Saab To Die Another Day

Edward Niedermeyer
by Edward Niedermeyer

Of course, that day could come as soon as next week, when GM’s board holds its monthly meeting. And unless a serious bid shows up post-haste, Saab will most likely be euthanized at that point. In the meantime, GM’s management is happy to keep the Swedish government hanging on. “I talked to GM last night and my impression is that they have not given up hope,” Joran Hagglund, state secretary at Sweden’s Industry Ministry tells Automotive News [sub]. But after the months of wrangling to get the Koenigsegg deal where it was when it fell apart, Sweden’s government acknowledges that “for every day that passes the challenge gets bigger and bigger.” While we await word on Saab’s uncertain future, and worry about how the boys at Saabsunited are holding up, we’ve dispatched our man in Sweden to sort through the hand-wringing and recrimination in the Swedish press and report some key findings. Frankly though, this is feeling like the end of the line for Saab.

Edward Niedermeyer
Edward Niedermeyer

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  • Mtypex Mtypex on Nov 25, 2009

    I've almost got pity for the Euros on this one.

  • Buckshot Buckshot on Nov 25, 2009

    The truth is that about 90% of the carbuyers don´t care if it´s European, Japanese or something else. The important factors are cheap and reliable transport. For the time being, the Koreans are the preferred choice for the masses. I´m afraid that Saab has reached the end of the road. There are not enough car entusiasts to support all the quirky, unreliable, odd and expensive cars on the market. Many(Most?) young Swedes are not interested in cars, or getting a drivers license. We have a very funny politicians in this country. They´re doing all they can to make it difficult and expensive to own a car. Funny for a country who have 2 car manufacturers I consider myself a car entusiast, but i´m thinking of getting a Hyundai diesel as transport just to reduce my costs.(30 000-40 000 km/year)

    • Charly Charly on Nov 26, 2009

      You're soo wrong 5% of car buyers don't care much. Another 5% care about the car and not the mark. The other 90 % buy a particular cars for status.

  • Willman Willman on Nov 26, 2009

    Well, given the previous post about Saab and GM's idiotic conditions, it's very sad and upsetting to see these douchebags screw a company because of their ego problems. Why is it I feel the need to strangle Fritz Henderson to death with an old belt right about now? Oh well, I guess nobody forced Saab to sell to GM in the first place.

  • Buckshot Buckshot on Nov 26, 2009

    "You’re soo wrong 5% of car buyers don’t care much. Another 5% care about the car and not the mark. The other 90 % buy a particular cars for status." Not in Sweden.

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