End of the road for saab?

carchaeologist

SAAB, whose stylish cars drew a fiercely loyal customer base over the past six decades, is set to close after last-minute negotiations by General Motors to sell the beleaguered brand collapsed.
The news of Saab's closure caps a calamitous year for the global auto industry, with GM and Chrysler filing for bankruptcy while foreign car makers racked up billions in losses.
Saab, with a narrow following focused in Sweden, Britain and the US north-east, proved too small to lure the world's big automakers, many of which are seeking tie-ups offering increased economies of scale. Saab's last hope proved to be Spyker Cars, a tiny Dutch maker of high-end sports vehicles, but the deal stalled when GM examined whether Spyker would be a viable partner.
"I think we discovered this week that there were issues that couldn't be resolved and no additional time would overcome that," an executive vice-president at GM, John F. Smith, said. The process of winding down Saab would begin in January, he said and GM would be willing to consider selling the company if a new buyer emerged.
The abrupt end to the Saab talks - 13 days before GM's self-imposed deadline of December 31 - was a signal of the tough-minded approach embraced by the automaker's new chief, Edward E. Whitacre Jr.
Saab, which filed for bankruptcy protection in Sweden in February, has been a perennial money-loser. It is among GM's smallest brands, with sales of 93,000 vehicles worldwide last year.
Peter Wells, of Cardiff University's Centre for Automotive Research, said it was a sad day. "Saab had a quirky take on the industry, which will be missed. It's a shame," he said.
http://www.smh.com.au/business/end-of-road-for-saab-after-rescue-talks-fail-20091219-l6l7.html

So another Great Car maker bites the dust.
I know the modern stuff was a bit GMified and not very good looking(IMO),and perhaps the Saab spirit has been lacking for years,but as we all know back in the day Saab were a great and original car manufacturer.

It really does seem like soon every car will be virtually the same thing,between engines and body units being shared across many different manufacturers,its getting harder and harder to tell cars apart these days.

macroman

Terrible pity. Love the 900 Turbo and drove a 2.3 9-5 Turbo for a while.

colm_mcm

Saab died as soon as GM took over IMO.

Thinkingaboutit

I read that the Dutch company is making another attempt at negotiations for Saab, but I wonder if it will be just for the badge, designs, and any technology.

Pdfile

always wanted a boxy 9000 meself.


pitty their not half a sh....ty as most or cars out these days