Rescheduled for 4th of July *UPDATED
June 20, 2011 in News
I have just talked with Gunilla Gustavs to verify the data being published on other media sites and no definite date for a production restart that has been set, but it is earliest on the 4th of July as stated in other media. This is the information that has gone out to the employees at this time.
Pang Da liked the 9-4x very much and they see a very high potential for that car, a number of the ordered cars from Pang Da are 9-4x and they are being produced and deliveries are being performed according to schedule.
The work continues with the sale of the Saab facilities continues and may still take some time before completion.
Many people have asked us, what can we do? And right now there is not a lot we can do, except one thing! We can, if we like go out and buy additional or spare original parts for our cars, this will generate money directly for Saab and help them out. It might not be much but it is, at least, something!
TurboLover said on June 20, 2011
The real estate deal?
AndOne said on June 20, 2011
Quijote said on June 20, 2011
Saab is now losing loyal customers as well… If the A5 cabrio was available in stick, I would buy one right away.
Red J said on June 20, 2011
Audi, US and manual Gearbox ???
Sorry, but this belongs to the past.
Quijote said on June 20, 2011
Fortunately for Saab, there are only a handful of cars that Audi offers stick shift in the USA. Otherwise Saab’s sales would surely be less.
What a shame really. Instead of digging Saab out, the hole just gets deeper and deeper.
Peter, Sweden said on June 20, 2011
That is exactly the thing that differentiates loyal customers from regular customers. If Saab had been out of business since, say, 2006, I’d get why someone would like to have an Audi. But wanting one now, just because there’s been some struggle at Saab for a couple of months..? Come on.
Loyalty is something that is shown and proven during hard times, and not only when everything looks good.It’s like a relationship – nothing of it really matters if you’re not willing to fight to make it work
jouni72 said on June 20, 2011
amen!
Audun said on June 20, 2011
+1
Quijote said on June 20, 2011
“some” struggle and “couple” of months is quite the understatement. I want Saab to survive as much as the next Viggen owner, but I can’t imagine buying a new Saab now and then struggle to find parts/service later this year should Saab go under.
Jake said on June 20, 2011
Has VM ever let you down? No. Long term funding is practically secured. Wait this year out. The phoenix platform has already been applied to a concept. Once they produce the phoenix-based 9-3, things will change. Just give them a while.
Bravada from GMI said on June 20, 2011
VM has let everybody down so many times now it’s seriously not funny.
BoeBoe said on June 20, 2011
I wouldn’t call a non-binding MOU secure. It is worth “nothing”. The partners can walk away at any moment they want.
saabluster said on June 20, 2011
No they are not losing “loyal” customers. By definition they are not loyal if they leave;)
Troels, Denmark said on June 20, 2011
The Saab looks so much better. Saab is more innovative, have more original solutions and is lees main-stream.
(sorry)
Personally I would be embarrassed, driving around in an Audi like all the other audiots..
Tripod said on June 20, 2011
“Personally I would be embarrassed, driving around in an Audi …”
So true.
Tomas TL1000R said on June 20, 2011
Sorry to hear that! So you want a car and you hang out on this community and for some reason you deside to buy another brand at this point. Wait a minute, haven´t you miss something important here. It´s really now you should buy yourself a Saab.
If I had the money to buy a new or a allmost new I would do it right this minute from an Saab dealer. Today I bought fog lights from ANA Trollhättan. Thats the best i could do at this moment but you could actually help so please do, buy a Saab.
MrTinkertrain said on June 20, 2011
I am copying here what I wrote earlier. Cheer up a bit! Don’t expect a real estate transaction to finalize too fast…it must take time and lots of work, depending on several authorities, etc…
You are so pessimistic without the knowledge of real facts. It is easy to blame VM because he is in position. What you did not expected is that the procedure to clean up the mess takes that much time. Maybe this whole year will be critical but who knows really what VM is really doing right now? It is a shame on us, on the enthusiasts that we can not wait…
After a possible crack we can blame him, of course. AFTER.
jouni72 said on June 20, 2011
I agree! Things are solving out but everything just takes time. We must be patient. I think it is better to have this kind of pause to give some time to make all things clear. And when starting the production, it can then start with full speed.
Bravada from GMI said on June 20, 2011
Whom to blame but the person who is as the head of the company. Even if we can blame all on external adversities, he undertook the mission to lead Saab through what could be forseen or should have been forseen. A lot of what has been done by the Saab management looks rather amateurish in hindsight.
