Why Does No One Want Saab?
**UPDATE** – Apparently, someone does want Saab – as the Swedish auto maker just sold for a modest $10,000 USD on eBay. We are guessing that is not a real listing, but these days who knows. What’s next, Saturn up on Craig’s List?
The story of General Motor’s ongoing battle for government cheese has finally come to an end, as the first sum (approx. $4 Billion) has already been transferred into the car giant’s bank account. Saab, one of the GM owned makes, has been struggling not to be abandoned by their parent company. It’s like a bad divorce – GM wants to dump Saab, along with Saturn and Hummer. But no one is really interested in picking them up. What is Saab to do?
Saab’s sales were down almost 35% in 2008, only a chunk compared to Hummer, which lost over 50% of its income. According to Automotive News, “Sweden’s government has promised both Volvo and Saab $3.19 billion in loans and credit guarantees.” Still, no one is stepping up to save Saab from disappearing. General Motors became part owner of Saab in 1989, only to fully acquire the car maker 10 years later.
What Saab needs is re-imagining, a makeover – car buyers (the few out there still shopping) have a weaker opinion of Saab, which has grown over recent years. And even though the company has released eclectic new design concepts what we see on dealer lots doesn’t match up with the fanciful ideas engineers are coming up with at Saab HQ – mostly because there are no funds to pursue any risky endeavors. Nothing is grabbing the public eye – we bet is Saab take a chunk of funding and put it towards one production model risk, they would see somewhat of a monetary reward.
Are you a Saab owner? Do you have an idea of what Saab and General Motors should do? Who could benefit from purchasing this product? Leave feedback below with your opinions!
Dec 15th, 2009 at 9:35 am
[...] For now, General Motors still has the Saab brand, and is looking to unload it as soon as possible. Other companies looking to keep Sweden’s Auto Maker in The Netherlands include Renco Group and also Koenigsegg, who recently had the top notch before falling through. Anyone want to make a bid for Saab? [...]