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EnG Snippets – Swade can sleep edition

January 26, 2010 in Troll Stuff

Since Swade got up in the wee hours last night and will likely set his alarm for a similar hour tonight, I’m posting a few bits of content to enable him to get a few additional minutes of rest. I’ve got a few things that are certainly of interest for the average Saab enthusiast, but not necessarily hot breaking news on the Saab salvation front. I’ll leave that to the master of the house.

First up: If you’ve not looked in on the SaabsUnited Historic Rally Team in a few days, take a look. Jörgen and Bo have been diligently working on the car they’ve dubbed #2 and they should have some updates more regularly as things progress towards the Midnattssolsrallyt in June.

Swade’s posted a great little video of the work behind the scenes. Right up my alley.

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Two: I successfully replaced the thermostat on my “new” 1991 Saab 900 Turbo convertible yesterday, so it will be ready and able for our Saab meet here in Nashville next Sunday, January 31. Again, I hesitate to call it a “Save Saab” convoy, since it appears that the announcement for the sale of Saab is imminent. It’s a welcome meet in any event, even if for nothing else but to start the ball rolling towards some regular contact with local Saabers. And perhaps a celebration or two (three?).

(Reading that paragraph over, I didn’t mean to cast doubt on my abilities to replace a thermostat. That’s well within my capability. I was really indicating that the repair successfully stopped the overheating issues.)

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Three: It seems that the automotive press is mixed trending to negative on Ed Whitacre’s appointment as the near-term CEO for GM according to this collection of reactions published on the Wall Street Journal site.

Two writers cited Mr. Whitacre’s heavy-handed style as a possible problem if he’s retained long term. I’d say that they’re correct.

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Four: Another reminder for US and Canadian readers to mark your calendars for the Saab Owners Convention in Aurora, Ohio July 22-25. This event should be a special one with all of the hoopla surrounding Saab for the last several months. It’s also special because I’ll expect a greater-than-average turnout with the notice that Saab’s gotten and the central location. I’m going to take an additional day to visit the Pro Football Hall of Fame if I am able to go. Should be a great time.

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That’s all I have, EnG out.

35 Comments »

by Swade

Saab 9-4x in production already

January 26, 2010 in News

This one slipped into my inbox last night (thanks Thomas!) just as I was nodding off at 2am, prior to my wakeup-for-no-reason at 3:30am. I was too dazed and confused to deal with it then but it seems it’s made the light of day big-time after Ed Whitacre’s non-announcement as a number of people have been talking about it in comments already and it’s hit the news services, too.
I’m talking, of course, about the news that there have been close to 150 Saab 9-4x’s produced already.
Automotive News collects and publishes production data on a regular basis and one of the more careful contributors over at GM Inside News picked up on some Saab 9-4x production stats.

As has been noted at Autoblog, these are most likely pre-production vehicles that will be used for various reasons – quality control, crash testing, etc.
It’s good to see they’re pressing ahead, though, as this is a key model for Saab’s aspirations in the future, particularly in the US.

Thanks to all for the email tips!

Tags: Saab 9-4x 24 Comments »

by Swade

Well, that was one wasted alarm clock, wasn’t it?

January 26, 2010 in News

It seems Rapport jumped the gun and we all fell dizzily into a spin.
Let’s come together and do it all again tomorrow, shall we?

There’s still plenty of life there, but it seems it’ll be a roller-coaster to the end.
Zzzzzzzzzzz
(Oh, and if there’s any breaking news……….comments.)
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UPDATE – Statement from Genii, just released.
Genii Capital concluded today that the timing of the bidding process for Saab is incompatible with implementing a solid business platform for the future
Luxembourg, January 25, 2010
Following a period of intensive study and evaluation, Genii Capital is now in a position to release its conclusions on the situation of Saab Automobile AB.
Saab is an exclusive brand with strong potential, based on the capabilities of a highly skilled workforce. This attracted Genii Capital to the opportunity to acquire a majority stake in Saab, based on implementing comprehensive, innovative industrial and financial foundations for the future in order to best meet the challenges the company will face in the future.
Genii Capital was brought into the year-long bidding process for Saab just three days before the closing deadline. During this year, Saab Automobile AB had been engaged in a partial shutdown process as a result of the length of the negotiations.
Genii Capital is in a position to move quickly and aggressively, but building solid partnerships for the long term demands both time and intensive work. Unfortunately, Genii Capital believes that the timing of the next stage of the shutdown process at Saab is not compatible with its requirements for putting in place a solid business platform for the future and closing the transaction.
Genii Capital would like to extend its thanks to: its partners for their enthusiastic, dynamic and sincere commitment; those parties, especially from Sweden, who aided us in understanding the situation of Saab Automobile AB; GM for its cooperation and concern for the successful future of Saab Automobile AB.
Genii Capital wishes Saab Automobile AB and its workforce a bright future and will continue to monitor with interest the company’s situation.

