Saab: November storm over southern Sweden

Update 10: 06 / 12: 07

Yesterday a November storm raged over southern Sweden, which also visited Trollhättan and there caused damage. A bad omen for our carmaker? Maybe, because in Sweden there is a lot going on for Saab or, as we have often said, hanging by a thread.

While the former Ford subsidiary Volvo has very ambitious plans and plans to create new jobs by the year 2020 10.000, the former GM subsidiary Saab is in bad shape.

The problem still lies in Detroit. It's the licensing problem that Volvo doesn't have as Ford was the better owner. GM, on the other hand, has built in so many pitfalls in the hasty sale that one could almost speak of bad intentions.

On Friday, Saab submitted a new ownership structure proposal to General Motors. Youngman and Pang Da each acquire 40%, another partner which is to protect the licensing rights of GM, takes over 20%. Now it is up to the Americans to give their consent.

If you refuse approval in the US, then the November storm comes over the factory in the Stallbacka. Because, without the licenses from the United States, everything is open. It is difficult to say how the Chinese partners will govern in a final rejection.

Wages and salaries for Saab employees are still uncertain, as Youngman and Pang Da may want to pay but not pay. From Beijing one hears that the release takes place only when the problem with the license rights is clarified.

The unions have already positioned themselves to revive the bankruptcy petition today. At the moment they are still waiting for information from Saab, but there is still an eerie silence. So Saab Drama 2.0 in Sweden? It almost seems so.

A Swedish source reports positive signals from various directions, but also told me that the negotiations are very slow and difficult.

I am afraid that we will need strong nerves again this week. Even if it's hard, let's stay calm, let's stay brave. Let's see what the week brings.

Text: tom@saabblog.net

4 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline feedback
View all comments
Creativ
Creativ
12 years earlier

So personally, I would prefer Alfa Romeo as a potential partner ... Both are relatively similar in mentality. Alfa and SAAB want to keep and continue their design (as well as various brand-typical properties), but are keen on new technologies and innovations ... Ultimately, everyone would benefit, I think: SAAB would become a little sportier (from the suitability and co.) And Alfa would be safer will.

Joachim
Joachim
12 years earlier

I see the possibilities for our automaker SAAB automobiles as well as in the blog of SAAB REISEN (Berlin) presented (the people of GM should also block the latest proposals, because competition on the China market could sprout up):

Due to the now low purchase price SAAB could fit another European carmaker well in the Portofolio - I could imagine this with the Italian Fiat Group or with Renault in France. These manufacturers are not well represented in the China market and GM would not need to worry about their competition there.

Incidentally, competition for competitive products would not actually be an obstacle - GM's behavior says a lot about one's own self-esteem (quality of the products) and social behavior in general. It is actually simply questionable that this company was helped on its feet with billions in aid from the American tax fund!

Greetings from Hamburg

Joachim

TT
TT
12 years earlier
Reply to  Joachim

Would be nice if a European would seriously be interested in Saab. Fiat's too busy with Chrysler at the moment than they would care about Saab now. And they have with Lancia already a premium alternative in the group. The German BMW and Daimler are well stocked in the same segment and are therefore out of the question. VW has a suitable brand for each segment anyway and therefore it is not necessary Saab too still to incorporate. After all, only the French are left. Maybe Mr. Müller should just call Renault and start Saab there a bit.
Renault has except Infiniti, which here, no one wants to have, nothing to offer in the premium area. Would be a bargain for Renault. It's been a while since I was infected by Tom's vision Saab 2017. Since I already thought that this would not be any more with Mr. Müller alone and with Mr. Antonov, I chose Renault as the new owner for Saab. Also, license problems with GM were included in my vision. Tom actually wanted to post it on the blog at that time. Maybe he'll catch up on it now if he thinks now a positive vision could distract a bit from the whole theater

Joachim
Joachim
12 years earlier
Reply to  TT

Hello Peter,

we're almost on the same wavelength - but I don't see the Lancia thing quite the way you do.

Lancia actually has nothing more to offer Europeans in the upscale segment. There are, even with the Lancia emblem, the clunky and ugly large Chrysler - with rear-wheel drive (the so-called “moving wall unit”). SAAB could close the gaping gap here - and Renault would also need to act in relation to the upper class!

So, Mr Muller, off to our European neighbors - there was also a successful collaboration with Fiat and Lancia during the development of the SAAB 9000.

Joachim