Comments on: GM to make Saab independent by end of February? http://www.leftlanenews.com/gm-to-make-saab-independent-by-end-of-february.html Car news, reviews, and specs for the auto-industry Mon, 22 Mar 2010 03:26:39 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: VictorRaikkonen http://www.leftlanenews.com/gm-to-make-saab-independent-by-end-of-february.html/comment-page-1#comment-438783 VictorRaikkonen Fri, 13 Feb 2009 16:19:03 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=14692#comment-438783 Anyone who believes that the word 'behove', which is spelled with one 'o' to be a 'big fancy word' is bloody well an idiot. All I have to say... and people use spell check. Anyone who believes that the word ‘behove’, which is spelled with one ‘o’ to be a ‘big fancy word’ is bloody well an idiot. All I have to say… and people use spell check.

]]> By: gritsandeggs http://www.leftlanenews.com/gm-to-make-saab-independent-by-end-of-february.html/comment-page-1#comment-438761 gritsandeggs Fri, 13 Feb 2009 14:23:37 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=14692#comment-438761 Saab should just fold. Saab's hey day was in the mid-80s to early-90s, when the 900s was the edgy-yuppie answer to the 3-series yuppie-yuppie. You remember, with the ski racks up top? That model is the only model that continues to stick in people's minds. With Volvo and Audi, I just don't see how Saab can weather the New World Order. Saab should just fold. Saab’s hey day was in the mid-80s to early-90s, when the 900s was the edgy-yuppie answer to the 3-series yuppie-yuppie. You remember, with the ski racks up top? That model is the only model that continues to stick in people’s minds. With Volvo and Audi, I just don’t see how Saab can weather the New World Order.

]]> By: Get Real http://www.leftlanenews.com/gm-to-make-saab-independent-by-end-of-february.html/comment-page-1#comment-438609 Get Real Thu, 12 Feb 2009 21:31:30 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=14692#comment-438609 I love big fancy words like "behoove", makes your ideas seem so intelligent. Ford stupidly lost millions on Volvo and Jaguar and GM stupidly lost millions on Saab and Hummer. The cost to purchase these "dead" companies and retool them are why Ford and GM are in trouble today. I love big fancy words like “behoove”, makes your ideas seem so intelligent.

Ford stupidly lost millions on Volvo and Jaguar and GM stupidly lost millions on Saab and Hummer. The cost to purchase these “dead” companies and retool them are why Ford and GM are in trouble today.

]]> By: shaver http://www.leftlanenews.com/gm-to-make-saab-independent-by-end-of-february.html/comment-page-1#comment-438508 shaver Thu, 12 Feb 2009 17:24:19 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=14692#comment-438508 GM acquired SAAB because they were already a mess. People are talking as if SAAB was thriving when GM bought them. While GM has not turned SAAB into a success, SAAB would have died years ago if not sustained by GM cash infusion. GM acquired SAAB because they were already a mess. People are talking as if SAAB was thriving when GM bought them. While GM has not turned SAAB into a success, SAAB would have died years ago if not sustained by GM cash infusion.

]]> By: ricky_b http://www.leftlanenews.com/gm-to-make-saab-independent-by-end-of-february.html/comment-page-1#comment-438483 ricky_b Thu, 12 Feb 2009 16:35:46 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=14692#comment-438483 I kind of like what Saab is supposed to represent in the market but GM screwed them up really badly. I think they're throwing out the remaining carcass to rot alone. Unless another company steps in, I think Saab is doomed. I kind of like what Saab is supposed to represent in the market but GM screwed them up really badly. I think they’re throwing out the remaining carcass to rot alone. Unless another company steps in, I think Saab is doomed.

]]> By: johnnycanuck http://www.leftlanenews.com/gm-to-make-saab-independent-by-end-of-february.html/comment-page-1#comment-438464 johnnycanuck Thu, 12 Feb 2009 15:43:24 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=14692#comment-438464 Saab is already independent. Pretty much every one made sits on the lot alone for months. Saab is already independent. Pretty much every one made sits on the lot alone for months.

