- Sweden edition
- Change edition:
- France |
- Germany |
- Norway |
- Switzerland
February 14, 2012
New Saab 9-5 to be a Buick or Opel: report
Published: 29 Dec 09 08:13 CET | Double click on a word to get a translation
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/24096/20091229/
Hopes are fading in Trollhättan regarding Saab Automobile's survival amid rumours that General Motors (GM) plans to release the latest Saab model as a Buick or Opel.
- Marketing guru: I can save Saab (28 Dec 09)
- GM to press ahead with Saab shutdown: report (25 Dec 09)
- Swedish unions upbeat after Spyker talks (22 Dec 09)
And while Saab employees cling to hopes that a new owner will emerge for the beleaguered Swedish brand, they are also working to close the Trollhättan factory as outlined by GM.
On Monday, the Dagens Industri newspaper, citing sources within Saab Automobile, reported that GM is planning to use the new Saab 9-5 model as a future Buick to be released in the United States.
Another option may be to let the new 9-5 serve as the basis for the previously discontinued Senator, a luxury model developed under the Opel brand.
But Håkan Danielsson, chair for the Saab chapter of the Swedish engineers’ union, has doubts about the idea.
“I’ve heard about it, but I don’t feel like there’s any substance in it. Every car’s design has its own language and this car looks like a Saab,” he told the TT news agency.
“If you’re going to turn it into a Buick, you’d have to remake the entire chassis and that would cost a lot of money. So it’s an open question whether it’s a good business proposition.”
He’s afraid that large portions of the 9-5 project will ultimately be scrapped.
After the holidays, a working group will be set up to go through Saab’s entire operation to determine which parts are vital.
In a letter from Saab delivered to suppliers, the company indicates it may take up to five years to liquidate Saab in a controlled fashion.
Meanwhile, Spyker spokesperson Mike Stainton told TT on Monday that he has no new information about the company’s offer to GM for the purchase of Saab.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
Fark It!
Digg This
Share everywhere
Send to a friend
Printable version
Twitter ThisEU to probe Sweden's 'economic imbalance'
Sweden is among twelve countries set to be discussed in a report from the EU commission, due to what the European Commission has identified as imbalances in the economy. READ (7 COMMENTS) »
House prices in Sweden begin upward climb
After observing a slight rise in real estate prices after the first month of 2012, Swedish realtors are hoping that this may be the beginning of a positive trend after last year's plummeting prices. READ »
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 (3 COMMENTS) »
Narcolepsy victims in new compensation bid
Families of children in Sweden suffering from narcolepsy caused by vaccination for the swine flu can expect some form of compensation, Swedish health minister Göran Hägglund said on Sunday in response to new calls for help from parents. READ (1 COMMENT) »
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, 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 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
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
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) »
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) »
- 07/02 US ISPs block hacker probes: Swedish police (5 comments) »
- 06/02 Kinnevik in bid to buy up publisher Metro (2 comments) »
- 06/02 Fire brigade slammed for 'renting out' rooms (2 comments) »
- 03/02 New bidder in the Saab saga shows its hand (8 comments) »
- 03/02 Volvo group announces record sales for 2011 »
- 03/02 TeliaSonera reports profit drop for 2011 »
- 02/02 Electrolux profits plunge amid weak demand »
- 02/02 AstraZeneca job cuts hit Södertälje hard (8 comments) »
- 02/02 Europe's banks set for years of 'shrinkage': Borg (2 comments) »
- 01/02 'Underclass-safari' post lands official in trouble (1 comment) »
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 »
| 14/02 | Regulatory Affairs Associate Poolia AB |
