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[Tonka.]

I often find it incredible how multi million pound (Kronor) businesses operate.

Here we find Spyker, who sold 43 cars in 2008, when it posted a loss of $35m (£21m). It has yet to make a profit in six years.

buying

Saab, who lost 3bn kronor (£255m; $412m) in 2008, and has not made a profit since 2001.

Ah ha....I see how its done. The Swedish government has agreed to guarantee a 400 million-euro (£349m; $563m) loan Saab had requested from the European Investment Bank.

Whose money are they gambling with?  :-/ :-/ :-/

[STMO999]

I often find it incredible how multi million pound (Kronor) businesses operate.

Here we find Spyker, who sold 43 cars in 2008, when it posted a loss of $35m (£21m). It has yet to make a profit in six years.

buying

Saab, who lost 3bn kronor (£255m; $412m) in 2008, and has not made a profit since 2001.

Ah ha....I see how its done. The Swedish government has agreed to guarantee a 400 million-euro (£349m; $563m) loan Saab had requested from the European Investment Bank.

Whose money are they gambling with?  :-/ :-/ :-/

They can't afford to lose the jobs right now, at any cost. Doubt very much that SAAB will ever become viable.

[Tonka.]

Looking at it from the outside. Both companies seem pretty crap at turning a profit even before we all fell down a bottomless pit of debt  :-/

[cruisetopoland]

A copy of the email I sent Saab a few years ago, which was a reply to an earlier email which was more detailed and spoke of my own experiences of Saab ownership.
You can see by the response, how interested they were.
This email gained no response.

Saab lost their loyal customer base by doing just that.
They deserve to go down, as sad as it is.

Re: "Comments"
Wednesday, 29 October, 2008 15:39:33<       .com> View
To: Saab Great Britain <saab.info@uk.gm.com> 


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi Brian
 
Thanks for your response.  I used to swear by Saab, but am sad about the current dilution of brand values brought about by GM.  What used to be a revered, desirable and distintive Swedish brand has now lost its way and become just another manufacturer, with no particular reason for any buyer to buy in to it.
 
Whereas the cars were distinctive and aero styled and felt different from other brands, the watering down of the principle and over use of parts-sharing and poor styling and advertising decisions have weakened the brand terminally.
 
Over the years I have been particularly disturbed by the following:
The 9-3 previous rounded facelift with bland styling and the continual advertising of half price year old 9-3 models by the dealers
The laughable Dame Edna Glasses 9-5 facelift
The current 9-3 convertible boot spoiler which makes the boot look like it is not shut
The similarity between Saab and Cadillac models-particularly the BLS
The whole Saabaru SUV thing
The lack of use of your company heritage or pride in your old models and rally experience
The complaints from owners on blogs and websites
 
The lack of any direction in the company makes me cringe-in an age where people want to be more responsible, Saab could have used its (former) responsible, sensible, honest image to great effect-by selling strong durable cars which would give long life and therefore be greener in the long term.
Although you do have bio-fuel and TiD cars, Saab has not capitalised on the green bandwagon by concentrating on the fact that old Saabs are still going strong at 500k miles and offering a sturdy, economical, safe, strong and long lived "green" model.
Instead you have concentrated on a fated SUV tie up with Subaru, various odd facelifts and irrelevant high powered models which will never compete with BMW-all of whcih have left you with an unwanted model range.
 
Saab owners are a faithful breed, but a number of Saab owners I have spoken to actually preferred thier last Saab over their current one, and would not buy another.  You are losing old school buyers and have no "hook" to bring in new buyers to the brand due to the lack of perceived quality or image in the brand now.
 
If you add this to your range of dated high emission cars which are too similar to Opel/Vauxhall, Cadillac etc  (hardly premium cars), then the Saab brand will soon be lost in the UK, which would be a great shame.
 
I loved Saab for many reasons and would use the following words to describe my former perception of Saab; aeronautic precision, understated quality, unbelievable longevity, strong safety, unique design, ergonomic perfection, dependability for life-a car you could believe in.
 
In the last ten years this is now: generic design, half price at 6 months old, high emissions, not class leading, too frequent and awkward looking facelifts, irrelevant marketing, no brand value and no reason to buy.
 
I know you probably do not want to listen to any of this, but maybe someone should?!  Saab should separate from other brands and be unique again, and capitalise on its heritage and honest quality.  Saab desperately needs to launch some relevant cars, or invent a hook to lure buyers-perhaps by advertising safety and longevity.  Please do something!
 
Kind regards



----- Original Message ----
From: Saab Great Britain <saab.info@uk.gm.com>
To:    .com
Sent: Monday, 27 October, 2008 10:11:13 AM
Subject: "Comments"

Dear Mr

Thank you for your comments dated 25/10/2008

You comments have been received and will be put forward to the relevant department.

Please do not hesitate to contact me with any further queries.

Yours sincerely,
Bryan Dottin
Saab Information Centre
Tel: 0845 300 9395

This email has been sent from General Motors Limited
Registered in England 01682792
Registered Office: Griffin House, Osborne Road , Luton , Beds, LU1 3YT
VAT Number 382 1581 51

Disclaimer:
" IMPORTANT: The information contained in this message and any attachment may be confidential. If you are not the intended recipient of this message then you should delete it immediately along with any attachment and inform the sender. You may not copy this message or any attachment or transmit it to any other person.

 

 

[Del Boy]

SAAB also made a profit in 2007 if you don't listen to the news and paper and get the facts 

2 new models, the new 9-5 and the 9-4x both lovely looking cars  New 93 by 2012 good stuff