Autoblog

Saab in discussions with Turkey and Mahindra about reviving brand?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 18:59:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Government/Legal, Saab, Earnings/Financials, India

The Great Saab Story of 2011 looks hellbent on running straight on through the new year and well into the future, despite the fact that the automaker has officially gone bankrupt and hasn't produced a vehicle in what seems like ages.

Rumor has it that Saab administrators are receiving interest from some unknown entities from Turkey (with supposed backing from the Turkish government) as well as India's Mahindra in some sort of brand-revival strategy.

As you may recall, General Motors, ex-parent of the Swedish brand, nixed any potential deal with Saab's various Chinese partners, fearing its hard-earned technology could fall into the wrong hands - which is to say, any hands other than SAIC's, GM's official Chinese partner. But that doesn't necessarily preclude Turkish or Indian ownership.

That said, reports from Sweden seem to indicate that Hans Bergqvist and Anne-Marie Pouteaux, the two administrators in charge of Saab, have turned down a request to meet with Lars Carlstrom on behalf of Mahindra. The gist of the gossip grinder is that the administrators don't want to have anything to do with Carlstrom due to his past association with Russian billionaire Vladimir Antonov.

In any case, we'd wager that neither the Turkish concern nor Mahindra would make a full-out purchase of the brand. It seems more likely that Saab's most desirable assets would be its manufacturing capabilities, tooling and in-house technology. Stay tuned for more as this story develops.

Saab in discussions with Turkey and Mahindra about reviving brand? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Dec 2011 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Anthony Lo, Saab Aero X and Opel Flexstreme designer, leaves GM for Renault

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:27:00 EST

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, GM, Saab, Renault, Opel, Design/Style

Anthony Lo (center) works on the design for the Saab Aero X Concept

According to a report from Car Design News, Anthony Lo, Director of Advanced Design at General Motors Europe, has resigned his post to join Renault as Vice President of Exterior Design.

Lo has been credited with such interesting and well-regarded concept vehicles as the Saab Aero X from the 2006 Geneva Motor Show and the Opel Flextreme from the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show. Apparently, he has a thing for unique vehicle entry systems and rear-mounted Segway Transporters.

Shortly after his graduation from the Royal College of Art's Vehicle Design program, Lo began his career at Lotus in England. Later, Lo moved to Audi and then Mercedes-Benz before taking his last position with General Motors. Quite a career path, no? And it should be interesting to see what he churns out under Carlos Ghosn's watch.

[Source: Car Design News]

Anthony Lo, Saab Aero X and Opel Flexstreme designer, leaves GM for Renault originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 18:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Koenigsegg, meet Saab. Saab, meet Koenigsegg.

Chris Paukert — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:56:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Performance, Supercars, GM, Saab

Koenigsegg CCX meets Saab Aero X concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Although the deal to purchase Saab between Swedish supercar maker Koenigsegg and General Motors has not yet been completely finalized, that hasn't stopped us from openly pining for a production version of Saab's gorgeous Aero X concept car of 2006. And now that we have pictures of the showstopper adjacent to one of Mr. Christian von Koenigsegg's own gorgeous creatures, well... it may just be enough to keep us awake at night. We're not sure where these two-door millionaire's coupes got together for this photoshoot, but judging from the snow on the ground, we wouldn't rule out the motherland.

While it's way too early to tell if Saab's new ownership situation will help get the automaker out of the woods it has seemingly been lost in for years, we can't help but at least get a little excited when seeing these two together. Check them out in the high-res gallery below.

Gallery: Koenigegg, Meet Saab. Saab, Meet Koenigsegg

[Source: Saabs United]

Koenigsegg, meet Saab. Saab, meet Koenigsegg. originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Modded HUMMER H2s, Saab Aero X concept on the G.I. Joe set

Alex Nunez — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, SUV, Etc., GM, Hummer, Saab

Today is a movie day, it seems, and once again, it's General Motors in the thick of things. Via HISSTank comes a new set of photos from the G.I. Joe movie set. There, we see a couple of the modified HUMMER H2s that will be used, as well as the Saab Aero X concept. No word on which character's driving the latter. Storm Shadow, maybe? At least it'd match his threads. As for the HUMMERs, they are apparently equipped to traverse hedgerows. At least that's what we gather from those tacked-on rhino-style bumper mods. See more pics at HISSTank and mourn with us for the wholesale destruction of our childhood memories.

[Source: HISSTank]

Modded HUMMER H2s, Saab Aero X concept on the G.I. Joe set originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Jun 2008 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autocar Awards go to Ford S-Max , Saab Aero X, others

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 18:08:00 EST

Filed under: Contests, Saab

Autocar just announced their Autocar Award winners, which "celebrate the biggest success stories of the past 12 months - and those who made them happen." One of the highlights of the evening was when it was announced that Autocar readers had selected the Ford S-Max as Car Of The Year. They weren't the first to select this MPV as a COTY and probably won't be the last. When Ford of Britain chairman Roelant de Waard collected the award from Autocar editor-in-chief Steve Cropley, he explained the appeal of the S-Max thusly: "This is the first MPV where you can imagine the owner has a sex life."

Other notable winners included the Saab Aero X as Concept of the Year, Audi as Car Company of the year, and the Fiat Punto as Design of the year. The Aero X was recognized for "elegantly taking familiar Saab cues and showing how they can be incorporated into modern design." OK, we just think it looks like the Saab folks finally got serious about showing their fighter jet roots. And succeeded. Even if it isn't as functional as some would like it to be. Full list of winners after the jump.

[Source: Autocar]

Continue reading Autocar Awards go to Ford S-Max , Saab Aero X, others

Autocar Awards go to Ford S-Max , Saab Aero X, others originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Nov 2006 18:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Saab Aero X conks out en route to London

Alex Nunez — Thu, 13 Jul 2006 15:55:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Hybrid, Etc., Europe, Saab, Misc. Auto Shows

The British press is having a little fun at the expense of the Saab Aero X concept car. The jet-canopied, ethanol-fueled beauty was being driven to London for its stint at the British Motor Show when it stopped to refuel in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset.

When it came time to continue on its way, the Saab was afflicted with a gremlin that we've all faced before: a dead battery. Scotland's Daily Record reported that the crippled concept was push-started, while London's tabloid Sun newspaper wrote that it was jump-started and then trailered for the remainder of the trip.

Both papers go out of their way to mention that the Aero X is a million-dollar car, as if that somehow makes a dead battery a remarkable event. Please. The Sun also reports -- incorrectly, it should be noted -- that this marked the first time that the Aero X had been seen outside the confines of an auto show.

A Saab rep told both papers that the car's canopy had been opened and closed several times that day, causing the excessive battery drain. Rest assured that come showtime, the Aero X will be sitting at the Saab stand at ExCeL, looking as gorgeous as ever. One look at it, and you'll forget all about this silly battery kerfuffle.

[Sources: The Sun & The Daily Record]

Saab Aero X conks out en route to London originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Jul 2006 15:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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