And also without the knowledge of actual facts, it simply looks like a makeshift scheme to milk some more money out of the company before either the collapse, sale to the Chinese or both. There is precious little being said and done to dispel this impression. Moreover, all past communications, especially by VM personally, help fuel the impression Saab should not be trusted. This is extremely bad.
There is no doubt VM saved Saab from the chipping block. But there is also no doubt he brought it to the brink of collapse again. And I do believe this did not have to be the case.
Jake said on June 20, 2011
Bravada, you of all people! Do you know how difficult VM’s job is? Sure, communication could be a bit better, but I’d like to see you try to do VM’s job. He may have ****ed up, but we all do. Don’t expect him to be a friggin’ machine. He’s only human! Look at what Saab has achieved over the past year and a 1/3: tons.
For god’s sake, cut VM some slack already!!! Be mature, and realize that everyone makes mistakes!
Bravada from GMI said on June 20, 2011
I can imagine how his job looks very well. I also have quite a bit of experience with companies in distress. This is being managed very poorly from the outset. Saab has managed to go down from 90K units to 30K units. Not an achievement in my book, however many excuses one can present.
Executives are not paid for making mistakes. They are paid for NOT making mistakes.
Kikaluka said on June 20, 2011
Buy a Saab, it will make you feel better
Jake said on June 20, 2011
In that case, no executive should ever be paid.
Bravada from GMI said on June 20, 2011
Executives should be paid for their performance and appraised according to it.
I bought my TTiD in March just when the production ground to a halt. A brilliant car, but I’d rather not worry about parts and this being one of the last Saabs ever made.
Jake said on June 20, 2011
Well, if it was one of the last Saabs made, you’ll get a rarity factor, meaning that you’ll eventually be able to sell the car or more, if that’s REALLY what you want. But it isn’t, is it? The parts division is the most profitable part of Saab, so you won’t have to worry for a while about parts. Go for a drive in the TTiD, Bravada, and you’ll feel better.
GerritN said on June 20, 2011
Bravada from GMI: “Executives should be paid for their performance and appraised according to it.”
WhaHahahaha, I just fell off my chair laughing. Looks like you missed the whole recession thing of the last 5 years. According to your statement there would still be tarred bodies dangling from the lamp posts around Wall Street.
SPG900NY said on June 20, 2011
Tell that to the people who bought the last Saturns, Pontiacs or Hummers… What are they worth now?
Ralph said on June 20, 2011
Totally agree Mr Tinkertrain, seems there’s a little too much ‘instant gratification’ driving the minds of us outsiders here.
Carlo A said on June 20, 2011
I am disappointed not about the estate of affairs …. nothing has really changed since last week
I am disappointed because I was expecting some news …. whilst in fact no real news …
Carlo A said on June 20, 2011
sorry I meant “state of affairs”
Jake said on June 20, 2011
Just be happy that we have a date to start production at the earliest. Also, the Hemfosa deal is close to completion, and the Yougman-Saab-Pang Da deal is practically complete, and there’s plenty of stock at most dealerships now.
Things are better than people think.
Bravada from GMI said on June 20, 2011
Any numbers? Because Saab is hardly providing any.
BoeBoe said on June 20, 2011
Really? Where did you get that information? Nothin is “complete” or “secure” at the moment regarding the Pang Da-Youngman deals. There is only a non binding MOU, which has no value.
There is a ver long list of organizations and companies which have to give their blessing. This will take months and months and when there is also no production please keep doubting Saab.
baas900i said on June 20, 2011
independence day is better than no day, as long as development of the new 9-3 is ongoing, building of the 9-4x continues and BMW turn up to save the day….plus Saab deals in Oz…. http://www.mildrenprestige.com.au/index.php
OliverH said on June 20, 2011
We’re not blaming VM and team that this deal couldn’t established up to now. I would happy for an other solution than lease back.
It’s the situation itself, the problem has raised up and lack of communication.
kjt said on June 20, 2011
“We can, if we like go out and buy additional or spare original parts for our cars,”, unfortunately here in the UK we are seeing a growing list of back ordered parts, especially for 9-3 Sport, which is starting to really bite. Items such as trim, ECU’s as well as faster moving items such as 9-3 transponders are on indefinate back order. Thankfully generic GM components are available from Vauxhall/Opel/Alfa but customers are getting annoyed and aware!
Alex Lee said on June 20, 2011
I have to agree here.
The parts situation is at the moment at its worst, in the 13 years i have worked for SAAB I have never seen it in this state. Do SAAB realise how much work for littel redement it is for us constantly looking around for alternatives to keep out customers on the road? I coul make a list as long as my arm but i will spare(jioke get it) this.
