Pressrelease: Unable to pay wages *updated
June 23, 2011 in News
A SAAB pressrelease from this morning:
Trollhättan, Sweden: Swedish Automobile N.V. (Swedish Automobile, formerly Spyker Cars N.V.) announces that Saab Automobile AB (Saab Automobile) will be unable to pay the wages to employees as it has not yet obtained the necessary short-term funding. Swedish Automobile and Saab Automobile are in discussions with various parties to obtain short-term funding, including via the sale and lease-back of the real estate of Saab that was announced previously, and with their financiers in connection with current financing arrangements.
These discussions are ongoing. There can however be no assurance that these discussions will be successful or that the necessary funding will be obtained.
Saab Automobile has ongoing negotiations with suppliers in reaching agreement on the terms of payments in order to resume an orderly inflow of parts and components.
Swedish Automobile will update the market of any new developments.
_____________________
According to Swedish Law, the company has 10 days to pay the salaries, if it does no do so, the employees have the right to file a demand with the enforcement agency. In this case the courts can extract the money from the company for the sum of the salaries plus any damages that the employees might have suffered. In clear text this usually means a bankruptcy or reconstruction.
Tobbe said on June 23, 2011
Not good news
Patrik B said on June 23, 2011
Not good? This is extremely bad news!
What happend with the money from Pang Da?
StefanH STHLM (www.bmsg.se/saab sales.pdf) said on June 23, 2011
As I understand from Swade´s Saab Inside it´s like that the PangDa money never were meant to a short term solution. The money are ear-marked for the PangDa ordered cars.
Niklas G said on June 23, 2011
Motoradd\'s Cat said on June 23, 2011
This is not good.
Lets hope the land sale and lease back goes through very soon (today would be good).
m.i.b said on June 23, 2011
That’s bad, that’s bad, that’s BAD!
Cardoso said on June 23, 2011
Sorry to say this, but I’m afraid we’re done…
Pedro said on June 23, 2011
Yep… Looks more and more like a repetition of the MG/Rover story…
Aussie Paddan said on June 23, 2011
Not Great timing with midsomer parties tomorrow – there will be a few not so happy calebrations.
Troels, Denmark said on June 23, 2011
Really sad
.
Hopefully there will be some solution soon, so the employees will stay.
It is a strange world. Very often the best are having the hardest times – while more superficial main-streamers are “eating the cake”. In my opinion only 3 or 4 car-brands are really important and it is very hard to see one of them suffering like this.
Sven van Dijkman said on June 23, 2011
Time again to speculate: is all this leading to the take over of Saab by VA?
In the meantime I am deeply concerned for the well being of all employees. Be careful cause the risk is you guys might take an extra schnapps too many!
Enjoy, nevertheless!
The_Rick said on June 23, 2011
Trying to stay optimistic is starting to get a bit difficult.
SaabSouth said on June 23, 2011
Think there needs to be a big bang, currently Saab are dying from a thousand cuts. Lets get it sold , get new owners and get the factory rolling again. Seems clear that VM has not got the finance the he was talking about.
Motoradd\'s Cat said on June 23, 2011
Time again to speculate: is all this leading to the take over of Saab by VA?
It’s a possibility. Buy it cheap if it comes to liquidation.
I hope it all works out for the Saab Employees.
Niklas G said on June 23, 2011
If VA had been allowed to join this ride, Saab would have spent the last months producing and shipping cars, and got new frash cash in return instead of just paying and paying and paying and…
Luk said on June 23, 2011
+1!!!!!!!!
Carlo A said on June 23, 2011
You know… I was thinking the same … with a liquidation you get rid of all the legal ties with the Government, EIB, etc.
you go to the liquidator and mak an offer to buy a “clean” company ….
michaelb said on June 23, 2011
Rubbish. The facilities (collateral for the EIB loan) are afterwards with the government, which will not use it for Saab automobiles again. Bankruptcy is no option. Also all contractual obligations by GM are then gone.
Aussie Paddan said on June 23, 2011
I must say if I am “Mr Doom and Gloom” or Nostradamus my prediction is I agree with CArdoso, likely outcome is that Trollhatten will shut down and SAAB 9-5 and even new 9-3 will be sold to China for production there. Best hope may be for Design an dEngineering house to remain open in Sweden to continue new model development.
