SAAB dead...

[Schumacher]

Originally Posted by ENINTY

The example of piss-poor decisions was the decision to buy SAAB in the first place. That's partially what killed GM; trying to save crap car companies like SAAB.

Really?

I wonder what led them to pay $600 million for 50% (in 1989) of such a crap company instead of getting it for free. Typical American noob.

[CoolToolGuy]

Originally Posted by Schumacher

Really?

I wonder what led them to pay $600 million for 50% (in 1989) of such a crap company instead of getting it for free. Typical American noob.

I think they were swayed by Ford buying Volvo - to get their own Euro-Luxury brand under their wing.

Have Fun,
Rick

[Schumacher]

Originally Posted by CoolToolGuy

I think they were swayed by Ford buying Volvo - to get their own Euro-Luxury brand under their wing.

Have Fun,
Rick

Yeah. They were just trying to keep up with the Joneses. Ford beat them in bidding for Jaguar only weeks earlier and they must have been under pressure to buy up some of the remaining small car makers that were available.

One thing that set Ford apart was the care they took to provide Volvo with the latest in platform tech (Off roaders, Folding Hardtop's, AWD options and R models). Saab never got such attention and had to make do with old tech (same 9-5 model for 13 years, etc.)