Alex
Bravada from GMI said on June 20, 2011
This is also something Saab management should take care of. Seems like “thanks” to the lack of credibility Saab has with suppliers regarding production deliveries, also the profitable, much alive and kicking Parts business is getting the shaft. This is quite disastrous.
There are a myriad excuses to be made. But there’s also work to be done post-haste to remedy that. Whatever Saab is doing, is insufficient. If that’s “all that can be done”, then by admitting it Saab management admit they can’t keep Saab adrift.
I miss JAJ. Where is he those days?
OliverH said on June 20, 2011
Maybe he left Saab because different opinion with VM how to drive business. Remember the day he retired: VM praised him for all the good work.
Bravada from GMI said on June 20, 2011
That’s customary in business. And any difference of opinion with JAJ regarding the running of the Saab business is a bad thing in my book. Suppliers apparently saw it the same way. This is why I don’t trust VM anymore.
Tim said on June 20, 2011
I miss the days when business was running smoothly. I can’t say I miss JAJ, although I liked him as a person but I still wonder what’s the real reason he left Saab and why he didn’t see all these things coming. He must have known Saab was running out of money. His retirement was bad timing, or was he forced to go…?
Jake said on June 20, 2011
Christ! I thought the parts division was the most profitable part of Saab! Where did THAT go???
GerritN said on June 20, 2011
Yeah, don’t get this. The parts division is a separate entity and has to be because it has to continue to provide parts even when the company folds. This is (should be) the main reason for not worrying to buy a new Saab. So, what’s wrong?
Ken H said on June 20, 2011
I am one of those customer with a parts order on indefinite backorder. Luckily not an urgent repair in my case, but it feels a bit uneasy.
baas900i said on June 20, 2011
fourth of July just another date or is GM on the way back in?
mike saunders said on June 20, 2011
I doubt GM wants any piece of what’s left of Saab after this is done. They tried before to resurrect the company and obviously failed. It’s time for Saab to sink or swim as an independent carmaker.
baas900i said on June 20, 2011
ok
KarlR said on June 20, 2011
I must agree with Bravada! Looks really bad and I promise that SAAB is paying alot of money to Teenaci fir intrest even in this hard times! Time for VM to step down from both chairman and ceo!
Hans H said on June 20, 2011
Yes, Saab needs to find a new CEO fast. VM can’t be both. He has said so himself.
But I don’t think we can blame him for everything. I don’t even think this is a new crisis. I think it is the same crisis as before – the problem is cutting loose from GM and its repercussions.
The loss of sales network in US and other places, building a new network during a financial crisis, finding money to continue while not being able to let persons with money in.
I still think that it is way too much that speaks FOR Saab.
We know now what the workers are doing. Does that include everybody or is it just the production line that is stopped?
Is work continuing on the new 9-3?
Emil said on June 20, 2011
Just production. We’re still working on bringing you that new 9-3 you’re waiting for
Carlo A said on June 20, 2011
I think this car is going to make SAAB’s fortune and I am happy to now that you are still working hard on that …. fingers crossed !
RS said on June 20, 2011
And it has a trunk with a very low lift-over height? Yes?
Audun said on June 20, 2011
Great! Keep on the good work! I wish you all the best luck, and I promise to buy a Saab next time I buy a car.
Toby K said on June 20, 2011
Yep build a new 9-3 and i’m right there I’ll sell my first born and a kidney but please just build that damn car before anyone thinks off switching the lights at Saab off.
infact…even if they do, sneak in and build it anyway.
Griffin Up!!
SPG900NY said on June 20, 2011
$46 million is the figure bandied about in Reuters for the sale of Saab’s factory. This is what is supposed to take care of the short-term liquidity crisis. Really? How long can $46 million sustain Saab in the short term? At the very least, the factory is not starting up for two weeks. How much money is going down the drain with ZERO cars rolling out? It’s impossible to stay optimistic in this circumstance. If people who are thinking of buying a new Saab knew what the parts situation is right now, would they still pull the trigger?
TimR said on June 20, 2011
It’s not zero… 9-4x’s are rolling out at full speed!
Saab is a swedish company and by swedish law the company must supply all cars that are coming of the production line with spare parts for at least 10 years. This applies even if the company does not exist anymore! the parts must be kept in storage!
