Saab Car part

Get Equifax Score Watch Now!

Save 80% on International Calls from Your Cell Phone No PINs and No Monthly Fee. Prepay or pay-as-you-go.

Green House Kits - Easy to set up Free Shipping

Autoblog Saab
Autoblog Saab

Saab victorious in inaugural Swedish Touring Car race
Filed under: Motorsports, Sedan, Videos, Saab, Racing

The sequel to Frankenstein is being written in Swedish, by Saab. The ostensibly former car company could teach the good doctor about life after death, having earned itself more good news by winning the inaugural race of the Swedish Touring Car series. Team Tidö's black 9-3 racer was on pole and carried that lead all the way to the checkered flag. Driving it was Linus Ohlsson, whose past triumphs include taking third in the 2011 Porsche Carrera Cup Scandinavia series.

Just to be clear, all the cars in the series are silhouette racers, with Saab, Volvo, BMW and Citroën bodies placed over a spec chassis. Still, it was the body with the Griffin badge that beat the rest, and we all know Saab's faithful could use something to cheer about these days. Scroll down for a video recap of the race; it's in Swedish, so hit the CC button for English subtitles if you need 'em.
Continue reading Saab victorious in inaugural Swedish Touring Car race
Saab victorious in inaugural Swedish Touring Car race originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 May 2012 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments
Saab union asks Obama to pressure GM for licensing deal
Filed under: China, Europe, Government/Legal, Plants/Manufacturing, GM, Saab, UAW/Unions

The door has not yet closed on Saab. Hoping for yet another 11th hour stay of execution, the defunct carmaker's chief union, IF Metall, has written directly to President Obama, asking him to intervene, according to Just-Auto. While on the surface, this may seem silly, it's actually rather clever, even if it has little likelihood of working.

With the United States government still owning 26 percent of General Motors, the Swedish union is hoping it can appeal to Obama to pressure General Motors into granting licenses to continue manufacturing Saab vehicles, according to the report. It's this sticking point that has torpedoed every attempt to forestall Saab's dissolution, as GM fears that were it to allow continued production of Saabs developed under GM's ownership, it would open up the possibility of intellectual property conflicts, particularly if a Chinese manufacturer that competes with GM's own Chinese partner, SAIC, acquires Saab.

You have to admire Saab loyalists, as they clearly have not given up hope. But in this case, they just don't have any other options: Unemployment in the Saab hometown of Trollhättan has hit 40 percent, according to the report.
Saab union asks Obama to pressure GM for licensing deal originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 May 2012 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments
Saab fans save the last 9-3
Filed under: Classics, Sedan, Europe, Plants/Manufacturing, Saab

Congratulations are in order: Saabs United has raised enough money to buy the last Saab 9-3, what is likely to be the last Saab of any sort ever produced. The group will be installing the car in the Saab Cars Museum on a permanent loan, as well as donating the additional money it raised during its fund drive.

Forgive us for being just a bit cynical here, but it's really a shame this particular car is so mundane. It's a Saab 9-3 Aero Griffin, a run-of-the-mill sedan that's a direct descendant of the 2003 model year 9-3. Based on the global General Motors Epsilon platform that also spawned the similarly extinct Pontiac G6, the 9-3 is arguably the car that killed Saab - or at least failed to save it - as GM was never able to sell enough of them or derive enough profit from the ones it managed to move in the U.S. to make a go of the brand.

We're sure all Saab enthusiasts agree that the marque certainly deserved better treatment than it got from Detroit, and when we look back in fond remembrance on Saab, there are any number of models that will come to mind before we think of the final 9-3. Most of them are included in our historical Saab gallery.
Saab fans save the last 9-3 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 May 2012 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments
Saab devotees rally to save last 9-3
Filed under: Classics, Sedan, Etc., Europe, Plants/Manufacturing, Saab, Earnings/Financials

The folks over at Saabs United have been a fixture on the Swedish automobile scene for some time now, cementing themselves as the hub for all manner of Saab news and gossip as the fight to keep the brand alive has ebbed and flowed over the past couple of years. So significant was SU's bond with the automaker that its principle, Steven Wade, had the ear of buyer Victor Muller throughout the General Motors extrication process, and eventually Wade went to work for Saab itself, leaving others to run the website.

