Saab Temporarily Suspends Production Again while it Seeks Parts

The on-off production drama over at Saab’s Trollhättan facility in Sweden continues as the troubled automaker said Wednesday that it temporarily halted production due to a lack of components from its suppliers only two weeks after resuming making cars following a seven-week shutdown.

Saab said that it anticipated production hiccups in the start-up phase, as the supply chain still is not fully operational with some suppliers holding back until they get paid and others trying to re-stock.

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This is what Happens when a Limousine, Convertible and Yacht Meet

In today's highly competitive auto market, one would think there are no new niches left to explore. Well, it's pretty true, except for imaginative individuals like the crew from Sweden’s Gray Design, which also penned the Saab supercar.

Enter the world of the Strand Craft Limousine Beach Cruiser, a vehicle that looks like a crossover between a limousine, a convertible and a yacht – yes, you read correctly, a yacht. Essentially a beach shuttle, the Stand Craft has been conceived for luxury hotel chains willing to offer their clients premium service. More specifically, to carry six passengers from the hotel to the nearest beach as fast and as comfortable as possible.

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China’s Pang Da Places a New €15 Million Order for Saab Vehicles

Chinese distributor Pang Da Automobile is pumping more cash into Spyker NV's ailing Swedish unit Saab by placing a new order for 630 vehicles valued at €15 million or US$21.5 million. This latest order comes after an earlier one last week for 1,300 cars worth €30 million (US$43.2 million) and is part of a broader deal in which Pang Da agreed to buy a 24 percent stake in Saab’s parent company Spyker for €65 million (US$93.5 million).

The Swedish automaker said that as with the first order, Pang Da will pay the additional €15 million order up front with the funds expected to be received by the end of this week. Delivery of the vehicles ordered by Pang Da will start in the fall of this year.

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Saab Returns from the Dead…Again, Restarts Production at its Trollhättan Factory

Saab is back in the business of making cars again -at least for now- almost two months after production came to a halt on April 6 when the company’s suppliers stopped deliveries of parts in protest over unpaid bills. The Swedish company was able to restart production after receiving €30 million (US$42.8 million) in advance on a deal it has signed with Chinese car distributor Pang Da Automobile.

The China company’s CEO, Mr. Pang Qinghua, visited the Trollhättan factory today together with CEO and Chairman of Saab Automobile, Victor Muller, and witnessed the first vehicle to roll off the assembly line. Saab said around 100 cars were built today but plans to “increase the daily production rate in the coming weeks in parallel with the full re-establishment of the supply chain”.

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What Lies Ahead in Saab’s Future?

Saab is in trouble. With mounting debts and limited capital investment, the Swedish company is a prime candidate to go the way of the dinosaurs. The troubled automaker has not built a single vehicle since the 1st of April, and a much touted deal with China’s Hawtai Motor Group has fallen through. They did however sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with another Chinese company called Pang Da Automobile Trade Co. Ltd, earlier this week, but we will have to wait and see if the deal goes through.

In light of this, I’ve thought up four plausible (though unlikely) scenarios for Saab. These range from the hugely cynical all the way to the brazenly optimistic. After all, isn’t it better than Saab has some future rather than no future at all? Without further ado, here are your options:

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Saab Eyes Another Chinese Savior, Signs MoU with Pang Da Automobile Trade Co.

For the second time this month, and shortly after the break up in talks with the Hawtai Motor Group, Saab’s parent company Spyker Cars N.V. today announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a new Chinese company to provide fresh funds for the deeply troubled Swedish automaker. This time Spyker signed a tentative finance and import deal with Pang Da Automobile Trade Co., Ltd (Pang Da), said to be China’s largest publicly traded automobile distributor with over 1100 dealerships in the country. Read more »

Insane! Swedes Turn a Dodge Viper into the Saab 9-3 SRT10 MegaPower

Proving once again that there is no limit to what one can build when you let your imagination take over, a team of Swedes transformed a Dodge Viper into the menacing Saab 9-3 SRT10 MegaPower you see in these pictures.

It all started when a man bought a wrecked Dodge Viper SRT-10 with the intention of rebuilding it. However, it soon became obvious that task was far more difficult than he originally thought due to the extent of the damages and the lack of parts. It didn’t take long to come up with a fresh idea: strip the Viper’s body clean and use the mechanical hardware and parts of the chassis on a Saab 9-3 Sport Combi.

