![]() |
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 8,673
|
SAAB Story, part 10
GM just announced that the sale to Spyker is done, although it sounds like there are several t's to be crossed and i's to be dotted - all possible reasons for it to fall through.
One is that the v. shady Antonov (Russian investor) must leave the company (Spyker). GM Sells Saab To Spyker I hope SAAB survives, mostly because I've owned a number of them ('73 99E, SPG, to a '99 Viggen) and thought they were great cars. Sad that all they have been for decade at least are just re-grilled Opels, not that that's bad, but the lack the CHARACTER. |
||
![]() |
|
Registered
Join Date: Jul 2000
Posts: 5,726
|
I hate to see Saab go. I think the Ecotech 4 cyl that they made for GM had a lot of potential.
__________________
drew1 wife has 924 turbo |
||
![]() |
|
Did you get the memo?
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Wichita, KS
Posts: 32,351
|
The two Saabs I've owned were great cars, I genuinely hope they can keep their doors open.
__________________
‘07 Mazda RX8-8 Past: 911T, 911SC, Carrera, 951s, 955, 996s, 987s, 986s, 997s, BMW 5x, C36, C63, XJR, S8, Maserati Coupe, GT500, etc |
||
![]() |
|
Hell Belcho
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Oz
Posts: 9,249
|
I hope Spyker allows some version of the Aero X concept to be built.
__________________
Saved by the buoyancy of citrus. |
||
![]() |
|
Cars & Coffee Killer
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: State of Failure
Posts: 32,246
|
The other day I was walking out of the gym at night and I saw the outline of a rather striking car. I thought to myself that BMW had finally gotten its s*** together in the post-Bangle era. As I passed in front of the car, I had a moment of cognitive dissonance as I realized that I was looking at a Saab.
__________________
Some Porsches long ago...then a wankle... 5 liters of VVT fury now -Chris "There is freedom in risk, just as there is oppression in security." |
||
![]() |
|
Banned
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: South of Heaven
Posts: 21,159
|
I liked my Saab 900SE Turbo. I hope they survive too.
|
||
![]() |
|
![]() |
Registered
Join Date: Oct 1999
Posts: 8,673
|
|||
![]() |
|
Registered
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: OK
Posts: 12,730
|
it should be interesting to see what they come up with
__________________
76' 911s Signature Edition |
||
![]() |
|
Registered
|
My buddy had a 900 Turbo "slob" in high school. That thing was always in the shop. Then again he drove it pretty hard.
__________________
1979 911 SC Silver 2002 996 race car 2005 Ford Excursion |
||
![]() |
|
Registered
|
Just some stuff I read today -
Spyker buys Saab for $75MM Sweden loans Saab EUR 400MM Spkyer's owner loans Saab $105MM to repay Saab's existing bank loans Spkyer gets a EUR 150MM backup credit facility from a hedge fund. GM will continue building the 9-4X and providing components, engines, etc. Not sure for how long. Saab lost EUR 300MM on EUR 1.6BN revenue in 2008, selling 95K cars (produced 89K). In 2009 it lost EUR 400MM on EUR 1BN revenue, selling 39K cars (produced only 21K, so inventory must be dry). Spyker lost EUR 24MM on EUR 8MM revenue in 2008. In 1H09 it lost EUR 9MM on EUR 4MM revenue. They sell about 20 cars a year. Don't know if above losses are cash losses. Probably actual cash losses are a good bit smaller.
__________________
1989 3.2 Carrera coupe; 1988 Westy Vanagon, Zetec; 1986 E28 M30; 1994 W124; 2004 S211 What? Uh . . . “he” and “him”? |
||
![]() |
|
Registered
|
The deal is complete.
From Just-Auto:
23 February 2010 Dutch luxury carmaker Spyker's protracted purchase of Saab from General Motors was finally completed late on Tuesday afternoon. The Dutch company inked the deal transferring ownership at 16:30CET, with Saab exiting liquidation shortly before the agreement was closed. Saab Automobile and Spyker Cars will operate as sister companies under the umbrella of the Amsterdam Euronext listed parent company Spyker Cars NV. "From today we will be concentrating all of our efforts into reviving Saab and transforming it into a sustainable and profitable company with the confidence to be bold," said Spyker Cars CEO Victor Muller in a statement. "Through this acquisition we add approximately EUR15 per share in equity and EUR60 of assets. With a well funded business plan in place we are looking forward to working with Saab's management on the realisation of that plan and bringing exciting new products to our customers." Saab CEO Jan Ake Jonsson will retain his title and confirmed the new company's intention to carry out its business plan, beginning with the introduction of the new 9-5 model later this year. "This transaction represents the successful outcome of months of hard work and intense negotiations, all aimed at securing a sustainable future for this unique brand, and we are pleased with the positive outcome," said GM vice president for corporate planning and alliances John Smith, who was the US automaker's key negotiator in recent months. SWEDEN: Spyker successfully secures Saab: Automotive News & Comment
__________________
Ray H. 1979 911SC Coupe 2000 986 |
||
![]() |
|
Registered
|
Back In Production
Production lines at newly independent Saab Automobile's Trollhattan plant began rolling again on Monday (22 March).
CEO Jan Ake Jonsson, new owner Spyker Cars' CEO Victor Muller and Trollhattan Plant Director Gunnar Brunius took up positions on the line alongside assembly workers as the first batch of cars was built. Production at Trollhattan plant was originally halted for seven weeks. The first cars to be built by Saab as an independent company will soon be delivered to customers. "Today's resumption of production is a milestone in the history of our company" said Jonsson. "We are up and running as an independent manufacturer and I am delighted to share the experience on the line alongside our workforce. They have shown tremendous commitment to the company and we are all now focused on ramping up production to meet customer demand." First on the line was a redesigned Saab 9-5 sedan, destined to join a test fleet prior to the model's official launch later this year. Further down the line was a 9-3 convertible, now also being produced in Trollhattan as part of the concentration of Saab operations in Sweden. With the introduction of the new 9-5 SportCombi next year, a total of five model lines will be produced at the plant. "We have a highly flexible, world-class facility here at Trollhattan," said plant director Gunnar Brunius. "Our ability to build so many different models in one location improves plant utilisation and will deliver valuable efficiency gains. With these state-of-the-art facilities and a dedicated workforce, we are in excellent shape." Muller said: "Everyone at Saab has worked extremely hard to reach this important point. Today production restarted with a new 9-5 first down the line - a fitting symbol that a new era has begun." SWEDEN: Independent Saab resumes output: Automotive News & Comment
__________________
Ray H. 1979 911SC Coupe 2000 986 |
||
![]() |
|
![]() |
![]() |
Thread Tools | |
Rate This Thread | |
|