]]> By: Gundy http://www.leftlanenews.com/gm-to-make-saab-independent-by-end-of-february.html/comment-page-1#comment-438433 Gundy Thu, 12 Feb 2009 13:31:36 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=14692#comment-438433 Dang, I never noticed how much that Saab in the pic looks like the Saturn L-series, the "Opel" one from a few years ago. Dang, I never noticed how much that Saab in the pic looks like the Saturn L-series, the “Opel” one from a few years ago.

]]> By: Borat http://www.leftlanenews.com/gm-to-make-saab-independent-by-end-of-february.html/comment-page-1#comment-438342 Borat Thu, 12 Feb 2009 02:06:39 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=14692#comment-438342 Inline6, GM has been in business longer then you and I walk the planet. Considering the dire shape they are in, I doubt that the current management is capable of learning any lessons. I bet you that they will be let go or company will have to be taken off the tax assistance, because they utterly incapable of anything. Inline6, GM has been in business longer then you and I walk the planet. Considering the dire shape they are in, I doubt that the current management is capable of learning any lessons. I bet you that they will be let go or company will have to be taken off the tax assistance, because they utterly incapable of anything.

]]> By: Jon Luc http://www.leftlanenews.com/gm-to-make-saab-independent-by-end-of-february.html/comment-page-1#comment-438290 Jon Luc Wed, 11 Feb 2009 23:25:57 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=14692#comment-438290 Saab shoulda been on their own years ago. GM never spent the money needed to bring this brand up to where it should be. Without GM heading it up, now it'll get better as their dependence on parts sharing dwindles. Saab shoulda been on their own years ago. GM never spent the money needed to bring this brand up to where it should be. Without GM heading it up, now it’ll get better as their dependence on parts sharing dwindles.

]]> By: miket http://www.leftlanenews.com/gm-to-make-saab-independent-by-end-of-february.html/comment-page-1#comment-438266 miket Wed, 11 Feb 2009 22:34:30 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=14692#comment-438266 I hope when Saab gets it's independence from GM, it also hires some independent thinkers to work there. Their cars have become so intertwined with GM and bland that they are no longer really competitive choices in either price or performance in their respective classes. I hope when Saab gets it’s independence from GM, it also hires some independent thinkers to work there. Their cars have become so intertwined with GM and bland that they are no longer really competitive choices in either price or performance in their respective classes.

]]> By: Zcarsales http://www.leftlanenews.com/gm-to-make-saab-independent-by-end-of-february.html/comment-page-1#comment-438254 Zcarsales Wed, 11 Feb 2009 22:21:01 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=14692#comment-438254 Does this mean that Saab is going to stop manufacturing really expensive Saturn L-Cars like the one in the picture? Does this mean that Saab is going to stop manufacturing really expensive Saturn L-Cars like the one in the picture?

]]> By: yarddog82abn http://www.leftlanenews.com/gm-to-make-saab-independent-by-end-of-february.html/comment-page-1#comment-438244 yarddog82abn Wed, 11 Feb 2009 22:10:00 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=14692#comment-438244 Well some thing is better then nothing... Well some thing is better then nothing…

]]> By: Z06ified http://www.leftlanenews.com/gm-to-make-saab-independent-by-end-of-february.html/comment-page-1#comment-438232 Z06ified Wed, 11 Feb 2009 21:45:47 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=14692#comment-438232 Doesn't sound like there is any cash changing hands for this. Sounds almost like GM is giving the company away to Saab management. Saab must be hemoraging pretty badly for them to do that. Doesn’t sound like there is any cash changing hands for this. Sounds almost like GM is giving the company away to Saab management. Saab must be hemoraging pretty badly for them to do that.

]]> By: HoosierHero http://www.leftlanenews.com/gm-to-make-saab-independent-by-end-of-february.html/comment-page-1#comment-438230 HoosierHero Wed, 11 Feb 2009 21:40:26 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=14692#comment-438230 Good. One less brand NMOFGM wacks off to. Saab is just dead weight on GM's PNL. Good riddance. Good. One less brand NMOFGM wacks off to. Saab is just dead weight on GM’s PNL. Good riddance.

