TTela kept themselves busy this week.
They have interviewed Jason Castriota, talked to the supplier’s organization and this morning got a comment from GM.
Saab’s chief designer Jason Castriota says they were busy putting the final touches on the new 900 (née 9-3) when the bankruptcy was declared. “We had put in extra effort to get it ready fast given Saab’s predicament”.
“We were getting ready to put prototypes on the road to really test the car. To think that this car won’t be built is an impossible thought to me as I know what great car this would become. I have worked for bigger automobile manufacturers and realize the qualities of the 9-3. If it won’t be built when at the same time considerably worse cars are sold and are rolling around on the roads – it is incredibly frustrating. The car was very competitive in terms of size.”
He continues explaining how the team was preparing to move forward with additional models based on the Phoenix platform.
“Work had commenced exploring the bandwidth and size of future models of the Phoenix. We had a good cooperation going. The spirit of the development team has been fantastic including the cooperation with Mats Fägerhag, Kjell AC Bergström and all involved teams.”
“The Saab brand is so strong and this model so valuable that I can not imagine things coming to an end now. We worked 20 months on this project. If it won’t be known as a Saab, one must hope it will be realized under a different name. I truly hope the receivers can take care of the values found here and that the facilities and personnel in Trollhättan will continue production. When I went to Trollhättan it really hit me the ability they have to innovate, despite its small population.”
Jason does not know what events currently take place. “We were sent on Christmas holidays directly after what occurred last week and have not met since. I have only been in touch with Victor through SMSes, he has been very busy. We will see what happens next, but as I said, I hope Saab will continue.”
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GM: “We are definitively listening for proposals”
Fredrik Sidahl of the Automotive Suppliers’ Organization (FKG) and the CEO of Semcon Kjell Nilsson say the suppliers most definitively are in favor of a restart of Saab, but warns that chances are slim. “It is not for a lack of interest, but because GM so clearly has behaved in a bitter and irresponsible fashion.”
“Without the current models it will be practically impossible to restart the production, no matter how terrible that sounds. Without a 100 percent GM-backed plan there is no hope.”
GM’s spokesperson James R Cain says GM will not dismiss a qualified buyer of Saab.
“If there is someone who are interested in building cars licensed from us and their interests do not conflict with ours, then we would definitively listen to their ideas. But that is a remote possibility right now.”
Kjell Nilsson says it would take about 200-250 Saab engineers to continue developing the Phoenix. “Not everybody are qualified to design the Phoenix”.
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A plea to our readers: I realize we are all very frustrated with the current situation. To my great surprise, some of you take out your frustration on Victor. I know Victor has openly admitted he made a few mistakes, but I have yet to see someone step forward and say what they would have done differently. Yesterday I got caught up in a “discussion” where the proposed ideas were exactly some of the many things Victor tried. If you are so desperate to be a backseat driver, at least come up with something new.
PS: OTOH, it is very easy to spot things EIB could have done differently. Or what GM could have done differently. Or what Swegov could have done differently! The owner of Saab have done their best working within the constraints put in place by the others. I know where to point the big fat finger of blame. Even Riksgälden were surprised by EIB’s decisions and I think it was Swegov’s responsibility to take on EIB. In fact, I think EIB actively sabotaged Saab and I see no reason why Swegov should honor their deal with EIB. (EIB could of course reply that Swegov pushed EIB to not approve the Antonov deal, but surely Swegov would never had done something like that..?) What Victor may or may not have done is small potatoes compared with EIB and Swegov.
This one also came out quite late: http://ttela.se/ekonomi/saab/1.1481425–det-finns-flera-seriosa-intressenter-
Quite positive.
http://ttela.se/ekonomi/saab/1.1481425–det-finns-flera-seriosa-intressenter-
Sounds pretty positive…
This sure sounds promising. I get the feeling that the recievers has been struck by the “Saab-Spirit” and that is pure positive news.
Hope that something constructive comes out of it all and that their work is along the lines as ourselves.
Happy New Year all Saabers!!!!
