How was that with Saab and Opel?

Arguing is not good and writing triggers something. As in the Saab and Opel case, the consequences can be devastating. Or, as happened this week, the start of a lot of fun. The “La Bella Rossa” article went online on Wednesday. A nice red cabriolet from Italy.

How was it with Saab and Opel

Much further west, at the other end of Europe, friend Lizi read the story. He likes red cars with beige leather, you have to know that. As luck would have it, a suitable convertible is waiting for its new owner near Barcelona.

Red & Hot

A crazy idea spread, emails flew back and forth between Germany and Spain and there were phone calls. Certainly because our time is very serious and largely fun-free, it spontaneously turned into a project. “Red & Hot” says a lot. What could become of it lies in the future.

The first part of the looming story goes online in the new week. Perhaps the project will stay with us longer, or it will only be a very short episode. We don't know, because the best stories are written by life itself.

How was it with Saab and Opel?

Back to the argument. Saab and Opel never had a relationship characterized by harmony. When I first heard stories about Opel from Saab people, I initially classified them as temporary antipathy. Picked up from the situation because Saab was in a difficult position.

It wasn't until much later that I realized that there was a chronic mutual antipathy behind this. It's a shame, because both companies were rowers in the same boat. Instead of rowing to the beat, both parties wasted energy on deepening mutual dislike. The result is known. One patient is already dead, the other is in a French sanatorium, but the palliative care ward is just one room away.

Former Opel engine developer Prof. Dr. Fritz Indra tells part of the Saab story from an Opel point of view on the YouTube channel “Alte Schule”. He does it in his charming, entertaining way, with a bit of Viennese humor. Definitely worth listening to, and the Saab episode is kicking off.

And even after the Saab story, it's interesting to stay tuned a little further. Indra is still well informed and advises in the industry. What he reports on China and on-site engine development should make us think.

What's happening on the blog in the new week?

The following exciting topics are prepared for our subscribers:

What's going on in Sweden? A look behind the scenes of NEVS and behind the ever denser Great Wall of China.

  • NEVS present and future - more Chinese than ever

The second part of the comparison between Saab 9000 and 9-5 is coming!

  • The better design? 9-5 Aero vs. Saab 9000

Culture falls short in these times. We're doing something about that. Ponchielli, Bizet, Strauss and Dvorak come to the readers. With Saab, of course, we invite you to attend the ballet.

  • Culture in three acts - Saab's car ballet

It is definitely worth a subscription Book your session, and so to support the blog project.

The coming week will be warmer, the temperatures are rising, the frost is slowly disappearing.

It's getting hot here. Glowing Saab passion simmers.

4 thoughts on "How was that with Saab and Opel?"

  • Who's up here? When an Opel engineer says that Saab has “a usable car” - oh man!

    Prof. Indra speaks of 1998, but forgets that there has been a 50% cooperation since 1990, 900 II and 9-5 I. He makes fun of the asymmetrically charged V6 ...
    The talk about the 2-stroke marine diesel is also flawed. He should know in which direction the exhaust gases have to be blown out when giving lectures like this 😉

  • @AERO-9-3,

    that also concerns me - who wore which nose too high when where ...

    Very exciting question. Despite some innovations and in-house developments, Saab does not present itself to me as a traditional innovator and driver.

    The automobile was only discovered after WW II. Own engines again much later. What runs through it is a certain claim. Never to the detriment of the customer. But a little more humility and respect for the competition might not have hurt either?

    I dont know. But I lack the certain claim to want to go my own way. Today no manufacturer embodies this anymore. There seems to be only one way ...

    The world without Saab somehow seems poorer to me, without being able to really grasp it ...

  • Thanks for the Indra interview. Insightful ... Shows that a change of perspective is justified. The SAAB story is presented “differently”. I think it becomes clearer why it was no longer enough for SAAB at the end. Too much small, too much clinging to old successes.
    I would not have thought that SAABians would not stick to agreements during development ... They would then (if it was so, as shown) their noses quite high!

  • Thanks, the video with Indra is interesting. He talks very well about the Saab time, even if I cringe at some statements. Was it really that bad?

    Happy Sunday everyone!

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