Saab Restarts Production at Trollhättan, First Cars Under Spyker Ownership Roll Off the Line

Heralding a new era for Saab as an independent company freed from the shackles of General Motors, the first cars of the Swedish automaker under the loving arms of Spyker Cars and its CEO Victor Muller rolled off the production line today at the firm's Trollhättan plant. During the talks between General Motors and the Dutch supercar-maker, the factory had been idled for a period of two months.

The first Saab to roll off the production line today was an all-new 9-5 saloon, destined to join a test fleet prior to the premium sedan's official launch later this year. The 9-5 was joined shortly after by a 9-3 Convertible.

Saab Automobile CEO Jan Åke Jonsson, Spyker Cars CEO Victor Muller and Trollhättan Plant Director Gunnar Brunius marked the significant occasion by taking position on the production line alongside assembly workers as the first batch of cars was built.

"Today's resumption of production is a milestone in the history of our company" said Jan Åke Jonsson. "We are up and running as an independent manufacturer and I am delighted to share the experience on the line alongside our workforce. They have shown tremendous commitment to the company and we are all now focused on ramping up production to meet customer demand."

Victor Muller, CEO of Spyker Cars added, "Everyone at Saab has worked extremely hard to reach this important point. Today production restarted with a new 9-5 first down the line – a fitting symbol that a new era has begun."

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SAAB Spyker 9+ Tribute: Union Spawns Supercar Dreams

One of the first things that came to the minds of many Saab enthusiasts after the completion of the long-winded sale of the Swedish automaker to Spyker was the possibility of a supercar based on the underpinnings of a Spyker model.

Of course, we're pretty sure that the creation of a supercar is (rightfully) not among the top priorities of the people who manage the newly formed SAAB Spyker Automobiles, as there are much more important issues to take care of at the time being.

Nevertheless, independent designer Eduard Gray took it upon himself to digitally visualize a conceptual mid-engined Saab supercar that would make use of Spyker hardware.

"The union of Saab and Spyker presents a unique opportunity to create a design that takes the best of each brand and distills their qualities into a single product, the designer says in his website.

"Spyker lends us its supercar chassis with a mid-mounted engine and low down aerodynamics while Saab contributes with the style, character and engineering making for a design that is as pleasant to look at as it is to drive."

We assume that Gray's theoretical proposal would replace Spyker's Audi-sourced engines with Saab's GM-sourced V6 and that if it were ever to become a reality, the so-called "Saab Spyker 9+ Tribute" would look less squatted and better proportioned.

Via: Gray Design

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Spyker Details Strategic Plan for SAAB, Says New 9-3 with Hatchback Variant Coming in 2012, Smaller 9-1 Under Consideration

In anticipation of a general meeting on February 12 where Spyker shareholders will officially approve the purchase of Saab, the tiny supercar maker from Holland went ahead and outlined its future plans for the ailing Swedish automaker that include the presentation of a successor to the 9-3.

First of all, Spyker confirmed that Saab will be a stand-alone niche manufacturer with three to four model lines and that the Swedish brand will continue to be positioned against other premium brand brands such as Audi and BMW.

According to the plan, Saab's product portfolio will be completely renewed over the next few years beginning with the launch of the all-new 9-5 sedan early this summer, followed by a station wagon version and an Audi A6 Allroad-rivaling 9-5X crossover variant.

In 2011, Saab will introduced the Cadillac SRX-based 9-4X Crossover that will be built in Mexico, while a year later, the company will launch the all-new 9-3 that will eventually grow to include sedan, sports estate, 'X' crossover, convertible and for the first time in many years, hatchback body styles.

Spyker added that it is also looking into the possibility of adding a fourth smaller model called the '9-1', which would compete in the premium C-Segment against the likes of the BMW 1-Series and Audi A3.

However, Spyker noted that such a car isn't currently included in the official Business Plan, so if the company decides to go ahead with the development, addition financing would be required.

With the exception of the 9-4X, all other models will be built at Saab's Trollhättan factory, with Spyker aiming to produce and sell between 100,000 to 125,000 vehicles per year.

The Swedish automaker will continue to collaborate with GM after the completion of the sale, but Spyker's plan is to gradually "reduce dependency and obtain improved access to other suppliers and the co-development of unique innovations."

Spyker business plan also makes word for Saab's current dealer network which will be re-energized with a new sales and distribution approach in certain markets, starting from this year.

The business plan that was drawn up by Saab management over the past ten months, is said to have been analyzed and supported by Spyker in assistance with the firm's advisers Booz & Co and KPMG Transaction Services, as well as several advisers to the Swedish Government and the European Investment Bank (EIB).

EIB will provide a €400 million loan -guaranteed by the Swedish government- to the newly formed company.

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Video Interview with Spyker CEO Victor Muller and SAAB CEO Jan Ake Jonsson

As you probably have already heard by now, SAAB was rescued on the 11th-hour on Tuesday when General Motors agreed to sell the struggling Swedish brand to Dutch sports car maker Spyker Cars N.V.

The deal is still subject to a European Commission approval of a €400 million loan from the European Investment Bank, but GM expects that the sale will be completed in mid-February.

Shortly after the two companies agreed on the terms of the sale, GM's European unit released a video with interviews with Jan Åke Jonsson, CEO of Saab Automobile and Victor Muller, CEO of Spyker Cars.

The two men talk about the deal and their hopes for the future of Saab. Watch it after the jump.

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BREAKING: SAAB-ED By The Bell - GM Agrees to Sell the Swedish Brand to Spyker Cars NV

It's been a long road for SAAB, and even though we don't know what the future has in store for the quirky brand, for the time being, the Swedish automaker has been saved as General Motors and Spyker Cars NV today confirmed that they have reached a binding agreement on the sale.

"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.

Very few details were released on the agreement, but in a joint statement, the two parties said that Spyker intends to form a new company called Saab Spyker Automobiles and that the Swedish government is currently reviewing the transaction and the related request for guarantees of a Saab Automobile loan that has been requested from the European Investment Bank.

GM said that the SAAB sale is expected to be finalized in mid-February, adding that the previously announced wind down activities at SAAB will be immediately suspended, pending the close of the transaction.

Citing "people familiar with the matter", the Wall Street Journal reported today that the tiny Dutch sports carmaker agreed to buy SAAB from General Motors for around $74 million in cash while the American firm will also receive preferred shares in the newly formed company under the name Saab Spyker Automobiles.

General Motors did not respond to Wall Street Journal's report, but it did note in the press release that "the terms and conditions specific to the sale will be disclosed in due time".

Nick Reilly, president of GM Europe, said: "Throughout the negotiations, GM has always had the hope to find a solution for Saab that would avoid a wind down of the brand. 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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