• Sweden edition
Business & Money

Saab sales in Sweden near rock bottom

Published: 3 Aug 09 11:39 CET | Double click on a word to get a translation
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/21070/20090803/

Car dealers in Sweden are continuing to suffer from the economic downturn, with new registrations in July down 13.9 percent on figures for the corresponding period last year, according to new figures from interest group Bil Sweden.

With new car registrations totalling 14,551 in July, sales for the year so far are 25 percent lower than in 2008.

But Bil Sweden's CEO, Bertil Moldén, remains optimistic.

"There is much to suggest that we have got over the worst," he said in a statement.

While the drop in registrations was more pronounced in July than in June, Moldén believes this can be explained by the fact that "a lot of people pushed forward their purchases of green cars before the phasing out of the green car bonus on July 1st."

Volvos topped the table of newly registered automobiles in July, with 2,985 cars leaving the showrooms, up 13 percent on the same month in 2008.

But Saab dealers saw their woes continue, with just 391 new cars registered in July, down a whopping 71.8 percent on July last year. Sales for the year so far are down 63.9 percent on figures for 2008.

Bertil Moldén called on the Swedish government to take greater steps to stimulate the auto industry.

"Although we can see a levelling off of the sharp drop on the auto market we are still way below normal levels for car registrations," he said.

New truck registrations dropped to 1,861 in July, 34.1 percent lower than for the same period last year but in line with a 33.6 percent drop for the year so far.

TT/The Local (news@thelocal.se/08 656 6518)

What do you think? Leave your comment below.

Fark It! Digg This  Share everywhere
Send to a friend Printable version Twitter This

Your comments about this article:

The comments below have not been moderated in advance and are not produced by The Local unless clearly stated. Readers are responsible for the content of their own comments. Comments that breach our terms and conditions will be removed.

13:01 August 3, 2009 by jack sprat
Good result for Volvo but something of a disaster for Saab.

Seems with all the problems and bad press,public confidence in Saab has taken a huge knock.

Maybe they are also overpriced bearing in mind that some of their models have simply been no more than glorified Opels.
13:19 August 3, 2009 by Puffin
Not really a surprise for Saab given the situation earilier in the year - who is going to buy a car from a manufacturer that is teetering on the edge of bankrupcy and where you don't know whether your car will be delivered and spare parts will be available?
13:42 August 3, 2009 by jack sprat
If the photo at present at the head of this news item is typical of what Saab have on offer, I'll be amazed if they even sell one more car this year!
15:11 August 3, 2009 by Puffin
Yep I think that picture editor is having a joke by putting a picture of this old junker alongside an article on new Saabs

Or perhaps there just weren't any new Saabs to be found given that so few are being sold
15:49 August 3, 2009 by millionmileman
I am called millionmileman because I drove 1.6 million kilometers in a 1989 Saab 900 with the original turbo at Lake George, New York State, USA three years ago. Some of us in the USA really love our beautifully engineered cars for their durability. I have driven over 2.5million miles since 1968 in Saabs and now that Koenigsegg is involved with their bright future, I visualize much better models for the future, than if they had remained with GM.

We need these cars in the USA, because their sales boost the Swedish economy, so you can buy our products, this is how the world must function to lift ourselves out of the economic malaise. Freedom and prosperity from strength and free enterprise. this milestone is on Google and You Tube.
00:17 August 4, 2009 by falcon
Saabs sales are in the tank and Koenigsegg is both unqualified and very foolish to take this challenge. Saab needs experts and Koenigsegg is losing money at its own firm with less than 20 cars per year.

This is a terrible mix that won't last long. Saab needs a qualified and strong owner.

I hope Maud continues to hold out with this bad buyer and deal.
ADD YOUR COMMENT   (YOU MUST LOG IN OR REGISTER TO MAKE A COMMENT)
Business & Money headlines
Swedish recruiters check jobseekers on the net

Swedish recruiters check jobseekers on the net

40 percent of recruiters are checking potential employee’s social networking pages during the hiring process, a figure which has shot up from last year, according to a recent report. READ (1 COMMENT) »

Rise in polls 'Löfven-effect': political expert

Rise in polls 'Löfven-effect': political expert

Since the new Social Democrat party leader Stefan Löfven took up the post, the party is gaining strength in the polls, causing political experts to speak of a ”Löfven-effect”. READ »

Saab shares dive despite strong 2011 report

Saab shares dive despite strong 2011 report

Swedish defence group Saab on Friday reported a major boost in earnings for 2011 thanks to winning several major contracts, but a drop in orders left investors jittery, sending Saab's stock price down nearly 10 percent. READ (3 COMMENTS) »