SPG900NY said on June 20, 2011
Who enforces this, particularly when there are “indefinite backorders” on so many parts now, when Saab is supposedly a fully functional company?? And if Saab goes under, to which dealer do I go to complain about the potential backorders? Just curious…
SPG900NY said on June 20, 2011
Ah yes, I stand corrected. I forgot about the 9-4X. I hope Saab sells a LOT of them!!! They’re going to need the cash!
Luk said on June 20, 2011
I’m a strong Saab Lover… I’ve just bought a new Saab 9-3SS in November…. the number 5 in my Family and the Number two that I actually own (The other one is a ’99 9-3 Cab).
I will help Saab talking proudly about her to people… and to convince my friends and familiars to buy a Saab instead of another brand, but don’t ask me to buy original spare parts every time. Life is hard for me too and I cannot pay 2, 3 or 4 times more for the same part only for helping Saab to stay alive to repair or service my old Saab.
Saab should help itself getting down prices for spare parts.. You can earn 300% on a single part… but if you sell ZERO you will earn ZERO. Make original parts competitive and I’ll be very happy to buy them again.
For Ex:
- Last year I had to change the softop of my Cab. 2300€ Excl. VAT in Saab only for the part!!… 1200€ incl. VAT through another way… the softop is absolutely the same piece.. with same chassis for rear window as the original one.
I can make thounsands of examples like that.. and all we know that too often there is a huge, nonsense, difference between original parts and others.
GerritN said on June 20, 2011
Saab is not an exception, most parts for ‘premium’ brands can be obtained much cheaper through third parties. Not sure who’s making all the money on the parts, but it doesn’t sound like the mother company.
Toby K said on June 20, 2011
in the UK its Lucas and Unipart.
I believe the term is pattern manf. I guess they puchase either a license or just scan the part and sell it knowing its “spurious” -its not necessarily a derogatory term but it probably invalidates warranties and the like.
its not something i’d do though I’ve been driving Saabs for 20 years and never had a genuine parts supply issue.
robertp said on June 20, 2011
I hope customers that ordered a Saab and already wait for weeks at least get the 2012 9-5 version when they start producing again. Or do the old orders still get the 2011 specs and only new customers will be pleased getting the 2012 specs. Guess they had enough time to adjust the productionline to that.
Luk said on June 20, 2011
I hope that many customers that ordered their new Saab, which are already waiting for months won’t break up the contract with their dealers in front of the need to wait an undefined number of weeks (months?) again to recieve their car… How long has the “wait time” raised? from 60 days to…90? 120?
Is there an explaination which can inform why Saab decided to stop the production again for no less than three weeks ? Saab has banked around 80 Millions of Euro in the past weeks.. isn’t it enough to “fill the blank” untill Pang Da and Youngman’s money arrives after government’s approval?
robertp said on June 20, 2011
Our order is about to be cancelled… hope we’ll make it before due-date
Jake said on June 20, 2011
Oh, for God’s sake! Production isn’t dead, only halted. We already have a vague start date! Just be glad that you’ll get a fantastic car out of your wait.
BoeBoe said on June 20, 2011
It’s been halted for about three months now. The factory only ran for 4 or 5 days since the end of March. And they have no idea when production will restart. The only thing we know is when the summer break is.
JoS said on June 20, 2011
I love the cars but i hate the way this company is run right now. I would like to see Volvo/Geely and Saab merge so that the Trollhättan factory can still operate and the jobs be safe.
Bravada from GMI said on June 20, 2011
The best Volvo Cars can do for themselves is merge Saab and Volvo and ensure no Saab is produced ever again. Just like Ford and GM would love to purchase Chrysler and make sure no Chrysler, Dodge or Jeep is ever made again.
Volvo would have a bit of a problem with its supply chain due to Saab’s collapse, and I am sure they are feeling it even now, but they are also missing a key direct competitor. Merging Volvo and Saab is like merging an ice cube with fire, and Saab is a rather small ice cube.
m.i.b said on June 20, 2011
I would buy exhaust and front bumper for my 9-5 first gen, but I’m buing a new flat and there are other priorities according this than my Saab
But I hope Saab will have money for non-stop production and that we will sell a lot of them (I work in a Saab dealership) and then it will be only better and better
m.i.b said on June 20, 2011
And we have received our first Griffins today and it is BEAUTIFUL car! 10 time better life than on pics, believe me
zippy said on June 20, 2011
Unfortunately I am getting to the point where I don’t care what happens and that really is a sad statement in itself.
