As the Saab Sales Saga continues, a new rumor is sure to irritate Saab and GM fans alike: Swedish newspaper Dagens Industri is reporting that “sources within Saab Automobile are stating that GM now sees positive opportunities in a closing of Saab.” How so?
GM is said to be contemplating sticking a Buick badge onto the totally redesigned 9-5, which is said to be ready for manufacture. The plan was to get the all-new 9-5 into dealer showrooms around early 2010 – something that seems less of a possibility these days.
If impressions of the new 9-5 are to be believed, then it would be a huge waste to send the flagship sedan to the automotive graveyard.
But that’s not all! Another set of rumors involves GM raiding Saab’s parts and technology bin for future products, which may include a European revival of the Opel Senator.
The GM Authority Take
It’s important to take rumors for what they are: unconfirmed stories and reports. We believe that these rumblings are very far from the actual truth, since GM seems to have learned its lesson when it comes to badge engineering.
However, if the rumors are true, then it would seem that Saab’s days are numbered, plain and simple. For what it’s worth, Spyker Cars (the only bidder in the race for Saab) belives that GM is telling suppliers that it will take roughly five years to completely wind-down the Swedish brand.
[Source: DN.se via Saabs United]
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