

Right, because the "real Saabs" are still to be found in production.

Time to drop the curtain on this Saab story.

 

[daan]

I'll miss the Viggen...

 

[Northstar]

You do realize Saab Aerospace is an entirely different thing right?

 

[Omnis]

You do realize Saab Aerospace is an entirely different thing right?

"Saab Aerospace: Born from 99 Turbos"

 

[///M-Spec]

You do realize Saab Aerospace is an entirely different thing right?

You do realize that was intended as a joke, right?


M

 

[Tornado]

I'm surprised that BAIC didn't just buy the Saab name considering that they bought everything else.

 

[Strittan]

Although I'm not a fan of Saabs, this is very sad news since I'm a swede and this may affect the whole industry in this country.

What a nice christmas present for the thousands of employees in Trollhättan.

R.I.P

Saab Automobile AB

1947 - 2009​

 

[ND4SPD]

Still secretly want a 9-3 Viggen though.......

 

[zed300]

I guess this will make any Saab more valuable ......eventually.

 

[Danny]

I'll miss the 9-5. That's about it.

 

[Casio]

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.

They didn't even ask me.

 

[Picc84]

YOu got to it before me, kinda sucks.. Automotive company's are dropping like fly's...

 

[ExigeEvan]

So I won't be able to buy a car hand-crafted by naked blondes playing in the snow?

But what I have realised is that they were comparable to Rover. Old chassis, terrible face-lifts on old models, that sort of thing.

 

[Philly]

Will anyone really mourn the loss of last seasons Vectras in party frocks?

It is sad to lose the possibility of decent new owners building some real Saabs in the future. Saab is an awesome company that has some potential to build some sweet cars. It'll be sad to see that go.

YOu got to it before me, kinda sucks.. Automotive company's are dropping like fly's...

More like: Perfectly good GM divisions are dropping like flies.

 

[Azuremen]

Thank god.

First thing that came to mind when I saw the thread title. No more hideous cars from them.

 

[JB-BMW1989]

GM has closed another marque. Idiots... way to go GM for making an idea of Chinese cars. That's how the United States get Wal-Marted.

 

[Turbo Lag]

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.

They didn't even ask me.

Lol owned.

 

[Azuremen]

GM has closed another marque. Idiots... way to go GM for making an idea of Chinese cars. That's how the United States get Wal-Marted.

What?

 

[JB-BMW1989]

What?

Okay, I should rephrase that. I may be wrong, but the reason why they closed Saab is to cash GM Shanghai to make cars from China and export them here. GM is losing money. The more people will buy cars made in China, the more cars will break. I have experienced Made-In-China products before, they are defective. By 2011, it's the end of GM. Americans will be Wal-Marted if they do buy the cars by GM. I hate Saab. It's GM after all.

 

[Jim Prower]

But...but...

What will all the hoity-toity people around here drive? Chevys?

Because that's now the only thing that dealer's selling. Started with Chevy/Olds/Saab, now Chevy/Saab...

 

[homeforsummer]

Will anyone really mourn the loss of last seasons Vectras in party frocks?

Yes, really, me. I'm biased as we've had a few Saabs in the family, but their presence in the market has always been welcome even if they're essentially Vauxhalls underneath. The current 9-3 is a pretty good looking saloon, and I was looking forward to what they had in the pipeline, given how great some of their concepts look.

I only hope they eventually make a return with some great cars that do justice to their classics.

 

[Omnis]

What?

Wal-Marted? Lol!

 

[a6m5]

Speaking of "real" Saabs, I thought they had already died out, looooong time ago.

It is sad news, but in this economy, I don't think this comes as a surprise at all. It shouldn't, anyway.

P.S. Damn near lost my drink after "seeing" daan's post. 👍