Jake said on June 20, 2011
Awww, c’mon, Zippy! At least be excited in the fact that we actually are getting information. What other car company could be independent for more that a year? Saab is unique in it’s situation, so I except ups and downs, but what goes down must come back up, and vice versa. Everything will be fine, especially when the new 9-3 comes out. Remember, it’s only production that’s halted, not the entire company.
StefanH STHLM (www.bmsg.se/saab_sales.pdf) said on June 20, 2011
2010 and 2011 were, are and will be very special years.
Indeed.
We need some positive new. Cant Saab comunicate some numbers of produced 9-4X?
And where they are delivered.
anything………..
BoeBoe said on June 20, 2011
That would be nice! More focus on postive news.
WM said on June 20, 2011
I hope the irony of you wanting more positive news is not lost on you BoeBoe.
michaelb said on June 20, 2011
I think time is now definitely running out for Saab, and the whole brand will start to take irreversible damage.
Time to consider alternatives at least on an explanatory mission. Take the phone and call … Mr. Carl-Peter Forster in first priority and Mr. Marchionne in second and maybe other auto executives, if they would be interested buyers. Saab needs a big injection of equity and new technologies in the Diesel space, to be competitive in Europe. Both Jaguar and Fiat have excellent (new) 4- and 6 cylinder Diesel engines, and they have money and the distribution power to finance further innovation and marketing and the survival of the brand. What is also important, is to add management competence, to restore confidence.
If a general has taken the wrong strategy and/ or circumstances turn against him in a big way, and he hits into abysmal terrain, where he not just cannot win, but in fact risk to loose all of his already beaten army, it is better to organize an orderly retreat. If Spyker will sell at an acceptable price to a convincing partner, it will be still in a positive reminiscene, and VM and VA have saved in 2010 Saab, and led it into a long-term future in 2011. What a disaster, however, if the Chinese cannot or will not buy within two months, and the whole operation goes bust. Then, VM and VA will appear as gravediggers as opposed to saviors of the brand, thousands of people will loose their job around Trollhattan and worldwide among Saab dealers. A lot of Saab fans would be furious as well.
Iggy said on June 20, 2011
Instead of dissapearing with a big bang a year ago, SAAB is fading away. Unfortunately time is running out for SAAB now. I am wondering how long will VA be onboard before loosing patience and giving up on SAAB.
The only hope for SAAB is that Youngman (possibly with Pang Da as minority owner) buys out SAAB from VM and invest big money in it. I would realy love TATA to buy SAAB but that is not realistic. SAAB could possibly be a low-budget Jaguar but I think that will not happen. FIAT is no chance, they have another italian legend Lancia as re-badged Chrysler, what possibly they can do with SAAB? Re-badged Alfa in best case?
Bravada from GMI said on June 20, 2011
VA is making money out of Saab every day. He will be on board as long as Saab, Swedish Automobile and VM owe money (and perhaps some personal VM obligations) to him.
I’d hate for Saab to be a low-budget Jaguar. I hope for Youngman to be Saab’s Tata.
OMJ said on June 20, 2011
Today i caneld my order on saab 9-3 griffin cab.. i will driv cab in summer time .sorry saab.
Börjesson said on June 20, 2011
It’s not normally my style to want to play down bad news, but in this case, I think I’ll make an exception. This announcement is about as good as could be hoped for, and not dramatic or ominous in the least.
A quicker production start was simply not an option. Once a deal with Hemfosa has been agreed, it still has to be approved by the National Debt Office and the Swedish government. (But apparently not the EIB this time.) There’s no way around that. And even if the Debt Office yet again makes a heroic effort to process things quickly, anything less than a week from when they get the request is unreasonable, especially around midsummer. As of this morning, no request to approve a property deal with Hemfosa had yet arrived at the Debt Office. Hence, no money from that deal can reach Saab’s account until maybe next Monday at the very best. Add at least a couple of days to get things settled with the suppliers. If production actually starts as soon as July 4, it will be a very good outcome indeed.
All this is, of course, assuming that Saab really needs the money from the property deal to get rolling again. But based on recent events, I think that is a safe assumption.
Jake said on June 20, 2011
Yeah! Finally, someone on my sde!
hilmar said on June 20, 2011
Indeed it´s not easy to keep cool. I need some brake discs – delivery is delayed. Even Opel parts are delayed here in Germany. Again GM obviously considers to sell the brand. Some real positive news about Saab would be nice – not only a declaration of intent.
Well, so far it went uphill since 2010, we should not complain too much.
baas900i said on June 20, 2011
midnight here , going to bed, the current saab saga is a very sad way to treat loyal customers, dealers, employees and suppliers, the goodwill must be gone and the future if there is a future must lie with with bmw or the like.