243 Comments »

by Swade

Detroit Press Conference today 11:30 AM Eastern US

January 26, 2010 in News

UPDATE: Indeed, my suspicions are confirmed. This press conference is/was Ed Whitacre’s coronation party. Saab’s announcement will wait. I’m assuming that any Saab press conference will be in Europe, but that’s a decision to which I’m not privy.
All: Swade has mentioned below that there’s a late-morning press conference today at GM’s Detroit headquarters.
While Saab may be a part of the agenda, it appears that there’s at least one more reason for this event. It’s been reported by ABC News and others that interim Chairman and CEO of Motors Liquidation (nee General Motors), Ed Whitacre, will be installed as permanent CEO during this meeting with the press.
As an American taxpayer, I’m not particularly pleased with this announcement. I believe that there are many candidates out there who would be better stewards of the General Motors assets and future than Mr. Whitacre. He’s been openly inattentive to many of the details surrounding ML/GM operations since he became interim CEO some months ago, and as an industry outsider, I’m not sure that he fully grasps the whole picture of the automotive business, particularly the marketing and product development portions of the enterprise. On the plus side, I believe that he’s driving some much-needed change in this time of restructuring. A mixed bag, and I believe that there are candidates out there that could have brought the whole package to the table.
Here’s to hoping that this is truly an extension of the “interim” title through the expected initial public offering of equity stocks later this year or early next year.
Hopefully, Saab will be free of his influence soon in either event.

97 Comments »

by Swade

GM Press Conference – January 25

January 26, 2010 in News

Will this be the Saab announcement?
The press conference starts at 11:30 Detroit time, which is 17:30 in Sweden and 3:30 here in Tassie.

Tags: GM, Saab Company, Spyker 46 Comments »

by Swade

Press Release from Spyker

January 26, 2010 in News

Calming the speculations, and rightly so.
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Zeewolde, the Netherlands, 25 January 2010 – Spyker Cars N.V., manufacturer of exclusive premium sports cars, has noted recent press speculation about the SAAB negotiations. Spyker confirms that talks are ongoing, the outcome of which is still uncertain. As SAAB is currently in liquidation talks must end soon.

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Not on the corporate website as yet from what I can tell, but sent by a very reliable source.

Tags: Spyker 9 Comments »

by Swade

Saab Sale updates: if and as they happen

January 25, 2010 in News

UPDATE:

Rapport, the people who started this whole firestorm, are now saying a decision could be delayed.

It is unclear what the GM press conference will be about, they say.

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Reminder:

We have to hear that press conference first. This deal isn’t done yet, no matter how good the signs look.

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UPDATE:

GM press conference with Ed Whitacre scheduled for 11:30 Detroit time. This would be the same presser that TTELA reported (17:30 local time in Sweden).

The press conference will include a webcast.

3:30am here in Tassie. Crap!!

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UPDATE

Why I’ve been urging caution and waiting for a press release:

Swedish television station Rapport said today that the deal between GM and Spyker is done. Spyker Chief Executive Officer Victor Muller told Bloomberg News that the report was “nonsense.”

From Bloomberg.

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UPDATE:

TTELA claim press conference at 17:30 Swedish time.

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Killing time: the Saab Club Nederland are feeling a bit cheeky with a new banner…

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Just thinking: I don’t think we’re going to see a release before GM’s out of bed and properly breakfasted.

It’ll run to their timetable.

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UPDATE: the report from SVT could have been triggered by these positive words from the government:

From Bloomberg:

European and Swedish authorities may take a week to approve a loan for General Motors Co.’s Saab should the U.S. carmaker agree to sell the unit to Spyker Cars NV, a senior Swedish government official said.

