Comments on: Options II: more chat with Eric Geers from Saab Sweden http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/12/options-ii-more-chat-with-eric-geers-from-saab-sweden.html Saab 9-1, 9-3, 9-4x, 9-5, 9-7x News Thu, 11 Dec 2008 06:34:22 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: wilfried http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/12/options-ii-more-chat-with-eric-geers-from-saab-sweden.html#comment-58094 wilfried Fri, 05 Dec 2008 13:51:25 +0000 http://www.trollhattansaab.net/?p=10964#comment-58094 Nice for Swade & his trollhattanreaders/commenters this interview actually took place. I hope Swade, you'll maintain a good relationship with these guys and others within Saab (or GM/Saab). Let's hope the situation doesn't change dramaticly the coming days/weeks/months, with real production models in the pipeline. With insignia already available, new 9-5 can't be too long from production. (I took a look at the possible insignia engines, apparently they continue with their own 2,0 diesels (1956 cm3) and not the 1,9 - (1910 cm3 alfa/fiat-) engine. Turbocharged petrol 2,0 4-cilinders and 2,8 V6 are similar with actual engines available at saab. Mid 2009 the insignia will also be available with a 2,0 biturbo CDTi diesel with 140kW/190ps, similar with the Saab TTiD I guess. I wish the saab-models differentiate at lot from this opel, but will it actually be just another differentiation in terms of body- & interior design. Saab needs to get rid of that opel-connection in terms of "new 9-5, it is based upon the opel insignia", I can imagine what the journo's will write (again) ... . Nice for Swade & his trollhattanreaders/commenters this interview actually took place. I hope Swade, you’ll maintain a good relationship with these guys and others within Saab (or GM/Saab).
Let’s hope the situation doesn’t change dramaticly the coming days/weeks/months, with real production models in the pipeline.

With insignia already available, new 9-5 can’t be too long from production.
(I took a look at the possible insignia engines, apparently they continue with their own 2,0 diesels (1956 cm3) and not the 1,9 – (1910 cm3 alfa/fiat-) engine. Turbocharged petrol 2,0 4-cilinders and 2,8 V6 are similar with actual engines available at saab. Mid 2009 the insignia will also be available with a 2,0 biturbo CDTi diesel with 140kW/190ps, similar with the Saab TTiD I guess.
I wish the saab-models differentiate at lot from this opel, but will it actually be just another differentiation in terms of body- & interior design. Saab needs to get rid of that opel-connection in terms of “new 9-5, it is based upon the opel insignia”, I can imagine what the journo’s will write (again) … .

]]> By: Konsta http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/12/options-ii-more-chat-with-eric-geers-from-saab-sweden.html#comment-58079 Konsta Fri, 05 Dec 2008 09:37:00 +0000 http://www.trollhattansaab.net/?p=10964#comment-58079 Swade, you are truly a beacon of light. You being able to transmit this info to us is just great. I´ve always thought that there´s a difference between what is said to assure stakeholders etc. and what is really happening. That seems to be the case in here as well. In one of US newspapers´boards a guy told that he used to work for Ford Flying Division and that his job had been terminated. However flying Ford execs in charter planes is more expensive than them being flown in corporate jets but that seems to be the "reasonable" thing to do to sooth politicians. Have a wonderful December, hoping for nice presents for Saab and us all :) Cheers, Konsta Swade, you are truly a beacon of light. You being able to transmit this info to us is just great. I´ve always thought that there´s a difference between what is said to assure stakeholders etc. and what is really happening. That seems to be the case in here as well.

In one of US newspapers´boards a guy told that he used to work for Ford Flying Division and that his job had been terminated. However flying Ford execs in charter planes is more expensive than them being flown in corporate jets but that seems to be the “reasonable” thing to do to sooth politicians.

Have a wonderful December, hoping for nice presents for Saab and us all :)

Cheers,
Konsta

]]> By: bk-aero http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/12/options-ii-more-chat-with-eric-geers-from-saab-sweden.html#comment-58077 bk-aero Fri, 05 Dec 2008 08:40:26 +0000 http://www.trollhattansaab.net/?p=10964#comment-58077 I'm really curious what the new 9-5 will be like. But I'm sure, it won't be similar to the <a href="http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2008/12/fisker-reveals-photos-of-its-408hp.html" rel="nofollow">Fisker Karma</a>. THAT is the kind of car, Saab should build. It has the 2 litre DI Turbo from GM (downsizing and so on), it has hybrid drive, it looks (in my opinion) stunning and it manages 2.4 litre per 100 km (or 100 mpg) when driving to work or doing your shopping!!! And - surprise - the production is sold out until mid 2010. I’m really curious what the new 9-5 will be like.
But I’m sure, it won’t be similar to the Fisker Karma. THAT is the kind of car, Saab should build. It has the 2 litre DI Turbo from GM (downsizing and so on), it has hybrid drive, it looks (in my opinion) stunning and it manages 2.4 litre per 100 km (or 100 mpg) when driving to work or doing your shopping!!! And – surprise – the production is sold out until mid 2010.

