In the fallout of the auto bailout, one thing that has become clear is that GM are looking to either sell or shut down SAAB. As the number of potential buyers for 'up for sale' automotive brands dwindles by the day, we can probably assume that as a condition of receiving the bailout the US Congress has just granted, GM may not let SAAB hang around for too long. But we were reminded how interesting, and unique a brand SAAB was last week in Detroit, upon spotting this great example of a 900.
After Mark had jumped out to photograph it, we kicked of a debate about what’s gone wrong at SAAB – including the suggestion that Mark’s mum could have made a better fist of running SAAB than GM has, which you can watch here:
Regular readers will note that a few weeks ago I wrote a blog intended as the first in a series detailing how several under-performing brands (SAAB being one of them), could be revived. Well, that was before the sky fell in on the automotive industry. And writing about design niceties, model line ups and green strategies seems rather like rearranging the deck-chairs on the titanic at the moment, so I’m keeping my council for now.
Clearly, right now, GM doesn’t have enough money to make anything of the SAAB brand. And while we may yet still get the launch of a new SAAB 9-5 later next year, it could well be the brand’s last new model. Ever. This is a great shame – many Europeans have great memories of SAABs from the past – and I maintain that the Brand has massive untapped consumer appeal, particularly in Europe. As Chris Harris wrote last week, most Europeans really couldn’t care less about GMC, Buick and Pontiac – brands in GM’s portfolio that may well earn a reprise, but they will be desperately sad to see the oddball Swedes disappear.
Let’s hope there’s a case of ‘it’s not over ‘til the fat lady sings’ on this one, and that SAAB does make it. But right now, sadly, that looks unlikely.
Posted by Joseph Simpson on 11th December 2008
Photo by charmermark
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