With Saab having slipped into bankruptcy and the company's Trollhättan plant idled, Saabs United now finds itself at the center of a new fight - an effort to preserve the final 9-3 - possibly the final Saab ever. An Arctic White Griffin sedan, the 9-3 exists in a state of partial build but is scheduled for final assembly at the end of this month. The car is part of a special batch of about 50 partially finished cars and a cache of spares that Trollhättan dealership group ANA purchased from Saab's bankruptcy estate, and it will be for sale. Saabs United has taken it upon itself to rally the faithful in an attempt to purchase the car for donation to the Saab Cars Museum, which was itself only recently saved.

It seems only fitting that the 9-3 Griffin would join other final examples of various models in Saab's history at the Museum, but even then, the car's fate might not be entirely secure. According to SU, "A number of cars at the museum from the history of Saab that was written in the last two years are NOT secured. They are either borrowed to the museum or are still missing."

As of this writing, the funding effort is well on its way, with Saabs United faithful and various clubs and investors having raised over 15,000 Euros (around $19,750 USD), with a goal of 28,500 Euros ($37,500) within the next 18 days. If the total amount needed is not reached, fundraiser proceeds will still go to the Saab museum, and if extra money is raised, it'll be donated, too. If you're interested in learning more or making a donation, click here.
Saab devotees rally to save last 9-3 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 May 2012 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments
Saab gets new $492M bid from Youngman
Filed under: China, Europe, Saab, Earnings/Financials

Youngman has made another bid for bankrupt Saab, according to new reports. The Chinese automaker has offered to buy what's left of Saab for $470 million at current conversion rates. The news comes courtesy of Dagens Industri. The newspaper also indicates that's the absolute lowest the Swedish automaker's pledgees and real estate owners will accept to settle the company's impressive debt. The deal would also set aside an additional $1.47 billion to restart production at the mothballed Trollhattan facility. Other foreign automakers are also vying over Saab's remains, including India's Mahindra & Mahindra.

Pang Da, meanwhile, seems to have no interest in continuing to pursue Saab. The company paid out around $59 million for vehicles Saab was supposed to produce. That never happened, and now the Chinese company has had to undergo the unpleasant task of reporting that loss to its investors.

Saab reportedly owes around $1.9 billion at the moment, and its assets are valued at just $532 million.
Saab gets new $492M bid from Youngman originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments
Swedish Automobile changes name back to Spyker
Filed under: Saab, Spyker

What's in a name? Just ask the people at Spyker.

Back in 2010, the small Dutch producer of exotic GTs bought an ailing Saab from General Motors and proceeded to focus all its energies on keeping it afloat. And as if to reflect that shift in focus, changed its name to Swedish Automobile NV - or SWAN for short.

Now that Saab has gone bankrupt, however, the Dutch holding company has officially changed its name back to Spyker. Just what that means, however, when the cars are built in the UK by CPP and the sportscar business was sold last year to North Street Capital, remains to be seen.
Continue reading Swedish Automobile changes name back to Spyker
Swedish Automobile changes name back to Spyker originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Apr 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments
Saab's assets less than one-third of its debts
Filed under: Europe, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Plants/Manufacturing, Saab, Luxury

The Detroit News reports the sum total of the remaining Saab assets is worth less than a third of the defunct automaker's debts. All told, the company owes a hefty $1.9 billion at current conversion rates, though its total property value rings in at a comparatively paltry $532 million. The debt includes $89 million owed to former employees, $107 million to General Motors and $388 million to Sweden itself. With so many hands to feed and so few dollars to go around, Saab says only those who hold securities are likely to have their debts paid.

That means those who were employed by Saab Automobile likely won't see a dime. The horizon looks a bit more rosy for Saab Automobile Powertrain workers, however.

Saab had said the company has six or seven investors interested in saving the manufacturer's name from falling into obscurity, though it's unclear how many of those remain dedicated to the prospect currently.
Saab's assets less than one-third of its debts originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments
Want to bid for Saab? Get your paperwork in by April 10
Filed under: Government/Legal, Saab, Earnings/Financials

Interested in purchasing a Saab? Heck, why not just buy the whole company? If you're in the market, you've got until April 10 to put in a bid, and at present, the only rival you have is China's Youngman.

Chances are, according to the administrators in charge of Saab's liquidation, the sale of Saab assets - which includes Saab Automobile, Saab Automobile Powertrain and Saab Automobile Tools, among others - won't cover the automaker's debt of somewhere between $1.8 and $2 billion (12-13 billion kronor).