]]> By: Bob Sinclair http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/12/options-ii-more-chat-with-eric-geers-from-saab-sweden.html#comment-58068 Bob Sinclair Fri, 05 Dec 2008 06:10:43 +0000 http://www.trollhattansaab.net/?p=10964#comment-58068 Even though I've been retired from the Car Wars for quite a few years, I continue to have a strong feeling for Saab, and a keen interest in the business despite how the marque has been handled by GM since they started calling the shots. According to figures just released, total Saab sales in the entire United States last month came to just 852 vehicles. Eight Hundred and Fifty in the entire nation! It's sad in the extreme. Despite the current dismal outlook, I sincerely hope an adequate resolution can be found - for the sake of all Saab loyalists everywhere, the work force in Sweden and abroad, and the Saab dealer network who have invested so much in building their Saab business. Bob Santa Barbara CA, USA Even though I’ve been retired from the Car Wars for quite a few years, I continue
to have a strong feeling for Saab, and a keen interest in the business despite how
the marque has been handled by GM since they started calling the shots.

According to figures just released, total Saab sales in the entire United States last
month came to just 852 vehicles. Eight Hundred and Fifty in the entire nation!
It’s sad in the extreme.

Despite the current dismal outlook, I sincerely hope an adequate resolution can be
found – for the sake of all Saab loyalists everywhere, the work force in Sweden and
abroad, and the Saab dealer network who have invested so much in building their
Saab business.

Bob
Santa Barbara CA, USA

]]> By: 1985 Gripen http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/12/options-ii-more-chat-with-eric-geers-from-saab-sweden.html#comment-58064 1985 Gripen Fri, 05 Dec 2008 05:42:39 +0000 http://www.trollhattansaab.net/?p=10964#comment-58064 That was some seriously great reporting, Swade. Kudos. Only TS would be able to feature an interview such as that. I don't know how you manage to juggle a job, a family, and this blog. But however you do it, you do it right. Thanks. That was some seriously great reporting, Swade. Kudos. Only TS would be able to feature an interview such as that.

I don’t know how you manage to juggle a job, a family, and this blog. But however you do it, you do it right. Thanks.

]]> By: Markac http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/12/options-ii-more-chat-with-eric-geers-from-saab-sweden.html#comment-58041 Markac Thu, 04 Dec 2008 22:42:24 +0000 http://www.trollhattansaab.net/?p=10964#comment-58041 Good interview. I think it's time for GM to get out of Saab the way they got into it. Sell of 50 per cent, relinquish control and sell off the remainder once the new owner/consortium has clearly defined it's future product strategy. These future products may or may not inclue GM parts. GM could remain a minor shareholder if a considerable number of GM parts are still used. A bailout might only delay the inevitable with GM and if Saab were to remain with them, it will most likely go down too. None of us want that. GM have used up all their chances with Saab and Saab now needs to be rid of them, even if not all at once. Good interview.
I think it’s time for GM to get out of Saab the way they got into it. Sell of 50 per cent, relinquish control and sell off the remainder once the new owner/consortium has clearly defined it’s future product strategy. These future products may or may not inclue GM parts. GM could remain a minor shareholder if a considerable number of GM parts are still used.

A bailout might only delay the inevitable with GM and if Saab were to remain with them, it will most likely go down too. None of us want that. GM have used up all their chances with Saab and Saab now needs to be rid of them, even if not all at once.

]]> By: MarkS http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/12/options-ii-more-chat-with-eric-geers-from-saab-sweden.html#comment-58040 MarkS Thu, 04 Dec 2008 22:19:20 +0000 http://www.trollhattansaab.net/?p=10964#comment-58040 Tompa, I'd like to second that! <strong>Go Trollhättan GO!</strong> Swade, thank you so much for your efforts. Hope has worn a bit thin but still remains! :) Tompa, I’d like to second that!

Go Trollhättan GO!

Swade, thank you so much for your efforts. Hope has worn a bit thin but still remains!

:)

]]> By: Dippen http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/12/options-ii-more-chat-with-eric-geers-from-saab-sweden.html#comment-58037 Dippen Thu, 04 Dec 2008 20:16:57 +0000 http://www.trollhattansaab.net/?p=10964#comment-58037 Thanks Swade & Eric Geers for a great interview and giving us the latest info:) TS is the best:) Thanks Swade & Eric Geers for a great interview and giving us the latest info:)

TS is the best:)

]]> By: Saabboy1 http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/12/options-ii-more-chat-with-eric-geers-from-saab-sweden.html#comment-58036 Saabboy1 Thu, 04 Dec 2008 20:14:47 +0000 http://www.trollhattansaab.net/?p=10964#comment-58036 If I am Eric Jeers and Company at Saab I might consider the possibility that they are going to be ON THERE OWN, and ask the Swedish Government to take them over, if they don't find a buyer in the next 3 weeks. I don't think GM is going to get the money, and even if they do I don't know how they are going to be able to meet those benchmarks come March 31, 2009 with this economy the way it is? If anything GM is going to be left with Chevrolet, Cadillac, and maybe GMC. That's it. If I am Eric Jeers and Company at Saab I might consider the possibility that they are going to be ON THERE OWN, and ask the Swedish Government to take them over, if they don’t find a buyer in the next 3 weeks. I don’t think GM is going to get the money, and even if they do I don’t know how they are going to be able to meet those benchmarks come March 31, 2009 with this economy the way it is? If anything GM is going to be left with Chevrolet, Cadillac, and maybe GMC. That’s it.

]]> By: Ubermich http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/12/options-ii-more-chat-with-eric-geers-from-saab-sweden.html#comment-58035 Ubermich Thu, 04 Dec 2008 20:01:56 +0000 http://www.trollhattansaab.net/?p=10964#comment-58035 Mr. Brown just told the not-so-big 3 that all of this money is from American tax payers, therefor all of this money needs to go into US parts and R&D Mr. Brown just told the not-so-big 3 that all of this money is from American tax payers, therefor all of this money needs to go into US parts and R&D

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