Closehttp://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/Saab-9-5/246077/
http://www.autocar.co.uk/blogs/autocarconfidential/archive/2009/12/18/what-went-wrong-for-saab.aspx
If that is true it is very sad indeed. A blow for European industry.
GM has committed a crime destroying this individual and respected car brand. A brand that could have become a new BMW if it was in the right hands.
I posted that a couple weeks back.
A different way of looking at it is the GM kept Saab alive a lot longer than it would have otherwise. It is reported that Saab NEVER made a profit while they owned it.
And where are these other hands now that it is for sale dirt cheap.
Have you bought a Saab lately?
racerx:
Have you bought a Saab lately?
NO! But before the GM acquisition SAAB cars were very well respected for their performance, individuality and robustness. SAAB offered a very good foundation on which GM could have built in order to present a true BMW and AUDI rival.
Unfortunately, the present state of finances, technology and market share at SAAB after 20 years of GM is such that nobody wants to touch it anymore.
R.I.P.
One of my HS football teammates father owned a Saab and I got a few rides home from practice in that car. This was around 1980. It had a unique look, but it wasn't anything special beyond that.
No power and to my knowledge no great technical advancements.
It was a nice shape, Yes.
Dec 18, 2009 8:46:26 PM
it is evident that through mis-management, GM ruined this beautiful car brand. I always had a soft spot for SAABs everthough they might have terrible reliability.
+1 Reginos GM could have benefited from the platform but failed to do so in any way, shape or form.
R.I.P. SAAB
FAIL = GM
indeed shifting is ancient technology - so is a fuel burning engine.. I happen to like both :)
_____________________________________________________________________
1984 BMW 323i 5spd 2.3L 141 hp (105 kW) More door. Black on black (parting out)
1986 BMW 325e 5spd 2.7L 121 hp (172 lb·ft) Le Mans Blau on Tan leather.
1986 BMW 325is 5spd 2.5L 168 hp (164 lb-ft) White on Tan leather (parted out)
2005 Ford Focus S, 5spd 2.0L 136 hp (120lb-ft) CD silver on grey (sold)
1986 Porsche 944, 5spd 2.5L 150 hp (168lb-ft) champagne gold on grown leather. (sold)
Dec 18, 2009 9:04:47 PM
That is definately sad to hear, GM obviously chose a rather unsettled path with Opel and Saab. I would be curious about the negotiation details as I do think that the brand would´ve had potential, especially after the new 9-5´s presentation.
Obviously, the Chinese manufacturer BIAC has acquired technology and production tools for the 9-3 and 9-5 models. That certainly didn´t make the deal more attractive for Spyker. 
Saab had it's hey day in the 80's.
They made interesting looking cars with a feverent following, but they weren't really anything special inside or performance wise.
I remember back in 2001 I drove a fully loaded 9-3 convertible on loan from GM, and it was the most god awful car I had driven in years. No refinement, no steering feel, torque steer like a bitch when I put my foot in it, anemic engine until the turbo spooled up, and then it hit like an ON/OFF switch when they did, and the chassis twisted and flexed like a Flexible Flyer sled.
Yeah, GM could have done more with the brand, but then again - it's not like Saab was really on par with BMW or Audi to begin with, so they couldn't get the premium Euro pricing out of it.
Saab was like in this nether region here in the states ... something above a Volkswagen - on par with Volvo - below BMW/Audi
...the only thing stopping you in all likelihood, is you!
Sad and very grim for all employees and suppliers.
That said, they really were terrible cars. Friends (who aren't car people) have recently bought 9-3 cabs and 9-3 saloons. Leasing companies seemed to be able to get them for a song given the leasing deals available. For a mode of transport to get you from A to B they suffice.
Just like life is about getting from cradle to grave.....isn't it?
Spyker have finally bought SAAB
http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/246896/
Good luck to both, SAAB deserve to stay alive 
Jan 27, 2010 1:05:15 AM
yeah if GM is alive, Lada from 1941 should be as well. certainly SAAB since they actually make nice stuff. (Not including the US cars with SAAB badge).
indeed shifting is ancient technology - so is a fuel burning engine.. I happen to like both :)
_____________________________________________________________________
1984 BMW 323i 5spd 2.3L 141 hp (105 kW) More door. Black on black (parting out)
1986 BMW 325e 5spd 2.7L 121 hp (172 lb·ft) Le Mans Blau on Tan leather.
1986 BMW 325is 5spd 2.5L 168 hp (164 lb-ft) White on Tan leather (parted out)
2005 Ford Focus S, 5spd 2.0L 136 hp (120lb-ft) CD silver on grey (sold)
1986 Porsche 944, 5spd 2.5L 150 hp (168lb-ft) champagne gold on grown leather. (sold)
Jan 27, 2010 4:18:05 PM
Some of the car brands I would NEVER EVER buy or drive:
Volvo (my last XC60 encounter was enough for me)
Saab
Citroen
Peugeot
Lada
Skoda
Daihatsu
Hyundai
Trabant
Moskvich
Dacia
Daewoo
Saturn
--
RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor 997 Turbo, BMW X5 M (03/2010), BMW M3 Cab DKG, Mini Cooper S JCW
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