Spyker + SAAB = True
- Thread starter Mr Robert
- Start date
…glad that Saab will be bought by someone!
Giannis
Staff member
Not exactly a thought, but kind of a press release:
GM Reaches Agreement to Sell Saab to Spyker
DETROIT – General Motors and Spyker Cars NV today confirmed that they have reached a binding agreement on the purchase of Saab Automobile AB.
"Today's announcement is great news for Saab employees, dealers and suppliers, great news for millions of Saab customers and fans worldwide, and great news for GM," said John Smith, GM vice president for corporate planning and alliances.
"General Motors, Spyker Cars, and the Swedish government worked very hard and creatively for a deal that would secure a sustainable future for this unique and iconic brand, and we're all happy for the positive outcome," Smith said.
As part of the agreement, Spyker intends to form a new company, Saab Spyker Automobiles, which will carry the Saab brand forward. The sale will be subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of applicable regulatory, governmental and court approvals. Other terms and conditions specific to the sale will be disclosed in due time.
The Swedish government is at present reviewing the transaction and the related request for guarantees of a Saab Automobile loan that has been requested from the European Investment Bank. Assuming quick action, the transaction is expected to close in mid-February, and previously announced wind down activities at Saab will be immediately suspended, pending the close of the transaction.
"Throughout the negotiations, GM has always had the hope to find a solution for Saab that would avoid a wind down of the brand," added Nick Reilly, president, GM Europe. "We've worked with many parties over the past year, including governments and investors, and I'm very pleased that we could come to such a good conclusion, one that preserves jobs in Sweden and elsewhere. GM will continue to support Saab and Spyker on their way forward."
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About General Motors: General Motors, one of the world's largest automakers, traces its roots back to 1908. With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 204,000 people in every major region of the world and does business in some 140 countries. GM and its strategic partners produce cars and trucks in 34 countries, and sell and service these vehicles through the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling. GM's largest national market is the United States, followed by China, Brazil, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Italy. GM's OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. General Motors acquired operations from General Motors Corporation on July 10, 2009, and references to prior periods in this and other press materials refer to operations of the old General Motors Corporation. More information on the new General Motors can be found at General Motors | Corporate Website | GM.
Saab background: Saab entered the auto business in 1949 with the first model 92. Its aerodynamic shape and advanced technology drew from the company's roots as an aircraft maker, and helped create what was to become a loyal and passionate customer base. GM acquired a 50 percent stake in Saab in 1990, and acquired the balance of Saab in 2000. As part of its strategy to focus on its four strongest brands in the U.S., GM began seeking a buyer for Saab in January 2009, a concerted effort that led to today's announcement.
GM Reaches Agreement to Sell Saab to Spyker
DETROIT – General Motors and Spyker Cars NV today confirmed that they have reached a binding agreement on the purchase of Saab Automobile AB.
"Today's announcement is great news for Saab employees, dealers and suppliers, great news for millions of Saab customers and fans worldwide, and great news for GM," said John Smith, GM vice president for corporate planning and alliances.
"General Motors, Spyker Cars, and the Swedish government worked very hard and creatively for a deal that would secure a sustainable future for this unique and iconic brand, and we're all happy for the positive outcome," Smith said.
As part of the agreement, Spyker intends to form a new company, Saab Spyker Automobiles, which will carry the Saab brand forward. The sale will be subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of applicable regulatory, governmental and court approvals. Other terms and conditions specific to the sale will be disclosed in due time.
The Swedish government is at present reviewing the transaction and the related request for guarantees of a Saab Automobile loan that has been requested from the European Investment Bank. Assuming quick action, the transaction is expected to close in mid-February, and previously announced wind down activities at Saab will be immediately suspended, pending the close of the transaction.
"Throughout the negotiations, GM has always had the hope to find a solution for Saab that would avoid a wind down of the brand," added Nick Reilly, president, GM Europe. "We've worked with many parties over the past year, including governments and investors, and I'm very pleased that we could come to such a good conclusion, one that preserves jobs in Sweden and elsewhere. GM will continue to support Saab and Spyker on their way forward."
