Tag Archives: Saab

Cars

Why Saab’s 9-7x SUV Failed For General Motors

The Saab 9-7x was provided on the market from 2005 to 2009, a comparatively quick time period, contemplating it was Saab’s first SUV. It could also be straightforward to level the finger at Trailblazer underpinnings and pretty uninspired styling for the 9-7x’s demise, however the story is deeper than that. To perceive the dying of the PathSaab Blazer9-7x, you’ll want to see what monetary form General Motors was in in the course of the SUV’s ultimate years. To put it in technical phrases, General Motors’ normal financial outlook in 2008 and 2009 was “not good” and “historically bad.” According to SEC filings in 2009, General Motors had managed to report a lack of a full six billion {dollars} over the primary quarter of the yr. It was like General Motors had out of the blue forgotten learn how to become profitable. The reality is, regardless of how good the Saab 9-7x may be, it probably wasn’t going to be round very lengthy anyway.

As one would anticipate, Saab was closely concerned within the monetary foibles. If your filings to the federal authorities have a separate line merchandise titled “Saab Related,” you realize issues may be dangerous. Looking on the gross sales numbers offers slightly extra credence to the very fact the 9-7 wasn’t right here to remain. In 2008, the final yr that full gross sales numbers can be found, Saab bought a complete of three,150 9-7xs. Comparatively, GMC bought 21,864 Envoys and Chevy bought 68,235 Trailblazers. Sales had been downright shameful. The remainder of Saab solely bought 16,187 automobiles. 

Motorsport

Tour An Abandoned Saab Dealership With Over 20 Forgotten Cars

In 2011, Saab went out of business. While many dealers transitioned to selling other automobiles, an abandoned Saab dealership in France did not. Urban explorers recently visited the dealership and discovered that it closed suddenly, leaving behind around 20 cars in various states of repair.

The Saab dealership originally opened in 1972, and it was operated by the same family that also ran a Husqvarna store in the same building. The business reportedly faced difficulties when one of the brothers fell ill.

Unfortunately, the abandoned dealership has been previously visited by less scrupulous individuals who broke windows and stole parts from the vehicles.

Inside the main showroom, there are two Saab 9-3s and a Saab 9-5. Aside from missing pieces and broken windows, these cars appear to be restorable.

The various offices are filled with garbage, as people seemingly tore things apart in search of valuables. However, the brochures, dealer artwork, and even paint samples and upholstery offerings remain, although they have significantly faded due to sun exposure.

In the workshop, there is an even bigger surprise. Alongside more Saabs, there are also Citroen, Peugeot, and Renault models. Several Saab 9000s, possibly dating back to 1998, can be found. The Saab 9000 model was first produced in 1984.

Some of the cars in the workshop have managed to avoid damage from looters. While covered in dust, many of these vehicles could potentially be restored to running condition with some cleaning and fresh fluids. There are plenty of YouTube channels specializing in cleaning vehicles in much worse condition than these.

The workshop also houses various spare parts, including at least one engine block. For Saab enthusiasts and specialists, this collection of cars and components would be considered a treasure trove. The spare parts could keep many Saab 9-3s, 9-5s, and 9000s on the road as donors.

Following Saab’s bankruptcy, the factory and remaining assets were purchased by NEVS. Although NEVS had plans to produce an electric version of the Saab 9-3, they ended up building a few combustion-powered versions using the leftover parts.