For anyone who follows me away from SU, yesterday I did a post about my thoughts on things surrounding Saab. I didn’t post here because Tim’s post was very active at the point I had written this and did not want to take anything away from it.
Running a blog like Saabs United is a huge undertaking and one that isn’t taken lightly. We as writers are constantly judged by what we write. Is this fair? I guess so because it’s what we signed up for and I think we all have big enough shoulders to take the heat when it comes. With that in mind though, we are constantly struggling with what to and what not to say. Anyone that thinks this is easy should really try it for themselves. Working for free trying to secure contacts that will trust you and give you information that is not available to the public is very time consuming and then what to do with what you’ve been given without losing your contact because you have revealed too much is quite a balancing act itself.
Below is what I wrote yesterday about everything going on right now.
The ongoing Saab saga and the leaks of info here and there have made it near impossible to know who is right and who is wrong or even what is good or bad. From the outside looking in for the average person reading the news clips, you get lost trying to find your way through it all. One day you hear that Saab is saved and almost as quick as the next you have the different media outlets casting doubts on everything surrounding the deal.
What do we really know for certain? We know that NEVS, National Electric Vehicles Sweden has been chosen as the successful bidder to buy what is left of Saab. They have stated that their intentions are to build electric vehicles in Sweden and to initially focus on the Chinese market but with the intention to be a global car company. In a nut shell, that is all we know for certain.
Rumors are what sell papers and for Saab and the financial disaster they have been through has had the opposite effect on tabloid news. This stuff sells and gets people reading. For those of us that try to look through the surface of what is being written, we don’t always have the sensational stories because they can not always be backed up by inside sources and therefore are hard to write.
Often times we find ourselves having to write about the rumors to try to find the truth hidden behind the opinions and words written by others.
Yesterday brought a lot of doubt and some possibly unfounded joy to some. It was reported that NEVS possibly had insufficient funds to complete the purchase of Saab and because they weren’t immediately available for comment as has been their MO the whole way through this process, some took that to mean that this was true and the deal was about to fall apart and some made the jump to thinking that Youngman could possibly come back and buy Saab.
NEVS has since responded to such claims stating that this is not the case and that they do have the funds needed for closing the deal and implementing the business plan. This does little to calm the people again stating this is the end and then begs the question as to why talk to the media if they and the public will make their own assumptions and not take you at face value? NEVS comment to Just Auto below sums up their way of doing things quite well.
“We have decided not to comment on what other actors are saying or speculation. We rather focus on closing and when we have something to say, we say it ourselves.”
If you remember, the Swedish media has not always been a nice place to discuss Saab in the past so why should they say anything? I know we as the fans want and feel like it’s our right to know everything but that is just not the case. Keep calm and wait and see are words way to familiar to anyone surrounding this whole ordeal but they are simply the only thing we can do.
Even making contacts with people behind the scenes, you can quite often come across two sides of insiders who tell you different stories so it is always hard to know where the truth actually is. I think I’ve come to think when I see things written, who is saying what? Are they trying to sell me on what they are telling the media? Do they have anything to gain in what is being reported? If the answer is yes to them selling me or if they have anything to gain, I take it with a grain of salt.
After I wrote this yesterday, there was a lot of talk on SU about how nobody wants NEVS, how SU was a better place before, heck I almost gave someone a stroke through conversation. The truth is that nobody including the writers know what will or wont be successful for Saab. We writers have an open mind to NEVS as they are the ones who have been chosen. Many feel that Youngman could have been a better owner but fail to remember that with the current range of vehicles, Saab failed to make money. This is not something that will be solved just by turning the production line back on again, it’s going to take a hell of a lot more then just showing up to build cars.
I am more then okay with people not agreeing with me or to think I’m crazy to have any hope in NEVS. Regardless of any of that, I will stand behind this company and the workers and people that have made it what it is. Saab is and will always be more then just cars to me.
I’m selective about using all caps. It’s usually when I’m yelling.
AGREE
I agree with Allan B.
To Allan and possibly Hans—-mystery solved. You like the idea of electric cars. Do you think including gas engined cars in the stable would increase the chances for the company to actually survive? Do you think it’s in the best interest of factory workers, future shareholders, all involved—-to limit Saab to an electric car?
As for having horses in the stable—-you might be right, but I’ll also assert that anyone buying into NEVS as a savior might have a serious neurosis of their own.
Sorry Alan , Angelo makes most sense here! All we want is nevs to say that they will also partner with someone to make diesels, petrols , hybrids , then I believe nevs would have are full support!!
Can’t agree with you , sorry.
The last question in my comment is not about agreement or not. Those numbers are available and are just plain hard cold facts.
Maybe the hard facts can say one thing, but it would be better to switch to Thorium.
That’s a Cheap, Clean and Safe Alternative to Uranium.
It is also available in large amounts.
