Mixed feelings and reactions
June 21, 2011 in Editorial
Talk about a surprise today when I checked my e-mail in Mallorca while sitting in the flightdeck during a turn-around Gothenburg flight. 114 E-mails… gotta watch those roaming fees a bit more carefully in the future! =)
In total I received 144 e-mails up to now regarding yesterdays post about the telephone conference and I have read every one of them! What can I say, an extreme amount of mixed feelings, some very positive, some very negative towards the current situation. Everyone who knows me personally knows that my feelings have been a roller-coster, during the past weeks, but mostly on the positive side. Right now I’m feeling more positive than ever about the situation even though the situation is probably more serious than ever… why?
- Saab has a plan, I have taken part of it, with most of the details, which the other media has not!
- Saab has the best products ever and have a great future ahead of them if they get by some big hurdles!
- People at Saab are staying. Volvo and other companies are recruiting a lot, but very few have left the company!
- Saab is a team, it always has been. It’s not a one man show and that team is built up by great people who have been through hell, more than once, and they are still staying around. Guys like Magnus Hansson, Knut Simonsson, Victor Muller, Kjell ac Bergström, Gunnar Brunius, Eric & Kristina Geers, Mats Fägerhag, Anders Svensson, Gunilla Gustavs, Margaretha Högström and many, many more. I have met most of them, not all, but I also know a lot of people at Saab who are never ever going to be mentioned in the media, and they are never ever going to get credit for any of the work they do, but they do an amazing job!
- Last but definitely the most important: Every morning when I drive my car to work I smile. I have 3 Saab’s now, the oldest is 10 yeas old, the youngest 1,5 years old and they all feel great! To me, Saab is about one thing! Driver experience!
Some people feel that they deserve to know all the details, to know all the facts. Well, so do I, but if we put our feelings aside for a bit and think rationally, we have never had all the facts. The comments and opinions we have are based upon the little piece of information the media has found out or created!
Remember, newspapers are a business, they want to make money, they have shareholders that demand profit, the stories that are written are in fact a product!
If they can twist a story in a way that makes it sound believable without being an out-right lie they will probably do it, if it’ll create drama and headlines. If they can make a story sound more dire than it is, they will most often do that!Why? to draw attention in order to sell advertisement and make money!
So, we should always read the articles published with a skeptical mind– yes even the ones written here on SU. We have also made mistakes, not intentional but thanks to our great readers we have corrected them and moved on. This is something newspapers most often will never do.
So, do we want to get all the facts? Yes. are we entitled to know all the facts? No. Saab is a business like any other, they need to have their secrets and how they conduct business is not open to public knowledge. Neither is Volvo’s, Toyota’s, Peugeot, Renault, Honda’s or any other businesses. How many here know how for example how Opel treat their suppliers? I know and have heard a few details that I am not going to share that are not the nicest stories.
Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s nice to have a discussion about Saab, both positive and negative opinions must be allowed to be presented. But everyone must remember to be able to back up their statements and not make wild accusations about things that we’ve only heard in the media and do not know for sure. Just because the media writes it does not make it true! An opinion piece in a newspaper article could never be used as evidence in court room, so why should it be used in our court of public opinion?
During the next couple of weeks, I think we all need to remember why we love the brand so much, have a larger than normal amount of patience, keep calm and carry on! =)
CurtInFalcon said on June 21, 2011
What I particularly enjoy on this site is the amount of passion exhibited by the comments – both positive and negative. Everyone has their own perspective on Saab’s situation and it’s important to hear all views. No other car brand has such a loyal following and the current situation has brought strong emotions to the forefront. I myself go through a wide range of thoughts again, both positive and negative. I agree that we need to try and stay upbeat with what news we are hearing because we don’t have all of the facts. But I welcome the views of those who are feeling frustrated or angry. Theose are logical emotions considering the circumstances.
Perian said on June 21, 2011
I too smile every time I “turn the key” (press the start button) in my Saab.
dave said on June 21, 2011
+1
Tripod said on June 21, 2011
“3. People at Saab are staying. Volvo and other companies are recruiting a lot, but very few have left the company!”