Göteborg |
| 14/02 | System developer within Q&A (Java och C) in Mid Sweden Qwork AB |
Karlstad |
| 14/02 | Technical Sales Service Specialist (m/f) MWV |
Home Office |
| 14/02 | UX Engineer (.NET) - Limited Contract Monster |
Prague |
| 14/02 | Software Engineer - Gameplay/Audio EA DICE |
Stockholm |
| 14/02 | IT Development Graduates Danske Bank |
Copenhagen |
| 14/02 | UX Engineer Monster |
Prague |
| 14/02 | YOUNG TALENT PROGRAM - AUTOMATION ENGINEER FOOD PROCESSING Tetra Pak |
Lund |
| 14/02 | Quality Manager Volvo information Technology AB |
Göteborg |
| 14/02 | Surveillance Advisor, Sweden NASDAQ OMX |
stockholm |
- 14/02 Investor confidence tops 10-month high »
- 14/02 OECD sees German growth slowing in 2012 »
- 13/02 Deutsche Bank 'to pay €800 mln' in Kirch case »
- 13/02 Greece leaving the euro not so scary - Germans »
- 10/02 Berlin defies EU over copyright deal »
- 10/02 Germans don't trust Greece to tighten belt »
- 09/02 Tourists flock to Germany in 2011 »
- 09/02 Daimler books record €6-billion profit »
- 08/02 Exports top €1 trillion despite euro crisis »
- 08/02 GM threatens major job cuts at Opel »
- 13/02 Looking for a long term appartment
- 13/02 Babysitter
- 13/02 flat or room available
- 13/02 Party Photographer
- 13/02 Apartment Near Arlanda
- 13/02 Apartment Needed Immediately
- 20:51 E-Mail replies from Swedish Businesses
- 19:40 SFI - personal number loop...
- 19:17 Upper abdominal pain
- 18:20 Need to replace windows
- 18:05 Women drivers & safety
- 17:52 Where do you live?
- 17:39 Big Fat Gypsy weddings
- 16:58 Volunteering in Sweden
- 16:01 What is death?
- 15:43 Tax deductible for rented property
Find products and services that are specifically focused on English speakers living in Sweden!
FULL DETAILS
British-Australian Male Counsellor. Counselling Therapy for Depression, Mental Health, Sex, Relationship & Expat Issues
08-559 22 636 or CLICK HERE
Individuals & Couples - Stockholm Beth Rogerson PhD - Clinical, Marriage & Family Therapist
Click or call 08-5580 1266 now
Therapy in English in Stockholm Trained in California Individuals & Couples (08) 93 81 48 FREE phone consultation
Visit anxiousorblue.se
The new Online Tennis Store with the largest selection of Babolat Products in Sweden
http://www.babolatshop.se
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 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
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.
In fact I will never ever buy any GM heap of crap
GM has no real design philosophy behind most of their brands, so a simple headlight and grill change will be sufficient to make it an Opel or Buick. As the 9-5 will never exist as a Saab it will not look like a reverse of the ill concieved Saabaru.
The LaCrosse could easily be re-badged an Opel Senator since it is a similar (but larger) car to Opel's Insignia (and Buick's Regal). Changing the Saab 9-5 would not be cost effective and serves no purpose. This car needs to be sold only as a Saab made by Saab, and not made by GM with any other badge.
Please tell me that this is not a comment from the chair of Swedish Engineers.
If so, maybe this is part of the larger problem. The new 9-5 rides on the Global Epsilon chassis. This chassis has a Buick and an Opel already sharing it's architecture.
Go to GMs website and look at some of the vehicles that are available today. Some of the coolest cars on the market, some not so good also.
Look at the new Astra and Vecta repalcement, both very good cars.
Why have a SAAB when you can have a VXR or the aussie Holden brand, which is real hariy performance on the cheap.
SAAB has had an extra 20 years of life under GM, let it die with peace. Its a nothing brand now, its been outpaced by the Germans it does not matter who would have owned them the rate of change by the German auto industry has been to fast for most european car makers.
The argument about GM owning SAAB is irrelevant.
Hopefully to be brought back to life, when enthusiasts are willing to vote with their hard earned money, not their computer posts.
Creating demand will be what brings back SAAB, both in Sweden and abroad.