The Future of Saab: Possible Scenarios

Closure seems likely

2010 Saab 9-5

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nederina

What they need now is a sugar daddy like Abu Dhabi or Malaysian Proton to waste their money to keep SAAB alive and running.

November 26, 2009 3:26 pm

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2010S5

The new 9-5 seemed like such a well-developed car. I think Saab deserves a second chance. Hopefully it will remain alive.

November 26, 2009 4:08 pm

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chris25

This 2009 year has proven to be the worst year ever, whether its in motorsport or not. I hope next year it will be better.

November 26, 2009 5:10 pm

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William346

Dear GM, I know your short on cash, but don't let Saab go! Please! The new 9-5 is a good looking well designed car. Don't let us down when you're on the brink of success. Don't stop 3 feet from Gold (see Dale Carnegie). Saab are unique cars, a little quirky, ignition switch on the centre console, aeronauticly inspired engineering (not sure where!). I know loads of Saab owners who'd be so sad to see the brand go. I once had a Saab 900. It was possibly the worst car I ever owned! But god I loved it and if I had spare cash now, I'd buy one as a second car just for the fun of it. Don't do a Ford and sell Jaguar just when the likes of the new XF are making history. Don't do it! Bite the bullet and get going.

November 26, 2009 6:13 pm

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CarFan56

How is the Jaguar XF making history? BMW, Audi, Mercedes, etc still ead the luxury industry.

November 26, 2009 6:23 pm

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2 replies

William346

Sure, BMW and Audi are better built (forget Mercedes, they're as brittle as those little toys you get in xmas crackers). But to me, Jaguar made history with the XF Simply because it was such a radical departure from the S-Type, certainly more mainstream and conforming, while at the same time never losing that certain "Jaguarness" that makes it unique. Sure, the circular transmission dial that rises out of the centre console and the swivelling air vents are just novelties rather that performing any serious function that could not otherwise be achieved, but still those little features set it out from the pack and made journalists talk about the car in positive terms. My point is, why kill the brand, when Saab could get back to basis, find what is they do well and aim to excel at it? Personally, I like Saab, there is something "different" about being in a Saab whereas BMW, Audi and Mercedes feel a little too mainstream and dare I say "samey" to me.

November 26, 2009 9:12 pm

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sech

GM: Sell it to Merbanco, they are still interested.

November 26, 2009 7:11 pm

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morris_b

I think Saab deserves a future. With there recent concepts along with the new 9-5 and the 9-4X I've been hoping for a big come back, I mean, they seem poised and ready, right?!?! After years of watching GM BUTCHER Saab to oblivion and now just when Saab seems to be making some stride and regaining some identity it would be such a pity to not give them a fighting chance. Their designs are such a breath of fresh air when compared to everything else.

November 26, 2009 7:52 pm

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Hiromichi

GM decided to pull Opel back and already paid subsidezed cash back to German gevernment. Since Opel shares some platforms and drivelines with Saab, why not GM to keep owning Saab? This helps GM to use more Opel components than doing it just for Opel. However, closure is the best decision to take, if I were a GM management. Because, retaining and feeding brand is so costly. Or. would Saab be a Vauxhall in Skandinavia??

November 27, 2009 12:18 am

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ifudge

Doesn't VW need a Scandanavian brand to add to its stable? They could turn it around and would have the capital to do it.

November 27, 2009 2:50 am

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louisf

Considering that Opel has reluctantly seen its premium models fall away, losing the Diplomat to Senator, then to Omega, is now not the time to reclaim some of that upper territory using Saab as a sub-brand of Opel?

November 27, 2009 2:52 am

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tootall

I really think that Mr. Koenigsegg should really reconsider. If it's money and infrastructure that is the "problem", then they might want to seek out partnership with the most compatible group individuals. I also think that the Swedish government should step in take charge (not 100%) and help out the suffering brand. Something such as an auto manufacturer should not be looked over lightly. It's a well known fact that a country's auto industry contributes a great deal to that country's GDP. I figured if the government steps in(with the corporation of Koenigsegg as well), breathes life to the company and put people to work, things may go well for everyone. They really should not let the brand die.

November 27, 2009 3:10 am

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SZQ

From personal experience...SAABS SUCK That's probably one reason why the Swedish government won't help out. If Koenigsegg wants to buy a car brand then it definitely shouldn't be Saab, but rather a sports car brand.

November 27, 2009 6:11 am

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alessandro

When price go to the bottom will Chinese be there buying these rests of the brand and after some time we will see something like that MG. Hoplesss.

November 27, 2009 12:40 pm

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Saabs were great cars when they were Saabs... But once they became GM's dressed like a Saab it just was a car with a trapezoidal grill and the ignition insert in the center console. The influx of the Japanese near-luxury brands (Lexus, Infiniti, Acura) pretty much stole Saab's market. But honestly given what is already available in the market how many people will buy a Saab even if it were to be given another shot? It could take awhile for the brand image to recover from the GM raping of the brand. It might be better off dead for now...and to bring the brand back from scratch at a later time...

November 27, 2009 3:21 pm

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abdool

Saab has never tried to target a mass market. It was only doctors, lawyers, engineers. But with the new 9-5 design showing a while back it looks like it is aiming for a broader audience. When GM made the decision to buy Saab, it literally did not aid the saab sales or design it just made it worse.

November 28, 2009 2:20 am

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1 reply

xREVENTONx

I dont think they have been aiming at that market. there the only ones with interest. me being only a teenager. my SAAB 9-5 is my first car I bought, which I currently own, I'm no doctor or lawyer. all I bought it cause its the perfect all rounder for a person my age. I mean wtf, its a perfect vehicle. everything is smartly designed, excellent features, very quick response engine, extremely reliable and efficient. and the performance is incredible. (comparing the Saab to V8 cars I have come across :) the point is. the consumer is limiting themselves to what car they feel in society they can or have to own. (I know someone who said a Saab was too good for them. and they were 40. I mean c'mon are you for real.)

November 29, 2009 3:51 pm

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sensei

GM had the chance to make SAAB their turbo tuning division that could then be perfected for cheaper GM cars that would not compete with SAAB. As it stands now, SAAB has no raison d'etre in the GM structure with Cadillac becoming resurgent and Buick getting its legs. Either make the cars be actually "Bron From Jets" or make them niche cars for quirky people. To keep the status quo produces nothing. Maybe a Chinese or Indian buyer will have the money. After all, Americans have been shipping our wealth to those two countries as fast as we could. "We all love America." Some of you people are free to believe that BS and you should enjoy it. Its one of the few free things left that you can do.

November 29, 2009 3:18 am

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xREVENTONx

SAAB is and always will be the best automotive manufacturer around. no doubt what is letting it down is consumers without open minds. most are running to japanese manufactured cars only because they see them on tv, or because they find everyone else has them, why not I have one too. SAAB are one of the leading pioneers in the automotive world. have had excellent 5 star crash saftey ratings since they are the ones who made a lot of innovative features we find in todays BMW and Mercedes Benz cars. If SAAB doesn't have another chance, it means the industry is willing to accept they admit all there ideas (used from SAAB) are no longer needed. therefore where do they stand at this point of time ?

November 29, 2009 2:58 pm

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