Saab News

With wind-up proceedings into their final phase, and production dropping by the day at its factory in Sweden, the company has now been - finally - sold by General Motors.The new owner of Saab Automobile AB, who paid $82.2 million, is the Dutch supercar maker Spyker Cars. The Spyker deal follows the collapse of a similar sale last year to another supercar company, Koenigsegg. GM bought Saab in the 1980s but never got it to pay its way, partly because it did not spend enough on new products.A new 9-5 is into the final stages of testing and is now likely to hit motor shows, and then showrooms, this year. The sale is confirmed by both Spyker boss Victor Muller and the CEO of General Motors, Ed Whitacre."Today’s announcement is great news for Saab employees, dealers and suppliers, great news for millions of Saab customers and fans worldwide, and great news for GM,” says John Smith, GM's vice- president for corporate planning and alliances. “General Motors, Spyker Cars, and the Swedish government worked very hard and creatively for a deal that would secure a sustainable future for this unique and iconic brand, and we're all happy for the positive outcome."The change of ownership will see the creation of a new company, Saab Spyker Automobiles. The deal is expected to be confirmed in February, following approvals from banks and the Swedish government.

But Victorian Saab enthusiast Steve Bunton was one of 35 Melbourne owners who rallied at the weekend to show their support for the embattled brand.  There were also similar sized protests in Queensland and South Australia.The Australian "Save Saab" campaign was part of a global initiative by 30 Saab clubs around the world to protest plans by General Motors to axe the Swedish company if a buyer cannot be found.In Trollhattan, Sweden, where the 9-3 and 9-5 are built, more than 2000 Saab owners converged on the factory to rally.  Other protests were held in Russia, Britain, North America and Holland.Bunton says the Melbourne rally was "very positive".  "It was great to be a part of it and the mood was very upbeat.  We'd like to see Saab stay in business."Bunton, who owns a classic 900 Aero, is a life member of the Victorian Saab club and edits the club magazine.  He believes if the brand can be sold "there's a good chance its future will be secure".One of the co-ordinators of the global event, Steven Wade, who runs a Saab enthusiast website out of Hobart, said the protest was not one about resentment towards GM."There is a lot of passion about Saab so this event is about showing solidarity, not protest," he said.  "But I'm cautiously optimistic a buyer can be found."  Wade says GM "didn't have a clue about Saab".  "It's very frustrating that a board of old people in Detroit will close it rather than sell it," he says. GM has been trying to sell Saab for more than a year.A deal with Swedish supercar maker Koenigsegg collapsed last month.  Both Bunton and Wade are now hopeful an 11th hour bid by Dutch sports car maker Spyker could save Saab.  They say that if the brand is seen to have support of thousands around the world, a potential buyer may see the value in keeping it alive.More than 35,000 Saabs have been sold here since 1971.Last year it only sold 663 cars locally because of the global speculation about the brand's future.  The company employs 3400 people in Sweden and about 8000 globally.  It has failed to return a profit since 2001.However, the brand is on the verge of a big product offensive, with the new 9-5 sedan and wagon due out this year.  A four-wheel drive is also planned and work on the next-generation 9-3 is also believed to be under way.Saab firstsPioneered mainstream turbocharging (1977)Ignition in the centre console (1967Headlight washers/wipers (1970)Energy-absorbing bumpers (1971)Heated front driver's seat (1971)Cabin air filter (1978) 

While General Motors struggles to find a buyer, following the collapse of a deal with supercar maker Koenigsegg, prototypes of the company's overdue and essential new 9-5 continue to rack up kilometres.The latest to break cover is the all-new 9-5 station wagon.  The car was caught in southern Italy during a huge group test, with Carparazzi photographers reporting a huge contingent of Swedish engineers and drivers in a range of cars.The 9-5 wagon — or Estate as it's called in Europe — is set for an on- sale date toward the end of 2010, always providing Saab is still operating by them.  It is one of four new Saab models scheduled for the next 18 months, from the 9-5 sedan to the wagon, 9-4X crossover and finally the crucial new 9-3.The wagon prototype is said to be very close to the finished car, from the way it looks to the wheel trims and even the production panels hidden beneath the camouflage pieces. European sources say 70 per cent of the design and engineering work has been done directly by Saab, with the rest of the input coming from GM Europe's base in Russelsheim in Germany.

Several other companies are taking an interest in the homeless brand after last week's announcement that sportscar maker Koenigsegg had withdrawn its bid.  Swedish government officials and Saab CEO Jan Ake Jonsson have already met in Detroit ahead of the General Motors board meeting later today to determine Saab's future.Since Koenigsegg withdrew, other bidders have stepped up.  They include the Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Corp, US investment company Merbanco Inc and US private equity firm Renco Group, owned by US billionaire businessman Ira Rennert.It is the second time Beijing Auto has come to the Saab table.  It previously partnered with Koenigsegg in the latest deal that fell off the table.The Swedish Government is under pressure to rescue Saab but high level politicians say health care is more important than rescuing a car company, despite the fact that up to 8000 jobs are at risk.  Saab started life as an aircraft manufacturer and has built a solid reputation for high-quality, safe performance cars.GM bought 50 per cent of Saab in 1989 and acquired the rest in 2000.  However, it has struggled to make money from the quirky brand with many analysts suggesting GM did not understand the brand.

