Sweden Wants This Man To Save Saab

Bertel Schmitt
by Bertel Schmitt

He (silver grey tie) is Li Shu Fu, Chairman of Geely, and owner of Volvo. A few days ago, we reported that Saab’s Russian rescue by Vladmir Antonov is running into flak from Brussels, and that Victor Muller is looking to China. To a niche player in China, no less. Victor Muller thinks he will maintain more independency that way. Dream on. If a Chinese buyer buys a foreign brand, then for getting credibility in the export market. That is Geely’s play with Volvo.

Now, Sweden is abuzz with rumors that Geely is supposed to buy Saab. To make it more palatable to Swedes, Geely is not supposed to buy Saab, Volvo is. Volvo is owned by Geely. According to Reuters, the Swedish government has approached Volvo/Geely to take over Saab. Volvo promptly dismissed such chatter. “No such talks have been going on and no such talks are scheduled,” said Volvo Cars spokesman Per-Ake Froberg.

Volvo/Geely needs Saab like a hole in the head. They have all hands full digesting the Volvo takeover. I’d ask BAIC first (they already denied the rumors.) Then any of the top 12 manufacturers excluding SAIC (they have MG). Anyone who wants to export from China could use Saab.

Bertel Schmitt
Bertel Schmitt

Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.

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  • Rod Panhard Rod Panhard on Apr 24, 2011

    Saav Saab. I saw the new 95 yesterday at the New York auto show and really liked what I saw. It's definitely better than the similarly priced Buicks, which appeared contrived and cheap.

  • John R John R on Apr 24, 2011

    Dead brand walking.

  • Norma Norma on Apr 24, 2011

    I'm surprised BAIC is not interested, didn't they spend hundred(s) of million buying the tools of old 9-5? May be they want a bankruptcy filing before they scope out, not to step on Vladmir's toe. How about FAW? They seem pretty quiet.

  • Inside Looking Out Inside Looking Out on Apr 25, 2011

    If Chinese company wanted to buy SAAB it would already do it when it was up to grabs directly from GM. Ending up in Chinese hand via Spyker seems to me too complicated to be true. SAAB may become Buick competitor in China since both are very similar. But do not expect it to compete with BMW, it is wishful thinking.

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