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Spyker Buys Saab. Mouse Swallows Elephant. Film at 11:00

 
6 1,803 views Jan 26, 2010

2008 Saab 9-4X BioPower Concept

2008 Saab 9-4X BioPower Concept

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After a year of talks with GM, Spyker, a European maker of expensive sports cars, has finally been awarded SAAB.

Maybe awarded isn't exactly the right word.

If we recall correctly, one of the reasons SAAB agreed to join GM was that in today's automotive world, a small brand like SAAB didn't have the size, the buying power, the staff, the research facilities or the income to survive.  By joining with GM, they were able to draw on GM's huge resources.

Unfortunately, they also had to draw on GM's huge bureaucracy and middle-think which pretty much destroyed the Brand, but that's another story.

So now, Spyker-- a company that consists of fewer than 200 people, a small factory and a few dealers in Europe's playgrounds for the rich-- is about to swallow some 2,400 employees, a few high-tech factories, a nervous dealer network spread around the world, and an organization that requires sales of at least 50,000 cars a year vs Spyker's current 60.

One wonders two things.

First, what make the folks at Spyker think they can keep this lead balloon afloat?  Do they think they can make SAAB profitable when G.M. with all its cash infusions couldn't?  There's a lesson taught in most business schools warning that too much growth too fast can destroy a small, successful company.  How about growing 18 times in staff and 8,000 times in output overnight?

Second, what led GM to make this deal?  Did Spyker pledge G.M. a % of their profits over time?  Is GM that hard up for cash?  Did they burst into tears over the idea that they were about to kill a storied Brand?  At this writing, details of the deal are not available.

Or, as we pondered a few articles back, did GM's Government handlers not want an American company--especially one owned by the U.S. Government--to be responsible for killing a European company?  Especially since G.M. "disappointed" the German government on the outcome of the Opal deal?  So did the Government favor spinning SAAB off onto a European company for it to die quietly in their hands?

Conspiracy theories are fun, aren't they?

Regardless of the reasons why this deal was struck, we see no long term future for SAAB in today's vicious business climate.

And now, we fear for Spyker as well.





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Comments (6)

  1. By fieifjeiji Posted: 1/26/2010 1:18pm PST

    This article is completely what you think.
     
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  2. By smiech Posted: 1/26/2010 5:13pm PST

    Please don't make me laughing - 1/New 9-5 looks much better then new Mercedes E, new BMW 5 or current A6. It's also bigger, having better ligthin system, better navigation (what is idriving done by BMW - I never see such stupid things), much more safety. This is realy a great car which is at least 1 clas above it's German competitors, which as German cars totaly borring, there is nothing to fun (maybe BMW has something). 2/Current 9-3 although is produce for long time looks much better, and with XWD Aero is a class above competitors. ALL SAAB NEED is changing marketing, and step by step destroy all connection with GM and Oplel. If they go this way, and give 3-4 new excitings models everything be OK. Germans build very good cars, but there is nothing exciting. In addition although Grmans cars have greate engines they look have terrible and borring interior, which is in addition unergonomic. SAAB build great cars, with specific climate, best ergonomic, which could be loved. If I'm going to spend 40-70,000 EUR for a car I want to get something which is realy great and fun to drive, and which is not available by everybody (Germans would be owned by anyone). So sorry I don't need German or Japanese car - I need SAAB, Land Rover, Jaguar or Volvo. If I want to buy the most expensive and fasters car I would buy not Germans but also Swedish car - Koenigsegg. Germans and Japanese car are god but borring job, with noting funy and nothing to be loved.
     
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  3. By  buy r4ds Posted: 1/26/2010 6:40pm PST

    This is a soap opera of decidedly General proportions. Please just sell Saab already.
     
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  4. By adamk Posted: 1/26/2010 7:24pm PST

    I agree with the writer that selling Saab rather than shutting it down has intrinsic PR value in Europe, especially after the Opel affair. Regardless, I have fond memories of the Saab my father owned and genuinely hope that the brand can survive in spite of such stiff odds. The new 9-5, 9-4X and an immediate start on a new 9-3 are all necessary steps in my opinion.
     
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  5. By Jim Posted: 1/27/2010 7:16am PST

    GM appears to have cut a better deal for Saab, than BMW did for Rover, so good for GM.
    Regarding Saab, this will only prolong the agony and a few years from now there will be two brands buried.
     
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  6. fb_100000275684479 avatar Michael Escobar Posted: 1/27/2010 9:22am PST

    I'd like to see a new Saab Sonnet lightweight sports car, along the lines of the Boxster, since the original Sonnet concept was a lightweight roadster.
    I still wonder where Spyker got the money? Or did GM give Saab away?
     
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