An obitury of an automotive icon…
This report, by Dr Matthias Holweg of Cambridge Judge Business School and proffesor Nick Oliver of the University of Edinburgh Business School, examines the 62-year history of Saab Automobile from its creation in the 1940s to its bankruptcy on 19 December 2011. Study tries to answer the questions: who is responsible for this fate of a big company.
Study is very detailed, with lots of background data and the recommendation is to read, for all true fans of Saab brand.
They set out in this report to investigate who is – partially or fully – responsible for the death of Saab Automobile. Although it was Saab’s unions who (very reluctantly) started bankruptcy proceedings, and Guy Lofalk who applied to end the restructuring three months later, neither they nor any other creditors carry any significant responsibility.
Despite his unorthodox approach to business and his final petition for bankruptcy, neither, they argue, is Victor Muller!… Must Read
This really does make me feel so sad. I have 2 VW TDIs now and an 07 9-3 Convertible. The VWs are wonderful cars. I had a 9-3 Combi which had its flaws but there was something about that car I really miss. Saab wagons are marvelous things, as was the 900 and the 99.
Life is tough but the car business is even tougher. So I wonder what will become of Alfa Romeo. There’s such magic in the name and especially in the older cars.
Thanks for the great tip! However, I found that viewer link to be awkward. They have a downloadable pdf here:
http://www.research.ed.ac.uk/portal/files/4864437/Who_killed_Saab_Automobile_Final_Report_Decem
This should be read by Jaguar Corporation – the only difference is, they are on the seld-destruct cruise without a parent organisation.
The GM killed Saab 🥲
The Swedish state, Saab them self and of course GM.
As a former Saab owner and lover of the brand, I found it sad that GM allowed a truly unique automobile to disappear in the wake of its own floundering. I’m in the process of purchasing my fourth one, and this one should be a convertible! Keep publishing these remarkable articles about my second fav car! I’ll never tell you what my fav is! LOL
They kinda killed themselves by refusing to make bland cars for GM that look like all the other cars. Creative strike! ✌️
GM. American companies don’t know how to handle European companies. GM ruined SAAB. Ford almost did the same with Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo.
Moral of the story? Don’t let American companies near European companies