I have to hop that I am completely wrong, but SAAB seem not only to be being chased by 4 busses but they have hit them and are reversing back to try and finish teh job. Even Usain Bolt coudln’t escape.
ANA said on June 23, 2011
This wont happen as GM own many of the IP rights to the current 9-3 and 9-5.
But anyway the fat lady hasn’t quite sung yet. I hope that this puts pressure on the Swedish government to engage further in the situation and importantly use their influence to get the EIB to approve VA.
Aussie Paddan said on June 23, 2011
Well you say that and I hope you are right, but the previous 9-3 variant has already been sold to CHinana d there was plenty of GM IP in that..
With Maud O gone maybe there si a better chnace of gov suport.
Rune said on June 23, 2011
Granted, I have not been following the Swedish media much this past week, but my understanding is that Maud announced her resignation as her party’s leader. It is up to the new management to decide her future fate in the government, but AFAIK no announcements have been made yet?
Katsura said on June 23, 2011
This looks like the end…
The fat lasy has dressed and ready to get on the stage. No point of Keep Calm and Carry On, I think I will go sulk.
Maybe one of the Chinese companies will buy it as a whole unit? Or maybe they will just wait until the bankrupcy then buy off equipment and plans ont he cheap…
SaabSouth said on June 23, 2011
If VM gets out of this he is Houdini!
rask said on June 23, 2011
A really sad day, but you´d be pretty ignorant if you didn’t see it coming. The last production stop after the resumed production was the end of it from my point.
ryanonsrc said on June 23, 2011
I have worked at a small start-up company (that ultimately ran out of money): this is looking all too familiar. The difference here is there seems to be a lot of interest in buying a significant stake in the company *and* Saab has much more resources at its disposal.
A few weeks ago: I bought a 2007 9-3 Saab 2.0T. Now that I actually own one, I have an understanding of what makes these cars truly special. Indeed, this looks pretty bad but let’s keep our fingers crossed folks …
michaelb said on June 23, 2011
I think this is definitely now the moment to look for a change in ownership. The current leadership is unable to guarantee orderly business conditions. They failed, given the environment, and this is not finger-pointing. In such situations, things go very fast. Credibility of this ownership is now zero towards all stakeholders – existing and potential clients, dealers, suppliers, employees, authorities. Nothing else than a sale of the company to a reliable company with serious capital base and long-term committment can save the survival of the brand. This is the last task of VM with regards to Saab, and it is also a task for the Swedish government to do everything to enable such as sale.
What the government should not do, is supporting the current ownership in their absolutely helpless efforts to save the company. There needs to be a crisis committee from the government side together with VM and VA as the financier, with rapid decisionmaking possibility. If VM does not want to take the phone and call potential new owners, then government officials should initiate contact. First priority is to talk to the two Chinese companies, that are planned to take over majority, but other potential buyers have to be contacted as well. Necessary condition is that VM gets out as chairman and CEO of Swan afterwards, as zero credibility – right or wrong – is associated with him personally.
Ralph said on June 23, 2011
An embarrassing measure like this should be seen as the very last resource…so hopefully VM has a plan B that’s connected to it, which we’ll hear about soon (with ‘soon’ being the most irritating word ever…).
m.i.b said on June 23, 2011
Why can’t they just approve VA? He want to invest a lot of money in Saab and it will help plenty of people!
michaelb said on June 23, 2011
He simply has not the money to make the brand survive, otherwise he would have already done.
Hans H said on June 23, 2011
It is at times like this I wonder why it is THAT important to keep VA out. He wants to invest, but is not allowed to. And now it has come to THIS!!
It boggles my mind.
Anyhow, I still think this is going to work out, but I feel for the Saab employees. I hope they get a good bonus when this are going better.
m.i.b said on June 23, 2011
I am allways optimistic, but when I read this news, my optimism has gone. Damned
Juerg_U said on June 23, 2011
Yeah this looks really bad, but didn’t it a year ago? Even I was more optimistic once (yesterday), but somehow I can’t believe that no one in the industriy (except the chinese) are really interested in Saab. Maybe they poker for the best price and wait until the sh… hit the fan, what it did today.