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Saab’s Deal with China’s Hawtai Motors Collapses, Future Once Again Uncertain

Another day, another deal gone sour for Saab and its parent company Spyker Cars N.V. Today, less than two weeks after Saab announced an agreement with China’s Hawtai Motor Group that would have invested €150 million (US$215 million) into the company in exchange for a 30% stake, Spyker said that the deal has fallen through raising new doubts about the Swedish brand’s future.

“Since it became clear that Hawtai was not able to obtain all the necessary consents, the parties were forced to terminate the agreement with Saab Automobile and Spyker with immediate effect,” Spyker said in a statement.

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VIDEO: New Saab 9-5 Police Interceptor in the Making

When they are not trying to save Saab or put down anyone who dares express a different opinion or even report the news about the Swedish automaker and its people (I’m referring to this article where the author forgot to mention Muller’s quote on the safety of Chinese cars, and which we wrote about here), the guys over Saabsunited get to spend some time at their favorite brand’s Trollhattan factory.

In this video, the Saab-loving crew were given the chance to get a first view of the new 9-5 saloon police interceptor as it was being prepared, and which is said to receive its initial public outing this weekend. Follow the jump to watch the clip.

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Saab Boss Victor Muller Hints at US and EU Distribution of China's Hawtai Cars, Says Buyers Won’t Care about Safety

The ink on the deal / partnership between Saab and China’s Hawtai Motor Group has barely dried, but the Swedish automaker's chairman and Spyker CEO, Victor Muller is already making headlines again by hinting at the distribution of cheap Chinese cars in the United States, Europe and elsewhere through Saab’s established global network.

"We laughed when the Japanese came. We laughed when the Koreans came. But we will not be laughing when the Chinese come. The Chinese are like a steamroller,” said Victor Muller, during a press event in Washington, D.C.

Muller said that if an agreement is reached with Hawtai, the Chinese maker could make use of Saab’s distribution network to sell its cars globally.

"It took 67 years to build up our dealer network. It is the biggest asset not on our asset sheet, and these guys buy into it for free. If they make the proper cars, can you image how much simpler it will be to push product through the distribution network that is already there? It is like a railway network that is already there," said Muller.

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Saab’s 900 / 9-3 Convertible Turns 25 this Year

This year marks the 25 anniversary of Saab’s Convertible model that was first launched under the 900 nameplate and later on, the 9-3 moniker, which is still used today. And while the Swedish firm’s current financial woes don’t allow for a more appropriate celebration, Saab released some key facts and figures on its drop top model.

The convertible’s history started in 1983 at the Frankfurt Motor Show, where Saab unveiled a new concept model with a powered soft-top based on the 900 liftback. After gauging the public’s reaction, Saab decided to introduce a production version of the four-seater model, which was built by Finland’s Valmet Automotive.

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Saab Details Partnership with China’s Hawtai Motor Group

In his attempt to save Saab- again, and after having secured short-term cash of €30 million (US$44.6 million), Spyker Car N.V. CEO Victor Muller’s next move was to sign a strategic partnership with China’s Hawtai Motor Group. Under the agreement, Saab will receive a €150 million (US$222.5 million) cash injection while the two companies will form joint ventures for manufacturing, technology and distribution.

As a part of the deal, China’s Hawtai will invest €120 million (US$178 million) for up to a maximum of a 29.9 percent equity stake in Spyker on a fully diluted basis. Τhe remaining €30 million will be in the form of a convertible loan agreement with a 6 month maturity, an interest rate of 7% per annum and a conversion price of €4.88 per share.

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Saab Announces Strategic Partnership with China’s Hawtai Motor Group, Secures New $30 Million Loan

Spyker Cars NV and Saab president Victor Muller is pulling all the strings to kick start the Swedish automaker back into life after the company hit a cash crunch and was forced to halt production last month as suppliers refused to send parts citing lack of payment.

After an earlier announcement on the involvement of Russian banker Vladimir Antonov, who plans to invest €30 million in Saab’s parent company Spyker in return for a 29.9 percent stake, Muller hit twice today revealing that the company has secured a €30 million convertible loan from Gemini Investment Fund Ltd, while also announcing a new partnership with China’s relatively unknown, Hawtai Motor Group.

