Saab 10 days from bankruptcy

It took a woman to finally say no to GM. The outcome may be bad, but sometimes tuff love is the way to go.

In one way i'm glad someone is finally letting GM suffer for it's own mistakes, on the other hand I hope SAAB will somehow come out of this and pull through, maybe from some random Indian investor even? lol

This is sad...SAAB make quality cars...I dont understand why the US cars (that - lets face it - suck) get the money, while a prospective branch of their company has to suffer:( Plus their new concepts were pretty cool and inovative!

This is truly a sad end to a company which at various points has offered a very attractive alternative to the major German car makers. The high point in design terms was the development of the 99 back in the late 1960's. This car was way ahead of its time, combining as it did the flair and innovation of Citroen with the strength and engineering integrity of the German makes. As a company they never lacked flair and a determined sense of difference which make them very appealing, which is why I have been buying them since 1975, or at least until the present model which is just too conservative to attract me. The central problem for SAAB has been their lack of profitability which has inhibited their ability to update and replace the models on a shorter time frame and introduce 4WD which would have been a logical introduction to the Scandinavian market. This core problem was only aggravated by the GM take over which tried to orient the maker to the conservative buying preferences of the North American market. Making their offerings bland had the effect of alienated their core following in other markets (look at the clamor for the return of a hatchback!). Since the public increasingly understood that many of the core components were GM they were also increasingly reluctant to pay a premium price for SAAB products, the more so since their very conservatism inhibited the innovations which would have enabled them to charge a premium price. I feel very sorry that this is the end of SAAB but the lesson is clear. You have to be innovative, appealing, profitable and offer a high level of perceived value to survive in an industry which is changing so fast and requires massive financing. I for one will greatly miss their passing. A quick read back through their truly great "Form and Function" books which explained the philosophy and innovation behind the 99, 900 and 9000 will give some idea of the quality of thought and design which went into these great cars. GM bought SAAB an extra decade, but never understood what was necessary in order to make it a profitable and innovative European brand. I wish all those associated with SAAB well and thank them for their contribution to automotive history. I have always been proud to be associated with the name and grateful for the pleasure you have given so many motorists. Thank you.

God I hate GM. I can't they let such a coveted brand just rot away. Wagoner should be put in jail for this atrocity.

Maude is spot on though. Gm has, for the main, brought this on themselves. Why should anyone not associated with the company have to pay for their mistakes?

My first car was a (pre-GM)Saab. Sure it was in the garage alot (Saab being an acronym for Stop At A Bank), but it also had a tremendous amount of character. I would be extremely sad to see this brand go under. Especially when it seems that the trade off is that GM duplicated many of it's craptacular vehicles (cavalier/cobalt, Suburban, etc) into identical vehicles with a different badge (sunfire/G5, GMC Suburban, etc).

Way to go, Maud! I do not want to see my tax dollars (good money) being thrown to those who CONSISTENTLY MISMANGAGE their finances (GM, Chrysler, CitiBank, etc.) What a stupid idea! I agree that the companies should either shape up on their own and proove their mettle, or go cease to exist in current fashion. Soome savvy investor may take over. If so, great for SAAB.

See what happens when American companies buy Europeans ones? I'm glad Mercedes escaped when they did, No American company should be allowed to any European car company. (someone save Volvo please)

Saab designs are in still in the 80s, I agree with the minister, it was not about the money, it is about ending the shame in car industry. The following cars should be the only car supplyers for the human race for ever: Bentley Mercedes - Benz Porsche Nissan Jeep Lamborghini And if these are the only companies that supply automobiles, we will never see any losses, even these companies will be always busy and more jobs will be opened. regards,

NO not SAAB, i love SAAB this suks =(

If GM is doing such a bad job for SAAB, then SAAB should had gone long ago, instead, they statyed on the market for more than 15 year after GM acquire them. What I am try to say is that, SAAB has its own design ques, and they should have make the best use of it, not just blame everything to their mother company. I think that GM give them enough control for themselves. What is most important now is how to save SAAB from bankrupcy, and how to re-establish such legendary Sweden car company.