Call me stupid, but I’m still optimistic they’ll find a solution, the brand is too good set up right now. With the 9-4x, the 9-5 SC, the Phoenix Platform and a very modern plant. I still see the brand as a great match to Fiat or Tata (with Rover and Jaguar), both made a great tournaround with suffering brands, but I’m sure there’s a bunch more. Maybe the chinese are the anchor, even I’m not certain about their real intensions and about how fast they can get it going.
Keep Calm and Carry On
Griffin Up!
DUTCH900C said on June 23, 2011
I’m very, very sad.
And i wish all the best for the staff and other people who works by and for the companies who delivers to SAAB.
RS said on June 23, 2011
Would the Swedish Government care to do something about this situation NOW?
How about a loan against the ever growing order book? Every major industrial nation back their companies with thousands of workers and even more on the supplier side. This wouldn’t have happened in Germany. China is securing, backing up and subsidising businesses left and right.
Wake up Ms Minister!
JohanS said on June 23, 2011
Sweden is one a the few countries in europe where the economic situation is “under control”. Perhaps because we do not back up companies that can not stand on there own…
Rune said on June 23, 2011
True. And Norway is another country with the economic situation under control. Norway, just like Sweden is doing now, has gotten rid of almost all of its industrial sector. I strongly think that this is a very short term solution.
Tripod said on June 23, 2011
Well, at least we don’t, like Spain, build 800,000 houses on speculation.
RS said on June 23, 2011
JohanS, I have no doubt Saab would stand on their own if they’re only allowed to. The Government can’t have it both ways. Either they let them operate freely or take responsibility of all the bureaucracy that has hindered Saab from getting liquidity.
A company that’s bust doesn’t have a backlog worth of 1,5-2 billion SEK.
jouni72 said on June 23, 2011
Not good for the workers but this will be solved! All parties say long term is secured with Chinese thing but is is only question to solve this short term problem and it is also in the door! Still Keep Calm and Carry On!
marvin said on June 23, 2011
In an article on svd.se the following can be read:
It basically says that VA has been rejected by EIB as an investor. Do they mean the property sale or do they know something we don’t? In the past svd has been very well informed… But it seems strange that such important information just get a sentence squeezed in to an article…
Time for WM to step out of the spotlight.
Rune said on June 23, 2011
The property deal was a last ditch resort designed to work around the issues surrounding Antonov as an investor. To everybody’s surprise, EIB rejected the property deal as well. (well, to be truthful, I think they are still processing the application!)
Actually, come to think of it, it was the government still contemplating letting Antonov in as an owner. To me it looks like nobody thought EIB really had much of a say in this question. Yet it turns out they were the ones holding all the cards.
I have a list of many EIB-related questions…
Börjesson said on June 23, 2011
I e-mailed the writer, Andreas Cervenka, and asked him about that. He apologized for the unclear phrasing and has changed it. Antonov hasn’t been rejected, nor approved. The jury is still out, and apparently aiming for a new world record in indecision…
StefanH STHLM (www.bmsg.se/saab sales.pdf) said on June 23, 2011
It is so strange. There are people (VA) and Chinese companies (PangDa & Youngman) who want to invest loads of money, at any time, in Saab and if they were allowed we would not sit here and worry.
But for some reason, the whole situation is completely locked, and this because of a technology development loan from the EIB.
There are probably several people at Saab who are bitterly repent that they applied for that loan, as it freezes the situation and still can not use it for every-day operation.
Khrisdk said on June 23, 2011
Maybe, but without the loan Saab would have been dead anyway back then.
All parties involved are responsible for Saabs situation.
No need to blame anyone particular.
So…Now we wait for 10 days..