Rumor has it that there are a few more potential suitors waiting in the wings, such as India's Mahindra, but none have come out expressing public interest in the bankrupt Swedish brand. Seems everyone is waiting until the last minute, eBay style.
Want to bid for Saab? Get your paperwork in by April 10 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments
Hundreds of new Saab models spotted rotting at New Jersey port
Filed under: Saab

One of the postscripts of the travails of Saab Cars North America (SCNA) is this, a couple hundred 9-3 and 9-5 sedans left to the unkindness of coastal winds at a New Jersey port facility. According to the poster at Found Our Own Road, there are 900 cars in this Asphodel Meadows awaiting the resolution of the company's fate.

Last we heard, SCNA is still fighting the involuntary bankruptcy filed in Delaware by its dealers and is trying to get the case moved to Michigan. Prior to that, SCNA had been trying to avoid the proceeding altogether in case a bidder was able to acquire the entire company.

While we wait to find out about that, you can head over to Found Our Own Road to see the rest of the photos of a Saab future that almost was.
Hundreds of new Saab models spotted rotting at New Jersey port originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments
Saab Museum reopens in Sweden
Filed under: Etc., Europe, Saab

Part of the sideshow in the Saab revival circus has been the waning and waxing fate of the Saab Museum Trollhättan, Sweden. The U.S. Heritage Collection was sold to two U.S. collectors earlier this year, while the Swedish museum's collection was rescued from breakup by three Swedish interests: the city of Trollhättan, SAAB AB and The Wallenberg Foundation.

With stipulations that its cars can only be displayed at the museum or regionally on occasion, the new museum opened its doors this weekend with the full complement of so-called quirky autos. It's open just about every day this year save for a week in June and the Christmas holidays.

Meanwhile, over at the main event, a joint bid involving BAIC and Panasonic appears to have joined the melee, while we wait on the results of bids from Youngman and Mahindra. We can only hope the Saab car company shares in the same good fortune as the museum.
Saab Museum reopens in Sweden originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 24 Mar 2012 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments
Watch and hear Flash Engineering's awesome new Saab 9-3 touring car
Filed under: Motorsports, Sedan, Europe, Videos, Saab, Racing

The Saab brand may be meeting its demise, but that doesn't mean that its cars won't live on for years to come. And we aren't just talking about its passenger cars, either. Take, for instance, the Saab 9-3 TTA touring car we showed you last week. The racer, constructed by Flash Engineering and Team Tidö, is currently preparing to do battle in the Swedish Racing Elite League, with entries from Volvo, BMW and Citroën clearly in its sights.

Recently, the widebody 9-3 TTA completed its first round of testing in France, with Swiss driver Fabian Thuner piloting the car around the country's Alés track. After a few more tweaks, the car will then be sent to Sweden where it will undergo official testing in Karlskoga and Anderstorp, driven by the actual TTA drivers who will pilot the car during the Swedish Racing Elite League competition.

For now, click past the jump to see (and hear!) this seriously awesome 9-3 racecar for yourself. We'll definitely be keeping our eyes on this one.
Continue reading Watch and hear Flash Engineering's awesome new Saab 9-3 touring car
Watch and hear Flash Engineering's awesome new Saab 9-3 touring car originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Mar 2012 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments
Saab 9-3 to live on in Swedish Touring Car racing
Filed under: Motorsports, Sedan, Europe, Saab, Racing

Saab is dead. Long live Saab?

Well, at least in the Swedish Racing Elite League. Says Jan "Flash" Nilsson, driver and Managing Director of Flash Engineering, "I have longed for 40 years to see the fight between Saab and Volvo on the race tracks. It becomes reality this summer and my biggest dream is to get all Saab fans to the TTA races to cheer us on."

In addition to the Volvo Polestar S60 TTA sedan, the Saab 9-3 fielded by Flash Engineering and Team Tidö will go up against efforts from BMW and Citroën. And, intriguingly, the team will have the support of what's left of the Saab company in Sweden - Flash will be sponsored in part by Saab Parts, the organization created to handle Saab repairs now that the automaker is in receivership, along with the Saab Dealer Organization.

Check out the complete press release below, which is chock full of historically significant Saab cars and drivers, along with the high-res gallery of the racing Saab 9-3 above.
Continue reading Saab 9-3 to live on in Swedish Touring Car racing
Saab 9-3 to live on in Swedish Touring Car racing originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Mar 2012 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments
"Shocked" Brightwell drops Saab bid, blames GM intransigence
Filed under: China, Europe, GM, Saab, Middle East, Luxury

Nearly three months on the Saab story is the same: company makes a bid, General Motors knocks it back. But this time, the latest round of corporate "He said/She said" puts Turkey's Brightwell Holdings on the other side of the table instead of a Chinese company. Brightwell was the other publicly identified bidder for Saab that pledged to make a bid, along with Chinese concern Youngman.