SaabSouth said on June 20, 2011
Well from where I am it looks like a coutdown to a full Chinese takeover……
Not VM can have many plans left!
KaiC said on June 20, 2011
I must say it will be a long hard period for saab to stand independently with no GM`s shadow .Hope the Chinese government will sign the saab car production licence few months later.If it will be not true that would be another K`O on saab.griffin up saab.
DTCRO said on June 20, 2011
KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON.
So many times we heard those words and they helped. Please do not make doom scenarios before it happens. Saab survive more dangerous times and they will survive this also. What they should do, start and stop again in two weeks. They should sign contract with all suppliers and then start, all other can bring stop production more often as we would like. We on field have to fight and not give up like we did almoast two years ago. For those one with short memory without VM there will be no Saab. If he made mistakes trust me he is aware of it quite well, do not need braniacs to show him cler picture.
Saab UP and UP and UP……
Jason Petho said on June 20, 2011
+1
nafuente said on June 20, 2011
Saab has to take this new stop to make it the vacation of your employees and then work to stop at the factory in august! (a customer waiting for 2 months for a Saab 93 Griffin)
¡¡Saab tiene que aprovechar esta nueva parada para convertirla en las vacaciones de sus trabajadores y así trabajar a tope en la fábrica en agosto!! (un cliente esperando desde hace 2 meses por un Saab 93 Griffin)
A Coruña. Spain
terry9000k said on June 20, 2011
SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME…………………………..
What is the point of the build up to NEWS COMING SOON…….repeated time & time again.
If VM thinks his silence & this continued saga is doing his reputation, let alone SAAB’S he should think again.
I have to say, that I for one, think this i just another smoke screen…….SAAB sort it now, and ONLY release Press statements when there is something proper to say……this is becoming very Tedious to say the least.
Ralph said on June 20, 2011
Just consider the idea that developments are so diverse, fast and interdependent that detailed press statements would make no sense.
Motoradd\'s Cat said on June 20, 2011
First the good news (somethings about to happen) then the bad news (something is going to happen later than expected – we hope).
This is one hell of an emotional roller coaster. And still we wait for the good news.
Just had one of the 9-5′s serviced, the other isn’t due for a while. No problems getting service items for the 9-5 though my dealer has reported difficulty in getting 9-3 parts though. So maybe the parts bins have been raided for production needs wrt the 9-3.
Alex Lee said on June 20, 2011
This is again my view on the parts situation as well. All plastics for example inner wings, lights, body moldings. Electrical parts, windows, airco condensors, keys switches, do I have to go on? Its all gone and we don’t know when it will be back in stock.
Does anyone know?
aki said on June 20, 2011
I still think all these doomsday scenarios are not as bad as back during the GM closedown.
Things are moving in the right direction and if it was so bad nobody would be talking about production dates but most probably about laying off the workers(the earlier the better). With the unions in the backround this would have been real news.
hollandsaab said on June 20, 2011
Time is running out fast now. Suppliers already lost confidence. They refuse to restart THE supply of saab. Promises are promises but hard cash is needed. How long before THE forst supplier Will ask for bankrupcy? This Will then clear THE way for à large party to buy THE remains of saab and mayby restart THE factory or ship to China. And without vm. It Will be over before August..
Dippen said on June 20, 2011
I think best way to help is to help financialy trough buying shares in Swedish Automobile that is traded on Amsterdam stock exchange.
I have orderd a account on E-trade just to get accses to Amsterdam stock exchange .
Tim said on June 20, 2011
Unfortunately that won’t help. You would buy an existing stock, not a new one. So the seller would get your money, not SWAN.
Beechy said on June 20, 2011
I know that VM has his hands full trying to juggle everythigng at the moment but i think that an oficial statement would go a long way to calm the nerves of prospective buyers and people with vehicles on order.
Official communication is non existant at the moment, nothing posted on the Saab News website and nothing even on Inside Saab, are they even keeping Swade in the dark?
Ruune said on June 20, 2011
Tell me, how much do you think a statement from VM is worth at this time considering the history and credability he has from previous statements?
Niklas G said on June 20, 2011
It is certainly not VM’s fault that EIB is working so terribly slow on checking upp Antonov or that media has done their share on making bad worse or that all this probably made the suppliers stop deliveries a bit earlier than they otherwise had done. If all that hadn’t happened SAAB would have had something like an extra billion SEK on the bank from Antonov, from already sold buildings, and from some 8-10 weeks (I’ve lost count) of sold and delivered cars. (Or if it had been possible for Saab to start producing cars at once that Pang Da or private customers have agreed to pay when ordering.