One of Europe's most respected carmakers, Saab, is teetering on the edge of collapse.  Its future is in doubt after suitor, Swedish sportscar maker Koenigsegg cancelled plans to acquire the struggling brand.Scott Whiffin, a spokesman for Saab Australia, which operates under GM Premium Brands locally, said the company and the 14 local dealers were still digesting the news.  "It wasn't something that was being anticipated," he said."What's happening now is that the GM team at the pointy end of this process have said they'll take a couple of days to work it through.  "So we won't see any next-step type developments until at least next week."Whiffin said the local operations would continue business "as usual".  "Warranties will continue to be honoured, servicing arrangements remain unchanged and there will be no issues with receiving spare parts," he said.The decision by the Koenigsegg Group AB has shocked General Motors executives.  US reports are suggesting that when GM meets next week the 60-year-old brand will be wound down. "We're obviously very disappointed with the decision to pull out of the Saab purchase," GM President and CEO, Fritz Henderson, said."Many have worked tirelessly over the past several months to create a sustainable plan for the future of Saab by selling the brand and its manufacturing interests to Koenigsegg Group AB.  "Given the sudden change in direction, we will take the next several days to assess the situation."Koenigsegg head, Christian von Koenigsegg, said delays in completing the deal "have led to risks and uncertainties that prevent us from successfully carrying out our business plan for Saab Automobile".  Saab has struggled globally and locally, with sales plummeting in recent years.Local sales have dipped 34 per cent this year with the company selling just 653 vehicles.  Globally it sold just 93,300 cars last year with Europe accounting for the bulk of sales.  Along with Saab, GM has been offloading its underperforming brands.In September a deal to sell its Saturn division to the Penske Automotive Group fell through and GM axed the brand.  It has decided to hold on to its European Opel group but the sale of Hummer to Chinese heavy-equipment maker Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Co is still pending.GM acquired a 50 per cent stake in Saab in 1989, buying up the balance in 2000.

Saab's Alcokey concept was created in 2004 and was submitted to wide-ranging tests in Sweden, funded partly by the National Swedish Road Administration. It was expected to be released as an optional extra costing about $500 and available in most Saab models within two years in Europe. However, Saab Australia senior product planner Derek Tsao said the program was put on hold. "The official word is that the Alcokey is on hold as we finalise the re-structure of the new Saab, then it is planned to be introduced into the next generation of vehicles," he said. He said Saab did not clarify the timeframe. Meanwhile, Toyota has produced a similar key that prevents drink drivers from starting their car and say it will be available in Australia in a couple of years. The Saab and Toyota devices require the driver blow into the key fob device and, if it detects an illegal alcohol reading, it locks the ignition. The Saab key will not mobilise again until a suitable breath sample is supplied, but does not prevent someone else in the car blowing for the driver. Toyota has solved this problem by including a digital camera in the hand-held breathalyser. It photographs the driver's face to prevent a false reading from someone other than the driver. Toyota is testing the device with its wholly owned truck subsidiary, Hino Motors. The breath-alcohol ignition-interlock system is designed to help companies and organisations manage their fleet-vehicle operations. It will be installed on selected trucks and other vehicles of Japanese transport companies and tested over the next three months. The tests will verify system functionality, particularly ease-of-use in real-world situations. While other alcohol-detecting devices exist, they are fitted to the dashboard or door locks, not the ignition key.

With the current model 9-5 now more than 10 years old, the newcomer signals the dawn of a new era for the brand. Supercar maker Koenigsegg is stepping in to buy the embattled General Motors-owned carmaker and it will return to Swedish control after more than 20 years. This makes the arrival of the newest 9-5 critical to pave the way for future models, according to Saab Automobile's managing director, Jan-ke Jonsson. The 9-5 is sleek, sophisticated and unmistakably Saab and gets its first airing at the Frankfurt Motor Show in two weeks. It will go on sale here next year. The car's styling is influenced by the award-winning Aero X concept car and pays homage to some traditional Saab design cues. Like Saabs of old, it will have a range of aircraft-inspired innovations like a head-up information display and the car's cabin is an evolution of its cockpit design. Like its rivals, it will get adaptive bi-Xenon headlights, adaptive cruise control, adaptive chassis tuning, keyless entry and starting, dual-zone climate control and dynamic parking assistance. Saab's all-wheel drive, called XWD, and its eLSD limited slip differential will also be available. The range kicks off in Europe with a 134kW 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel with CO2 emissions of 139g/km, as well as a 164kW 2.0-litre petrol turbo engine. All-wheel drive will be available on the top-of-the-line 223kW/400Nm 2.8-litre V6 turbo. Later a smaller 120kW 1.6-litre petrol turbo will be introduced, together with a 2.0-litre BioPower E85 engine. All transmissions will be six-speed. Jonsson says the company has leveraged its heritage in key areas of the car's design. Visually the front is defined by a deep grille flanked with curving, eyebrow headlights. The ‘disguised’ windshield and side A-pillars are reminiscent of the classic 900 model. Other Saab design cues are evident in the hockey stick belt-line, the strong rear C-pillars and the flowing roofline into the boot. Inside the cabin there is more leg and shoulder room, particularly in the back. The driver-focused cockpit is traditional Saab with a stop/start button replacing the ignition key on the centre console next to the gearshift.

The Frankfurt Motor Show literally roared to life this morning when a classic BMW 507 roadster ran laps of a custom-built oval track inside the German carmaker's $30 million stand.

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With the ink drying on the General Motors sale of the carmaker to Swedish supercar maker Koenigsegg, images of a sleek new flagship 9-5 have surfaced ahead of its official unveiling at next month's Fr