Report: Chinese Out, Koenigsegg In as Potential Saab Suitor

[cozmik]

Saab's creditor protection that has been instated since February was extended until August 20, 2009 by a Swedish judge today, Reuters reports. And according to Sweden's Dagens Industri newspaper, the trio of suitors is comprised of outfits which were overlooked by most, including exotic carmaker Koenigsegg and American investment firm Renco Group.

Fiat, fresh from its newly formed partnership with Chrysler, is reportedly in the running as well to scoop up Saab from General Motors.

Despite all the prior hooplah, no Chinese manufacturers -- including Geely -- presumably made Saab's 'preferred candidate' cut.

What boutique exotic supercar brand Koenigsegg would like to transform Saab into is currently unknown. But the automaker has shown interest in exploring the four-passenger, four-door segment, as seen by its Quant Concept displayed at the 2009 Geneva Show. The boutique supercar builder is well known for its 1018 hp CCXR model.

On the other hand, Fiat would likely utilize Saab's distributor network, as well as its models' platforms to further its global automotive market grasp.

"According to sources close to GM the toughest battle is expected between U.S. billionaire Ira Rennert and Swedish carmaker Koenigsegg," Dagens Industri said.

As we reported last week, Saab needs around $1 billion to survive the remainder of the year. It already owes GM $1.4 billion and is hoping to scratch 75% of its total debt while in bankruptcy court. The General is near the point of bankruptcy as well.

Insiders claim that a buyer will be chosen in the coming weeks. Officials in Trollhattan say that the sale of Saab will not be affected once the expected bankruptcy of GM occurs.

Via MotorTrend
Posted Today 11:09 AM by Nate Martinez 

[Submariner]

It's like that episode of Jerry Springer I watched, on welfare mamma's and their 40 year old children.

[Madman]

800-horsepower Saab, anyone?  Where do I sign up? 

Cheers,
Madman of the People

[S204STi]

Sweet, I'd love it.

[sandertheshark]

I would definitely buy a Saab if it came with a supercharged Ford V8, an exhaust note like Darth Vader vomiting blood, and a carbon fiber body dripping with pure evil.

[2o6]

From a enthusiast's perspective: 

From an Economic perspective: 


The chinese have money. Lots of it. And the market base to make Saab take off (from an economic standpoint).

[the Teuton]

I want Saab to go to Fiat.  It's a natural choice.  What can a boutique car maker do with Saab besides make the coolest Sonnet IV in the history of man?

[sandertheshark]

I want Saab to go to Fiat.  It's a natural choice.  What can a boutique car maker do with Saab besides make the coolest Sonnet IV in the history of man?

I don't know, but I'm eager to find out.  Especially if they attempt to reach the takeoff velocity of a 9-3 Aero.

[Eye of the Tiger]

I would like to see this coolest Sonnet IV in the history of man.

[cozmik]

The last thing I want to see is Saab go to Fiat. They'd kill Saab shorty, they have no use for it. Saab competes against every brand they have in Europe, and would be in the same market as Alfa in the US that they're trying to get into. Besides, Fiat is in financial trouble almost as much as Chrysler is.

I think Koenigsegg could be a good fit for a couple reasons. They apparently have several wealthy investors backing them on this one. Koenigsegg is in Saab's home country of Sweden, and they have a great engineering team to support Saab's, and they know how to make low volume cars profitable; something Saab has been having issues with. There could be some minor parts sharing between the two that would help with some minor cost savings (audio systems, ac control panels, etc).

The other thing I could see Koenigsegg doing is using Saab and their Trollahatten facility, which is under utilized, to bring a second line to Koenigsegg, one that's lower cost to to battle against lower end Ferrari's and Astons, etc. Saab's under utilized facility, with it's higher automation and larger work force, could be perfect for something like that. And Koenigsegg has been showing interest in a 4 door model lately. They clearly want to expand their line. And Saab's dealer network could help distribute Koenigsegg cars as well.