###
About General Motors: General Motors, one of the world's largest automakers, traces its roots back to 1908. With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 204,000 people in every major region of the world and does business in some 140 countries. GM and its strategic partners produce cars and trucks in 34 countries, and sell and service these vehicles through the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling. GM's largest national market is the United States, followed by China, Brazil, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Italy. GM's OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. General Motors acquired operations from General Motors Corporation on July 10, 2009, and references to prior periods in this and other press materials refer to operations of the old General Motors Corporation. More information on the new General Motors can be found at General Motors | Corporate Website | GM.
Saab background: Saab entered the auto business in 1949 with the first model 92. Its aerodynamic shape and advanced technology drew from the company's roots as an aircraft maker, and helped create what was to become a loyal and passionate customer base. GM acquired a 50 percent stake in Saab in 1990, and acquired the balance of Saab in 2000. As part of its strategy to focus on its four strongest brands in the U.S., GM began seeking a buyer for Saab in January 2009, a concerted effort that led to today's announcement.
Mr Robert
Kraftwagen König
Centurion
Apex Apex Predator
SAAB will need to be entirely reinvented if it is to survive, like Jaguar. Even top brands innovate themselves. Mercedes are now offering sporty cars which is something they did not do 6-10 years ago when BMW was the default choice for anything in the market for a luxury car with sporty characteristics.
Volvo and SAAB have failed to innovate themselves and thus the market drifted away from them and got caught in bad weather of declning sales and oblivion.
Volvo and SAAB have failed to innovate themselves and thus the market drifted away from them and got caught in bad weather of declning sales and oblivion.
Giannis
Staff member
Saab is in a much worse position than both Volvo and Jaguar when it was sold to Tata. Saab has no competitive products at the momment, and the new 9-5 and 9-4X have to prove themselves.
I don't know if Spyker has short or longterm plans for Saab. I hope for the latter. Saab needs a lot of patience and money, but it can be a very competitive brand!
As you said, Saab has to reinvent itself. But to what? It's an alternative to the quasi-luxury brands and faces brands like Alfa Romeo. What can it become? A mass market manufacturer? We have VW and Opel for that. A luxury car maker? We have Audi, BMW and MB and they are light years ahead of Saab. A badget car maker, like Seat, or Skoda? I believe none of those.
Saab needs to reinvent itself to what it is. An alternative, quasi-luxury car maker, with competitive cars, that can steal customers from both VW and Audi.
Saab, has unique design and brand identity. It has heritage and tradition and innovation history that many older brands are jealous of! It now needs some descent products and a new market introduction, which means a completelly new marketing approach, to make consumers forget of the GM era, and get in touch with the Spyker era.
It needs the 9-4X badly. Everybody and his mother is buying an medium size SUV these days, and cars like the X3, Q5, Tiguan and co sell like hot cakes.
It needs a new 9-3, which was it's biggest selling model. It sold very good when it was new, and even when it was old, in comparison with the other market offerings. Show a new 9-3, sport oriented like the current one, and people will love it.
Volvo was late, in offering products people want like the S40 or the XC60, but it seems that they didn't loose the game yet. The S40 is selling beyond expectations and the XC60 is moving descent numbers as well.
Jaguar was also late, but Tata invested lots of money into the XF and new XJ and reinvented the brand from scrap, with two new models.
Is a new 9-3, a new 9-4X and a new 9-5 enough for Saab? I believe NO!
It needs a model the size of the Golf/ Focus to rival the Golf and the S40. It needs descent 9-3 and 9-5 Sport Combi (estate).
But, in my opinion, it needs a completely new market introduction. The current 9-3 and 9-5 have been in the market for many many years, and those two cars come to ones mind when he thinks of Saab. Make people get over those GM era cars, and then you are good to go.
DaSilva
Autotechnik Ace
I know this sounds childish but my exact thought is: Tragic...
Not for all the people that now has a job that's just excellence
but If SAAB continues ....
If SAAB died today they would do it
with some honor... now .... well I don't think so...
there is ONE reason, VW, Mercedes, BMW +++ didn't buy them...
