SAABSUNITED

It’s done… A few weeks ago Saab’s media site was closed down to the public, but before they were able to close it down, I was able to grab all the photos, press-releases etc. It will now all be available here on SaabsUnited, preserved in time for history! So over the past weeks I have been uploading 2944 original Saab photos, including some that were only offered on GM’s media site. A lot more stuff of historical value is scheduled for upload as well including videos and historical documents.

They are all located in the resources tab above under the link “Saab Original Photos“. Enjoy! =)

While we wait for the court’s decision on Saab’s application for reconstruction, feel free to read it yourself. If you prefer the English translation, I’ve cleaned it up so you can read it after the break. You’ll all be very familiar with sections 1 and 2, but section 3 gives away the most concrete details of what Saab plans to do if allowed to move forward with this plan:

1. If Pang Da and Youngman’s 245 million Euro investment is held up for whatever reason (which Victor Muller was very eager to explain he doesn’t expect during the press conference, going so far as to say applications have been prepared), “The Company is currently negotiating even short-term funding and has met a comprehensive interest in this. If the Company does not have the necessary time, management needs to consider putting the company into bankruptcy. When and if the necessary funding to start and maintain production is secured, the Company will continue to focus on its strategy to become a profitable and independent manufacturer of niche luxury vehicles, while implementation of all elements of the business plan which is still current and revising business plans, among other things, to include the potential of cooperation with the Youngman and Pang Da will mean.”
2. “…the all-new 9-3 is expected to be launched in 2013.”
3. “As part of its long-term strategy, the Company will apply a business model which retains both technology and design capability in-house to develop 1-2 new models in each 4-6-year cycle. Company also intends to cooperate with other parties on development of certain key components and technology and to develop further models.”
4. “…the Company will streamline its organization by minimizing any overlap and duplication of functions, simplify work processes and the dismantling of non-necessary functions that remain from the days when General Motors organization. This will reduce costs, make the company more flexible and enable the Company to improve the organization’s potential, where it is needed.”
5. SWAN will undertake “a streamlining and reduction of working capital and a review of business strategy in the U.S., which does not function satisfactorily and where both revenues and earnings are adversely affected by the currently unfavorable exchange rate.” (Tim Colbeck explained nothing was changing at SCNA now in his interview with Automotive News, but this statement implies changes are definitely ahead.

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We’re all pretty familiar with what’s going on in Sweden tomorrow regarding the court’s decision on reconstruction. While surely they’re under pressure, SCNA made the following statement to us and all other US media sources by email yesterday:

Today, Swedish Automobile NV (SWAN) and Saab Automobile AB in Sweden have announced an application for protective action to secure the Saab entity and enter into an official voluntary reorganization of the business. This filing does not include Saab Cars North America and our operations continue as normal.  Our intention at Saab Cars North America is to continue to support our customers with premium customer service well into the future.  Our focus at SAAB has never changed and will continue to be, producing world-class vehicles that reflect the SAAB brand that inspire our owners.

Indeed, in the press conference Victor Muller states that it makes no sense to drag SCNA or Saab Cars UK into this reconstruction, as they operate semi-independently. Also, Automotive News spoke with Tim Colbeck today about what reconstruction means for North America.

Read about it after the break.

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At saabblog.net I came across a letter aimed at the German Saab customers and fans. After the break you find a quick English translation I did.

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Dear Saab Fans,

As you are probably all aware, Saab today filed for voluntary reorganization and creditor protection. The rules surrounding the reorganization means that we are not able to bring the four cars, two 9-5SC and two 9-4X, from Sweden to Germany as anticipated. These cars would have served as the backbone of our convoy event and we see no possibility to go ahead without them.

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Swedish Television covered the press-conference today with a bit better quality than I was able to produce with my iPhone and uStream! They missed out on the first 3 minutes but anyway here it is:

Today I got drive a very nice car… Read the rest of this entry →

Audio file, Victor was very short on time but he did take time to answer a few questions from you guys!

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From Leftlanenews.com

“If Saab pays its debts, or at least some of them, we will help get production up and running again,” said Lars Holmqvist, CEO of the European Association of Automotive Suppliers.