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Post by David on Dec 19, 2011 10:56:03 GMT
The 'if we can't make it work, we will make darn sure that nobody else does' attitude for General Motors, has finally sealed SAABs fate. Having been fortunate to visit Trollhattan, the home of the SAAB factory, a few times I do wonder what will happen to the town and its folk now. The timing could not be worse for the 3,500+ people who work for SAAB. My thoughts are with them. www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16242115www.thelocal.se/38000/20111217/
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Post by bebopdeluxe on Dec 20, 2011 6:58:19 GMT
I was quite shocked to hear about SAAB. You just never know.
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Post by stantondavies on Dec 22, 2011 0:07:06 GMT
They've been struggling for years. A slow death sadly.
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tonys
Rover Fanatic
Posts: 419
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Post by tonys on Dec 22, 2011 20:32:57 GMT
I was a fan of Saabs when they were more 'quirky', a friend had several of the 900 T16s and 9000s in the 80s/90s, clocked up huge mileages and thought that they were superb.
I was less enthused by the later GM ones, but more recently did think that they might start to become a bit more individual again, but sadly it was not to be.
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Post by David on Dec 23, 2011 10:32:41 GMT
I agree they have been slowly dying. . Although they sold lots of SAABs all the profits were absorbed by GM to keep other marques going. When SAAB was sold, GM insisted they kept control so when the new potential owners (Chinese) wanted to buy SAAB, GM said no as the Chinese market for GM is huge and they did not want any competition. SAAB may yet survive
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Post by barryr on Dec 23, 2011 13:46:50 GMT
My daily driver is a 9-5 Aero estate. It's my 4th Saab and 2nd one of these particular models.
Although the quality of trim has gradually reduced over the last 4 cars I've had, I also noticed improvements made mechanically and the 9-5 being an 11 year old model was pretty spot on by the time I bought my current 2007 one.
I clocked 240K in my old 9000 - original clutch lasted to 212K and only my 9-3 convertible has escaped a 6 figure mileage in my ownership. Always a head gasket at 60K but never lost a turbo or main mechanicals. I did once have the ignition cassette die.
It's a sad shame that my next car will now either have to be the run of the mill bmw/audi/merc choices or something cheaper.
What a shame for Saab.
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Post by David on Jan 5, 2012 13:48:11 GMT
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Post by Warwick on Jan 6, 2012 1:56:49 GMT
Looks like Kodak is on the ropes too. Hard to believe. Agfa went several years ago, and Ilford seems to be surviving making inkjet photo paper.
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