The 2010 Saab 9-5 will launch in the next few months
Saab Spyker have released details of their business plan, including the launch of the 2010 9-5 and the 9-4 X crossover.
Yesterday we reported that Spyker jobs in the UK are safe despite worries that the takeover of Saab by Spyker could lead to the work done in the UK by CPP Manufacturing being moved to a Saab facility. We also noted that we thought things might go a bit quiet on the Saab Spyker front for a few weeks as Spyker digested what had gone on before pointing the way forward.
But it looks like Saab Spyker (for that is the new name – Saab Spyker Automobiles NV) wants to make it clear what the future holds as soon as possible, and answer the critics who say they don’t have a prayer of turning Saab round. So they’ve issued a massive press release (link at the bottom) to explain what’s what.
Essentially the plan is to get the 2010 Saab 9-5 in to the market in the next few months, launch the Saab 9-4X Crossover in early 2011 (why so long?) and have a new ‘all Saab’ 9-3 ready to go by 2012. They are also looking at producing a compact car (the Saab 9-1) if the growth in the compact market looks set to continue. But the Saab 9-1 is not factored in to current costings and would need additional financing if it were to go ahead.
Saab Spyker are intending to get production at Trollhattan back up to full production and are aiming to return to production levels of 100-125,000 cars a year, although the 9-4X will be built by GM in Mexico.
They also say that it will take $1 billion in funding to get Saab back on its feet, but anticipate a return to profitability in 2012. This funding is already in place with the EIB Loan and the $326 million in preference shares owned by GM (which only have 1% voting rights) and no further funding is envisaged unless the Saab 9-1 gets the go ahead.
Lots of positivity, as you would hope, and they have to be in with a chance. They will also manage to open up Spyker sales to a bigger customer base by selling Spykers through the Saab network, particularly with the new C8 Aileron having grown to accommodate the US market.
I’m sure we’ll be hearing more in the coming months, but if you want to read all the nuts and bolts you can have a look ate the Saab Spyker Business Plan Press Release.
Have your say - leave a comment