]]> By: inline6 http://www.leftlanenews.com/gm-to-make-saab-independent-by-end-of-february.html/comment-page-1#comment-438229 inline6 Wed, 11 Feb 2009 21:39:34 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=14692#comment-438229 TomF, I don't know where you've been, but the end already came for the Impreza-based 9-2x in 2006, while the last 9-7x was built 2 months ago. GM learned its lesson. As far as Saab being independent goes, I have NO idea how that will work long-term. Conventional wisdom says that Saab needs a corporate partner to get economies of scale so that they can afford to build competitive cars at competitive prices. Saab hasn't been triuly independent since they took over Scania in 1969. And even so, they've only ever juggled two platforms at once. I would imagine that it would behoove GM to keep a "strategic partnership" with the company. Saab gives GM great small engines, while GM gives Saab platforms it can use to build its models. The only question is, is that going to be enough to keep Saab alive, kicking, and competitive? TomF,

I don’t know where you’ve been, but the end already came for the Impreza-based 9-2x in 2006, while the last 9-7x was built 2 months ago.

GM learned its lesson.

As far as Saab being independent goes, I have NO idea how that will work long-term. Conventional wisdom says that Saab needs a corporate partner to get economies of scale so that they can afford to build competitive cars at competitive prices.

Saab hasn’t been triuly independent since they took over Scania in 1969. And even so, they’ve only ever juggled two platforms at once.

I would imagine that it would behoove GM to keep a “strategic partnership” with the company. Saab gives GM great small engines, while GM gives Saab platforms it can use to build its models. The only question is, is that going to be enough to keep Saab alive, kicking, and competitive?

]]> By: zfenderguy http://www.leftlanenews.com/gm-to-make-saab-independent-by-end-of-february.html/comment-page-1#comment-438227 zfenderguy Wed, 11 Feb 2009 21:35:59 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=14692#comment-438227 IF Saab survives, maybe this will allow for them to return to designing cars that are unique and quirky, like the old 900. Right now, all Saab is bringing to market are a bunch of also-ran products with huge premium price tags. Who would buy one over, say, a CTS with the 3.6 DI engine? Nice cars, but no BMW, Merc or Cadillac. IF Saab survives, maybe this will allow for them to return to designing cars that are unique and quirky, like the old 900. Right now, all Saab is bringing to market are a bunch of also-ran products with huge premium price tags. Who would buy one over, say, a CTS with the 3.6 DI engine? Nice cars, but no BMW, Merc or Cadillac.

]]> By: JK http://www.leftlanenews.com/gm-to-make-saab-independent-by-end-of-february.html/comment-page-1#comment-438225 JK Wed, 11 Feb 2009 21:27:27 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=14692#comment-438225 Thanks TomF, for your delightful insight from 2006. Thanks TomF, for your delightful insight from 2006.

]]> By: dickvictory http://www.leftlanenews.com/gm-to-make-saab-independent-by-end-of-february.html/comment-page-1#comment-438220 dickvictory Wed, 11 Feb 2009 21:21:01 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=14692#comment-438220 This news sucks for GM. Thank god I would never waste my money on a ford, gm, or dodge. This news sucks for GM. Thank god I would never waste my money on a ford, gm, or dodge.

]]> By: qpt_dude http://www.leftlanenews.com/gm-to-make-saab-independent-by-end-of-february.html/comment-page-1#comment-438215 qpt_dude Wed, 11 Feb 2009 21:15:57 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=14692#comment-438215 Haha, GM's on a good news streak. First, news of Bob Lutz's resignation by the end of the year, then the Corvette Stingray Concept, now this. Has any one else noticed how well foreign auto companies are doing once their American owners sell or abandon them? Haha, GM’s on a good news streak.
First, news of Bob Lutz’s resignation by the end of the year, then the Corvette Stingray Concept, now this.
Has any one else noticed how well foreign auto companies are doing once their American owners sell or abandon them?

]]> By: TomF http://www.leftlanenews.com/gm-to-make-saab-independent-by-end-of-february.html/comment-page-1#comment-438211 TomF Wed, 11 Feb 2009 21:12:19 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/?p=14692#comment-438211 Presumably this means an end to Imprezas and GMC trucks being passed off as Saabs. Presumably this means an end to Imprezas and GMC trucks being passed off as Saabs.

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