The European Commission is set to rule that a Swedish guarantee for the European Investment Bank’s pending 400 million-euro ($568 million) loan for Saab is proper state aid, Johnny Kjellstroem, who is negotiating the case with the European Union’s regulatory arm, said in an interview today.

“The Commission has a draft decision, they just really need a confirmation that it will be Spyker” buying Saab, said Kjellstroem, a deputy director at the Ministry of Enterprise, Energy and Communication. “The Commission has an internal process that should take about a week, maybe 10 days.”

The EIB loan is one of the biggest hurdles Spyker faced, so with this in place the only remaining hurdle is getting the nod from Mr Ed (Whitacre) and getting the press release out of GM headquarters.

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SVT are claiming that the deal may be done and the Swedish government are meeting at 14:30 “in response to the deal.”

The report also says that the Riksgälden has approved the EIB loan to Spyker…

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There is no press release from either GM or Spyker about a deal being completed at this time.

And there’s been no phone call, either.

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UPDATES will be posted as they come to hand.

205 Comments »

by Swade

Saab sale update – bee’s genitals edition

January 25, 2010 in News

Yes, that seems to be the distance now between our current state of suspended animation, and a decision on Saab’s future.
We’re that close.
These have been noted in comments, but are worth bringing to the front page here.
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TTELA spoke with Victor Muller earlier today and got very little response.

We learn something today?
- I can not say.
Does it look more favorably today compared to yesterday?
- Please ask not because I can not say anything about it. I have no idea when I can say anything. Now I must stop.

And the reason Victor Muller either can’t talk, or can only say “we’re working hard” is that Spyker shares have gone up by around 30% this morning.
Being a listed company, he’s very restricted in what he can say with regards to developments with the Saab sale, lest he get charged with pumping up the price of the stock.
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In other news, one Swedish paper is reporting that a Dutch billionaire, Marcel Boekhoorn, is the new backer for the Spyker deal, replacing the Convers Group.
Boekhoorn has a diverse background in various businesses including entertainment, fashion, manufacturing, media and even a zoo. Most of all, though, if he is the one backing the deal, then he should not provide any hurdle or discomfort for either the EIB or the Swedish government.
His involvement has not been confirmed. In fact, when he was first linked to the deal several weeks ago, he flatly denied any involvement. Still, the stories persist.
Swedish Radio report that Boekhoorn has been a minor shareholder in Spyker Cars since 2007.
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The full list of Saab Support Convoys completed so far, with the exception of an SSC in Japan over the weekend, for which I am yet to receive information.
After next weekend, there will have been more than 60 Saab Support Convoys held in various locations around the world – truly amazing.

Minneapolis MN, USA – 38 cars
Washington DC, USA – 35 cars
St Louis MO, USA – 10 cars
Interlaken, Switzerland – 90+ cars
Chicago, USA – 70 cars
New York, USA – 54+ cars
Jacksonville FL, USA – ?? cars
Portugal – 9 cars
Shangai #2 – 30 cars
Paris, France – 114 cars
Denver CO, USA – 67 cars
Toronto, Canada – 57 cars
Singapore – 30 cars
Carolinas, USA – 4 cars
Kristiansand, Norway – 6 cars
Sandes, Norway – 16 cars
Tolga, Norway – 11 cars
Umea, Sweden – 19 cars
Denmark – 36 cars
Malaysia – 20 cars
Bodoe, Norway – 5 cars
Ekaterinburg, Russia – 20 cars
Ningbo, China – 20 cars
United Kingdom – 120 cars
Montreal – 6 cars
Poland – 315 cars in three cities
Atlanta, USA – 24 cars
Trollhattan, Sweden – est 2,000 cars
Shanghai – 30 cars
Adelaide, Australia – 3 cars
Finland – 125 cars
Brookline, USA – 88 cars (official, more later)
Prague, Czech Rep – 88 cars
New Mexico, USA – 8 cars
SoCal, USA – est 30 cars
Netherlands (incl Belgium) – 589 registered. Est actual: 800
Slovakia – 55 cars
St Petersburg – 50 cars
Belarus – 47 cars
Hungary – 76 cars
Italy – 20 cars
Melbourne, Aust – 30 cars
Lithuania – 20 cars
Beijing – 47 cars
Latvia – 100 cars
Estonia – est 180 cars
Slovenia – 25 cars
Brno, Czech Rep – 55 cars
Frankfurt – 65 cars
Taiwan – 180 cars
Stockholm – 65 cars
Austria – 99 cars
Kansas City, USA – 4 cars
Brisbane, Aust – 33 cars
Bulgaria – 60 cars
Moscow – 120 cars +

Tags: GM, Marcel Boekhoorn, Saab Company, Spyker, Victor Muller 33 Comments »

by Swade

First Trollhattan built Saab Convertible going to the Saab Museum

January 25, 2010 in News

Here’s a good news story to pass the time as we wait to hear Saab’s fate.