It could be a win-win for both companies, with Saab having providing additional capacity and a distribution and dealer network in the US and Europe, and Saab would have a stable owner with additional engineering talent. And since they wouldn't have to worry about stepping on anyone's toes (i.e. Opel and Cadillac under GM, and Fiat, Lancia, and Alfa under Fiat), they wouldn't have anyone holding them back or forcing them to make compromises to fit in the little box they're supposed to be in. If Koenigsegg can get Saab costs in control and get them into the black within a couple years, it has a decent chance of working I'd say

[the Teuton]

I suppose you're right.  But how would they pay for the engineering and manufacturing processes to make the 9-5 into a proper 5 Series competitor?  That would cost hundreds of millions of dollars, and without GM, they're landlocked.

[cozmik]

I suppose you're right.  But how would they pay for the engineering and manufacturing processes to make the 9-5 into a proper 5 Series competitor?  That would cost hundreds of millions of dollars, and without GM, they're landlocked.

9-5 is already done pretty much. It's just tweaks at this point, final suspension tuning, etc, it's otherwise locked in and will be produced on Epsilon II. I believe GM said they are going to pay to retool Trolahatten for the 9-5 as well. Retooling for the 9-4x, should production move there would probably be on the new company though. That said, it could still compete on E2. The Audi A6 has been competition for years and it's AWD, and the 9-5 is supposed to be the same way (using the XWD system). The styling looks spot on, the spy pics of the interior look great, as long as the got the power trains and suspension calibration good, it should be able to compete in that class.

The bigger question mark would be the 9-3. But Saab has a technology cross sharing agreement for the next 5 years with GM, so they could do a remake on E2 for the 9-3 as well, again, AWD, more Audi like in it's powertrain than BMW. As long as everything else is done right, that shouldn't cause any major problems with competing. The XWD system is very capable, and has generally been praised as well done for road handling and poor weather traction, if not off road capability.

[Raza]

From a enthusiast's perspective: 

From an Economic perspective: 


The chinese have money. Lots of it. And the market base to make Saab take off (from an economic standpoint).

Stop worshiping the Chinese.  They are not our friends. 

[2o6]

Stop worshiping the Chinese.  They are not our friends. 

They have money and a huge market.

[sportyaccordy]

Stop worshiping the Chinese.  They are not our friends. 

Have u been reading the news lately... our own gov't isn't (aren't?) a friend of ours either

I think there are just too many cars & brands out today. Saab has ugly interiors... wouldn't kill me if they went out of business.

[2o6]

Have u been reading the news lately... our own gov't isn't (aren't?) a friend of ours either

I think there are just too many cars & brands out today. Saab has ugly interiors... wouldn't kill me if they went out of business.

What!? Saab's interiors are great!


However, I do agree that I really would not miss them if they disappeared.

[Raza]

They have money and a huge market.

And a huge potential to be the next full scale enemy of the United States.

[Yawn]

I will never buy anything Chinese made anymore..

[Raza]

I will never buy anything Chinese made anymore..

If only that were possible.

[sandertheshark]

I will never buy anything Chinese made anymore..

Look under your keyboard.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Look under your keyboard.

"Made in China", my keyboard says.

[hotrodalex]

I have to decided to screw any loyalty to anything except friends and family. I love the US but I want the best products I can get. If that comes from another country, so be it.

[sportyaccordy]

This is like Anna Nicole's paternity trials almost to a T

[Yawn]

If only that were possible.

It can be.. trust me..

[Yawn]

"Made in China", my keyboard says.

My laptop was made in Malaysia.

[Tave]

I just can't see China doing "Scandanavian" right.


And on that note, what is Saab and Volvo's largest market (by country)?

[Laconian]

Rover:"Roewe"
Saab:_____?

[2o6]

Rover:"Roewe"
Saab:_____?

Saahyunchai-dahue'dab

[Madman]

I just can't see China doing "Scandanavian" right.


And on that note, what is Saab and Volvo's largest market (by country)?

I don't know about Saabs, but back when I was selling Volvos, the top three markets were...
1. United States
2. Great Britain
3. Sweden

Cheers,
Madman of the People

[cozmik]

I don't know about Saabs, but back when I was selling Volvos, the top three markets were...
1. United States
2. Great Britain
3. Sweden

Cheers,
Madman of the People

It's something similar for Saab. I think the UK and Sweden switch from time to time, though.