Brightwell blames GM "intransigence," a familiar epithet by now, has scuppered the possibility of a deal. GM says that's not the case, rather that a deal for Saab can't include any of the technology licensed from GM. Brightwell believed that that condition only applied to Chinese buyers, since GM's position that it didn't want to compete with another company using its intellectual property was always taken in reference to interest from companies like Youngman and Hawtei.

If GM's position is that it won't license its technology to anyone anywhere, that could alter the landscape for the six to 14 bidders rreported to be hovering over Saab's remains. Based on Youngman's last statements, it should still be in the mix, though: it pledged to make a bid for Saab that avoids GM-developed vehicles like the 9-5 and 9-4X and restarts the brand with the new 9-3 on Saab's Phoenix architecture.

Brightman hasn't ruled itself out completely yet. Having spent "millions of euros" on its bid, a firm partner said that if GM is open to discussions then he "will jump on a plane and visit them in Detroit."
"Shocked" Brightwell drops Saab bid, blames GM intransigence originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Feb 2012 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments
Volvo bidding for (parts of) Saab
Filed under: China, Etc., Europe, Plants/Manufacturing, Saab, Volvo, Earnings/Financials, Geely

Volvo is reportedly interesting in getting out its checkbook in search of a production parts bargain over at Saab. No, the 9-5 likely won't be wearing a Volvo badge any time soon, but the tooling that helped build parts for the big sedan could one day be in a Volvo factory.

SaabsUnited quotes an unnamed source who states that Volvo is interested in purchasing tooling from the Saab bankruptcy estate. The source reiterated that Volvo isn't interested in any production at the Trollhättan factory, adding that the purchased parts would likely travel to China for use by Volvo owner Geely.

While we're putting this story in the rumormill for now, purchasing expensive tooling at a fire-sale discount sounds like a potentially brilliant idea for Geely and Volvo. Volvo could soon begin building vehicles in China to expand its presence in the emerging market, and it always helps to get such a project off the ground with some high-quality parts that obviously haven't been used much lately.
Volvo bidding for (parts of) Saab originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Feb 2012 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments
At least 6-7 parties bidding on Saab... could BMW be one of them?
Filed under: Europe, Government/Legal, BMW, Saab

On this episode of As the Saab Turns: Bankruptcy administrators have bidders, and one of them might be a German carmaker!

According to a post on Saabs United, "6-7 serious bidders" are trying to snag the remains of Saab. One European company "is German and located in Munich," according to the report, which notes that whatever company wins the Saab deal won't necessarily be the high bidder, but the package that looks the most capable getting Saab back in the car building business.

For its part, Germany's AutoBild suggests that the actual number of interested parties numbers around 14, though it isn't immediately clear how serious all of those parties are, though the Chinese are said to remain in the mix, as is an Indian concern.

It's no secret that BMW plans to expand its product portfolio, including building more fuel-efficient, front-drive cars. Could a joint BMW-Saab ( or Mini-Saab) platform - shades of the Cadillac BLS (albeit hopefully better!) - come out of such a deal? Or will the Swedish bankruptcy court reveal that it has a Chinese mistress, one that's trying to blackmail General Motors? Tune in next week...
At least 6-7 parties bidding on Saab... could BMW be one of them? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments
Saab collection to be sold after all - the one in America
Filed under: Classics, Auctions, Saab

Just when we thought the classic vehicles owned by Saab were safe from the gavel, tragedy strikes. According to Hemmings, the vehicles held in the Saab Cars North America Heritage Collection will be auctioned in an 10-car lot on Friday, February 10. Vehicles like the gorgeous and painfully rare 1956 Type 94 Sonett Super Sport pictured above will join a host of other iconic Saab models for bid in Stearling Heights, Michigan. According to Hemmings, interested parties may submit their bids before noon on Friday to McTevia & Associates, the law firm Saab hired to handle the company's creditors here in the States. A 25 percent cash deposit is required.

The collection includes notable hardware such as a 1967 fastback with 25,353 miles on its triple-carb three-cylinder engine as well as the 1960 96 that won the Royal Automobile Club Rally with Erik Carlsson behind the wheel. There's plenty of history wrapped up in the 11 vehicles up for auction. Head over to Hemmings for more information.
Saab collection to be sold after all - the one in America originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments
Dealers trying to push Saab NA into bankruptcy
Filed under: Government/Legal, Saab, Earnings/Financials

Saab North America acknowledged that the chances were exceptionally slim, but it hoped to avoid bankruptcy long enough to give another company a chance to buy it. Shortly after Saab NA appointed a third-party administrator, McTevia & Associates, it was decided there was no way to save the company short of liquidation, and on January 23, the administrator announced plans to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.

