Saab is sold!

Today we have really good news! Saab is sold to a new owner, the company NEVS. NEVS wants to make both electrical and hybrid Saabs as we understood. China is the country that the New Saab is focussing to in the first place. NEVS want to produce the current 9-3 as an electric car. Saab `ll start now with recruiting, the plan is that the first new Saabs `ll leave the factory in 2013 of 2014.

Youngman has placed the bid for Saab

Youngman did place a bid for Saab! They want to make cars in Trollcity! Let us hope their bid is high enough. What a great news! Museum is saved, the factory maybe very soon follows. Rachel if you read this: THANK YOU!!!!

Youngman launched its bid as early as last Monday, they really want to build cars in Trollhättan. The current bid is three billion (swedish crowns I suppose). Now the receivers are considering it. It`s still possible that Mahindra & Mahindra from India or Brightwell (from Turkey) make a better bid compared to the Youngman one. But it seems 2012 is the year new cars `ll be made in Trollhättan!

It is the end unfortunately for the 9-4X SUV (which was in fact a Mexican car and not made in Trollhättan) and the Saab 9-5NG. The 9-5NG is too much competition for GM apparently, they do not want to give Youngman (or anyone else) the right to build this great Saab. I for myself think it is still possible that GM changes his/her mind (nah, it is a his). There is a saying "if you can`t beat them, join them". It`s nearly a fact that they could not beat Saab, so... it does not make sense to see Saab as a foe instead of a client.

Youngman wants to build New-Saab 9-3`s and Lotus sportcars in the Trollhättan factory. The Saab factory is one of Europe's most modern and efficient factory for cars.


Click on the picture of the Ursaab on top of this page to see the latest post on this blog about Saab.

Press conference this morning

This morning the receivers held a press conference. As we knew already there are five parties interested to take over Saab as a whole. There are also a lot of parties interested in parts of Saab. Unfortunately there are no bids placed yet. If so, the buyer `ll presented probably once the deal is done.

The administrators have only a factory to sell, no licenses with GM are available. It is upon the buyers themself to deal with GM.

The Youngman delegation arrived yesterday evening in Trollhättan according to TTELA. Hope they`ll act soon.

Click on the "Ursaab" picture of this page to go to the newest post of this blog.

Production of new Saabs in 15 weeks?!

Rachel Pang from Youngman is scheduled to visit Sweden next week. Willing to put up 5 billion SEK, and another 5 billon SEK to develop the Phoenix platform/NG 900!

Part of the plan is to start up production of the Saab 9-3 in 15 weeks time. It seems that Youngman has found a way to work around the GM issues. Some parts of the 9-3 can be sourced through non-GM channels. The lawyer representing Youngman has said that the firm would seek to develop technology not controlled by GM.

If Rachel succeeds to obtain Saab (we all hope so) it is very important Saab`s heritage (the museum) remains alive. Please show your support by sending an e-mail with your details to museum@saabsunited.se.

Turkish company (Brightwell) shows optimism

Unfortunately not much news about Saab yet, but according to Saabsunited
Zamier Ahmed, board member of the Turkish company Brightwell Holdings spoke to ttela.se. He sounds pretty optimistic when it comes to the acquisition of Saab.

He even claims that GM is positive to their attempt. After all this is just one party among others who are interested in Saab. Still, it is ecouraging to read that there are still parties showing real interest in Saab.

In six months, Zamier Ahmed followed Saab’s development on the Turkish investment company’s behalf. Brightwell Holding, which operates globally with an expressed interest in the environment, wants to buy Saab for two main reasons, according to Ahmed: for the well-known and quality brand Saab, and for the most advanced technology available in the company.

We definitely want to keep production in Trollhättan, but need to look at exactly how much. But all is not inconceivable, says Ahmed.

During the past six months, he has been in contact with Victor Muller, with the hope of a share or a purchase of Saab as a whole. But, as Ahmed says, Muller chose to stick to the Chinese investors.

Because Ahmed is not the only one interested in the Saab factory. Again according to Saabsunited, the Indians (Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd)are still in the game. According to chinese media (who have been wrong several times) the Chinese company Dongfeng has announced interest in buying all of Saab. The brand wants to develop its own car-brand and the remains of Saab would be of great help. The purchase request includes all of Saab including the production facilities in Trollhättan according to Beijing Times.

It seems the Trolls can start again with making Saabs again in 2012, that is good news for us as Saab drivers and of course also for the museum.

The last Saab is not yet built!

According to Saabs United it was announced today that some employees will return to the Saab factory to build the cars still standing un-finished on the production line. About 100 cars will be built and sold off.

Above a picture of my 9-3 convertible (a Vector TX edition with Hirsch stage 1). More pictures of this car and my other Saabs are on this page.