Chris Hansel said on June 23, 2011
“Stand fast” write it on your knuckles along with “Griffin up” The workers have to decide if they can find high paying jobs, and still not have to move their familes to who knows where? Or if they can miss a few weeks pay while we all wait for the Chinese funding in the pileline. It is very clear now, if the Chinese deals fail, Saab is dead and the workers will have to find other work. If the deals comes through however, then all will be made right and Saab will continue regardless of this bad news. It is their turn to decide, wait three weeks, or give up the dream? Wait three weeks, or destroy a brand the means everything to millions of people. Many here in the US over the last 3 years have had to deal with similar decisons, including this poster. I know this is difficult , but his is a rare moment in history where the common man gets to call the shot. Stand fast!
Chris
jelger said on June 23, 2011
Looks like they are heading for “reconstruction” by Swedish business law. Seems the only way out of this, with parties like the EIB keeping private investors out.
turbokalle said on June 23, 2011
This is obviously bad news. Still, none of us has got the whole picture. Something good can still emerge from this crisis. Keep your chins up guys. Go out for a drive. That will put a smile on your face
(Written from the cockpit of my Aero)
Cokeisit said on June 23, 2011
This is truly a sad moment.
I feel for the families at Saab that will have to “celebrate” midsummer without getting their salary.
I have one question. Why hasn’t the 9-5 SportCombi been introduce a lot earlier?
That would have helped up the sales in Sweden and would have generated positive news even in DI. It would also have helped Saab to get a better cash flow. The combi must have been ready for months or even a year. I would have been glad to have taken delivery of one already in February, now I have waited and looked forward to getting it in September. I still hope that I can get it in according to plan.
Nevertheless, it’s a sad day.
TimR said on June 23, 2011
Because there is a certification process and the car has not been ready for that… As far as I understood it, it takes time get a car road-certified for all the different markets and it can not be launched before this is done…
sportwagon28t said on June 23, 2011
poor employees.. this is totally unacceptable
maybe its time for VM to admit to failure. i cant think of many things worse than not being able to pay your own staff.
KarlR said on June 23, 2011
Thank you and Goodbye! Time to move on to another brand.
I was hoping to the end!
Audun said on June 23, 2011
Is this the end???
Khrisdk said on June 23, 2011
He..Depends on who you ask.
The End is always Nigh..
Doesn’t make me want to scrap my Saab though.
I still have a BSA motorbike standing around somewhere
Jeff said on June 23, 2011
Ha, oh KarlR. I always knew you were an Audi salesman.
SaabSouth said on June 23, 2011
VM has never owned the brand he was holding it. Time to pass it on to somebody who can do it justice now…..
M.A. said on June 23, 2011
I feel very sad for the SAAB employees and their families.
It doesn’t look good at all. Nevertheless, I’m trying to remain optimistic. Just hoping for a solution soon.
Motoradd\'s Cat said on June 23, 2011
The line “There can however be no assurance that these discussions will be successful or that the necessary funding will be obtained” in the press release is not at all encouraging to say the least.
I fear for the worst, if the Land Sale and Lease Back deal is not concluded very soon.
The Youngman and Pang Da deals may still be blocked by the NRDC, besides which it will be a few months before anything happens on those fronts. Add to that, the Chinese Government wishes to reduce it number of Automakers to about 10, then we have a possible scenario similar the fate of Rover.
Shanghai Automobile bought the remains of the Rover group after its liquidation.
As Beijing Automobile has bought the old 9-5 and 9-3 lines, I wouldn’t be surprised if BAIC buys up the plant and assets, whilst keeping design and major engineering functions in Trollhattan. This to would follow the Rover model.
It is my understanding that BAIC are owned by Beijing itself, and I assume that SAIC is owned by Shanghai.
Pedro said on June 23, 2011
I think that is possible scenario. From a buyer’s perspective it is quite favorable as it gives them a brand, manufacturing capacity, and engineering skills for the lowest of prices.
But, perhaps unlike SAIC and MG-Rover, BAIC would keep Trollhättan running to supply current core markets while setting up the tooling in China to supply emerging markets? Just some speculation (and hope of seeing SAAB survive this, which I honestly think they won’t)…
Motoradd\'s Cat said on June 23, 2011
A new TV series has just started in the UK, called “Made In Britain”. I half watched the first episode and it was quite interesting. The basic argument is that China’s economic skill is cheap labour, whilst the UK has the skills and expertise (the same can apply to any developed western style economy).