Indeed; and as I understand it, Volvo has refrained from recruiting directly from Saab, as they know that the employees are very loyal, and also because the fact that they want Saab to survive and be a part of the Swedish automotive cluster.
Tobbe said on June 21, 2011
Everytime I start my “fighter”, I allways now that this will be a comfortable, fun and safe trip.
Good written TIMR..
eduardo_spain said on June 21, 2011
In a few minutes I will also be driving home in my Saab. I also smile everytime I step into my 9-3 SC Biopower and turn the key on. I understand exactly what you mean TIMR.
This morning I showed it to an old friend and I let him step into the car. His first comment was about its confortability and he is used to lots of expensive cars, even Mercedes. Lets face it, our brand is special.
kanundrum said on June 21, 2011
I was wondering why we don’t have a 9-5 (2011 Model) with a 2.8t V6 Manual Trans ?
Kikaluka said on June 21, 2011
The Aero comes with steering wheel buttons for manual shifting. So can you can shift yourself, without using your left foot though. And it works great. My 2011 Aero performs just wonderfully, and playing around with the manual shifting just ads to the fun. Not only I think so, my left leg thinks so too.
aaron c said on June 21, 2011
Let’s stop attacking media outlets (newspapers as you target them) as biased, profit-driven companies. SaabsUnited, however well-intentioned, is also a biased organization because it’s run by Saab fans who have an active interest in Saab’s success.
That said, I feel everyone here believes Saab deserves some good press soon. And I hope good news is just around the corner.
OliverH said on June 21, 2011
I also love to drive my Saab. We’re just in the progress to sell our old 93-I TiD which was in the family for 215.000 km. Now a 95 Aero Saab Performance take over the job – fantastic ride.
I’m with Saab for decades as we had several Saabs in family, company car and private owned. I grew up first with Volvo and than my father moved over to Saab. So felt in love with this nice 900 turbos and their fantastic sound, had the pleasure to drive several 9000s – i love this torque 2.3 turbos
Saab wasn’t very accurate in timing at this time. Scheduled availability of new models/ facelifts are mostly postponed to other dates. But this guys at Saab showed a lot of innovation and also improvisation at that time. This cars were not really competitive but outstanding. It was cool to have a Saab. Then Saab take profit from GM (modern facility,..), had bad times in support from GM management in the last years and managed the time of going independent. Through some circumstances Saab wasn’t able to ramp up immediately the production to got output levels (lost dealer ship in the US and other places, supplier problems). I think the business plan was based on a best case scenario.
The current situation shows that financial measures are not in place or were bypassed/ control disabled. This situation of not producing cars happened two times this year. After first time VM told people that this never happen again. Communication will be better in future. That’s fully true, or happened it second time…
A CEO/ managing director and CFO should take place as fast as possible. VM should focus on strategy and marketing and shouldn’t get his fingers in operational decisions. Saab isn’t really a merger and acquisition business.
Getting partners investing money is one thing but it shouldn’t compensate loses it should push a company forward. The next financial injection would eliminate the current outstanding debts. But Saab needs cash to act. The facility deal will get money in but will rise operational costs. It’s nice to hear that plans are in place.
I love to drive some also a Saab in a couple of years. So don’t let destroy this company, this brand.
Toby K said on June 21, 2011
I agree a lot of folks have said VM has /is doing a great Job but he can’t do it all-even if he worked on strategy alone 28 hours a day-
He still can’t get close to a solution without another guy and another team doing the same to support him-its a tough gig and its a shame that JAJ went when he did-I think this whole thing must have caught him by surprise and he had given a lot over many years…who now is going to step up? I know what Victor means about the Saab glass house-its not just a PhoeniX windscreen design. Even if I though I had some solutions I would be nervous about taking something like that on-the great eye is upon them.
Tim said on June 21, 2011
I would be surpised if anyone would step up before the financial situation is solved. So I think we will have to wait for the Pang Da/Youngman deal to be approved.
By the way Saab has got an acting CFO: Rob Schuyt. He helped VM when the GM deal was inked.
JH said on June 21, 2011
Thanks Tim for taking your time and writing this, I believe that I am not the only one who appreciates it very much. Just knowing that you have reasons for being cautiosly positive makes me less nervous.