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Spyker Cars Says Saab won’t Meet its Sales Target this Year, Now Talking with Chinese Companies for Funding

The roller coaster that is Saab has taken another turn, and unfortunately for the Swedish brand, the future doesn’t look so bright. In spite of a tentative agreement to let Russian banker Vladimir Antonov invest 30 million euros in Saab’s parent company Spyker in return for a 29.9 percent stake, the investment still needs to be approved by the European Investment Bank, which means the Swedes are still short on cash and cannot resume full production.

Today, Spyker reported a loss of €79 million before interest and tax for its first quarter earnings, while the company’s CEO, Victor Muller, said that Saab will not meet its sales target this year.

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Swedish Debt Office and GM Allow Antonov to Invest in Saab

It appears that Saab's hopes of survival continue to depend after all that happened on Vladimir Antonov, the Russian banker who was forced by GM to sell his initial shares in Spyker for the Saab sale to occur. Spyker today confirmed that the Swedish National Debt Office (NDO) allowed Antonov to become a major shareholder in Spyker Cars, Saab's parent company.

"This is a great day for our company and for me personally. We worked relentlessly for 11 months to achieve the desired result: restore the reputation of Vladimir Antonov, who made so many valuable contributions to Spyker since 2007 as financier and shareholder,” said Victor Muller, CEO of Spyker and chairman of Saab Automobile.

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Cadillac drops turbo SRX

Cadillac is discontinuing the turbo versions of its SRX crossover, due to low demand.

Dropping the 300 bhp (223 kW / 304 PS) 2.8 litre V6 turbo motor means that the only engine now available for the SRX is a normally aspirated 3.0 litre V6, which produces 265 bhp (197 kW / 268 PS).



The reason for dropping the more powerful option can’t be because buyers are put off by its fuel consumption. Indeed, the EPA Highway rating of 22 mpg US (26.4 mpg UK / 10.6 l/100km) for the SRX turbo is barely any worse than the 23 mpg US (27.6 mpg UK / 10.2 l/100km) recorded by the 3.0 litre V6 with all-wheel drive.

Rather, it seems that Cadillac got the pricing wrong. Whereas the base non-turbo version with front-wheel drive has a price tag of $34,705 (including destination charges), the cheapest turbo SRX costs $50,790 - almost 50% more.



It’s unclear how this move will affect the forthcoming Saab 9-4X. Due to be launched in North America during May 2011, the 9-4X is based on the SRX and was going to share its engine line-up.



Images © GM Corp.



Related post:

Saab 9-4X unveiled

Saab 9-4X unveiled

Ahead of its debut at next month's Los Angeles Auto Show, Saab has released details of the 9-4X crossover. It’s an important model for the rejuvenated Swedish manufacturer as it should help to broaden the brand’s appeal, particularly in the crucial North American markets.

The 9-4X is a legacy of Saab’s past under General Motors ownership, though. Not only does it share a platform with the Cadillac SRX, but it will also be built alongside that vehicle by GM in Mexico.



But the 9-4X’s looks don’t betray those connections, and it features typical Saab styling cues including the wraparound effect windscreen, gently tapering roofline, ‘hockey stick’ waistline and deep front grille. Wheels are 18” six-spoke alloys on entry-level versions, while Aero variants get 20” nine-spoke ‘turbine’ items.



On the inside there’s a driver-focussed dashboard, which Saab predictably maintains is reminiscent of an aircraft cockpit. The cabin is reckoned to be large enough for five adults, and the driver’s seat gets eight-way power adjustment as standard. Meanwhile, luggage capacity in the 9-4X can be increased by folding down the 60:40 split rear seats which, when lowered, gives a completely flat load space without the need to move the seat base cushions or remove the rear head restraints.

Regarding engines, the choice is limited to two V6 petrols, both of which drive through a six-speed automatic transmission and Saab’s XWD all-wheel drive system. First up is a direct injection 3.0 litre unit which, unusually for Saab, is normally aspirated. Without a turbo, it manages an output of 261 bhp (195 kW / 265 PS) which will accelerate the 9-4X from 0-62 mph (100 km/h) in 9.0 seconds.



The more powerful option actually has a smaller capacity - 2.8 litres - but twin scroll turbocharging allows it to produce 296 bhp (221 kW / 300 PS) and 400 Nm of peak torque, which is usefully available between 2,000 and 5,000 rpm. 0-62 mph (100 km/h) takes 8.3 seconds, but this engine is only available with the Aero trim level.



