Saab CEO Jan Ake Jonsson announced today that, after putting in extra above-and-beyond effort over the last 18 months, he will retire from the auto industry on May 19.
Saving an automaker from the brink of near-extinction is no easy task, but it couldn’t have happened at Saab if not for the efforts of Jonsson and Spyker chief Victor Muller, who worked day and night to buy the Swedish brand before General Motors could close it.
Jonsson’s departure comes at a critical time for Saab, which is readying its first new model as an independent company as it tries to stay alive without being attached to a major automaker. Jonsson has said that he will help Saab prepare his predecessor and that he will be available to help the automaker through the summer.
Jonsson’s tenure at Saab spanned across most of his career; he had been head of the brand for six years.
The last three years have of course been very demanding and forced me to focus on one thing only – my work. Now it is time for me to also spend some time on other things that had to stand back for my duties to Saab,” Jonsson said in a statement released to members of the media.
“I am convinced that Saab is on the right track toward replacing the entire product portfolio by October 2012 – when the next generation 9-3 will be launched – as well as creating a stand-alone company with a financially sound business model.”
Muller will temporarily take over as Saab’s CEO until a replacement can be found. Muller and Jonsson have noted that their close friendship during Spyker’s purchase of Saab was essential for saving the company from extinction.
