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I'm increasingly convinced that the last hope of a future SAAB is a Plan B: Existing SAAB management needs to team up with one or more of the bidders to buy the brand, factory, and whatever subset of the technology they need for future projects and ditch the GM crap... get it at a fire sale price through the liquidation process, and build a business case + fund with VC the new-fashioned way. If they can grab the current 9-3 to keep a line running + do some service work to generate revenue, that might make it more viable. It might be a bit of a long shot, but otherwise, I think SAAB is done. Here's why:
GM does not want to produce a NG9-5. They want to produce an ugly Buick that is otherwise identical (with which the 9-5 would compete). GM must now concentrate on 4 main brands. What they are doing makes business sense. Based on Swade's latest info, I can not see a reason, the NG9-5 production line won't be moved to China to make Buick "NG9-5"s there. This has likely been the plan for a while. Making that Regal GS for the autoshow didn't happen overnight. No doubt the sale negotiations were only marginally in good faith if at all.
To be honest, how many of you are going to line up for an expensive 9-5 that's a re-badged Buick? a 9-4x built in Mexico? These new Saabs may still be great cars, but they are so intertwined with GM, it is hard for a new owner to pull something out of that mess and make an independent business case...
I remember about 4-5 years ago my mechanic was saying he gives SAAB about 5 years before GM shuts it. GM has grabbed all the SAAB technology to put in Buick. They're done. Only hope for SAAB is for someone to take the name, people, and core values, and build something new + cutting edge. Fortunately that is what SAAB was good at before GM. The Swedes are resourceful. Current management is great. IMHO, there is hope, though very slim...
James...
posted by 67.158.7...
, Sat, 9 Jan 2010 12:40:40
, Sat, 9 Jan 2010 13:27:44, Sat, 9 Jan 2010 09:07:33
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