SAAB file for Bankruptcy!

[nick mercedes]

It's a shame if they do shut down but I'm sure someone out there will buy them up (hopefully).

What is there to buy though?

The cars are just rebadged Opels, and 2 out of the 3 models are built elsewhere?

Plus take away the GM parts bin and shared supplier base and how could they keep going alone?

 

[KillerHERTZ]

You've never sat in one then...

Ive sat in many, A family member has one.

The 1st thing that springs to mind is the dated interior and ever so slightly cheap plastics. (2007 Aero)


Just my 2p's worth

 

[Druk]

Their seats are worldbeating for comfort especially long distance.

and they fit easily in a 107....:bannana: :bannana:

 

[Dieselman]

Their seats are worldbeating for comfort especially long distance.

and they fit easily in a 107....:bannana: :bannana:

Sould be a few sets going spare soon...

 

[C240Sport97]

old Vectras in drag

 

[Mudster]

They have not gone down yet, just filed for protection from creditors.

So cue big reorganisation and funding merry go round but the stark fact is that there was overcapacity in the global car market even before things turned really bad so ultimately yes, could be bye bye Saab.

They are bankrupt...it's the same thing effectively, they haven't made a profit since 2001 so it's no surprise.

I was in at my dealer at Christmas having a service done and the writing was on the wall back then, they weren't very upbeat, infact the dealership owner had sold the garage site to a developer......

I inherited the one I have from a staff member that left, it's been pleasantly nice. Not something I would ever have chosen but it's very comfortable.

We recently got a New Audi for my sister, and the ride is horrible compared to the Saab.... the Saab is very comfy and damn cheap...will be even cheaper now! I might get a great deal on the two we have when the contract hire ends.

 

[Dieselman]

I might get a great deal on the two we have when the contract hire ends.

Just make sure they understand you only want to buy the two cars, not the company..

 

[Mr E]

There is a strong rumour in the industry that the Swedish government will nationalise SAAB and then return it to independant ownership at some point in the future.

GM asset-stripped SAAB for intellectual capital and put nothing in. The last realistic estimate I saw was for $5 billion needed to be spent on product development. No way GM was going to do that, when a bit of tin foil glued onto a ladder chassis counts as a new car in the US.

 

[crockers]

Had a '98 SAAB 9-5 - 2.3t - one of if not the most comfortable car I have owned.................pity it went through 2 ECUs....

 

[Mudster]

Just make sure they understand you only want to buy the two cars, not the company..

They might just throw in the company as part of a package deal...I better check the small print..

 

[vijilants]

I'm currently driving a brand new Saab 93 courtesy car. All I can say is I am totally impressed with the car. Beats some of the equivalent Merc ranges any day of the week drive wise.

Its a real shame

 

[big x]

GM asset-stripped SAAB for intellectual capital and put nothing in. The last realistic estimate I saw was for $5 billion needed to be spent on product development. No way GM was going to do that, when a bit of tin foil glued onto a ladder chassis counts as a new car in the US.

It's the other way round. GM have owned Saab for 19 years and never made a profit despite an average investment of $800 million a year. This has been a millstone around Opel's neck.
Saabs last chance was to get in on the profitable SUV market when sales were buoyant but they missed the boat.
Whatever happens they are going to need access to the Opel developed Epsilon II platform, the basis of the very good Vauxhall/Opel Insignia.

I started a thread in august 2006 about Saabs doubtful future !

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=28622

 

[061music]

What have Saab made new in the past 5 years anyway? re-hashing the 93 & 95 more times than Rover did with its 200/400 series.

I to have never really seen their appeal...

I'd agree, having owned both a 9-3 and 9-5 they have seen to have continually tweaked them, mainly cosmetically too rather than a redesign. (never got the Dame Edna look on the 9-5) As a result they look/seem quite dated against other marques.

However that said i also agree with some of the other comments about the seats. I covered over 150K miles in both of mine and they are definitely the most comfortable seats.

I hope they are able to move away from GM and survive....gotta say though with the money needed to develop a new car(s) i think it might be too late for them

 

[nullogik]

I'd agree, having owned both a 9-3 and 9-5 they have seen to have continually tweaked them, mainly cosmetically too rather than a redesign. (never got the Dame Edna look on the 9-5) As a result they look/seem quite dated against other marques.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks that the 9-5 is sporting Dame Edna's glasses! They made what was a very stylish looking car into a into a driving joke. Yuk

The 9-5 is an ancient design though, wasn't it realised back in 1998?

 

[crockers]

Pity Merc can't buy their seats .......or Volvos? Not saying Merc seats are uncomfortable but why are the two Swedes ahead of this game on seat design........



IKEA ????

 

[Skintia99]

The seats on mine are great, espicially when sat in traffic and the seat heaters work almost instantly, however the brand itself seems to lack direction, 9-5 for example been on sale since 1997!

 

[big x]

The seats on mine are great, espicially when sat in traffic and the seat heaters work almost instantly, however the brand itself seems to lack direction, 9-5 for example been on sale since 1997!

Yes, lack of direction is the key point. I've got an old Saab 900 Turbo brochure and it's packed with interesting ideas some of which were unique at the time.
The cars were quick, had good traction in snow, didn't corrode, had aerospace inspired instruments , good seats and loads of hatchback boot space.
The brand has struggled to establish unique selling points since then.

 

[hawk20]

The obvious merger surely is with Volvo? Neither can survive on their own.

There is MB and BMW as the top two for luxury saloons and then the second tier which is quite crowded with Jaguar, Volvo, Saab, Lexus and Audi. The first three all lose money.

BTW on Friday Moodys reduced Renaults credit rating to junk.

 

[kjay]

............The obvious merger surely is with Volvo?

That would seem a sensible option.


I'm no Saab fan, but a few years ago i was a passenger with a Saab salesman, in (I think) a 9-3 turbo.
4 adults in the car, but Jesus, did it still go!!! Quite impressive!


.

 

[whitenemesis]

Have always loved Saabs bujt they never managed to get estates to look right....

It always seemed to be an addition. Better nowadays though