Top speed, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions figures have yet to be released for either engine. There’s also no sign of any diesels yet, although that will probably be rectified by the time the 9-4X makes it to Europe.

It’s claimed that the chassis set-up on the 9-4X will give car-like ride and handling good enough to challenge the current best in class. Furthermore, customers going for the Aero spec will get Saab DriveSense, which changes the behaviour of the dampers according to how the car is being driven and the type of road surface. It also allows the driver to switch from the default ‘Intelligent’ mode to ‘Sport’, ‘Comfort’ or ‘Eco’, the last of which re-maps the throttle pedal and gear change patterns to minimise fuel consumption.



North America will get the 9-4X first, with sales due to start in May 2011. Europe and other markets will have to wait a few months more though, as August is the planned launch date for those territories. Pricing - and presumably news of a diesel version - will be announced shortly before sales commence.

Saab 9-3 Aero Carlsson

Saab has got experience of producing special editions in honour of rally driver Erik Carlsson, having previously named versions of the 900 and 9000 after him during the late 1980s and early 1990s.



Now it has decided to do it again, this time to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Swedish driver’s first win in Britain’s RAC Rally, which was achieved at the wheel of a Saab 96.



Thankfully, the company has resisted the urge to just bung some fancy alloys and a few other extra bits onto something like a mid-range diesel model. Instead, it appears to have resurrected the limited edition Turbo X from a couple of years ago, as the new edition similarly features a turbocharged 2.8 litre petrol V6, Saab’s XWD all-wheel drive system and a six-speed automatic gearbox.



The result is the 9-3 Aero Carlsson saloon, which turns out to be a very rapid car. With 276 bhp (205 kW / 280 PS) and a healthy 400 Nm of torque, the 0-60 mph (96 km/h) dash takes just 6.9 seconds. But it’s in the mid-range that it really impresses: the 50-70 mph (80-112 km/h) acceleration time is only 6.3 seconds, perfect for overtaking. Top speed is limited to 155 mph (250 km/h).

Erik Carlsson with the Saab 9-3 Aero Carlsson special edition

Naturally, with that powertrain, the Saab was never going to be the greenest of cars. CO2 emissions are 269 g/km, and it’ll only manage a modest 25mpg (11.2 l/100km) on the combined cycle.



But if the 9-3 Aero Carlsson is going to cost a bit to keep fuelled up, potential owners will be consoled by knowing that they probably won’t need to spend any money on optional extras. That’s because Saab seems to have added most of them already.



Standard specification includes satellite navigation, Bluetooth telephone connectivity, Bose stereo, sports suspension with rear body levelling, bi-xenon cornering headlights, 19” alloy wheels, leather interior trim, electric front seats, twin exhaust tailpipes and a rear boot lid spoiler.



So, lots of horsepower and loads of kit… but how much? Incredibly, the 9-3 Aero Carlsson is priced at just £26,495. That’s actually £560 less than a ‘normal’ 9-3 Aero 1.9TTiD 180.



However, anyone interested will have to be quick - only 96 examples will be produced (that number being a nod to the Saab 96 that Carlsson drove back in 1960), and they will be available in the UK only.



There aren’t too many all-wheel drive compact saloons on the market with more than 250 bhp, so direct competitors for the 9-3 Aero Carlsson are somewhat thin on the ground.



Vauxhall has the Insignia VXR 4x4 which, with its 320 bhp (239 kW / 325 PS), can boast quite a bit more power than the Saab. It’s also quicker - 0-60 mph (96 km/h) takes 5.6 seconds - but it also costs more. The list price is £33,125 and leather is extra, but the current ‘Vauxhall Internet Only’ price of £28,350 indicates that there’s plenty of room to haggle.



Another potential rival is the Audi A4 Saloon. However, to get all-wheel drive and similar performance levels to the 9-3 Aero Carlsson, buyers would probably have to go for the 3.2 FSI S Line quattro tiptronic. That version costs £35,910, almost £10,000 more than the Saab, although that’s before any of the options needed to match the spec of the 9-3 have been selected.

119 g/km Saab 9-3 diesels

With the new Saab 9-5 getting so much attention of late its smaller sibling, the venerable 9-3, might have rather faded into the background pending its replacement in 2012.



But Saab, under new owners Spyker Cars, isn’t ignoring its compact range. Realising that - in Europe at least - both fleet and private customers are demanding ever more economical small diesels, it has improved the 9-3 accordingly for the 2011 model year.