Norway has huge deposits of thorium which should be the new nuclear energy.
That was simply pointing out a mind-set and I apologize for offending people with the analogy. Perhaps people who lost loved ones in Jonestown, Guyana are equally offended when they read about “Kool-Aid drinkers.”
people will always have different opinions.. especially the ones’ that are full of negativity.. I say, if someone is stating something that is not true just tell them to relax and wait… that’s what true fans of Saab are doing.. we just wait for good news and save up money for a brand new Saab…
#1000 Jason! Angelo do us all a favour and go purchase KIA/Hyundai so you can leave this blog! How dare you compare the Holocaust to the NEVS situation!
Give us all a break!!!!!
wise up he was not comparing it to holocaust , read it again!!!!
I kind of disagree, he even stated it was a comparison and not a fair one but in all my talks with Angelo, I have to say I don’t think he meant compare the two. He sometimes just over does his point.
I can’t afford Kia or Hyundai. I can afford the cars, but not the corporations.
You know exactly what I meant Angelo! Get a Life!!!
He can afford the corporations, it’s just that Rachel would be offended if he purchased a Korean competitor.
Already have a KIA Sedona as one of four personal vehicles and one company car.
Better hide the Sedona, or 2nd base with Rachel ain’t gonna happen.
That said, I need forgiveness. I’ve been thinking about a 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT. It might speak to my hatchback heart.
Sounds like Saab would had really needed a 9-2 hatch to be assembled in Mexico for the U.S. market coming out with a $23k starting at price. GM just would never had allowed it. I have to admit Hyundiawaiaia is making all the right moves at the moment. Make the car look modern on the surface and save on the tech or make a cheeper copy of a powerful German premium vehicle. The consumers in America just love that sort of stuff.
Okay guys lets stone him now 🙂
The thing is, that Sedona, even though it’s a few years newer than my Saab, is parked in the driveway. The Saab and old BMW get garage space. The 33 year old Chevy Monza is parked next to the Sedona, with two waterproof car covers on it. I don’t have covers large enough to hide the Sedona. What should I be driving when I pick Rachel up—-the Saab or my company car, a Prius?
Actually, I’m confused now about what you meant. I had made comments about having enough money to buy Saab if NEVS has enough money to buy Saab. Then I read a comment that I should buy Hyundai or Kia and wasn’t sure if it meant buying a new Hyundia or Kia, or BUYING HYUNDAI OR KIA—-the companies. So no, I didn’t know exactly what was meant, which is why I phrased that response the way I did.
I am not confident in what NEVS will result in, but i am 100 % sure about this:
Regardless of any of that, I will stand behind this company and the workers and people that have made it what it is. Saab is and will always be more then just cars to me.
That was great sentences.
i am just sitting here watching opening ceremony for the Para olympics and thinking how lucky i am to have a healthy and fit family and feel quite humble. To put it into persective, all i have to worry about is where to get a new rear bumper from for my 2008 aero, Watching these olympians compete…….makes my bumper feel all so unimportant.
Good luck to all who are competeing and to make it a safe games.
+1000
I’ll buy you a pint!
when ?
Did you try to find a used rear bumper?
Desser.
I to was very humbled, & wish all those lovely souls sheer happiness, always.
Have a look on ebay uk, lots of Saab bits there.
Apologies = Dezzer
looking as we write….cheers
Hi there. I’m sincerely interested in the current state and fate of Saab (as the owner of a 2010 9-3 Convertible “orphan,” my fourth Saab) and of this blog …and of the exchange between Jason and Angelo (though respect him as I do, I think Angelo’s getting a bit over-the-top). For my edification (maybe I missed it somewhere), Jason, what is your background and ties past or present, to Saab? Thanks!
Ed, I am a sales manager at Springman’s Saab in BC, Canada. I was asked to join the team here and be a voice of dealers and have in the past written stuff about what we as dealers do and given some insight into used cars and how things are done. You can check the history for my posts, in the search box at the top right if you put my name in there and select posts you should see them.
Exactly; I do have exactly the same thoughts.
I will continue to read this blog as long as I drive Saab, and that will hopefully be very long, while this is the best source of information I can think off.
But we have to realize that this is still a blog.
Hope that ones the spokesman of NEVS do realize that SU is a medium they can trust, t they put SU in their network when they have serious things to tell to the Saab community.
Jason,
“…heck I almost gave someone a stroke through conversation…”
Careful, I’m not fully recovered yet!
We disagree, and I have a typical hot temper Jersey attitude, but Jason your still awesome, I appreciate your commentary (as long as it doesn’t leave me hospitalized ;)), and think we are pulling for the same team.
TEAM SAAB!