/Daniel
I drove past SAAB CITY in London on Boxing Day and just saw a lonely Xmas tree lit up in the empty showroom and thought that isn’t right. These latest developments will be a turning point for SAAB and i wish them all the best for 2012, we will be there for them and SAAB will be back big time……be positive
That interior from Phoenix is just astonishing! I just so much wish there would be a time when we can start to talk about cars! Not yet dare to do it but that time will come, it must come!
Either way it will conflict with GM because Saab wants to build qaulity and enjoyable to drive cars….
I dont believe GM gives a damn about what happens to Saab. There’s nothing in it for GM.
I agree fully zippy,GM took everything from SAAB that it wanted and just dumped it like a shark without it’s fins. They never really gave a crap about SAAB!
I also agree with zippy’s view! To Saab: just get rid of GM platforms and technology
The new 9-5 and 9-4x are not competitive in the German/European market – which is an indicator for the world market. The 9-5 just has too many weaknesses and the 9-4x unefficient engine technologies.
A long time ago Saab was so innovative and developed and constructed cars which were much more advanced compared to their competitors.
Trolhättan: the Saab enthusiasts urge you to get rid of US-technology nobody needs and start up a new era of innovation!
All of these good news tid bits are nice. Bottom line, as it says above. Saab can’t go forward without current GM technology so if they don’t like a buyer or simply don’t want to be bothered, there is no chance.
Here’s to hoping that GM agrees to a non Chinese suitor and things can be better for all.
A billion dollars doesn’t grow on trees—-but it seems to grow in China. Government Moochers (GM) is worried about having their ego bruised—if a well-funded Saab turns a profit in 2-3 years—-something their sorry management couldn’t do in 20. Rune’s post has it right.
What James Cain and the rest of the a-holes at GM are saying is a big lie and they know it too. GM is desperately after the chinese market (the biggest car market in the world). They are already selling thier crapy cars through SAIC in China and they are intimidated by future players such as independent Saab to gain access to that maket – spacially when there is a local/chinese company is involved!
The steering wheel reminds me of the late 50s/early 60s Chrysler products.
Reminds me of the “Quartic” steering wheel in the late, unlamented Austin Allegro – and I’m not even from the UK! Hope they rethink the steering wheel shape, other than that, a stunning interior.
I’m sure Steering wheel can be redesigned as long as the factory starts making cars again. If I’m not mistaking the pick must be of the interior of Aero X concept!
Paddan: Yes—-that is the first thing I thought of when I saw it. A few years back, I could have bought a ’64 Newport or New Yorker (can’t remember) for relative pennies. I test drove it. It had that steering wheel. I ended up opting for a ’69 Cadillac instead. Every once in a while, I think back to the test drive in that Chrysler—-and regret not having bought it. I did enjoy that Caddy for a few years though.
Well, you sort of hit the nail on the head with that comment—-GM does business just about everywhere. Their shareholders will be “hurt” if anyone competes with them anywhere—-so the rationale that stopped the Youngman funding/sale can be used by Government Morons to squash any investment/sale of Saab I guess. GM is a loser.
Don´t be too GM, that´s always bad.
If a person behaves like GM, that´s not good more.
My wishes for 2012 that there will be a new owner with deep pockets and a passion for SAAB in Sweden…… Jason Castriota stays as chief designer at SAAB and design us lot more great SAAB SAABS with his legendary design language
The Chinese government should * wake up to the reality – the state owned companies like SAIC are getting scraps of old crap last gen technology hand down from GM. If they really want to become competitive on the international stage, then they need latest techs like the Phoenix.
GM’s arseholeness also shows their arrogance – they think the worls still revovles around them, guess what, even if they don’t collaborate witht eh Chinese using their latest IP, their competitors do. Ford/ Volvo / VW etc
While I am encouraged somewhat by the snippets, I regret to say I think it’s a longshot that Saab will reopen to manufacture cars at THN. Why? Two letters sum it up and they start with G and end with M.
Government Morons?