Certainy too much shit happening at once now.
I suppose there are some rules stopping Saab from letting the staff have their vacation now immediatelly?
Let’s all keep fingers crossed for this real estate deal to get signed really fast now, or, even better but probably unlikely, I suppose, for the EIB to surprise us all with suddenly delivering Antonov his best b-day present ever.
kaiger said on June 20, 2011
http://ttela.se/ekonomi/saab/1.1258493–stopp-ar-enda-alternativet-
The production stop ist the only option says Mr. Berglie. They simply got no other choice. Nothing else remains für Saab despite to negotiate and wait… and keep the fingers crossed that nobody declares bancrupty for Saab, which becomes more and more realistic the further time moves on.
Troels, Denmark said on June 20, 2011
Read this (again) :
Quite realistic I think. Not a reason for panic (although not for dancing at the tables either
).
carlo said on June 20, 2011
After a series of Audi A4s, last year in September I decided to move to another brand. I knew about the struggle of Saab but every time I saw one I could not keep my eyes off it.
So I decided to give it a go. I went to a local dealer and I test drove a 9-3 Aero 2.0T saloon. I literally fell in love for it. Great drive, smooth and, above all, miles more comfortable than an Audi.
Now…I gave my trust and my money to VM and Saab last year when the future of Saab was even more dark and uncertain than now. Notwithstanding I do not regret of having bought it one, I think VM is not up to the task of saving a brand like Saab.
I am of course grateful that he committed himself to save Saab at the last breath but he has not been able to move things forward. I think Saab is simply too big for him both financially and on the managerial point of view. I remember he kept saying that he bought a car company at the price of a wind tunnel…..He kept repeating that there was fully funded business plan until 2012 when the new 9-3 will come to the market…..well…Saab is more expensive to be run that a wind tunnel…and the fully funded business plan was simply not there…Unless he calls a fully funded business plan a series of financial links that had made almost impossible for Saab any deals that could bring more money and/or different owners into the company.
The best shot for Saab is that obviously new owners come on board either with a Chinese or a Russian passport. At the end of the day it is the only European brand of a certain size left up for grab….and I seriously hope that in three years time, when I will replace the current 9-3, I will have the chance to replace it with the new 9-3….If not…I think I will start a desperate search for a Turbo X.
robertp said on June 20, 2011
If the due-date is reached, the leasecompany cancels the order. This leasecompany removed Saab from their systems, so when it’s cancelled, it’s gonna be an Audi or a Benz
Paddan said on June 20, 2011
Wow, did the TTAC folks infiltrate this site?
Toby K said on June 20, 2011
You can tell this is “news” when a load of folks you have never heard of start telling you how crap everything is on a “fan site”
Tut.
I once had an Army doctor for many years he looked after me, I always felt fine and he told me at every check up I was just fine.
oneday I went to the Med Center for a routine check up and there was a new doctor there-he’s recently gotten some bad news-he was going to Iraq- he told me I should never fly that my eyesight was poor (even though I could read the bottom line from outside the room) and to give up running (I had an exploded knee)
and that he’d recommend my flying career should be discontinued.
Moral of the story: I’m still flying-he ain’t my doctor any more…. and don’t believe shit unhappy folks tell you to make themselves feel better.
Paddan said on June 21, 2011
Hahaha agreed Toby K!
74StingSaab said on June 21, 2011
+1 against army (or air force in my case) docs with piss and moan attitudes…. as well as trolls.
Jake said on June 21, 2011
+1 million-billion.
That sums it up pretty much perfectly.
davidgmills said on June 21, 2011
Not with a bang but with a whimper.
Up till now I’ve stayed optimistic. But being realistic about it, I think it seems like time to say good-by to Saab. I am pretty sure that no 9-5 SCs will be coming to the US, at least none made in Sweden. If I want a new 9-5 made in Sweden, I feel sure I will have to settle for a sedan that is already here. But I certainly am not interested in paying anywhere near sticker for the car, especially given the reports of dealers who can’t even get parts on a 9-3. Even a wholesale price sounds too high at this point.
If the Saab brand lives on, it looks like it will be Swedish in name only. Once the buildings are sold, look for production to quickly head to China. I expect all part manufacture will move to China well before then. No reason for production to be in Sweden. I don’t need or want a Chinese Saab, but I guess I am going to have to depend on Chinese parts to keep my present cars running. Bummer.