Hans H said on June 21, 2011
I have just come home from a short trip with my 1969 95V4.
There is a rather big meeting of cars and bikes every tuesday in Löddeköpinge, and those here who knows where that is are welcome to see for themselves.
michaelb said on June 21, 2011
I think your comment does not take at all into account the severity of the situation. A liquidity crisis is all about cash and about a lot of cash in a short period of time. Companies with great products and with good orderbooks have gone bankrupt due to the lack of liquidity.
A liquidity crisis is typically consequence of a failed strategy that leads into accumulating operative losses and a corresponding cash drain. Exactly what happened with Spyker/ Saab, which was from the restart after the GM sales operating on a highly leveraged basis and with thin equity, the latter imposed by the condition for VA to stay outside.
The worst is, that the longer the liquidity crisis lasts, the more the survival of Saab depends on an increasing number of other people’s decisions, which have their own agenda and interests. It is at least the approval of Chinese and Swedish authorities for investments of the two Chinese companies into Saab, the approval of the EIB for VA to enter as a shareholder, the acceptancel of now the large majority of the 800 suppliers to the Saab supplier payment plan. And in fact the willingness of all suppliers even non-important ones, to continue the business with Saab. If you have two three key supplier’s deciding to abandon the business relationship, Saab is gone and cannot resume production sufficiently fast. How the hell can you be optimistic, more than ever? Get real, this is an incredible gamble.
What I definitely do not understand, given the severity of the situation, that the existing (direct and indirect) shareholders cannot provide the relatively small amount of money to get out of this hell and to resume production for months to come. Spyker as now the biggest shareholder could advance 60-80m EUR with some collateral, the revenues of the car sales (factoring). No problem at all, as the cars have been ordered from dealers mostly on request from clients and the payments will be received. Saab knows very well which dealers will pay on time or are in difficulties. If it is true that VA is a financial heavyweight, he or the bank he controls can easily advance the liquidity and take the revenues from the car sales. Very little risk. Something is unexplicable here, why this all happens.
GerritN said on June 21, 2011
“with some collateral”
That’s where the catch is. The collateral which you want to use is already a collateral for other loans, in other words; Saab is mortgaged to the hilt. The only thing that helps is pulling in money from outside the company. That’s being attempted right now and it is going to work or not, there is nothing that we with positive or negative comments can do about it. Even if you would have a large stash of cash you would only be allowed to donate it. Anything that reeks after buying control will have to be vetted by the Swedish Debt office, EIB and possibly(?) GM, which will delay the relief in the same manner that Vladimir Anotonov is being delayed.
michaelb said on June 21, 2011
Is your collateral call your suspicion or do you see it from somewhere in the financial reports? A shareholder loan without collateral would also be possible without the approval of these agencies.
Toby K said on June 21, 2011
I have to say (without ref to the actual balance sheet) I think GerritN is correct if there was another way-like taking out the rest of the mortgage, further diluting the shares-it would have already been done (or rather is being applied for right now) Swedish Automobile A.B is very much in the hands of regulatory agencies-which makes it very tough to bring in any more cash (eg:VA) I know the EIB are working on some more finance which should gain easy approval from GM and the NDO but ofcourse there is a cost to that-yet more interest.
It is difficult to see a way forward especially when what should be a small lithe company is beholden to large bureau timescales.
Short of a massive donation style injection or relinquishing even more control to their “partners” I can’t see how they will -which is very sad.
michaelb said on June 22, 2011
I simply cannot believe what is written here. For sure, the 1500 cars that Pang Da prefinanced are already loaned. But the rest of the 10000 cars ordered? And that should not have regulatory and other restrictions. Forget it that EIB or the Swedish government has anything to say about it. They can care about the property (collateral for EIB lending) and the shareholder structure, but not about normal liquidity management procedures.
The alternative explanation would be that these cars effectively are already loaned out one way or the other. The implication would be that Saab is completely overindebted, and that the equity inflow from the two Chinese company to come is just to cover an already existing shortfall.
Andrew-V said on June 22, 2011
I completely agree to Michaelb. Comments to hell. We need facts. Only they allow each of us (in accordance to possibilities of each of course) to have a point of view to Brand.