Mats Sundin in massive kid's health research gift

Mats Sundin in massive kid's health research gift

Mats Sundin, the ex-Swedish hockey great, has made a donation supporting research into children's health at Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm and the University of Toronto. READ (5 COMMENTS) »

H&M under fire over Cambodia mass faintings

H&M under fire over Cambodia mass faintings

H&M has been criticized for choosing not to attend a hearing to highlight poor conditions for textile workers in Cambodia, where hundreds of employees at a plant run by the Swedish fashion giant mysteriously passed out in August. READ (6 COMMENTS) »

SAS earnings hit by Spanair bankruptcy

SAS earnings hit by Spanair bankruptcy

The bankruptcy of Spanair pulled SAS into the red for 2011, despite improved operating profits, the Scandinavian airline reported on Wednesday. READ (2 COMMENTS) »

Saab to cut Swiss Gripen fighter price: report

Saab to cut Swiss Gripen fighter price: report

Swedish defence group Saab have announced that it will cut the price on its Gripen fighter jet to secure its Swiss order after a threat by French planemaker Dassault to undercut them. READ (6 COMMENTS) »

A file image of a worker at a Volvo Cars assembly plant

Few Swedes ready to work until they're 75: poll

An overwhelming majority of Swedes disagree with Swedish prime minister Fredrik Reinfeldt's suggestion that workers should be ready to stay on the job until they are 75, a new poll shows. READ (34 COMMENTS) »

SAAB BANKRUPT
Several bids for Saab: administrator

Several bids for Saab: administrator

Several companies are interested in buying Saab, confirmed the bankrupt Swedish carmaker's administrators on Tuesday, while currently unwilling to disclose the identities of the bidders. READ (2 COMMENTS) »

US ISPs block hacker probes: Swedish police

US ISPs block hacker probes: Swedish police

The Swedish National Police Board has called for new international laws to catch hackers on the internet, after US internet service providers refused to divulge information on the weekend's attack on government websites. READ (5 COMMENTS) »

More Business & Money

Highlights from Follow Sweden

20 things to know before moving to Sweden

As diverse as Sweden is, there are a few societal norms that are distinctly Swedish. Understanding a handful of them will hopefully prepare you culturally before you relocate. When you're invited home to a Swede, you better be on time and take your shoes off, writes expat Lola Akinmade-Åkerström. Read more »

How far can English take you in Sweden?

Sweden is a country where almost everyone can speak English. So why bother to learn Swedish? Edina Varnagy from Hungary managed with English for a whole year but then found that Swedish could open doors – to a job, a social life and greater understanding. Read more »


Find a new job in Sweden now
13/02 Accountant (m/f)
EOS GmbH Electro Optical Systems
Göteborg
13/02 Sales and Business Development Managers, DK (CPH), NO (Oslo), SE (Stokholm) and FI (Helsinki)
Target Headhunting ApS
Stockholm
13/02 Supply Chain Analyst to International Company
Adecco
Stockholm
13/02 Key Account Manager Food
Borregaard
Sarpsborg
13/02 HR Business Partner
Bombardier Transportation
Stockholm
13/02 Inside Sales Assistant
TEMP-TEAM
Upplands Väsby
13/02 Build Manager
EA DICE
Stockholm
13/02 Line Manager
EA DICE
Stockholm
13/02 YOUNG TALENT PROGRAM - PROCESS ENGINEER
Tetra Pak
Lund
13/02 Service Engineer
The Timken Company
Hovedstaden

ALL JOBS »


Latest Business & Money news from Germany
Doctor of Psychology
Therapy in English in Stockholm Trained in California Individuals & Couples (08) 93 81 48 FREE phone consultation
Visit anxiousorblue.se
Get on the Tennis Court with www.babolatshop.se
The new Online Tennis Store with the largest selection of Babolat Products in Sweden
http://www.babolatshop.se
Turning Point Counseling
Turning Point Counselling centre offers the international community of Stockholm a safe space for personal development, counselling and coaching.
http://www.turning-point.se/show.asp
Swedish Down Town
Swedish Down Town PR Consulting and Productions is an innovative business company which provides valuable assistance with Public Relations and Communications in the swedish and the international market.
www.swedishdowntown.com
The Local's new Marketplace
Find products and services that are specifically focused on English speakers living in Sweden!
FULL DETAILS
English Speaking Therapist Stockholm
British-Australian Male Counsellor. Counselling Therapy for Depression, Mental Health, Sex, Relationship & Expat Issues
08-559 22 636 or CLICK HERE
Counseling in English
Individuals & Couples - Stockholm Beth Rogerson PhD - Clinical, Marriage & Family Therapist
Click or call 08-5580 1266 now