This is important. GM was probably already looking at some job cuts, mostly white-collar as mentioned in the article above. Now, however, they know they are going to be faced with increasing corporate taxes as well as mandatory benefits for employees. So while they’re trying to cut 401k matching now, they’ll be forced to later. There will probably be mandatory guidelines of healthcare for employees as well.
What does that mean for ALL workers at GM blue, white or other? GM can’t afford them. Watch for GM to go with alternative labor sources IE: temporary workers. Look for more work through temp agencies and less through the unions and permanent employees.
Also watch for nearly every other American business to use the same model if these retirement plans and healthcare models do make it to fruition.

The good news, the silver lining, is that this may actually be a good thing for GM. This may be where GM realizes where their bean counters have been missing zeros. The massive cutbacks in employees may show GM that they can operate with significantly less overhead with the same number of workers (see: not employees).

I know it sounds weird, but just watch what happens to all American businesses (not just automotive) as each new law is passed.

I do not know that is going on in GM´s HQ but I think the current “crisis” is a chance for Saab. Saab never became “premium” as Bmw or Audi did. These German “premium” brand just stumbled upon the “crisis”. They are in big trouble now and the whole “premium” approach is jeopardised.

Saab should focus on well made “honest” and reasonably priced cars built and sold in quantities:

9-1 micro against Toyota iQ, DB Smart,

9-2 compact against, well, compact cars like Honda Civic, Audi A3,

9-3 well, we all now,

9-5 you name it!

Anything else?

Oh yes, the “insecurity” mom´s (and dad´s) cars: 9-4 and (9-7)

After all the issues I have had with the car , I would suggest Saab is not going to last and GM should cut and run.

This economy will have no tolerance of high priced cars with shoddy workmanship , do your self a favor buy a Mercedes or Audi if you want a high end car

I hope we as owners are left with some support after this all shakes out

I had just ordered a new 9-3 Aero XWD to replace my 2004 9-3 Aero prior to hearing about this and, frankly, I tried to see if I could cancel the order after I learned about the dealer closing in Seattle; I’m not crazy about driving 60 miles round trip for warranty work and the free scheduled maintenance for the first 3 years.

The interesting thing is that the Seattle dealer had worked out an agreement with GM to honor new warranties for 2 years or until GM established a new dealer in Seattle, but GM decided to back out of this agreement prior to the deal closing. I think this is a bad decision, but then again, the dealer in Fife will want Saab owners to get in the habit of coming to them and probably feels that people will get used to it.

I doubt that I’ll be one of those that will get used to it and if I don’t, I won’t order another one when this lease runs out (it is a company car).

I don’t know where Saab sells most of its cars in the US, but I have to believe that the Seattle area had to be one of the better areas for them. If true, it says a lot that they can’t support two dealers in the Seattle/Tacoma area.

Is there another company out there that would be WORSE for Saab than (an insolvent) GM? I think most of us agree that SAAB has an exciting lineup coming out, but it seems that GMs financial situation is such that they cannot put out the new models in a timely fashion. Anyone who has the cash to buy SAAB, would also (likely) have the cash to implement the 9-4x, 9-5, ASAP. I say that the best thing for SAAB is for GM to suddenly have some cash on hand to get out those new models (unlikely), or for GM to sell SAAB to someone (really, anyone) who will put that cash into the brand.