The show featured a suit manufacturer, who was the last one to make suits in Leeds. They eventually shipped production to China in order to survive. All the ex UK employees have found better jobs, and the old factory has become a warehouse for all the suits made in china.
I can only conclude that we are just seeing the beginning of the last European and American made consumer goods (Cars) being made in China. Virtually every type of consumer goods you buy now are made in China, it is logical that car assembly will end up there too.
Cars are emotive objects, and the thought of your next car being made in China is difficult for most people to accept at the moment.
I think if the Saab production lines end up in China in the hands of a Chinese owner, the Saab name will continue, as it is the Brand that sells.
If you buy, for example, a new Philips TV, it’s probably made in China by a third party who has no Brand awareness outside of China.
I hope Saab manufacturing stays in Sweden, but if it doesn’t then I hope the Trollhattan site becomes a centre of excellence and the main administration headquarters. As for the production line workers, the short term future may be uncertain, but citing the suit manufacturers case above, their production workers bettered themselves and I’m sure the same will be true for Saab if the worst case scenario occurs.
Pedro said on June 23, 2011
Well, over time wages will level off. I think I read somehting regarding that; in the long run it’s productivity that counts and inthat regard China still lags and probably will for quite some time to come.
Also, China cannot really afford a large economic crisis that sends everybody else into a big deflation spiral: if their client markets implode China implodes too, no matter how much money China has. That’s why they are buying foreign assets left and right as that injects money in economies that might go through some significant deflation.
GerritN said on June 23, 2011
China’s economy is showing cracks already. That’s why the Chinese government is suddenly keeping a tight grip on, for instance, financial transactions between Pand-Da, Youngman and Saab.
jim said on June 23, 2011
At this point my hope is that a new ownership is announced very soon for Saab.
RS said on June 23, 2011
Time for a Swedish consortium? No point selling SAAB elsewhere for pocket change.
marvin said on June 23, 2011
Is this the start of plan B WM talked about a while ago?
I wonder if reconstruction or bankruptcy means that there exist other ways of getting money in to the company from the Chinese or VA.
ryanonsrc said on June 23, 2011
The real question is: “why are they announcing this to everyone”? It sounds to me like they are urging either new potential investors to quickly step-in or those who’ve already expressed interest in Saab to hurry up …
I’m afraid this actually sounds like VM’s “Plan B”.
Jeff said on June 23, 2011
It’s not Plan B, I can assure you. This is a screw up. An employee contacted Swedish Radio, who set off a chain of events that leads us here a few hours later. Amazing how fast word travels around the world…crazy actually.
Now the question becomes how long before they can sort the situation/move the money around/announce the sale of the property. It’s a good thing this didn’t happen tomorrow morning without any business days left in the week.
BoeBoe said on June 23, 2011
So it is the fault of the employee that he didn’t get paid? Get real!
This is indeed a screw up, but not a screw up by the employee but a screw up by Saab!
Hans H said on June 23, 2011
Yes. And…?
Andrew-V said on June 23, 2011
It’s maybe incorrect but I assume these last measures SWAN does are aimed to force Government, EIB to fast decision for approval of entrance of VA. After last announcement and trade unions also. Since last stop of plant no any moves from VA are heard.
It’s my opinion only.
ryanonsrc said on June 23, 2011
Either that or an American style “bail-out” (pardon my ignorance of the Swedish government if this isn’t possible).
Jos said on June 23, 2011
VA announced the following via Twitter on uni 16
Angel-off said on June 23, 2011
One thing I don’t understand – what happen with so called ‘business plan 2012′ that VM has strictly followed. IMO these maneuvers – PangDa, Building lease, etc… should have had started a year ago. But when there is no even money for salaries… this is the beginning of the end.
zippy said on June 23, 2011
Expected sales never materialized to allow VM to follow thru on said business plan. Sad day but I am hopeful.
Saab Up !!
jouni72 said on June 23, 2011
In these Saab´s difficult times I think how strong they will be WHEN all these problems are over. No other car (in my understanding) has gone through all this kind of things. It is a huge saga, with ups and downs. It is a solid fundament for future sucsess, which is waiting for there. As in all human relations, problems and difficulties make You stronger. I think this concerns also companies. There are already examples of that. So, Griffin Up and Saab up!
