Bailout Blues: Why the wrong Swedish car brand is dying
As Saabistas are all too well aware, Saab’s days as a standalone brand look to be numbered today at eight: the time left until GM puts the final nail in the coffin on New Year’s Eve.
Yeah. I know. There was (another) last minute attempt by Dutch sports car maker Spyker to buy Saab. But then negotiations broke down (again) last week. So unless a miracle happens on East Jefferson Ave. (GM’s riverfront Detroit HQ address) existing 9-3s and 9-5s will live on in China, badged as products from BAIC, China's fifth-largest automaker.
But as of this morning, over at in Dearborn, it looks like Ford has finally found a taker for Volvo.
The automaker plans on signing a deal to sell Volvo to China's Zhejiang Geely Holding Group by spring of 2010.
But here’s the thing, if you’re a driving enthusiast, or a fan of interest cars, you have to think the wrong Swedish car brand is being shown the door. Because based on its engineering, styling and driving élan, if I had a choice, I’d pick Saab as the lone Swedish survivor.
Take for instance the Aero X concept. It certainly had Saab pointing in the right direction.
Although we’ll probably never get a chance to drive either one, the now stillborn 2010 9-5 sedan and 9-4X crossover looked to not only pick up some of the Aero X’s fairy dust in the looks department, but were also ready to reestablish Saab as a maker of turbocharged, fun-to-drive (and more importantly) interesting cars.
Just like the ’76 99 I use to run.
Not sure I can share the same enthusiasm for future Volvos.
As a one-time owner of a gaggle of 140s, 240s and 740s, my heart hasn’t been with Volvo since they moved to front-wheel-drive. And as competent as the current small S40s and V50s are to drive, they certainly don’t set off any fires in my driving enthusiast belly.
Now that the company will be run from China, which we can all assume Geely bought for Volvo’s safety intellectual property, I fear that the cars will be less targeted towards what North Americans want.
The optimist in me opines that some of Saab’s best bits will be found in forthcoming Buick-badged Opels.
But, well, it’s not the same, is it.
Do you think the wrong Swedish brand is dying?
If you had a choice, would you pick Volvo over Saab to fight another day?
[Source: Automotive News]
The automaker plans on signing a deal to sell Volvo to China's Zhejiang Geely Holding Group by spring of 2010.
But here’s the thing, if you’re a driving enthusiast, or a fan of interest cars, you have to think the wrong Swedish car brand is being shown the door. Because based on its engineering, styling and driving élan, if I had a choice, I’d pick Saab as the lone Swedish survivor.
Take for instance the Aero X concept. It certainly had Saab pointing in the right direction.
Although we’ll probably never get a chance to drive either one, the now stillborn 2010 9-5 sedan and 9-4X crossover looked to not only pick up some of the Aero X’s fairy dust in the looks department, but were also ready to reestablish Saab as a maker of turbocharged, fun-to-drive (and more importantly) interesting cars.
Just like the ’76 99 I use to run.
Not sure I can share the same enthusiasm for future Volvos.
As a one-time owner of a gaggle of 140s, 240s and 740s, my heart hasn’t been with Volvo since they moved to front-wheel-drive. And as competent as the current small S40s and V50s are to drive, they certainly don’t set off any fires in my driving enthusiast belly.
Now that the company will be run from China, which we can all assume Geely bought for Volvo’s safety intellectual property, I fear that the cars will be less targeted towards what North Americans want.
The optimist in me opines that some of Saab’s best bits will be found in forthcoming Buick-badged Opels.
But, well, it’s not the same, is it.
Do you think the wrong Swedish brand is dying?
If you had a choice, would you pick Volvo over Saab to fight another day?
[Source: Automotive News]
The situation with Saab reminds me of the fate of the Avro Arrow. So much potential in its future products which may never see the light of day. I have a 2008 Saab 9-5 wagon and absolutely love it. If GM lets it die rather than selling it, no one with a Saab, including myself will consider buying a GM in the future, I promise you that. And I've been a long time GM customer as I also currently have 2 Chevys and a Saturn in the past.
Sell Saab or close Saab. From a PR perspective, it a no brainer.
Posted by: JT | December 23, 2009 at 10:12 AM
It is very telling of GM's attitude toward SAAB that their main web GM.com still lists Pontiac, Saturn and Hummer in the vehicles list, yet no mention of SAAB!
Posted by: Tal | December 23, 2009 at 02:23 PM
I also own a 2008 Saab 9-5 Wagon, and I suspect it will be the last GM car I own as well. There is simply nothing in GM's remaining lineup that really appeals to me.
I'll probably switch to Volkswagen in the future. They've got everything I'm looking for. European styling, Fuel efficient and not too expensive. (Unless it's a Passat V6).
Posted by: Randy | December 23, 2009 at 07:43 PM
While Ford has done a lot of things right lately this sale is not one of them
Posted by: Dog Bite Attorney | December 23, 2009 at 08:29 PM
I'm an internet manager at a Volvo dealership in Ohio and have grown to enjoy the other Swedish brand. But as much as I appreciate the Volvo brand, it's comfortable seats, and brilliant safety record, it doesn't have the "gotta buy it" quotient like SAAB has had in the past. Both brands make good cars, but SAAB is definitely the one that has a loyal following.
Posted by: Andy Rupert | December 23, 2009 at 09:05 PM
I agree with you. Having never owned a Saab before until the 9-3 hatch I bought 10 years ago, I have to say it is the most fun to drive car I have ever owned. Something about how it is designed and how it handles just feels right. I love the fact that it has 5-star crash rating safety, very comfortable seats for long trips, that cavernous hatch that with the seat down makes it a "stealth hauler" to transport large items, and that it still is a dream cruising the interstates in all kinds of weather.
As you said, the new models look great, and it seems like Saab really wants to get back to its roots after years of investment neglect by GM. There seem to be willing buyers, but GM keeps turning them down....why? Inquiring minds want to know!
Posted by: maanders | December 23, 2009 at 09:45 PM
Indeed there is the Arrow analogy.
Hoepfully this time around the 'good guys' will win...
If not, how about going for another Canadian analogy; Viking Air (what's in a name..), they are once again manufacturing a modernized version of the iconic and unbeatable Twin Otter bush plane...
I'm very sure a modernized classic 900 would sell very well; every Saab enthusiast would want one !
(see http://www.vikingair.com/ )
Posted by: Frank Coster | December 24, 2009 at 04:11 AM