There was a link to an inautonews.com article dropped in comments. It is talking about difficulties for any Saab bid because a deal with Semcon is said to be in place regarding the sale of some parts of Saab. I think this needs some clarification (again).
As we already reported here a few days ago there was indeed a deal with Semcon intended but Hemfosa, who own part of the real estate in Saab refused to give their ok. Like us, they’d prefer to see Saab sold as a whole.
So nothing new in this report if you read SU. I just wanted to get to this before rumors based on this report start floating again.
Thanks for keeping everything clear Till, some people are a day to a week behind you.
+1
+10
+20 Thanks for that. To bad the media doesn’t know.
Speaking of being a day or a week behind and the need for clarifications, Jason, can your provide any clarification how the Canadian dealers are holding up; they were also under SCNA but all the news so far has been about US dealers. And are parts flowing into Canada when needed at a reasonable speed?
What Parts?
Bruce, Canadian dealers are doing just like everyone else, we are slowly selling our remaining 2011 new stock at discounted prices and trying to service our customers as best we can. We are under the SCNA umbrella but through an importer “IFS” and from what I was told a week or so ago from Tim Colbeck, they are working on getting parts flowing into Canada as they have in the US. From what I understand they have to work with IFS and GM to get this working properly and it is a priority to them. If there are parts that you need or servicing required, contact your dealer as there is still plenty of repairs they can do now. I will continue to update as those updates come. I try to stay on top of all these things rather then just wait for it to come and I will continue emailing the people working on it to get answers.
I used to work for Semcon. Regrettably never at Saab Automobil. Pity! 🙂
As far as I know, Semcon was a far happier place when Hans Johansson was still in charge.
Completely off topic but perhaps a nice youngman related background story:
Today the Dutch newpaper FD reports that Youngman a year ago (before it approached Saab) showed serious interest in acquiring the Dutch carmaker (ailing) NedCar. Nedcar rejected Youngman’s interest following which Youngman opened discussions with Swan/Saab. They were willing to invest a significant amount in NedCar as they are willing now in Saab. Below a google trans of part of the article.
Google translation:
The Chinese bus manufacturer Youngman has one year ago had a serious interest to invest heavily in the ailing NedCar in Born, Limburg, the only car factory in the Netherlands. The Dutch management of NedCar did however leave the boat.
This is clear from interviews with those involved. After bouncing off of the negotiations shifted Youngman disappointed his interest to the Swedish Saab, owned by the Dutch Spyker CEO Victor Muller of. The failure of an investment is sour, because now closed for NedCar threatens. Mitsubishi takes ownership thereof by a decision next week.
“NedCar did nothing about it, actually there was no interest,” says a still disappointed Höbing Klemens, Youngman’s representative in Germany, where the Chinese cooperate with the German company MAN trucks and MAN Neoplan-daughter.
Representatives from Youngman led by trusted sources on 17 February last year visited the factory in Born. On that occasion they gave to the Born cars of the type to want to produce Colts Youngman buses and also for the European market to assemble. NedCar in Born is now in limited numbers for Mitsubishi Colts for the European market.
The Chinese bus maker would be willing to have several hundred million dollars to invest in the factory. NedCar reported to the Japanese parent company Mitsubishi not punches to the head in the interest of the Chinese group. NedCar will not respond.
off topic too but interesting… http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/motors/2012/0201/1224311043571.html
it just shows that di try to talk Saab dead, even outside their own paper.
Yes, it’s unbelievable.
Off topic. I’ve never seen positive result achieved by a negativity attitude. Nothing would ever been created or won if you’d thought it can’t be done.
What will Mr. Matson say in a couple of years when the first SAAB 900 rolls off the line in THN?
He shouldn’t talk about the brand being dead when half a dozen companies are looking to place a bid for the the whole thing and the plant is still standing.
+1000
what is driving the ongoing negative respones/reaction from DI?
I guess they adopted a stance once and will not divert from it no matter what. They probably think that owning up to their mistakes (they have been proven wrong many a time over the last 2 years or so) would diminish their stature as Sweden’s industry experts and cost advertising income. Shortsighted in my opinion but, well, there you are…
Ivo
“Remember Red , Hope is a good thing . . . . . maybe the best of things and no good thing ever dies “
+1 nice sentiment
Is that quote from the film “Shawshank Redemption”?
Very true. Also, when hope is the best thing you have, it becomes very powerful.
Mr Matson claims that it is two years of developement left on the new 9-3. Right after the bankrupcy one of the developers said he was so sad not to be able to finish the car, it was almost ready, just a few small details left. So who’s right?
Perhaps there would be lots more significant details once you chuck out all the GM stuff?
Mr Matson at DI can go to h*ll with his comments, he dosen’t have any experience about Saab!!
You know—-this thread contains a famous quote about hope. It makes me want to say—-I am proud to be a fan of Saab, mainly because of the intensity of the other fans, many of those found on this website. It’s amazing to be in the company of car fanatics who are so devoted and opinionated—-even if the opinions don’t match my own! Some of you have read about my desire for an entry level Saab and are thinking “That guy wants Saab to make a Hyundai Excel, only with fewer features, and call it a Saab!” While I’m thinking—-“These crazies want Saab to go head to head with Aston Martin, only priced higher!” We debate politics, unions, MSRPs—-but all in the name of having HOPE that somehow Saab can emerge from this nightmare and that someday, all of us will have a chance to buy a 2014 or 2015 Saab—-and many more after that, in some form. Swedish owned, Chinese, Indian, Turkish, Canadian—-hell, at this point, GM can buy them back for all I care. If Saab is alive, there is hope.
+1
SAAB Up!
Never Ever Give Up!
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