It's Official--Saab to be "Wound Down"
by Chris Hafner
on December 18, 2009
This isn't a surprise, but it's incredibly depressing all the same. Merry Christmas, everybody! To borrow Bill Simmons' shtick, I will now go light myself on fire.
As usual, Saabs United is all over this.
--Chris H.
Dave in Cedar Rapids on December 18, 2009 at 08:42 AM
Sigh. :-(
I have fond memories of my 9-3. I'd hoped to be able to seriously look at the new 9-5, when the time came.
Maybe I'll go light myself on fire...or worse, buy a Camry.
David Colborne on December 18, 2009 at 11:31 AM
Good to see I'm not the only one that reads Simmons around here.
I'd say I'm surprised, but I'm really not. Saab always felt like the Swedish version of Citroen to me - they made some cool stuff, but they never really seemed to have enough resources lying around to properly develop what they came up with. Unfortunately, GM wasn't interested in giving Saab the resources it needed to turn those half-baked cool ideas into proper product - instead, they were mostly interested in using the brand as a jumping off point for a European-flavored Oldsmobuick.
Personally, I was a little surprised that VW or Fiat didn't try to swallow Saab, but, then again, Saab was up a creek without a paddle by the time GM showed up, and it's not like Fiat (with Alfa Romeo) and VW (with Audi) don't already have their own semi-upscale European makes.
cardyjones on December 18, 2009 at 02:50 PM
the phoenix will rise.
of course, we certainly recall that the pontiac phoenix was essentially what would become the previous generation saab 9-3. all from the friendly folks at GM that brought us programmed obsolescence. It was an ill fated hatch that was a poor excuse for any european car. i have owned countless volvos and dipped my toes into a saab, but everytime i drove one (OG 900, NG900, 9-3 hatch, 9000) i felt like the car rattled around my otherwise very comfortable drivers seat. at the same time, i find the cars aesthetically pleasing. but that's it. with the exception of the 9-3 turbo x and maybe the 9000 aero, saab really didn't innovate for 10 years. it's a shame to see an icon dissolve but let's face it, it needs to.
George on December 18, 2009 at 04:38 PM
Kurt Vonnegut used to be a Saab salesman. Here's a link to an article he wrote before his death:
http://www.inthesetimes.com/article/1726/
tigerstrypes on December 18, 2009 at 04:42 PM
Another great marque bites the dust thanks to GM. I'll say this, which is what I have felt when I heard of Pontiac's demise earlier this year:
It's better to put them to rest than let them linger on on a pathetic excuse of life-support, having their historical names constantly dragged through the mud just to make a quick buck.
Let us go to the funeral, pay our respects, vent our sadness, reminisce in the memories of past experiences and maybe even smile, for Saab's (and Pontiac's) name shall no longer be taken advantage of and is (are) at peace.
P.S.
In case you guys didn't know, Jalopnik has a list of the 5 greatest Saabs. Check 'em out!
Mochi Mochi on December 18, 2009 at 07:31 PM
There's nothing good about this, no silver lining. No matter what one thinks of Saabs (you either love 'em or meh not so much), this is a real sadness and failing. They were so much better off before GM bought them out. Corporate buy outs and mergers - bah!
...m... on December 18, 2009 at 11:21 PM
...i disagree - the silver lining is that GM will despoil the marque's legacy no further...the last ten years have been shameful, leaving nothing but a hollow and valueless husk where an iconic manufacturer once stood...
Diggs on December 19, 2009 at 06:53 AM
Those who believe that Saab must be dead forever have already forgotten the 1984 Mustang.
Hangtown Bob on December 19, 2009 at 07:43 AM
I'm so sad. This is a real Saab story.
...m... on December 19, 2009 at 09:50 AM
...saab enthusiasts lost that battle six years ago, diggs...
Tommy's Dad on December 19, 2009 at 02:25 PM
...m..., they wouldn't have been despoiling it any further if they had just sold it to a worthy party like Koenigsegg or Spyker, either. I'm with Mochi Mochi on this, there just isn't a silver lining here. It's like watching some fascinating but unsuccessful animal go extinct- it may not have been good, but the world is all the poorer and less interesting for it being gone.
I'm also with Dave from Cedar Rapids on this one, with the slight adjustment that rather than light myself on fire or buy a Camry, I'd rather light the Camry on fire.
Farväl Saab, see you at the crossroads.
Thucydides on December 19, 2009 at 06:31 PM
So in addition to destroying $50 billion in taxpayer wealth GM also destroyed one of the most innovative car makers today.
Actually, they did that a long time ago, my SAAB 99 Turbo was full of innovative features and drove like a fighter plane, but when GM bought the company it became a source of covering for Opals; not that Opal isn't an OK car, but nothing special.
With that level of interest and commitment to making excellent and innovative automobiles we know GM simply cannot fail. Oh, that's right; so long as the UAW delivers votes to the Dems, GM cannot fail, since they can always take your money regardless of what you think of their cars (or even if you have chosen to buy a real car that suits your needs from Ford, Toyota or any other non Government Motors company...)
So the only way to correct this isn't through the market, but at the ballot box. Vote out the bums in 2010 and 2012 and you take control of the company. Tell your elected reps to liquidate GM so taxpayers can get at least a fraction of their money back and innovative companies will be able to survive.
Floyd R. Turbo, AMERICAN! on December 19, 2009 at 06:38 PM
*sigh* They just can't keep their political opinions away from this post, can they?
BobMc on December 19, 2009 at 11:55 PM
It's sad to think of Saab's demise. Though I haven't owned one in many years, they had real personality back then. I was hoping against hope that under new ownership they might make a return, and once again be a viable alternative to the mind-numbing sameness of autos today.
...m... on December 20, 2009 at 08:36 AM
...negotiations with spyker are back on - if they work out, i think spyker could do remarkable things with saab as a real-world boutique brand...
jjd241 on December 20, 2009 at 10:19 AM
From Hell's heart I stab at thee...SAAAAB! http://www.khaaan.com/
Miria on December 20, 2009 at 01:54 PM
STOCKHOLM (AP) - Dutch auto maker Spyker Cars says it has submitted a new offer to buy Saab Automobiles from General Motors.
kenny heggem on December 26, 2009 at 05:02 PM
I am a hard core democrat, but I never ever approved of bailing out GM. In fact, I know TONS of very liberal people who think that was the most obscene plan on earth..
I hardly consider the bail out a political party issue.
There has been anti bail out feelings on all sides of the L and R.
It was just irresponsible and lame.