Markac said on June 21, 2011
Chin up folks, it ain’t over yet. Saab is a cat with many lives and it’s still got a couple left.
Negativity helps nobody.
Saab up! Griffin up!
Miss Tree said on June 21, 2011
I have heard that the supply of bashed metal parts is fine (recently had the upper transverse links done on my 9-3) but soft parts, e.g trim, keys, etc is very poor. My dealer has over 30 9-3 ignition keys on back order and none are reaching the UK. If Saab want some cash in then get some parts going out. As we have said before there is still a healthy, profit making parts supply business to be run despite the hand wringing in the production business.
davidgmills said on June 22, 2011
Ponder this. The last thing a family wants is to lose is the house. When a family is buying a house, it has much more protection than when it is leasing. When you are buying the house, often you can get the bank to work with you, but when you are leasing, it is seldom the case that your landlord will. Eviction from a leased property is much easier to accomplish than foreclosure from a purchased piece of property.
First and foremost, Saab needs a roof over its head, and does not need to constantly worry about eviction.
Selling the Saab property will put Saab in a constant state of worry about eviction. This was a bad move on many levels.
In my opinion, Saab would have been much better selling its cars at a loss than trying to raise cash by selling its real estate. When you sell cars at a loss, at least you quickly find out what it takes to move your inventory. According to cars.com there are 1128 9-5s in inventory in the US awaiting sale. Saab should start selling them at $10,000 off sticker and see what kind of cash Saab can raise. If $10,000 is too much of a discount, then raise it a bit. If $10,000 still won’t move the inventory, go with a bigger discount. But raise cash with your inventory, not with your real estate. If necessary, collect these cars from dealers in the US and send them to China.
What selling your product at a steep discount does is put a hammer on your suppliers. Once you establish a price that moves your inventory, you can then go to your suppliers and tell them that this is all the market will bear. It helps cram them down. They will have to look at ways to reduce their costs.
When you sell your real estate, but you leave your product prices high, suppliers have no real basis to analyze whether they need to cut costs, so suppliers will continue to press for higher margins.
JH said on June 22, 2011
I understand your opinion and also agree that it would have been good if Saab had not needed to sell its properties. However, whoever buys Saab’s properties knows that best for them is if Saab continues to operate in those facilities since they are customized for Saab’s use and would be difficult to lease to someone else (at least the factory building). This sort of “sell and lease-back” deal has also worked out very well for other companies like Ford for example, and there may even be a buy-back clause in the selling agreement. Everything has a positive and a negative side, you just have to choose which side to look at it from.
davidgmills said on June 22, 2011
Certainly a lessor would know that the highest and best use for the property is as an auto production plant. But any lessor will have its limits. This lessor is an insurance company — Folksam. Unless Folksam is going to take a financial interest in Saab, ( which may be happening), it is going to have to make good on its investment for its stockholders and regulators. This means it is going to have to have a steady stream of lease payments.
Just because Ford was able to pull off a lease-back arrangement, doesn’t mean Saab will be able to. They have entirely different circumstances.
But as I said, when you raise cash by selling real estate, you have no real means of cramming down your suppliers. When you tell your suppliers you can only get $35,000 for a car, not the $55,000 MSRP, the suppliers clearly understand they have to reduce costs if they want to maintain Saab’s business. They clearly become part of the problem. Right now they have no clear incentive to cut costs or find different solutions to making the necessary parts. Suppliers can put the onus on other Saab costs — such as management, labor, real estate, taxes, insurance and whatever else a supplier can think of to pass blame.
davidgmills said on June 22, 2011
Call this the Walmart way. Walmart was famous (or infamous) for going to its suppliers and telling them they could only sell the product for X dollars and the product had to be made for Y dollars. Walmart would constantly go back to its suppliers and tell them the product had to be made for less. As a result, many of the suppliers began to make their products in Asia. I understand Kroger is doing the same thing now to compete with Walmart. But if that is the way the world works, Saab needs to do it to survive. Better to have Asian parts than Asian design, engineering and assembly.
JH said on June 22, 2011
I am not an expert in this area so I can’t and won’t comment on the effects of this. However, it is not Folksam who is interested in buying Saab’s properties but Hemfosa, a real estate company with Folksam as one of the shareholders. It would be nice if Folksam would take a financial interest in Saab, and if I am not mistaken they were being being part of one of the consortiums bidding on Saab in 2009/2010.