The first ever Saab convertible to be built in Trollhattan was assembled at the factory just under 2 weeks ago. Since then, the car has been undergoing inspections to ensure that the assembly process is working as it should.

I’m pleased to report that the significance of this vehicle has been recognised, and that this convertible is destined for the Saab Museum.

The vehicle was secured for the museum by Gunnar Brunius, Production Director at the Saab plant in Trollhättan. The movement of the car to the museum was approved by Stephen Taylor, the liquidator appointed by General Motors, which was a fine gesture.

The car will most likely arrive at the museum in the middle of this week.

Tags: Saab Convertible, Saab Museum 17 Comments »

by Swade

Images and video from the weekend’s Saab Support Convoys.

January 25, 2010 in Saabology

Just a quick few links to some of the weekend’s convoy activity.
Sorry if I’ve missed yours, but it’s been a busy, busy day.
Please feel free to add it in comments.
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Always remember there’s a global pool of SSC images on Flickr.

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Remdu67 has a nice gallery of images from the French SSC in Paris.

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Luc de Schepper also has a beautiful gallery of images from the Dutch convoy and if this doesn’t make you want a Sonett II then nothing will.
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This could well be the most photographed car of the Parisian convoy on the weekend. From a gallery by DiscoStu1979.

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Chad T has a gallery of images from the Minneapolis event here.

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Brian’s Flickr set of images from Washington. There’s a set from Blix, too.

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And finally, some video from Paris.

Tags: Saab support 11 Comments »

by Swade

Saab Support Convoy – Interlaken, Switzerland – DONE!

January 25, 2010 in Saabology

Organisers of the Saab Support Convoy at Interlaken, Switzerland, should be pretty happy with the attendance. With the arrival of a group from St Gallen (Mmmmm, home of Hirsch) the numbers swelled up over the 90 vehicle mark.

Some early photos from Oliver H….

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And some photos received after the event…..

Some old-timers that made the trip. With thanks to Patrick…..

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And some graphic Griffin Up! work by Rene, quite possibly inspired by our own Mike900….

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Tags: Saab support 46 Comments »

by Swade

Saab Support Convoy – St Louis, USA – DONE!

January 25, 2010 in Saabology

UPDATED below.

OK, so I don’t have all the “DONE” information for it yet, but I’ll add that later.

David Z did get in touch to provide this initial image, however, so it looks like there’s a few St Louis Saabers out there.

And some later images, including The Arch.

More images will become available later in the week at the STLSwedeSpeed gallery.

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An update from Fox News (Thanks to GerritN):

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MANCHESTER, MO (KTVI-FOX2now.com) – Financial newspapers across the world are reporting General Motors is hours from announcing a deal to sell the Saab brand to Swedish carmaker “Spyker”. The deal would save Saab from the fate that seemed certain months ago: its demise. And news broke just after Saab loyalists in St. Louis took a stand. Sunday afternoon about 10 Saabs and 25 Saab lovers stood in a parking lot behind the West County Saab dealership in Manchester, laughing and talking and hoping.

“Griffin up!” said David Zemon, a Saab owner from St. Charles County. “That’s kind of our slogan for this whole Saab ordeal.”

“I read something a couple years ago that a magazine said Saabs were weird cars for weird people and I don’t think they’re that weird but I love them,” said Mike Lyon, who owns three Saabs.
The Luttrell family of Wentzville owns four.

“They’re just a really quirky car,” says mom Stacey. We are a Saab family.”

The quirks are lovable, though: the Griffin, the mythical creature in the Saab logo. There is the ignition, started by a key in the console between the driver and passenger. And there are the collectors.

“They call me Saab guy,” said Zemon, “because I am kind of obsessed and kind of addicted.”
Despite its charm, GM’s troubles seemed Saab was doomed. So Sunday, St. Louis area Saab owners brought their cars to the dealership in Manchester, before driving together to the Gateway Arch. They wanted to show St. Louis and tell General Motors that Saab should be saved.