Very well written as usual, Jason! As others have commented, you needn’t defend yourself or what you are writing. I understand that it’s hard to report about Saab at the moment, when there is so much speculation and rumors but not much facts available. The old journalistic rule ”never report anything that isn’t confirmed by two independent sources” seems to be forgotten these days, at least in mainstream media. I’m waiting as patiently as I can for some fact-based news and hope they’ll be positive. I can’t do more. Keep up the good work with SaabsUnited! 🙂
Jason, I should also like to add: nice post. This is a fan site after all, so it is natural to believe things can be fixed. There are Saab “fan sites” out there where the prevailing view is that everything went wrong under GM and there are no true Saabs since the 9000 or the 900 or the two-strokes and blah, blah, blah … lots of pointless negativity, navel-gazing and living in the past. What makes SU great is that it looks to the future. So bravo.
Chris, I think I can speak to your statement about why certain people are so upset about NEVS: We don’t know NEVS. They haven’t approached the Saab community in any substantive way. Many of us feel NEVS was handed the keys to Saab in a way that is not entirely kosher. Their statements about an all EV Saab is unrealistic. In my mind, these are good reasons to be upset at the situation…I’m sure others have reasons, too…these are mine.
Well said.
Thank you Alan.
What I witnessed in here yesterday saddened me and was not at all in the Saab spirit. Some commentators ought to be thoroughly ashamed of their conduct, not of their views and opinions though I hasten to add.
Yes, and we can honor the people who run this site and writers who contribute to it, by not being patronizing—but by voicing opinions, some in agreement and others in opposition. I love seeing threads that have over 100 comments—I get lost in those when I visit. They are much more engaging to me than where I see 7 comments—all “atta boys.”
74StingSaab,
I agree with you saying “If you have nothing nice to say, it’s better not to say anything at al” ……UNLESS it has to with out LOST warranties…..I know everyone, I should get over it!!!! 🙂
Not sure if anyone else saw this piece in this weeks Sunday Mirror here in the UK. It was in the motoring section written every week by Quentin Wilson who,s writing I actually admire and respect. I thought it was an interesting read, particularly the tone of the writing and the clear message it is sending out.
I neither support it nor disrespect it but either way it is certainly thought provoking.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/authors/quentin-wilson/quentin-willson-on-fords-electric-car-1279042
In light of all the negativity on SU right now I just thought this may add a little bit of weight to your cause and belief.
Best regards
I have been to Spain a few times this year & hire cars whilst there.
Last October it was a small Opel something? 1.20 diesel, small, etc.
DID NOT LIKE IT, under powered & nothing in reserve after 70 miles an hour…
The last few occasions I’ve driven a Ford Fiesta 1.4 diesel.
A great little motor, very economical & still has a bit of go.
Combine this with some EV stuff & Ford have nailed it.
“Well I’ve never been to Spain…but I kinda like the ladies.” Three Dog Night, circa early 1970s.
God knows what you passing and I know that is very hard to please both sides.
Good Luke is all that I desire to you.
SaabsUnited people get a little tired and maybe irritated when they don’t hear good news.
Just a thought.
They take some time away… I did. Now I wonder what the F happened here..
100% I think thats exactly why I post something like this because it brings most of us back together, yesterday I almost gave Ronnie Rad a stroke, today he tells me I’m awesome. I like when there has been some stress in the community to be able to bring us back to a common ground. I will not be that person who tries to divide the Saab community more then it has been and will always try to find that common ground and make this a fun place to be.
let’s go have a beer…I sure need one.
can I come too : ( (she asks with a pout) ?
YES Julie, anytime. I owe ya one!
lol……
Let’s face it—you MUST be awesome to have the ability to almost give someone a stroke.
Maybe he was referring to Audi, Volvo, VW, Skoda, Renault, Citroen or other FWD cars? There are alternatives, and it is a legitimate question why it should be a Saab. It most certainly is not the FWD, as this concept is the clear winner by the numbers.
BTW what’s with ovloV nowadays? V60 turning away from practicality and looking like something coming out of Korea.
A 245 turbo. Now that was a serious Swedish car for hauling stuff -when the roads were dry.
iReplying don’t know what’s wrong with the road performance and handling from a V50. All I know that I can’t keep up with a V50 in corners with my Saab 9.3 vector sportestate 210hp full opts automatic. A V50 has the same good chassis as a focus. Which has the reputation as being the best fwd in that class . Maybe that V50 hat old tires? My Saab sure has not.
All the virtues you point out—and I agree with—will they be in that new NEVS product?
“Something more”, I can get behind. Battery operated INSTEAD of gas powered—-no, I can’t possibly get behind that. “in addition to” absolutely. “instead of” NFW.
