Koenigsegg to produce the world's most sensible airbag carriers...

Interesting one, I'd heard the rumour, but didn't think it would happen. Personally i think they are only buying SAAB because they are Scandinavian rather than because they are a going concern. Heart ruling mind.
 
SAAB used to be a respected niche manufacturer, if they can get them making SAAB cars again instead of re-badged vectra's I'm sure they'll find a market.
 
Telescopi said:
SAAB used to be a respected niche manufacturer, if they can get them making SAAB cars again instead of re-badged vectra's I'm sure they'll find a market.
Click to expand...

Indeed, sharing many components (such as switchgear) with the earlier "built from granite" Scania trucks, SAAB & Scania used to be under one roof as such.

As Scania are now part of VAG, I doubt very much SAAB will return to where they once were.

We can live in hope though.

SAAB-ScaniaGroup1991.jpg

SAAB at their best.
 
Last edited:
Saab sold by gm to koenigsegg

General Motors has reached a tentative agreement to sell Saab to the Swedish sports car manufacturer Koenigsegg.

GM said that as part of the deal there would be $600m (£367m) of funding from the European Investment Bank (EIB), guaranteed by the Swedish government.

It is the latest part of GM's reorganisation, which is also set to see the Opel and Vauxhall brands going to Canada's Magna.

Saab filed for reorganisation under Swedish law on 20 February.

Koenigsegg produces 18 cars a year and employs 45 people, and there has been some doubt as to whether it has the expertise to run Saab, which sold 93,000 cars in 2008.

Saab employs about 3,400 people in Sweden and about 12,000 other jobs in the country are dependent on Saab and its suppliers.

But GM Europe's president Carl-Peter Forster said: "Koenigsegg Group's unique combination of innovation, entrepreneurial spirit and financial strength... made it the right choice for Saab as well as for General Motors".

GM revamp

The statement from GM did not say how much is being paid for the unit, but the sale is expected to be completed by the end of September.

Koenigsegg car
Koenigsegg specialises in the luxury end of the car market

GM said it would continue to provide technology to Saab "during a defined time period".

GM currently has bankruptcy protection in the US and is slimming down its range of brands as it tries to regain profitability.

The Swedish government has been keen to avoid bailing out its carmakers as long as they are owned by US parent companies.

Joran Hagglund, state secretary for Sweden's industry ministry, said the financing had not yet been finalised.

"We do not yet know if Koenigsegg Group will need loan guarantees or not," he said.

GM bought half of Saab in 1989 and the rest of it in 2000.

Koenigsegg was founded 16 years ago by Christian Koenigsegg, and its principal backer is the Norwegian industrial designer Baard Eker. Its cars sell for about £900,000 each.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8102432.stm
Click to expand...
Im not sure ifthis will be a good thing or a bad thing for saab? maybe well see some better designed cars?
 
It'll be a good thing, because Koenigsegg will no doubt get them producing decent Saab cars and niche models rather than rebadged mass-produced GM kit with no Saab heritage or breeding, which always defied the object completely.
 
Lashout_UK said:
It'll be a good thing, because Koenigsegg will no doubt get them producing decent Saab cars and niche models rather than rebadged mass-produced GM kit with no Saab heritage or breeding, which always defied the object completely.
Click to expand...

I wonder how it will work now with no shared platforms. Can hardly make a CCX AERO HOT Wagon... or could they? :D

Our Vectra based SLAAB is decent enough though, couldn't be happier with it for a grand. Wouldn't have paid the £25k new in 1999 mind you. I do love the brand though and the local dealer we've used has been fantastic.
 
Wow did a company of 45 peeps producing only 18 cars a year (in a shed) get a funding of $600,000,000.00 when other people are having trouble finding a bank willing to give them a small mortgage :confused:

Koenigsegg make gorgeous, expensive, special, fast, gas guzzling, enviromentally unfrienly cars, exactly the opposite of Saab, I find this very strange.
 
Dutch Guy said:
Wow did a company of 45 peeps producing only 18 cars a year (in a shed) get a funding of $600,000,000.00 when other people are having trouble finding a bank willing to give them a small mortgage :confused:

Koenigsegg make gorgeous, expensive, special, fast, gas guzzling, enviromentally unfrienly cars, exactly the opposite of Saab, I find this very strange.
Click to expand...

I think you answered yourself with your last paragraph :D
people who make fast cars for rich people, never have money issues.
 
I'm just waiting for all of the Saab owners to come out with the line

'Well basically, it's a Koenigsegg really, isn't it.' ;)
 
Last edited:
Lashout_UK said:
It'll be a good thing, because Koenigsegg will no doubt get them producing decent Saab cars and niche models rather than rebadged mass-produced GM kit with no Saab heritage or breeding, which always defied the object completely.
Click to expand...

This.

Saabs always had their own thing until the last 10 or so years when they just ended up as rebadged GM drivel. Will be nice to see if Koenigsegg can put their input into saab to make some saloons true to saab heritage.
 
Last edited:
And I'm sure this will help Koenigesgg with their emmissions and how they are taxed in the EU, in a similar way to the Porsche - VW connection.
 
Dutch Guy said:
Koenigsegg make gorgeous, expensive, special, fast, gas guzzling, enviromentally unfrienly cars, exactly the opposite of Saab, I find this very strange.
Click to expand...

Thats not true.

They make the fastest environmentally friendly cars on the planet.
All their cars will run on 100% Biofuel.

;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom