Nines Magazine

SOC2010

Full Audio of GM Press Conference
Tuesday, 26 January 2010 21:12

General Motors held its own press conference today, January 26, 2010, to announce the sale of Saab to Spyker. Here you will find the full audio of the call.

 
GM Reaches Agreement to Sell Saab to Spyker
Tuesday, 26 January 2010 13:37

DETROIT – General Motors and Spyker Cars NV today confirmed that they have reached a binding agreement on the purchase of Saab Automobile AB.

"Today’s announcement is great news for Saab employees, dealers and suppliers, great news for millions of Saab customers and fans worldwide, and great news for GM,” said John Smith, GM vice president for corporate planning and alliances.

“General Motors, Spyker Cars, and the Swedish government worked very hard and creatively for a deal that would secure a sustainable future for this unique and iconic brand, and we're all happy for the positive outcome,” Smith said.

As part of the agreement, Spyker intends to form a new company, Saab Spyker Automobiles, which will carry the Saab brand forward.  The sale will be subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of applicable regulatory, governmental and court approvals.  Other terms and conditions specific to the sale will be disclosed in due time.

The Swedish government is at present reviewing the transaction and the related request for guarantees of a Saab Automobile loan that has been requested from the European Investment Bank.  Assuming quick action, the transaction is expected to close in mid-February, and previously announced wind down activities at Saab will be immediately suspended, pending the close of the transaction.

“Throughout the negotiations, GM has always had the hope to find a solution for Saab that would avoid a wind down of the brand,” added Nick Reilly, president, GM Europe. “We’ve worked with many parties over the past year, including governments and investors, and I’m very pleased that we could come to such a good conclusion, one that preserves jobs in Sweden and elsewhere. GM will continue to support Saab and Spyker on their way forward.”

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Save Saab Convoys
Sunday, 17 January 2010 13:48

Czech ConvoyMany of the "Save Saab" convoys took place today or are taking place currently, and the support by fans of the brand has been nothing short of astounding. SaabsUnited has plenty of photos and updates, so head on over there to check it all out. There are still more events taking place here and abroad next weekend, so there is still time to show your support!

The photo to the left is from the gathering in Taiwan. Similar turnouts were reported in Lithuania, Trollhattan (over 2000 cars!), Latvia, St. Petersburg, Moscow, and other locations around the world. Saab owners and fans should be incredibly proud of the massive show of support and visibility they have given to Saab. If nothing else, General Motors and the world can see that this is not Saturn or Pontiac, that we will not go quietly into the night, that we love our Saabs and that we want to be able to buy new Saabs long into the future!

General Motors, we ask you again. Please. Save Saab!

 
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