SAAB goes under

[Uncamitzi]

Came across this today...
Sad actually.

Saab files for bankruptcy as attempt to rebuild fails

By Jerry Hirsch

Los Angeles Times
First published Dec 19 2011 05:21PM
Updated 48 minutes ago

Saab no more.

Saab Automobile, the quirky Swedish automaker that liked to advertise its heritage as a fighter jet producer, filed for bankruptcy Monday, ending a two-year effort to revive the business after it was spun off by General Motors Co.

“Some enthusiasts in the U.S. will lament its end,” said Aaron Bragman, an analyst with IHS Automotive. “Back in the 1970s and 1980s, it was an innovative brand with some unusual powertrains. They did turbocharging of small engines long before others did.”

A segment of auto buyers also gravitated to Saab because it was so different from U.S. carmakers, and even from other European brands, Bragman said.

But there weren’t enough buyers of the distinctive nameplate. Saab has sold just 5,305 vehicles in the U.S. so far this year, down sharply from a peak of 48,250 in 1986.

Saab CEO Victor Muller personally handed in the bankruptcy application to a court in southwest Sweden, according to The Associated Press.

His efforts to rebuild the company were stymied by GM. The U.S. automaker refused to allow Saab to transfer technology that the Swedish business had licensed from GM to Chinese investors who had planned to rescue the firm.

[subeman90]

Originally Posted by Uncamitzi

His efforts to rebuild the company were stymied by GM. The U.S. automaker refused to allow Saab to transfer technology that the Swedish business had licensed from GM to Chinese investors who had planned to rescue the firm.

it is easier to pass the blame then to admit that your car line really sucks and all you have been doing for the last few years is rebadging Subarus and Chevys.

An Eco-tech engine belongs in a cavalier not a freakin Saab.

If only you would have learned to put the key on the steering column.

[1986nate]

Originally Posted by subeman90

it is easier to pass the blame then to admit that your car line really sucks and all you have been doing for the last few years is rebadging Subarus and Chevys.

An Eco-tech engine belongs in a cavalier not a freakin Saab.

If only you would have learned to put the key on the steering column.

Ecotec was taken from Saab. That is the main reason GM bought Saab in the first place was for the turbo technology.

[benebob]

Originally Posted by subeman90

If only you would have learned to put the key on the steering column.

The location of the key is really not a concern of mine. The location of the coolant on the other hand is. Phone ring yet?

[SubaruJawn]

subaru probably could have saved Saab if subaru bought them.
built them like subaru's

Saab would have been saved. in my belief anyway

i thought for sure chevy could have, but find out they couldnt

[svxcess]

Originally Posted by subeman90

it is easier to pass the blame then to admit that all you have been doing for the last few years is rebadging Subarus and Chevys.

I agree. My idea of a distinctive, innovative automobile, that SAAB used to be known for a very short time, is NOT a Subaru Impreza wagon with a cheap front end body kit and a few other tweaks...




And brought to you from the same company that brought you the SVX.



.

[SilverSpear]

Originally Posted by subeman90

If only you would have learned to put the key on the steering column.

Originally Posted by SubaruJawn

subaru probably could have saved Saab if subaru bought them. built them like subaru's

Saab would have been saved. in my belief anyway

I think SAAB should start with changing their name before anything else. Then they need to hire one heck of a designer and modify their ugly cars... third, they definitely need to use easier and more user friendly mechanicals and electricals.

Over here they have practically no real market.

[subeman90]

Originally Posted by 1986nate

Ecotec was taken from Saab. That is the main reason GM bought Saab in the first place was for the turbo technology.

ok you are wrong, but so am I: "Designed for efficiency and performance
The Ecotec engine,GM’s first truly global
powerplant,was designed and developed by an
international team of 230 engineers and technicians
that included personnel from Opel’s International
Technical Development Center in Rüsselsheim,
Germany; GM Powertrain in Pontiac,Mich.; and
Saab in Trollhättan, Sweden. All of the engine
components were modeled in three dimensions
using GM’s advanced computer-aided design
software. The Ecotec is manufactured in modern
GM Powertrain facilities in Tonawanda, N.Y., Spring
Hill, Tenn., and Kaiserslautern, Germany.
Ecotec’s architecture offers tremendous versatility.
Introduced in 2000, the Ecotec now powers 16
GM vehicles worldwide, including Saturn, Pontiac,
Chevrolet, Saab, Opel and Vauxhall models. It is
produced in 1.8-, 2.0-, 2.2- and 2.4-liter versions."

from: http://www.solsticeforum.com/forum/f...history-57781/


I still stand behind my previous statement: An Ecotec engine belongs in a cavalier not a freakin Saab.

[subeman90]

Originally Posted by benebob

The location of the key is really not a concern of mine. The location of the coolant on the other hand is. Phone ring yet?

coolant still missing. It is the only magic trick a subaru knows.

[SVX92-97]

Maybe Subaru will buy them and bring back the SVX. Imagine this, the Saab SVX

[SubaruJawn]

first i thought subaru would introduce a new branch.

Alcyone the Band

bringing back the XT,SVX and a new 6 cylinder model based on the FB Engine.

[Green1995SVX]

I'm probably going to get flamed for this, but I just love Saabs. I love the styling. I love the way they look, and they are actually very reliable cars. There are some exceptions to this as there are with models from any manufacturer. Saab's creativity and quality were stifled by GM, for sure. I truly feel that if it were not for GM, Saab would be alive and well right now.

[SilverSpear]

Originally Posted by Green1995SVX

I'm probably going to get flamed for this, but I just love Saabs. I love the styling. I love the way they look, and they are actually very reliable cars. There are some exceptions to this as there are with models from any manufacturer. Saab's creativity and quality were stifled by GM, for sure. I truly feel that if it were not for GM, Saab would be alive and well right now.

LOL J/K

[subeman90]

Originally Posted by Green1995SVX

Saab's creativity and quality were stifled by GM, for sure. I truly feel that if it were not for GM, Saab would be alive and well right now.

no flame from me. I agree eleventry billion with this.

[dcarrb]

What will the few hundred people people in Vermont who don't drive Subarus drive now?

dcb