Hans H said on June 23, 2011
I think it is time to remind everybody that Saab is not VM, and VM is not Saab. There are a lot of clever people involved in the running of Saab. So one cannot blame VM for everything.
Blame them all and celebrate them all.
But without VM there would not be any Saab Automobile now, so for that I thank him. And anybody involved.
Saab will survive. In one form or another. The new cars are too good, the workers are too good and the factory is too good.
gawdlpus said on June 23, 2011
Let’s ignore some of the emotion for a moment and look at this from a strictly business point of view. I know we all care for the Saab brand and this is very bad news but you have to look at it from outside of the company.
You own a mid-sized car parts business. Saab owe you, lets say 9 million dollars, which is not a small amount to you. If you don’t get you are thinking that you will either have to lay people off, hope that one of your competitors buy you or go the administration/bankruptcy route.
Earlier this week VM sent you a letter in which he promised to pay you 10% of that 9 million now with 6% interest on the outstanding balance, with settlement in September, if you agree not to plunge Saab into bankruptcy. You then wake up this morning to the news that Saab can’t pay their staff wages. Wouldn’t the first thought that go through your mind be “If Saab can’t pay their wage bill, how am I even guaranteed that I will get my 10%, let alone the 6% or the balance in September?”
Just think logicial for a moment, leave all your emotions aside. How can you trust Muller? He must have known at the beginning of the week that he wouldn’t make payroll and yet he sent you that offer with a deadline of yesterday, why? If you look at it logicial it might be because he wanted to panic you into signing a legally binding contract before the bad news came out.
Forget our love for Saab just for a moment. Even if Muller had given you a brand new 9-5 (at very reasonable rates!) and it was sitting on your drive now. Even if he’d wined & dined you round the hot spots of Stockholm and Amsterdam. Even if he’d sent you a personal letter saying you would be the first to be paid. If it was your company, your money, your employees and your neck on the block, surely you would be saying enough is enough and start taking them through the courts?
I can’t believe that a lot of suppliers will not be thinking like this today. Unless that press conference at lunchtime is to say someones paid in a couple of 100 million into Saabs bank account, I really can’t see this as being anything other than game over.
Tripod said on June 23, 2011
“… Wouldn’t the first thought that go through your mind be “If Saab can’t pay their wage bill, how am I even guaranteed that I will get my 10%, let alone the 6% or the balance in September?” …”
Well, there would be some income generated when all those cars, built by the parts from the supplier, were delivered, wouldn’t it?
gawdlpus said on June 23, 2011
But you need the money now. Saab have run up a debt to you over the past year that your business can no longer afford. The whole of the motor industry is built on the concept of ‘just in time’. You make the parts now, you get paid for them now. You cannot wait for the cars to be built, delivered to dealers in the States or China, then paid for, then the money might be paid into your account, (if Muller decides not pay someone else bigger off with it first. You just can no longer wait that long.
And then it becomes the issue of trust. Surely you can see that if nothing the reputation of both Saab & especially Muller has taken a major, if not fatal blow with this news? Senior management must have known at the beginning of the week they weren’t going to make payroll and yet he still sent out an offer promising to pay you money which Saab quite clearly have not got. As an independent businessman with his own company and people to think of, how can you possibly trust him again?
Jeff said on June 23, 2011
I understand your point of view. I’m upset that Saab didn’t use other credit lines to avoid this, but what’s done is done. The only positive I see is that some suppliers were in fact paid, while employees were not today (not sure if this has been reported yet, I’m getting news coming at me from inside and outside right now and I can’t really keep my head straight). That means either Saab is picking their battles carefully and the suppliers getting paid means more to them than their employees, or this is one big glitch that should never have happened. All I can say is we have been told that big news regarding the property sale is coming very very soon, so please try to keep the emotion to a minimum and let’s all wait for the news that nullifies this whole situation.
As Swade said at Inside Saab, cash flow is the problem here, not long term funding prospects, business plans, etc. And apparently there’s an announcement about that coming as we speak. Once we hear something (or you do in a press release somehow before us), it will be posted either in comments or right to the main page by an SU writer.
