Related article: SAAB Convoy (added January 8th 2010)

Readers will be aware that the SeriousSAAB team is disappointed -to say the least- with GM's decision to press ahead with an 'orderly' closure of SAAB's facilities. Loyalty to a marque that we have been fanatical supporters is bound to colour our judgement to an extent but there are reasons for concern that transcend mere sentimentality. We are troubled by nagging doubts on two fronts, namely we question the seriousness of intent to sell and secondly, we question the soundness of business logic behind opting for closure.

Many individuals cherish dreams to buy their own pub or maybe own a racehorse. Most people never manage to translate ambition into reality, which, may be a blessing for either of the two fond dreams mentioned are not without considerable financial risk. The consortium behind the Koenigsegg bid, however, were not greenhorn amateurs but well-heeled, seasoned big league players. From where I'm standing, the bid looked good and feasible but after protracted talks, the deal fell through. GM have remained tight lipped but at least one commentator voiced the opinion that in not proceeding, GM were protecting their assets by ensuring that their technology did not fall into the hands of a rival company that might pose a threat at some point in the future. In essence the notion of selling something that might come back to haunt them later seems sound, from GMs point of view. The only problem with this is that GM, on one hand, were not thrilled to be selling technological secrets to a consortium with Chinese backing but on the other quite happy to offload the old tooling for the 9-5 and older shape 9-3... to BAIC (China).

The author believes that GM's business plan -so far as SAAB is concerned- appears to be fundamentally flawed. Announcing the end of SAAB production on the eve of releasing one of the most exciting products in the shape of a new 9-5 makes no sense at all, when the huge investment in terms of R&D, crash testing, type approval, to say nothing of tooling up an entire production line is weighed up. The current 9-3 is hardly 'old hat' and its sharp, contemporary looks have persuaded at least one of the author's friends to buy his first new SAAB. Owners of older 9-5s have hung onto their cars -some of which are looking pensionable with mileages now close to 300,000- just so they could be in 'on the ground floor' with the new model. In times past, buyers wanting new SAAB models have been faced with lengthy waits and there is little doubt that whereas the cars won't be selling exactly 'like hot cakes', demand will be steady. Even the normally caustic Top Gear team seemed impressed with the new 9-5.

In the background lurk lingering doubts. Calling time on a venture is never likely to be easy but this time seems like a particularly poor choice. The model range looks good at present and only weeks ago, there was a press announcement that SAAB would be involved more deeply in electric vehicle research. At Rover, everything hinged on the new Mini, which, as we all know, ended up as a niche boutique BMW brand. The possibility must be entertained that GM don't want to sell SAAB but have to pay lip-service to the notion of a sale because the real game plan is not to throw away the new 9-5 (which would transpire if a sale went ahead) but to break up the existing factory and let the workforce go but re-release the car -with, say, an Opel badge- at some point in the coming year. This possibility is less far-fetched than it may appear upon first consideration and it must be taken into account that GM were toying with the notion of shifting production from Sweden anyway.

Call me a pessimist but I fear that the future of SAAB is as bleak as our current winter weather - with little prospect of a thaw. The fall out from a SAAB closure will be far-reaching and the 'ripple effect' would mean far reaching consequences for dealers, staff and parts suppliers world wide. GM say that they will honour existing warranty commitments but how will that be possible if dealerships close down and staff move on? Current cars, unlike previous generations need dealer support because many components (like diesel pumps, for example on the current 9-3) generate a security code that needs unlocking by the dealer so the component can be divorced and the new part married to the bus system (like SAAB radios in 9-5s from 1998).

SAABs are not ordinary cars and I have fond memories of the first fully blown 9000 that I drove. The cars tend not to be owned by average people, either but folk who appreciate something subtly different and maybe even a tad eccentric. The world really will be a poorer place without SAAB and I dread some day in the future at a car show where there is a SAAB among the ranks of other makes consigned to history, alongside Humber, Sunbeam, Armstrong-Siddeley, Riley, Alvis and even Rover.

The Save Our SAABs convoy is to converge on the Luton HQ of GM on January 17th 2010. I don't recall anyone doing something similar for poor old Rover. If you can attend, please do make the effort. SAABs are special cars and a mass public display of support will attract media attention.

Just remember - its never over until it's over and the whistle blows for full time.

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