To think that KEgg only now realized Saab is a worthless brand is naif.
I continue to think that the deal wasn't really going to happen, I also think that KEgg will close doors really soon.
Before everyone gets too sloshed from crying into their beer, let's keep one thing in mind - Saab was a dead brand walking when GM took it over in 1990. At that time, the 900 was based on a 22-year old platform and body. The 9000 was a failed experiment in moving upmarket. Sales had fallen through the floor and red ink was flowing everywhere. Maybe GM could have done better during their ownership, but the new 900 for 1994 and the 9-5 seemed like reasonable efforts. Not enough buyers cared by then. It's been panic actions ever since. Saab is a brand whose time has run out, and it looks like Volvo is headed for the same fate.
@tonyola: I checked here and there some old rumors from 2005 who mentionned than Renault eyed Volvo or Saab [jalopnik.com] [jalopnik.com] [jalopnik.com]
Doubtful then Renault is still interested to get Saab but who knows?
@stephdumas: There had been rumors of a Renault-Volvo merger in the late 1970s, and a Saab-Volvo merger had actually been officially proposed in 1979. Apparently Saab shareholders killed that idea.
@tonyola: This is perhaps the best truism about Saab. I had a 1992 9000CS. I loved it. It was bulletproof, comfortable, and an enjoyable car. However,I bought it used at a ridiculously low price. That was and is the main problem with new Saab sales. These cars could never justify their inflated MSRP and their residual values reflect it. Why but a new Saab , when you can buy a slighlty used one for a fraction of the cost. It is not the same with BMW/Mercedes/Lexus?Infinity buyers as their respective vehicles still command decent trade values. Factor the meddling by GM into the design of Saabs from the mid-90's forward ,Saab could really never compete directly with other luxury brands on their merit alone.
@longdx: You make a good point in that despite all of Saab's efforts, it was never able to convince many people that it was a true luxury brand that could compete with the Germans, Lexus, and Infiniti. Saab was not satisfied with making fun, quirky, and moderately priced cars like in the '60s and '70s. Beginning with the '79 900, they kept trying to move upmarket into more profitable territory. It worked for a little while, but as the 99/900 platform aged and the 9000 sat in showrooms unbought, it was clear that people weren't going along with the game. By 1990, things had become hopeless and Saab was desperately looking for a savior - GM, in this case.
Saab for sale
Appetizing Swedish Saab for sale
Saab thats fresh and still unspoiled
Saab thats only slightly soiled
Saab for sale
Who will buy
Who would like to sample their supply
Who's prepared to pay the fee
For a center console key?
Saab for sale
Let the Hoons all rally Saabs
In their Hoonish ways
I know every type of Saab
Better far than they
If you want the thrill of Saab
I've been through the mill of Saab
Old Saab
New Saab
Every Saab but true Saab
Let's review the GM asset sales so far. - Saturn was going to be absorbed by The Penske Group. Didn't happen.
- Opel (Vauxhall) was going to be purchased by Magna, or was it someone else? Anyway, didn't happen.
- Hummer is suppose to be purchased by a Chinese Company. The Jury is still out on this transaction.
- Now SAAB with Kienigsegg....
So far, it looks like GM is batting 1000 when it comes to offing their defunct divisions. Are they asking too much, or are the buyers just becoming aware that there is no value left in these divisions?
@UDMan: Good question. Frankly, I am really glad I am not a big-wig business mogul. I see the weighty, perilous decisions that the heads of my current employer have to make, and I am glad I'm a Beta.
I guess GM realized they have to steal their design cues from someone. Too bad a nice wrapper on an old Opel or Trailblazer doesn't set the world on fire.
@Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet: Fiat could still be, Marchionne the Terrible is always up for new markets. The problem is Saab is not strong on any market. As a Saab owner I'm really sad things didn't work out.
Boom! The narcissistic arrogance of Barack Obama strikes again.
Maybe that's a little unfair, because I can picture Dubya making the same ridiculous pose. But, really, is there a country the rockstar-in-chief hasn't traveled to this year?
And, Ray, it's bad enough I can't go a whole day without seeing the guy's mug plastered all over TV, the interweb and half the magazines on the newsstand. Do I really have to deal with him here, too?
If FromaBuick6 has to watch one more Chevy commercial, he's going to punch Howie Long in the face was starred
If FromaBuick6 has to watch one more Chevy commercial, he's going to punch Howie Long in the face was unstarred
@HurtsSoGood: Of course not. I can fault Dubya for a lot of things, but at least he didn't take over the world's largest provider of Aveos and Forenzas.
If FromaBuick6 has to watch one more Chevy commercial, he's going to punch Howie Long in the face was starred
If FromaBuick6 has to watch one more Chevy commercial, he's going to punch Howie Long in the face was unstarred
11/24/09
I continue to think that the deal wasn't really going to happen, I also think that KEgg will close doors really soon.
11/24/09
11/24/09
[jalopnik.com]
[jalopnik.com]
Doubtful then Renault is still interested to get Saab but who knows?
11/24/09
11/24/09
11/24/09
11/24/09
Appetizing Swedish Saab for sale
Saab thats fresh and still unspoiled
Saab thats only slightly soiled
Saab for sale
Who will buy
Who would like to sample their supply
Who's prepared to pay the fee
For a center console key?
Saab for sale
Let the Hoons all rally Saabs
In their Hoonish ways
I know every type of Saab
Better far than they
If you want the thrill of Saab
I've been through the mill of Saab
Old Saab
New Saab
Every Saab but true Saab
11/24/09
11/25/09
11/24/09
Pontiac: dead
Saturn Deal: off
Opel Deal: off
Saab Deal: off
HUMMER Deal: 不知道.
11/24/09
Still, I've got £3.80 actual cash on me, right now. Put your hands in your pockets, guys.
Do they have a "Buy it now" button?
11/24/09
11/24/09
An
Acrimonious
Breakup
11/24/09
- Opel (Vauxhall) was going to be purchased by Magna, or was it someone else? Anyway, didn't happen.
- Hummer is suppose to be purchased by a Chinese Company. The Jury is still out on this transaction.
- Now SAAB with Kienigsegg....
So far, it looks like GM is batting 1000 when it comes to offing their defunct divisions. Are they asking too much, or are the buyers just becoming aware that there is no value left in these divisions?
11/24/09
11/24/09
[www.thetruthaboutcars.com]
#saab
11/24/09
11/24/09
#tips
11/24/09
11/25/09
11/24/09
11/24/09
I guess a COTD nomination, a golf clap and a promise to buy you a beer if we ever meet in person will have to do...
11/24/09
11/24/09
11/24/09
11/24/09
11/24/09
11/24/09
I guess GM realized they have to steal their design cues from someone. Too bad a nice wrapper on an old Opel or Trailblazer doesn't set the world on fire.
Maybe Peugot or FIAT are still hungry?
11/24/09
11/20/09
Maybe that's a little unfair, because I can picture Dubya making the same ridiculous pose. But, really, is there a country the rockstar-in-chief hasn't traveled to this year?
And, Ray, it's bad enough I can't go a whole day without seeing the guy's mug plastered all over TV, the interweb and half the magazines on the newsstand. Do I really have to deal with him here, too?
11/20/09
11/20/09
11/20/09
I told you, Idiocracy is coming true.
11/20/09
11/20/09
11/20/09
11/20/09
11/20/09