Robert Collin has called him a playboy adventurer and his purchase of Saab a joke.
Mickey Mouse thinks that we who belive in the purchase of Saab by Koenigsegg are wet-dreamers who should wake up.
And the Scandinavian media is so hot on Bard Eker’s tail that he shut up shop and refused to speak until ‘the proper time’.
If you thought people weren’t interested in Saab’s purchase story, think again…..
Bård Ekere are tired of the influx of media around the Saab-purchase.
Founder and owner Koeningsegg Bård Ekere races against the influx of media in connection with a possible purchase of Saab, writes FredrikBlad.
I noted that some media boils on previous statements, but I do not say anything about SAAB-issue now. FredrikBlad, and all other media will wait until the time has come, says Ekere to the newspaper.
Personally, I’m pleased he’s decided to stop talking. Technically, this decision is still up in the air until the owners of GM – the US government – give it the green light.
But more than that, though, I’d love to see the Koenigsegg group do things on their own terms rather than bow to the demands of the mainstream media.
You might think that shunning some of the media is a bad idea. This is a good-news story and it should be told – and it will. But I tend to think that Koenigsegg should take more control of their message.
This is something that Saab themselves have done in the last few months.
When they began this separation process, there was a whole section of the media that didn’t even believe that Saab could be sold. Some said that there was nothing worthwhile selling.
What did Saab do?
They decided to pick and choose who got the stories. That’s why some media outlets got a preview drive of the new Saab 9-5 and others didn’t.
Want to cover the Saab story fairly? Come on over and let’s talk!
Want to talk like this deal, and Saab itself, have absolutely no chance? You can watch while everyone else coveres the story from the source.
——
This is probably a selfish philosophy on my part as I’ve got a vested interest in advocating this position.
See, I really think that no car company has taken full control of their communications in the way that the internet age could allow them to. This world that we live in has the potential to allow a company to connect directly with their customers in a way that few companies have tried before.
What we do here at SU and on other community-based sites is communicate a company’s message directly to the people who want to hear it.
You might think that’s a small audience. A number of people who buy a car might research it a little on the web beforehand, but few will continue on afterwards.
But with the interest that Saab will gain from the Koenigsegg connection, that number is going to grow. It’s the enthusiasts who hit the web and if Koenigsegg and Saab want to control their message, this is a way they can do it.
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{ 21 comments }
Gunilla Gustavs on the salesprocess over at E24.se:
“We are closer now than we were friday”
Good. Wonder if it will be done by today? The 17´th is realy close. And I bet that creditors including the state is anxious to know in good time before the meating.
By the way.. Bård is a cool guy. I just hope that JÅJ will join the ride and that he continues as manager.
Closer today because soon it will be daylight in the US. I think the man’s name is Judge Gerber, or something like that. Once he gives the OK, Saab or GM should be able to put out their press releases.
Swade.. Do you believe that JÅJ will try to stay on as manager of Saab? Do you believe that a new owner would like to hold on to him?
In my view JÅJ is the driving force behind Saab. A man with equal amounts of passion as that of Bård Eker, but in a more down to earth way. And he is used to running a big business. I believe that Saab needs his kind of leadership. JÅJ is a true hero in my eyes.
I agree, for 101 percent…
Well I wouldn’t place to much faith in what certain media pundits say – they have a perspective that is aimed at getting themselves attention and their own future noticed. If they get it right they can claim the fame – but if they get it wrong they know that any particular piece they write is soon forgotten in the real developments.
Lets see what eventuates in a day or two – the promise of the news to date is something we couldn’t have predicted a very short time ago and is incredibly positive.
GB
Swade..If the news of a definitive sale comes when you have climbed into bed for your well deserved Z´s you will go ape I´m sure.. Or ARE you in “Vampire mode”?
Cheers/Tom
As I think I wrote some days ago, the creditors meeting th 17th is no problem. They already got support from an almost absolut majority.
What kind of problem does this Robert Collin have with Saab and K-Egg? Has he always been a Saab-Hater? Risky position for the reputation of a so-called journalist…
I think Collin is just showing some healthy skepticism. Until we now where the money comes from, the idea of Koenigsegg and/or Eker buying and operation Saab Automobile is just a fairy tale. And the way Eker has talked about this deal shows he is not ready for the major league yet in terms of business and PR.
@Gunnar.. No, he is not a Saab Hater. He favours other makes thats all. Volvo always get top grades for everything they do, but thats just the way Swedish journalists seem to be tought in school.
A Volvo 240 on AAA batteries would probably be better than a NG9-5 Hybrid to some of the journos.
@Ctm.. The state has not yet given approval. They have said that a write down of debts will only be granted when Saab has a new owner.
Gunnar, our friend Collin is living by the “Jantelaw”, meaning that it is very hard for him recogncing that any Swedish car manufacturer actually can do anything good.
If he was to write a test on Swedish bananas he would smack them for beeing to bent and to yellow.
@ Tompa They better not get rid if JAJ, but Eker does seem to have a big ego.
@ ctm Agree on the healthy skepticism and that it is good. K-Segg and Eker have never taken on an assignment this big or complicated.
Actually, Robert is a self professed Citroen lover. He has also on occasion let it slip that he likes SAAB and their way of doing things their own way.
@ Kalle. Australians do a similar thing. The bananas are often too bent & yellow here too.
Its early days for everyone in this deal – which is not even across the line yet. Patience all round will help, especiallly in the media.
No, but they have got over 80% of the creditors on board as of last week and they only need 75%.
I think JÅJ should be elected prime minister. Once his two terms are done, THEN he can return to Saab.
If you (Swedes) don’t elect JÅJ, then I will see what can be done here in Norway.
I am surprised by some of the comments here on SU regarding Bård Eker. Comments like “playboy”, “big ego”, “not ready for the major league” and so on. Do you know him? Or do you just make assumptions based on what you read in the media?
Arild,
The ‘playboy’ tag was me quoting Robert Collin. Not my own description. I see him as an outgoing contemporary and successful businessman.
Swade, the “playboy” comment was made a few days ago by someone else. I didn’t mean your quote. Sorry about that.
PT +1
From Reuters four hours ago: “A Saab spokeswoman said an announcement should come soon.
“I think that during this week, chances are good. It could be anytime now,” spokeswoman Gunilla Gustavs said….”
The media is attracted by the Eker/Koenigsegg rock-star-like aura.
An auto newspaper in India now emphasizes Saab’s Royal Warrant. The Nepal News is covering Saab!
When I do a news.google for Saab, SU never comes up.
Unfortunately, carsguru.com just got a hit by releasing their ‘global survey’ of which GM brand people want to survive. Ignore the poll – figure out how they got the hit through: http://sev.prnewswire.com/null/20090615/NE3190615062009-1.html
Bloomberg News was just visiting the Detroit Summit, and there was a Saab 9-4X in the background!!! The analyst pointed out the irony.
GM’s Thomas Stephens, Lutz’s successor in GM global product development, will be interviewed at 1:30 p.m. (NYC time) as part of the coverage of this ‘Davos in Detroit’:
“…The three-day summit “is a bold new initiative to help reimagine, rebuild and revitalize our economy in an increasingly difficult global market,” said Beth Chappell, president and chief executive of the Detroit Economic Club, which convened the gathering. …”
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