But congratulations to all that now has a life again... Thanks Spyker...
and thanks Spyker for using Audi's V8 Engine
Not for all the people that now has a job that's just excellence
but If SAAB continues ....
If SAAB died today they would do itwith some honor... now .... well I don't think so...
there is ONE reason, VW, Mercedes, BMW +++ didn't buy them...
But congratulations to all that now has a life again... Thanks Spyker...
and thanks Spyker for using Audi's V8 Engine
Centurion
Apex Apex Predator
Saab is in a much worse position than both Volvo and Jaguar when it was sold to Tata. Saab has no competitive products at the momment, and the new 9-5 and 9-4X have to prove themselves.
I don't know if Spyker has short or longterm plans for Saab. I hope for the latter. Saab needs a lot of patience and money, but it can be a very competitive brand!
As you said, Saab has to reinvent itself. But to what? It's an alternative to the quasi-luxury brands and faces brands like Alfa Romeo. What can it become? A mass market manufacturer? We have VW and Opel for that. A luxury car maker? We have Audi, BMW and MB and they are light years ahead of Saab. A badget car maker, like Seat, or Skoda? I believe none of those.
Saab needs to reinvent itself to what it is. An alternative, quasi-luxury car maker, with competitive cars, that can steal customers from both VW and Audi.
Saab, has unique design and brand identity. It has heritage and tradition and innovation history that many older brands are jealous of! It now needs some descent products and a new market introduction, which means a completelly new marketing approach, to make consumers forget of the GM era, and get in touch with the Spyker era.
It needs the 9-4X badly. Everybody and his mother is buying an medium size SUV these days, and cars like the X3, Q5, Tiguan and co sell like hot cakes.
It needs a new 9-3, which was it's biggest selling model. It sold very good when it was new, and even when it was old, in comparison with the other market offerings. Show a new 9-3, sport oriented like the current one, and people will love it.
Volvo was late, in offering products people want like the S40 or the XC60, but it seems that they didn't loose the game yet. The S40 is selling beyond expectations and the XC60 is moving descent numbers as well.
Jaguar was also late, but Tata invested lots of money into the XF and new XJ and reinvented the brand from scrap, with two new models.
Is a new 9-3, a new 9-4X and a new 9-5 enough for Saab? I believe NO!
It needs a model the size of the Golf/ Focus to rival the Golf and the S40. It needs descent 9-3 and 9-5 Sport Combi (estate).
But, in my opinion, it needs a completely new market introduction. The current 9-3 and 9-5 have been in the market for many many years, and those two cars come to ones mind when he thinks of Saab. Make people get over those GM era cars, and then you are good to go.
An SUV would be the cash cow generating the sales but it's a bit too late for that. The XC90 kept Volvo a float 5-8 years ago but as soon as the market got saturated and the XC90 had reached the end of it's lifespan, sales took a nose dive. Volvo was basically a one hit wonder, and is now turning a very small profit. Although they are better off than SAAB, they are still in the danger zone.
Getting into the SUV game now, would be like crawling down a rabbit hole from which you won't re-emerge. There are too many new trends coming ever year. A while ago it was sporty SUVs, but now everyone is hot on small SUV. Spyker would impossibally have the flexibility to keep up with the loch ness monster by the name of VAG.
Like you outlined, it is difficult to find a vacant gap for the new SAAB, but they should follow the suite of Jaguar which have avoided competing with the Germans and instead niched itself as a lifestyle brand with luxury performance cars.
SAAB should niche in cars such as fastbacks, four door coupes in the 3-er price range and other quirky iterations of practical cars. It would work fantastically well for SAAB which can leverage of the association with jet fighters. Traditional sedans and wagons are a lost game, hence the reason why niching is a big trend amongst auto manufacturers innovating new revenue streams. SAAB can only survive as a low volume manufacturer and somehow integrate itself with Spyker.
The auto industry is now a cut throat industry due to strong alliences and aquisitions by coglamorates. Brands falling outside any of these families have a slim chance of survival. This is just the beginning of the end. In 3-5 years the coglamorates will have reduced outside competitors even further.
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