"Production is stopped right now. It was stopped this morning," said Saab spokesperson Gunilla Gustavs. "We are working intensively to make sure the flow gets going again. We are having discussions with suppliers and doing our best to come to mutual agreements," Gustavs added.
Read more »
First teased on the Swedish firm's website last week, Saab today confirmed that one of the world premieres will be a never-before seen concept model conceived by a team under new design director, Jason Castriota, who is best known for his work at Pininfarina and for a short stint at Bertone where he penned the Corvette-based Mantide.
In a telephone interview with Bloomberg, Muller revealed that his company is in talks with automakers to share technology and a platform for the modern-day 92 or in Saab's current lingo, the 9-2.
One of the first questions posed was the extent of damage to Saab's brand image during the past year and a half and how the Swedish automaker plans to improve its image in the near future.
"It is difficult to understand the complete depth of that damage. Certainly the brand did suffer" said Colleran. "I think there are a number of consumers who have the perception that Saab is gone."
The first Saab to roll off the production line today was an all-new 9-5 saloon, destined to join a test fleet prior to the premium sedan's official launch later this year. The 9-5 was joined shortly after by a 9-3 Convertible.
Or, if you don't like Saabs, you could always just build it and set it on fire. Wait, that would have to be a model of the old 9-5. Either way, go get your safety scissors (don't run!) and enjoy.
Of course, we're pretty sure that the creation of a supercar is (rightfully) not among the top priorities of the people who manage the newly formed SAAB Spyker Automobiles, as there are much more important issues to take care of at the time being.
Nevertheless, independent designer Eduard Gray took it upon himself to digitally visualize a conceptual mid-engined Saab supercar that would make use of Spyker hardware.
F
irst of all, Spyker confirmed that Saab will be a stand-alone niche manufacturer with three to four model lines and that the Swedish brand will continue to be positioned against other premium brand brands such as Audi and BMW.
According to the plan, Saab's product portfolio will be completely renewed over the next few years beginning with the launch of the all-new 9-5 sedan early this summer, followed by a station wagon version and an Audi A6 Allroad-rivaling 9-5X crossover variant.
In 2011, Saab will introduced the Cadillac SRX-based 9-4X Crossover that will be built in Mexico, while a year later, the company will launch the all-new 9-3 that will eventually grow to include sedan, sports estate, 'X' crossover, convertible and for the first time in many years, hatchback body styles.
Spyker added that it is also looking into the possibility of adding a fourth smaller model called the '9-1', which would compete in the premium C-Segment against the likes of the BMW 1-Series and Audi A3.
However, Spyker noted that such a car isn't currently included in the official Business Plan, so if the company decides to go ahead with the development, addition financing would be required.
With the exception of the 9-4X, all other models will be built at Saab's Trollhättan factory, with Spyker aiming to produce and sell between 100,000 to 125,000 vehicles per year.
The Swedish automaker will continue to collaborate with GM after the completion of the sale, but Spyker's plan is to gradually "reduce dependency and obtain improved access to other suppliers and the co-development of unique innovations."
Spyker business plan also makes word for Saab's current dealer network which will be re-energized with a new sales and distribution approach in certain markets, starting from this year.
The business plan that was drawn up by Saab management over the past ten months, is said to have been analyzed and supported by Spyker in assistance with the firm's advisers Booz & Co and KPMG Transaction Services, as well as several advisers to the Swedish Government and the European Investment Bank (EIB).
EIB will provide a €400 million loan -guaranteed by the Swedish government- to the newly formed company.
The deal is still subject to a European Commission approval of a €400 million loan from the European Investment Bank, but GM expects that the sale will be completed in mid-February.
Shortly after the two companies agreed on the terms of the sale, GM's European unit released a video with interviews with Jan Åke Jonsson, CEO of Saab Automobile and Victor Muller, CEO of Spyker Cars.
The two men talk about the deal and their hopes for the future of Saab. Watch it after the jump.
"
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.
Very few details were released on the agreement, but in a joint statement, the two parties said that Spyker intends to form a new company called Saab Spyker Automobiles and that the Swedish government is currently reviewing the transaction and the related request for guarantees of a Saab Automobile loan that has been requested from the European Investment Bank.
GM said that the SAAB sale is expected to be finalized in mid-February, adding that the previously announced wind down activities at SAAB will be immediately suspended, pending the close of the transaction.
Citing "people familiar with the matter", the Wall Street Journal reported today that the tiny Dutch sports carmaker agreed to buy SAAB from General Motors for around $74 million in cash while the American firm will also receive preferred shares in the newly formed company under the name Saab Spyker Automobiles.
General Motors did not respond to Wall Street Journal's report, but it did note in the press release that "the terms and conditions specific to the sale will be disclosed in due time".
Nick Reilly, president of GM Europe, said: "Throughout the negotiations, GM has always had the hope to find a solution for Saab that would avoid a wind down of the brand. 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."