ANA said on June 21, 2011
Enthusiasts and employees come to this site because it has a reputation for presenting Saab news – I believe SU will lose its value if posts become more propaganda than news.
Every employee knows a few people who have left so to give the impression no one is leaving is weird.
I want to believe that there is a good plan, however I can see how people could be sceptical as we have had convincing plans before, personally I want to see proof.
Anyway I love Saab and I am praying for a good outcome.
GerritN said on June 21, 2011
“I want to see proof…”
Just be patient until October.
terry9000k said on June 21, 2011
Re; Just be patient until October.
Sadly this is just the problem, 1st we are told July ow it seems it’s October.
Honestly, I keep saying this, & I love my Saabs’, but if October is the new date, then I cannot see how Saab can stay in Business till that time.
Toby K said on June 21, 2011
October am I missing something?
In my Diary it just says Octoberfest??
terry9000k said on June 21, 2011
See the post from ANA above, then read on!!
Khrisdk said on June 21, 2011
Above or below?
The October thing, or TimRs answer to ANA?
terry9000k said on June 21, 2011
GerritN
TimR said on June 21, 2011
I know tons of people at Saab and I have only heard of a very few people that have left the company, most of them did not even leave because of the financial problems…
Remdu67 said on June 21, 2011
We could talk more about Saabs or Saab enthousiasts and less about Saab, that would cool idea here so as we could wait in a pleasant way.
(BTW, your posts about the 9-3 conv A. Griffin was really cool and welcome. This model range is a great product no matter the next generation in 2012/2013.)
zippy said on June 21, 2011
Me too!
Saab Up!!
AngryEngineer said on June 21, 2011
I am sure SAAB will make it. They have people working around the clock on this and they probably have a plan B… and C… and D… We must not forget that there are people with money who wants in on SAAB. What I still keep asking myself – why is the EIB so silent about VA?
WooDz said on June 21, 2011
Really liked this post TimR. One can get very wound up by the media who often don’t print all the facts but what supports their headline. Some don’t get any facts right, some mix different stories and some can’t even publish correct pictures of cars they are referring to. I don’t think we should cut any slack on any media who in general are negative of the SAAB situation as their words have contributed to the current public perception of the brand and possibly indirectly influenced various supplier decisions.
SaabsUnited is an enthusiast blog first and foremost and should not be compared to other online media blog sites like ‘The Truth about cars’ and ‘jalopnik’. That’s not stating that these 2 site write negative posts about SAAB; although TTAC or their commenters are not exactly on record as being pro-SAAB.
I think we are all hoping that SAAB can pull these last few rabbits out of the bag and get production up and running early July, that the lease of the factory works out and the Chinese investment isn’t debunked. I believe we are all aware of what will happen if just 1 of these arrangements falls through but we still remain positive.
saabsessing said on June 21, 2011
TimR:
Thanks for the reassuring remarks and tone. It was a welcome and much needed “recentering.” I have been getting so damned tired of the cycnicsm and negativity of so many of the SU comments lately – posted by individuals standing outside of the ring looking in, insisting that they can do a better job than those in thick of the fight. The vast majority of us don’t have the first clue as to what the job of turning Saab actually around requires.
Saab WILL prevail – It has to!
Bengt in Scania said on June 21, 2011
Agree saabsessing! Some comments are even worse than those in the Dagens Industri.
Golfhunter said on June 21, 2011
We keep confident and know that Saab will never die .
turbokalle said on June 21, 2011
Thanks TimR! Great writing.
Midsummer me and my family will enjoy the St:Anna archipelago with our boat. Do you know what beats that? The drive on road 210 to our marina! Saabroads at its best!
Happy midsummer everyone!
Toby K said on June 21, 2011
TIMR -nice post script to the previous thread things seem a bit calmer and a bit more reflective as a result.
Of course if there is light a the end of the tunnel and it isn’t a train you’ll let us know right?
I told The Wife last night that its a condition of our marriage that I order a new 9-3 if & when its out…there wasn’t even a fight.
Given the struggle there should be a PhoeniX edition of that car straight off the bat.
