Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Feb 20, 2009: Saab finally admits to not being profitable under General Motors and files for bankruptcy in Sweeden. World waits in wonder.
Jun 11, 2009: After months of waiting and Saab mulling around in bankruptcy court, Koenigsegg announces that they will buy Saab from the general and produce the cars using GM technology until they get the resources to develop an all-new range.
Jun 16, 2009: A tentative agreement with Koenigsegg is reached, Saab fans everywhere hope for the Saab Aero X concept to become a reality.
Aug 27, 2009: 2010 Saab 9-5 officially released by not-GM; anticipation for a new kind of Saab begins.
November 24, 2009: Koenigsegg suddenly reverses their decision; Saab deal is off. Sound familiar? Think back to Penske.
December 1, 2009: At the same press conference where Fritz Henderson resigned, an announcement is made that there is still interest in Saab from other people; GM says it will entertain bids through the end of December.
December 2, 2009: Spyker announces that it is interested in Saab, a wise move for the troubled company. The company, which had lost money for almost a decade straight, saw a 25% rise in stock price in a day and if the bought Saab would get $600 Million in European loans.
December 13, 2009: Beijing Automotive made a deal with GM to build the Saab 9-3 and 9-5 cars at their factories in China, but doesn't indicate if they want to take over the entire company eventually.
December 18, 2009: General Motors announces that they are killing Saab and not entertaining any more offers. They outline a 3-month wind-down plan for the brand.
December 20, 2009: European papers report that Saab may not be dead. They say that Spyker may be making a last-minute effort to get the car brand from GM.
December 20, 2009: Spyker raises its bid for Saab, GM says no decision will be made before the end of the year.
December 21, 2009: Anand Mahindra, owner of the Indian Mahindra truck brand, indicates in a tweet his interest in Saab.
December 23, 2009: Saab of Milford sends an E-mail out to their customers that Spyker has bought Saab, much speculation follows.
December 29, 2009: A Saab board member claims the deadline for the Saab sale has been extended, Saab enthusiasts everywhere are seen to have increased pulse.
December 30, 2009: The General announces that Saab production will resume starting at the new year.
January 5, 2010: The Sell Our Saab rally is held by avid Saab enthusiasts in Detroit to convince GM to sell to Spyker, or anyone for that matter, as long as the brand is out of the hands of General Motors.
January 8, 2010: Bernie Ecclestone of Formula One fame teams up with an investment firm in Luxembourg to submit a bid to buy Saab.
January 26, 2010: The General announces a deal with Spyker for Saab will be the final episode in the 6-month-long corporate fiasco, hopefully Spyker won't back out like Koenigsegg did. As a last-ditch dramatic effort, GM requires the Spyker CEO to quit in the deal.
So there you have it, every season of the Save/Sell/Kill/Get Rid Of Our Saab right here. Hopefully I won't have to add another one (not-so-subtle hint to Spyker).