Err, I would not participate on this web site if we were not of the same opinion regarding Saab. 🙂 I was just referring to that single FWD argument vs. BMW. Why of all brands that ugliness? Shiver…
+
Saab´s fate is the result of globalization, right now the automobile industry is consolidating and only big corporations will survive . few brands will control the market
I visited GM facility located in Ramos Arizpe, Where saab had produced the 9-4x suv, now this plant is producing Cadillac SRX ( beautiful suv), basically is the same product,
there´s only one solution:
we all have to respect each other and the different opinion.
none of them are more truth – they often are a result of the different point of view.
it´s mostly all speculation and from that, everyone has his own thoughts.
so i don´t think that´it´s right, to segregate someone, who´s opinion is different – and the opinion of the makers of this great platform aren´t more “worth” than anyone else – but they have my full respect.
ps: sorry for my english, but the school in went is more than 35 years ago…
“Saab failed to make money. This is not something that will be solved just by turning the production line back on again”
Right, and all those stating that the production should be resumed with combustion engines should start indicating how such cars could be made more successful on the market. To me, it would be returning to the hatchback. But that alone won’t cut it.
Returning to the hatchback—at a lower price point. With better advertising and promotion. That would do it. That would cut it.
KIA AND Hyundai have hatchbacks great advertising and they have a lower prices! Angelo you should give them a try!!!!!!!!
I already own a KIA minivan. That’s a big hatchback. They’re also the fastest growing brand, by far, in the U.S.A. They’re doing something right.
not by itself Angelo, advertising takes a lot of cash and one car simply won’t do it in todays market. I can’t think of a single car maker that can cut it with one car at a low price that can make it in todays market. To get that low price and one model you sure as hell can’t make it in Sweden.
My assumption isn’t one model. Mahindra could sell their sport-utes and light duty diesel pick-up trucks, along with a small hatchback made in India and a premium sedan made in Sweden. Advertising does take a lot of cash—-so for the cash-strapped newbies like NEVS, maybe they should open a lemonade stand instead of going into the car business.
My vision for Mahindra would be that they sell their sport utes and light duty trucks as Mahindras (like they sell their tractors here in the U.S.). The premium hatchback car I’m envisioning (think VW Golf but better and a price in the mid 20s to low 30s) would be branded as a Saab. The flagship made in Sweden would also be a Saab. Going to extremes is done by many, including politicians—-to get a point across. Regarding advertising—-Saab spent considerable money on advertising at times and wasted nearly every single dime.
Carlo: One of the things I’ve been commenting on (along with others) is that we SHOULD know more about NEVS. We SHOULD know more about what they are planning to do with Saab. We don’t like the silence.
Does anyone know how many former SAAB-engineers that have been hired from:
– NEVS
– Volvo
– Spyker/YM
I think this issue is very important for the possible future of progressive Saab-values.
I fully understand that NEVS keep quiet. In the era of cell phone and Internet you can nearly everything gab to death. 😉
I don’t believe in NEVS, they do not instill confidence, but I still hope on Saab as a great automobile manufacturer in the future. Something will happen and change from todays situation…
Agreed.
Saw a 2011 Saab 9-5 in the carpark at work yesterday. Parked my heap of junk next to it, had a snoop around said Saab and as I walked away I turned around and thought to myself ‘Simon Padian, damn you are good!!!!’.
Saab died on 19 December 2011 but it still doesnt stop me drooling over one every time I see one.
yes! simon padian was really great and for me the best designer since years.
The last (?!) Saabs were beautiful. Especially if you include the Aero-X and 9-x Air.
I. Want. One.
And I also want GM Dead and Forgotten, but you knew that… 😉
Usually, I equate “added value” with something I’m paying for. I think there’s an amazing “value” in having Jason, Tim R. and the others researching, keeping their ears to the ground and doing so much writing—-and we can visit and exchange ideas, agree, disagree, etc. for free. Why delete an account? What does that accomplish?
(This is in response to Brammelo’s comment above.)
Thanks Angelo, it’s nice to see that with the back and forth and agreements and disagreements that we still respect eachother and I would echo your statement here
Where is my post? I’ll try again.
I think we need a company with a clear vision, expressed to the outside world.
I think we need an enthousiastic company, with a (personal) face.
I think we desperately need good stories, where we can dream of.
I think cars are all about looks and feel, that’s why.
Where stands NEVS in all this?
We, the fans need a heroe to look up to.
To me NEVS is a very quiet, calculating and technical company. So….mm.
This week i heared/read the story from Spyker-Youngman and there plans. It made feel ok, and why is that?
It makes me write again.
Did i make myself clear (two times) haha!
Any news on Friday’s ultimatum?
+1
The deadline came. And went. But nobody died. Boy, that grim reaper must be sooo mad right now.
Yes, what happened?
Better question, what DIDN’T happen? Was a payment NOT made?
From all the searching I’ve made, I can’t find anything but Di stating there was even a deadline, seems like another rumor to me.
For some reason, the Heinz ketchup ad lyrics of 1979 keep coming to mind: “Anticipation, anticipation…”