Mynoob said on June 23, 2011
Really sad news, I think of all the people who won’t get their pay check this month. I can only urge them to seek new opportunities as fast as possible.
As for VM – piss poor management.
Lets hope something good comes out of this.
If I was a real estate investor I would wait for the company to go into bancrupcy, investing now is madness.
Tripod said on June 23, 2011
Well, as for the real estate, their bid, as far as has been announced from one part, is already on the lower end of the scale, almost as if there were no tenants.
“Lets hope something good comes out of this.”
Indeed; but you have not sounded that optimistic about Saab earlier.
Mynoob said on June 23, 2011
Well, no, not very optimistic. The current outcome was inevitable. The company needs a solid investor, as simple as that. They’ve got a good product.
Tripod said on June 23, 2011
At these times this blog comment feature is really frustrating; you can see that there has been XX new comments (i.e. since it’s a larger number than the last time); but you still have wade through almost all comments since there can be replies further up and, and not always at the end. Am I missing something? (Yes; I can of course search within the browser using the time, to jump to all comments during say the hour 11, but apart from that?)
Jeff said on June 23, 2011
Yes, it’s frustrating– I know. WP-Comments doesn’t really have that many options, other comment systems we’ve looked at/are looking at incorporating do, but have trade-offs we’re working around. In the meantime, use the recent comments field on the right column near the top of the page. That will at least get you the last few comments on the site.
Glad to see someone else taking a reasonable stance today.
Tripod said on June 23, 2011
Thanks, Jeff.
As a Saab enthusiast, almost born, well, at least brought home in a Saab two-stroke, and loved ‘em since then, I do my best to promote and defend Saab, the brand that has been at the forefront of development, from two-circuit brake system, the turbo, the coupé filter (helped several), the outstanding safety., the .. well you all know this.
Let’s hope for the best!
Hans H said on June 23, 2011
We share some history it seems, Tripod.
I do my best to defend Saab here and there, but it is getting difficult.
But since the fat lady still isn’t on stage, I will continue doing just that.
Griffin Up !
Tripod said on June 23, 2011
Nice.
Yes, it’s tough, indeed it is.
Good to hear!
Griffin Up!
Börjesson said on June 23, 2011
You can actually see all recent comments in (descending) chronological order in the comments RSS feed:
http://www.saabsunited.com/comments/feed
(It doesn’t seem to work very well in Google Chrome for some reason, but it works well with Firefox and MSIE.)
Tripod said on June 23, 2011
Thank you.
mattea said on June 23, 2011
Ouch, even CNN are reporting this.
I still hoping for the best, I have to
MariusGTV said on June 23, 2011
I am not an expert on finacial constraints or deals or whatever, but it seems to me that things have gone from bad to worse since the departure of JAJ. Did he see the writing on the wall or is this just coincidence do you think?
God I hope they can pull something off. The world needs Saab and with such great products now and with the new 9-3 just on the horizon, to lose Saab now would be criminal.
keeping my fingers (and everything else) crossed.
Griffin Up! Cuore Sportivo!
DanSaab said on June 23, 2011
I still hope for the best!!
But now the media is reporting that IF Metall gives Saab 7 days to pay the sallaries otherwise they will put Saab into bankrupcy
Let’s hope for the best…
Mynoob said on June 23, 2011
Yes, the Union’s are looking for blood, they are willing to kill the company just to make an example.
Romac said on June 23, 2011
My sympathies with the employees. I’ve been there.
gryphon95 said on June 23, 2011
This is very sad. My heart goes out to SAAB employees at the factory and dealerships and other offices worldwide.
Wasn’t a big bonus recently given to VM? If VM can’t pays SAAB’s employees, I hope that bonus is taken back ASAP.
Red J said on June 23, 2011
The bonus was never paid. It was postponed for financially better times.
gryphon95 said on June 23, 2011
He didn’t earn it (now completely proven by his inability to meet payroll for his employees), so it’s good to know he did not get it.
Tripod said on June 23, 2011
But he did sell 1900+ cars over a few days, for example.
True, there is a time and place for everything, as Red J said.