“We just want GM to do the right thing,” said Luttrell.

The save Saab convoys happened across the world in the last few weeks. 600 people in France, and 800 in the Netherlands, said Zemon

Jobs are in jeopardy and dealerships are in limbo. Saab suddenly feels like more than a car.
“We’re trying to encourage GM to sell Saab. Let them go, not kill them,” said Zemon.

Lyon hopes GM is listening. And Sunday night’s news of a possible deal makes it appear as though they are. “There are people that depend on work here, all throughout the country and the world,” said Lyon, “so, give it a shot.”

Tags: Saab support 9 Comments »

by Swade

Saab Support Convoy – Minneapolis MN, USA – DONE!

January 25, 2010 in Saabology

MPLS – funk in house from east to west…..

One of the cities in the US that I’m dying to visit more than most had their Saab Support Convoy on today and as Greg Abbott reports:

50 people, 36 Saabs, an Audi and a Ford Fusion. Incredible turnout for the middle of January in Minnesota.

Congratulations to all.

Some pics below, with thanks to Greg.

Tags: Saab support 7 Comments »

by Swade

Saab Support Convoy – Chicago IL, USA – DONE!

January 25, 2010 in Saabology

UPDATE
Frank T, the guy behind the Chicago rally, has checked in. They had 64 Saabs in attendance as well as some support vehicles of other brands. They may even get a new Saab Car Club going as a result of this event!
Congratulations to Frank and all the attendees.

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Saab owners from both Illinois and Wisconsin got together in Chicago today for what seems to have been a very successful event.
The vehicle count stood at around 60 cars, which is a fantastic effort. Reporters from the Chicago Tribune were in attendance, interviewing owners. Hopefully there should be some good media coverage in coming days.
I have some preliminary photos through and hope to update with more details as they come to hand.
Thanks to Hector for these first images.

Peter Gilbert, owner of the million-mile Saab 900, was there. Unfortunately, the 900 wasn’t as it’s still ensconsed in the museum in Wisconsin.

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There was a board for people to sign at the Chicago event as an affirmation of the event’s purpose.
Signing here is Peter Gilbert, the million-mile Saab owner.

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Chicago Breaking News has a report posted online…..

Saab owners pride themselves on being quirky, like their cars.
“I don’t want to drive a (Toyota) Camry. If I had one, I would probably drive it off of a cliff,” said Kevin Wright, who is part of a dual-Saab driving household. “I like the option of having a car that’s different than everyone else. We hate the idea of something that has a bit of originality going by the wayside.”
Wright, who is a chauffer, and his wife, Colette Gabriel, were among more than 80 Saab owners who converged on an IKEA parking lot today to show their support for the ailing brand. Enthusiasts from across the Midwest travelled to Schaumburg as part of a worldwide “Save Our Saabs” convoy. They commiserated around their diesel hatchbacks, sensible wagons and sporty drop tops to sob about the potential loss of Saab.

Diesel hatchbacks?
OK, so it’s my understanding that one my old mates, a guy named Fred, was there with his diesel Saab 9-3 and might have given a few people a taste of modern diesel technology.
Anyway….. good to see it got some good coverage.
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UPDATE
The following vieo was shot by Hector B, and shows a good portion of the vehicles in attendance. Several 9-7x’s are notes, as is at least one Saab 9-2x, which is a significant sighting.
The Dutch Saab Convoy had at least one vehicle from Saab’s entire historical range, with the single exception of a 9-2x. That car being Chicago signifies that every basic model Saab’s ever made (not special editions, etc, for the pedants out there) participated in this event worldwide.
More videos from Hector here, here and here.

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Tags: Saab support 23 Comments »

by Swade

Saab Support Convoy – Washington DC – DONE!

January 25, 2010 in Saabology

The Saab Support Convoy in Washington DC has been run, with a great turnout of around 35 vehicles making their way from International Motors in Virginia to the Capitol Building in Washington DC.
Some photos, provided by Blix, are available for viewing here. I’ve pinched a few and you can see those below, as well as a few more from Brian S.
Congratulations to all who jumped in and joined the worldwide party!
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At International Motors, in Falls Church, VA.

Outside the Capitol Building in Washington DC……

At the Swedish Embassy in Washington…..