But Saab NA was beat to the filing by a group of 162 out of the 188 Saab dealers, who filed for involuntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Delaware. The dealers said last week they were going to file for Chapter 7, but instead chose Chapter 11 because of its lower costs and in case China's Youngman or Turkey's Brightwell Holding's bid for Saab NA's parent succeeds and they want to restart operations here. The document was filed in Delaware because the dealer body feels they'll get better hearing "further away from Detroit." Dealers also wanted the force of court orders to back up any decisions made, not that of a third-party administrator.

Underneath all the legal machinations, though, if estimates from Saab NA dealer attorney Leonard Bellavia are accurate, then the parties could emerge without getting financially kneecapped. When McTevia announced its plan to file, Bellavia suggested that Saab NA's liabilities were $10.5 million and assets at between $75 million and $125 million. With no more parts on the way and 2,400 cars on lots, McTevia had earlier said that the parts distribution business is "the only meaningful asset."
Dealers trying to push Saab NA into bankruptcy originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments
Sweden picks up tab on bankrupt Saab's EU loan
Filed under: Europe, Government/Legal, Saab, Earnings/Financials

Way back at the beginning of Saab's struggle for life after General Motors, exotic car firm Spyker was granted a €400-million loan ($527M U.S.) from the European Investment Bank. The loan was approved after it was guaranteed by Sweden's Debt Office, and Saab's recent bankruptcy filing forced the Debt Office to back up the guarantee with a €217-million payment ($286M) to the EIB - the portion of the loan that Saab actually drew upon.

It's not exactly bad news for the government, since the government's stake in Saab Automobile Parts and Saab Automobile Tools - used to guarantee its own guarantee of the EIB loan - is understood to be worth more than €217 million.

In the next couple of weeks, bids are expected from both China's Zhejiang Youngman Lotus and Turkey's Brightwell Holdings private equity group for the purchase of Saab in its entirety. No one can predict the outcome, but it this last-ditch situation might have the best chance: the European auto supplier organization CLEPA is assisting Youngman, the numbers being hinted at would indicate sane and motivated buyers, GM's intellectual property concerns appear to have been addressed, and it's certain that the sellers would love to see a bit of sun after a long spell of gloom for the hard luck brand.
Sweden picks up tab on bankrupt Saab's EU loan originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments
Trollhättan buys entire classic Saab collection to preserve museum
Filed under: Classics, Europe, Saab, Earnings/Financials

Despite the popular saying, history cannot simply repeated. So, when faced with the possibility of losing the entire classic collection of cars that had made up the official Saab museum in Trollhättan after the officials in charge of the automaker's bankruptcy proceedings threatened to break it up, a few organizations stepped up to the plate to keep it together.

According to a report from Autocar, the city of Trollhattan, SAAB AB and The Wallenberg Foundation came up with the $4.05 million required to purchase the entire collection outright. A total of 120 cars are included, including the Ur-Saab, which is the first automobile built by the Swedish company.
Trollhättan buys entire classic Saab collection to preserve museum originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments
Saab Cars North American undergoing bankruptcy liquidation
Filed under: Saab, Earnings/Financials

It's a Saab story, we know, but this is - in all likelihood - the end of the road for Sweden's "other" automaker. Sure, there are still talks of one foreign entity or another picking up where GM and Swedish Automobile (Swan)/Spyker left off, but even if they do, they'll have a heck of a lot of work on their hands. And that includes rebuilding its presence in North America.

With the parent company having already filed for bankruptcy in Sweden, the next step is for Saab Cars North America to follow suit, and that's precisely what's happening.

The operation based in Royal Oak, Michigan, ceased operating last month when its parent company did, but resumed distributing parts just this past Thursday. That does not mean, however, that the American business will remain afloat. With no money to keep it going, Saab Cars North America is being liquidated. Sources estimate the company's liquidated assets at around $100 million (give or take $25m), offset by a relatively minor $10.5 million in liabilities.

As for the dealers, they'll have to choose to declare bankruptcy individually or let the administrator dealing with SCNA's liquidation tend to theirs as well.
Saab Cars North American undergoing bankruptcy liquidation originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments