[muneemmk]

It's a sad thing that a marque like Saab is going to be defunct in such a short time, the 9 series of motors were addictive to some people that i know.

[Ravveendrra]

Saab Auto were the iconic turbo-chargers of their day, having popularised turbo-chargers for street use.

Saab was originally an aircraft manufacturer and they famously harped on their aircraft (Saab-Viggen) to sell their cars.

Saab ruled the rallying world in the 70's, with Blomqvist behind the wheel. Saab is also credited with many innovations and new technologies particularly environment friendly moves, like CFC free Air-cons and asbestos free brakes.

Post the de-merger of the auto section from the main company, things seemed to go downhill for Saab Auto. GM bought Saab Auto in the 90's and Saabs were made in Germany and US while the old Saab factory in Sweden was used to make Cadillacs!

It is reported that Tata had evinced an interest in acquiring the company in the year 2008. One has to wait and see if Tata will persist, in the new economic situation.

I admire the Swedish minister for calling a spade a spade and refusing to reach into the tax-payers pockets to bail out the company. The Indian government has bought out and taken over sick companies for decades, with disastrous results - just look at the likes of National Textile Corporation, Cycles India Ltd., etc.

I wonder how Saab = the aviation company is doing, they make the Saab and Gripen Aircraft.

[ananthkamath]

Originally Posted by ImmortalZ

Let 'em die.

Originally Posted by Brabus E V12

@ ImmortalZ: I agree, we should let them die. The whole system will reset itself.

Very easy for you guys to say that, isn't it? How about you come to Detroit and I'll show you around. Then you decide for yourself whether you want this happening to YOU.

If the big three go down, we'll all be looking for jobs, which means we'll probably move back to India, which means you'll have more competition. Think about that now.

[theMAG]

What was GM doing all these years when Saab was reported to be constantly losing money?

[Brabus E V12]

Originally Posted by ananthkamath

Very easy for you guys to say that, isn't it? How about you come to Detroit and I'll show you around. Then you decide for yourself whether you want this happening to YOU.

If the big three go down, we'll all be looking for jobs, which means we'll probably move back to India, which means you'll have more competition. Think about that now.

Sir with all due respect, there is no need to get aggressive. You need to understand that businesses work in a cycle. There is no business/company which goes on forever. It is either bought out or it closes down. And these companies have dug their own grave by churning out a majority of their cars as poorly bulit and unreliable vehicles. Add to that the previous free availability of credit which has dissapeared now.

Besides there is a very similar situation here in England as well. Its just that the big three in Detroit have already been hammered whereas here in England the automobile companies are now starting to get hammered.

I guess its different only in India where people are still more than happy to pay double the price for Imported cars than in the U.S or Europe.

[devarshi84]

Originally Posted by Brabus E V12

Besides there is a very similar situation here in England as well. Its just that the big three in Detroit have already been hammered whereas here in England the automobile companies are now starting to get hammered.

I guess its different only in India where people are still more than happy to pay double the price for Imported cars than in the U.S or Europe.

AFAIK the British Automobile Industry era came to an end a long time ago? what british Industry are you talking about?

If GM and Chrysler collectively go down. I dont know where the world will head. Is really sad to see how a few people can impact the world.

I really like the Saab designs. Wish they werent based on GM platforms though.

[Dippen]

Originally Posted by theMAG

What was GM doing all these years when Saab was reported to be constantly losing money?

Hello theMAG
That is the thing everyone have been asking for the last 10 years. Saab has developed new products but Bob Lutz have been the man who has stopped that process.

thats one of the reason why Saab is stuck with only two models, the 9-5 and 9-3

Originally Posted by Brabus E V12

@ ImmortalZ: I agree, we should let them die. The whole system will reset itself.

With SAAB, I guess they will either be bought out or become the first victim of the recession to actually shut shop. The others are still managing to hang by the thread, but the future does look bleak for SAAB.

I wonder where's our SAAB fan Dippen?

Hello Barbus!

i am here but have been busy. it has been a very tough week here in Sweden as the news from GM came .

But the whole thing is turing out to be a legal mess because it costs more to actually close down SAAB and GM does not have enough capital to do that and the Congress does not want that US taxmoney should go to Saab.

Also Opel seems to be in the same position

Ok, i will try to answer as much as possible of the situation. Right now i am pretty angry on GM. They still have a responsibility due to they own the brand. They cant cut the rope to either Saab and Opel.


i do recommend (if it is ok for the moderation board) to check in to Saabs United which is a Saab-blog and they have the latest info on Saab.

i will try to keep you updated on what is happening.

[sujaylahiri]

I've always been a big fan of Saab and their vehicles (and even aircraft for that matter). According to me, they made some of the coolest and most innovative cars ever. But then again, the majority of the population doesn't think like me.

It's really sad that they are going down like this. I really hope that some Asian or European company can buy them off. I believe the only reason GM kept a white elephant like Saab for 10 years is because of their engineering capabilities. A lot of the improvement in the current breed of Chevys and Cadillacs could be attributed to their European connection I believe.

Originally Posted by Brabus E V12

As Devarshi said, UK does not have any major auto manufacturer of their own. Last time I checked, all their auto companies were bought out by American and Indian companies. I don't think any major indigenous R&D goes on in UK anymore for any of the manufacturers, other than Jaguar-Land Rover (which should be outsourced soon), it's come down to only assembly there.

[ajmat]

The issue is that GM had no idea what to do with SAAB right from the beginning. GM tried hard to buy Jaguar but the management preferred FOrd as they were more collaborative.

GM took over SAAB and the successor to the 9-3 and 9-5 were based on the Vectra chassis which was not inspiring in the first space. All thhe original engineering etc from SAAB were thrown out

[Brabus E V12]

Originally Posted by Dippen

Hello Brabus!

i am here but have been busy. it has been a very tough week here in Sweden as the news from GM came .

But the whole thing is turing out to be a legal mess because it costs more to actually close down SAAB and GM does not have enough capital to do that and the Congress does not want that US taxmoney should go to Saab.

i do recommend (if it is ok for the moderation board) to check in to Saabs United which is a Saab-blog and they have the latest info on Saab.

i will try to keep you updated on what is happening.

Thanks for the info Dippen. Just checked that link, its got loads of info.

Originally Posted by devarshi84

AFAIK the British Automobile Industry era came to an end a long time ago? what british Industry are you talking about?

Originally Posted by sujaylahiri

As Devarshi said, UK does not have any major auto manufacturer of their own. Last time I checked, all their auto companies were bought out by American and Indian companies. I don't think any major indigenous R&D goes on in UK anymore for any of the manufacturers, other than Jaguar-Land Rover (which should be outsourced soon), it's come down to only assembly there.

What I meant was the British Automobile market - production and sales aspects. The companies here are so desperate that they are including all kinds of freebies to entice buyers. The shifts have been reduced and the production is down month after month. And cmon guys everyone knows that the Big British Companies have all been sold - It's kiddish to even point that out.

Although if you guys check again, there still are a few companies that are still in British hands - Caterham, Ariel, Bristol, Morgan, Noble, Ascari, Westfield.

[madhukar_n]

many of my friends in US are SAAB fans. i have also driven them quite a few times.
one thing is if u r a SAAB owner, one will almost end up buying one more again.

after GM merger, they made the looks more GM like. but still the car was good. i actually like their hatchback looks.. it was so different.

is the SAAB airplane division different from this ?

[Samir Taheer]

Originally Posted by sujaylahiri

As Devarshi said, UK does not have any major auto manufacturer of their own. Last time I checked, all their auto companies were bought out by American and Indian companies. I don't think any major indigenous R&D goes on in UK anymore for any of the manufacturers, other than Jaguar-Land Rover (which should be outsourced soon), it's come down to only assembly there.

Originally Posted by devarshi84

AFAIK the British Automobile Industry era came to an end a long time ago? what british Industry are you talking about?

If GM and Chrysler collectively go down. I dont know where the world will head. Is really sad to see how a few people can impact the world.

I really like the Saab designs. Wish they werent based on GM platforms though.

Why should Jaguar-Land Rover be out sourced soon?? And there is alot more than assembly that goes on here!!!

There is alot of manufacutring that still happens in the UK, i work for one of these companies so i would know. With the Pound falling alot of the work that was lost to Poland, Romania, China & India is starting to come back. Its not just because of the fall in the Pound, but also because none on these places can handle quality or craftsmanship like the English. Dont get me wrong here i totally LOVE India and my hope is that one day we'll be upto the Europen standards, but its still not here. Our Indian suppliers still dont have the work ethics that exists here. Honda, Nissan and Ford all have their R&D and Design Centres here in the UK. So even though there are only a handfull of British Owned Manufactures, theres still ALOT of engineering!!!

Now that my rant is over and back to the topic - I would hate to see Saab shut. Never been a fan of the interiors but you couldnt go wrong with the car as a package.

As much as i would love to say that the big 3 deserve to shut - i agree with sentiments already stated that it would be a disaster for the economy and the number of people who would be put out of work but be crazy. But they should stop flying in their private lear jets when begging for money.

[Brabus E V12]

Originally Posted by madhukar_n

many of my friends in US are SAAB fans. i have also driven them quite a few times.
one thing is if u r a SAAB owner, one will almost end up buying one more again.

after GM merger, they made the looks more GM like. but still the car was good. i actually like their hatchback looks.. it was so different.

is the SAAB airplane division different from this ?

Yes SAAB Airplane is a different division. GM only owns SAAB's automobile operations.

[Steeroid]

I feel this is only the beginning of the end for small niche manufacturers, no matter how well engineered their products are or were. Saab stopped being the legendary manufacturer of superb engineer's cars the moment they became part of GM.

[amtak]

Is the website down as well? I tried to log on but its showing "done"

http://www.saab.com/#/