TimR said on June 21, 2011
Thanx for the nice words! =)
I’ve had a similar discussion with my better half about a 9-3 Griffin Convertible… We’ll see what happens! =P
kiriakos said on June 21, 2011
I knew i made the right choice when i bought my first Saab in 2008, a brand new 9-3 Aero. I’ve been a vw/audi fan for a long time before that, with very little knowledge about Saab, now that i’ve experienced Saab, i don’t ever wanna look back. Imagine how many more people today can go through that same experience. The only way is to restore confidence in the brand, all the negativity surrounding the brand is spreading with time and scaring away potential customers. I’m sure VM is doing whatever he can. We’re going through a tough period but let’s hope it’s worth it in the end.
I’m doing my best to help, i’ve started many Saab discussions on the largest car forum on the net, highlighting the positives of the 9-5 and 9-4x, both threads got over 2000 views and over 5 pages. I’l never forget why i bought a Saab, we can’t give up, don’t let the negativity take you down. Keep the Saab spirit alive, and always take the long way home!
Waiting to buy the new 9-3 in 2013.
Saab UP!
turbokalle said on June 21, 2011
+1
Thank’s for your story. Warmed my Saab heart!
coggs said on June 21, 2011
I lead a group of 12 Saabs on my “Six Gaps & a Gulf” cruise last weekend thru the Green Mountians of Vermont. A detailed report and pictures will be coming but I just want to say – this is what owning a Saab is all about. A mixture of spirted driving and a sense of community that in my opinion just about no other contemporary car maker can match. All of us were confident that the brand will somehow survive.
Toby K said on June 21, 2011
LOL two great minds…or fools rarely differ?
kiriakos said on June 21, 2011
Sorry, i meant to say close to 5000 views each.
Tomas TL1000R said on June 21, 2011
TimR! Good writing and I´m glad you wrote this, lately I have not read so mush cos all the negatives surrounding Saab. I´m sick of all media and even all the broken promises from VM and other.
I look forward to that day I can put my signature (on a contract) of a brand new Saab and I feel better not to be a part of all this minute by minute frustration. In my mind I have tried to solv Saabs problem alot of times and fail every time. So for me the decision is just to wait and se.
I cross my fingers for myself and Saab. I´m prowd in my old 9-3SS and enjoy it every day but a new one would be even better.
Paddan said on June 21, 2011
The hell with the skeptics and the detractors both here and off site. You guys on the SU team are doing a great job in my opinion. Thank you.
There have been tough times before and Saab will get through this time too. Too much good stuff is out there for that not to be the case.
Hans H said on June 21, 2011
+ 1
A agree wholeheartedly !
There is a reason that PangDa and Youngman is interested.
DTCRO said on June 22, 2011
Several times I quote but it is good time to do it again:
“we shall fight on the seas and oceans,
we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be,
we shall fight on the beaches,
we shall fight on the landing grounds,
we shall fight in the fields and in the streets,
we shall fight in the hills;
we shall never surrender…
Finally SU post in direction that all Saab funs need. Congratulation to all team.
till72 said on June 22, 2011
+1
DTCRO said on June 22, 2011
To add some more :
http://www.european-rhetoric.com/analyses/al-pacino-inch-by-inch-motivational-speech/
Watch it as it should give us view what Saab crew are doing and trying.
Markac said on June 22, 2011
I’m sure Saab will survive and I personally don’t feel anywhere near as nervous as when GM was selling it. I honestly can’t wait for the 9-3′s replacement to arrive (NG9-3 or whatever it ends up being called?), and plan to buy one when the 3 door coupe version debuts. I think that car will truly start to show us where Saab is heading. The NG9-5 and 9-4x are good efforts, but they were conceived when Saab was firmly in GM’s grip and much of what Saab might have wanted to do was removed or watered down. This won’t happen with the NG9-3 and that will only be the beginning. Until then, like it or not everything Saab has is a legacy from the GM era. Unfortunately that is also how people also perceive Saab. They either think it still belongs to GM, or worse that it doesn’t exist anymore. That perception needs to be changed and I think it will be with the next new model. Until then it’ll be a bit of an uphill battle, but I’m sure it’s one that Saab can win.