There’s now a choice of three diesel engines, available with a power output of 128 bhp (95 kW / 130 PS), 157 bhp (117 kW / 160 PS) or 177 bhp (132 kW / 180 PS). And they have a lot in common with each other: all have a capacity of 1.9 litres, all now feature twin turbochargers and all produce exactly the same amount of CO2 and will go the same distance on a gallon of fuel.



In the saloon, that means 62.8 mpg on the combined cycle (4.4 l/100km) and just 119 g/km of carbon dioxide. The figures for the SportWagon estate and convertible versions are slightly worse at 61.4 mpg (4.6 l/100 km) / 122 g/km and 54.3 mpg (5.2 l/100km) / 137 g/km respectively, but they’re still impressive.



As well as a recalibrated engine management system and improved fuel injection, the efficiency improvements are the result of tweaks right across the car. These include optimised gearing, fitment of low rolling resistance tyres, an intelligent alternator that recognises when battery charging isn’t required, improved aerodynamics and reduced weight. Some of those measures will also appear on the petrol 9-3 line up, benefiting fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.



The 2011 9-3 gets additional specification, too. All models now come with Bluetooth connectivity and heated front seats as standard and, to make sure the best economy figures are achieved, there’s also a gearshift change up indicator.



Saab itself admits that the personality of the 9-3 was watered down under GM ownership, and it’s promising the next generation will redress that. But meanwhile, with revamped engines and extra equipment, it still measures up as a worthwhile choice for individualists who don’t want one of the more predictable premium compact alternatives.

Saab 9-5 range expands

The Saab 9-5 might never have gone on sale, had GM’s disposal of the company to Spyker Cars fallen through. But luckily the transaction was completed because, like the Jaguar XF, the 9-5 offers a refreshing alternative to the usual German suspects in the mid-size luxury saloon segment.



Now, two months after its launch, Saab is expanding the range with a couple of new engines for the 9-5.

The first of these, and probably the one that’ll be of most interest to European buyers, is the 2.0TTiD diesel. Using sequential twin turbochargers, it produces 187 bhp (139 kW / 190 PS), and joins the existing 157 bhp (117 kW / 160 PS) single turbo version in the line-up.



Typically for a diesel, the key to the new engine’s performance is torque. And the 2.0TTiD doesn’t disappoint, with 400 Nm on offer from just 1,750 rpm. A 0-62 mph (100 km/h) of ‘under nine seconds’ suggests it’s no rocket ship, but the real benefit of that 187 bhp is probably going to be felt in the mid-range where, in normal driving, it’s most needed.



Unfortunately, Saab hasn’t published any figures to verify that, but it is saying the 2.0TTiD will do 47.1 mpg (5.9 l/100km) while emitting 159 g/km of CO2. Respectable enough, but not class leading.



The BMW 520d Saloon, for example, gets similar performance from its 181 bhp (135 kW / 184 PS), yet it manages 57.6 mpg (4.9 l/100km) and pumps out an astonishingly low 129 g/km of carbon dioxide.



Things look a bit better for the Saab when it’s compared against an Audi A6 Saloon equipped with the 2.7 TDI engine, which also generates 187 bhp. Fuel consumption and emissions are slightly worse in the Audi, however a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time of 7.9 seconds hints that it’s a quicker car.



The arrival of the 2.0TTiD, which is available in Vector SE and Aero trim levels, also means Saab’s XWD all-wheel drive system can be specified with diesel power for the first time. UK on the road prices start at £28,495 for the 9-5 Vector SE 2.0TTiD, rising to £33,700 for the 9-5 Aero 2.0TTiD XWD.



The second new engine, the 1.6T, plugs a gap at the bottom of the 9-5 petrol range. Part of Saab’s ’rightsizing’ strategy, this unit only has a 1.6 litre capacity, which is unusual for this class.



Nevertheless, it produces a healthy 177 bhp (132 kW / 180 PS) thanks to a turbocharger with an overboost function. This allows it to accelerate from 0-62 mph (100 km/h) in 9.5 seconds, but with fuel consumption of 36.2 mpg (7.8 l/100km) and CO2 emissions of 179 g/km, it’d be hard to justify over one of the diesels.



Available only in Vector SE spec with two-wheel drive and a six-speed manual gearbox, it’s priced at £26,695.