General Motors’ Saab brand has been faced with a number of difficulties over the last few weeks – including filing for protection from creditors and even a complete stoppage in production – but a handful of Saab employees received a bit of good news on Tuesday.
According to Automotive News, Saab has reduced its planned layoffs from 750 to 701. The reduction in pink slips is due to better-than-expected results from labor union negotiations.
Of the 701 planned layoffs, 646 will come from Saab’s blue collar workers, with the remaining 55 being comprised of white collar workers. It remains unclear where Saab decided to keep on the additional 49 employees.
GM put it Swedish Saab division up for sale late last year, with the fate of the brand still largely up in the air. Several suitors are said to be interested in Saab, but no buyers have yet stepped up to the plate.
04/14, 2:58 PM
posted by:
pavlindrom
Poor SAAB. Wasn’t there a 9-5 model spied a while ago?
04/14, 3:00 PM
posted by:
pavlindrom
Found it: http://www.leftlanenews.com/saab-9-5-2011.html
I hope they don’t go down during this economy downturn.
04/14, 3:20 PM
posted by:
A4
when they realize they need to bring back a 900 style, inexpensive hatchback, theyll find more buyers.
04/14, 5:50 PM
posted by:
shane train
I want Saab to survive SOOOOOOO bad.
And A4, this is true. They need an affordable model to expand their buyer base.
04/14, 9:02 PM
posted by:
save saab
As a big Saab fan, I want Saab to survive.
A4 and shane train: I really like the idea of a new 900.
04/15, 8:12 PM
posted by:
aexcorp
You guys are right, Saab has lost its way some time ago, partly due to GM’s horrible and destructive influence, but also because they tired too hard to make their cars compete and “status” with BMW/Audi/Mercedes.
Now granted, they’re great cars (I would know, I own one) but they’re not quite on the level of the 3 listed above, and trying to obtain the status by pricing their cars on the same level (minus 10%) as the 3 will NOT get you the respect and reputation you crave.
Look at the 9-3, it was a good car, some might even say great car, but it was way too expensive for what it was and what it offered, and consequently, despite being Saab’s largest seller, never reached the hoped-for level of sales that Saab needed. In addition, Saabs don’t have a great resale value, which makes people think twice/trice about purchasing a new one.
Coming with a high 20’s price range car, turbo, front wheels (I wish 4 wheels, but for high 20s and Saab, that’s not realistic) but differentiating it by great and original design, and quality interior (most missing on the somewhat powerful high 20s car segment) might turn them around. I love the idea of the 900 coming back!!
04/15, 8:42 PM
posted by:
Pazzo Canguri
Yeah why do that GM, just wait a few more days till the coming goes bust and then u wont have to lay off anyone, their will be no jobs anyhow….
04/15, 8:45 PM
posted by:
Pazzo Canguri
Sorry meant “COMPANY” not “coming”…..sounds religious….ahhah