Category Archives: Saab – DO NOT USE

Used 9-3s in New York could become popular as Saab recovers its reputation

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Posted in Saab - DO NOT USE

Saab hasn’t been attracting much positive attention lately thanks to GM’s financial difficulties, but now that a super-car manufacturer is involved with the Swedish company, used 9-3s in New York could start selling quickly.

Although the deal with Koenigsegg hasn’t officially gone through yet, Saab spokesman Eric Geers recently told Dow Jones that it was only a matter of time. Koenigsegg makes the CCX, which is one of the fastest street-legal cars on earth. The deal could mean positive attention for upcoming Saab models.

But past Saab models have been pretty quick on their feet too. Take the 2002 Saab 9-3 Viggen, for example. The Viggen was Saab’s top-of-the-line version of the 9-3 and it came with a 2.3-liter turbo that produced 230 horsepower, according to Forbes. With that sort of muscle, this 9-3 got to 60 MPH in about 6.5 seconds, which is respectable for a four-cylinder vehicle.

Saab is reportedly confident that it will soon be acquired by Koenigsegg, and it might be interesting to see what sort of an effect the super-car manufacturer will have on upcoming Saab models. If the new 9-3 is anywhere near as stylish as used Viggens in New York are, Saab could become one hot brand.

Corporate management on niche makes the reason for more used Saturns in New Jersey

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Posted in Auto Industry News, Saab - DO NOT USE, Saturn - DO NOT USE

Neither Saturn nor Saab, two small automakers that used to be part of the General Motors aegis, really capitalized on the cult following that their products engendered, and that has meant that most of the options available to prospective consumers are pre-owned Saturns and used Saabs in New Jersey.

Part of that reason is that Saab has been bought by Swedish supercar manufacturer Koenigsegg and doesn’t have a new car to release before 2010, leaving new cars sales at 8,500 in 2009, according to Motor Trend. The goal is to have an updated Saab 9-5 and 9-4x crossover both available by 2011, but dealerships now are currently surviving on maintenance needs of existing owners and the pre-owned market.

General Motors’ handling of Saturn led the in-house upstart to experience problems as well, although a Wharton School of Business analysis cited by Forbes. The business management consultants noted that while Saturn’s innovations in terms of worker compensation and other means set it apart from the rest of GM, it was hamstrung by an inability to differentiate itself from the other brands offered.

The light at the end of the tunnel for buyers is that many Saturns and Saabs are still on the road, and a used Saturn or used Saab in New Jersey could make for a low-cost alternative to new cars now being offered.

Fickle Chinese suitor may affect the supply of used cars in New Jersey

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Posted in Auto Industry News, Pontiac - DO NOT USE, Saab - DO NOT USE

General Motors is shedding some formerly popular brands such as Pontiac and Saab, but issues over a deal to sell the Hummer line could affect the future supply of used cars in New Jersey.

There is only one bidder, Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery from China, and the Asian company has lost the support of the national government over concerns about the fuel efficiency of Hummers as well as Sichuan Tengzhong’s inexperience in the retail market, reports Time.

The automotive market for the larger vehicles is now in overseas markets, one analyst told the news provider, in spite of recent research demonstrating brand loyalty among current owners.

Were the plan to go through for the Chinese purchase, a new headquarters for Hummer would be established in Michigan by General Motors, reports Reuters. The state has offered more than $20 million in tax credits over the next 10 years if the sale is made.

The turmoil over future production of the niche vehicles may mean that buyers looking for their next vehicle will want to focus on used Hummers in New Jersey, as well as offerings from other makers.

Buyers considering used Saabs in New York may be interested in automaker takeover

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Posted in Auto Industry News, Saab - DO NOT USE

Koenigsegg, the maker of million dollar sports cars in Sweden, has agreed to a deal with General Motors to take over the Saab line of cars, and buyers considering used Saabs in New York may want to take a look at older models before any changes are made.

The agreement was announced today, with the deal set to be completed by the end of the year if the European Investment Bank guarantees a $600 million loan to Koenigsegg, reported Bloomberg. It represents a move from supercars to a full product line with volumes in the hundreds of thousands.

“It is good that the ownership question for Saab now gets clearer but there are still several steps left before it is completed,” Swedish Industry Ministry State Secretary Joeran Haegglund told the news provider.

The two automakers plan on sharing resources and development facilities during the transition to Swedish ownership, but Koenigsegg has said that it will work to “transform” the automaker into a profitable venture, which could mean models with different appearances than used Saabs in New York, according to Automotive News.

GM nearing sale of Saab to Swedish carmaker

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Posted in Saab - DO NOT USE

This could be the beginning of the end.

Saab loyalists who are looking for used cars in New Jersey may want to increase their efforts in the near future.

It’s being reported that General Motors is close to a deal that will sell its Swedish unit Saab to Koenigsegg, a car manufacturer known for making “a handful of $1 million supercars” with its 50 employees, according to Reuters. This runs counter to Saab’s current image of a brand that produces a number of family cars which are touted for its reliability and safety features.

Both sides have reportedly signed a letter of intent and financing has been agreed upon, which leaves minor issues to be resolved prior to an official sale, according to the article.

Despite its popularity, Saab has reportedly not posted a profit in 10 years.

Considering a sale may be imminent, this may the last chance for some people to purchase a used Saab.

As used vehicles go, the Saab 9-7X SUV from 2005 to 2008 was the highest ranked in the Saab category on ConsumerGuideAuto.com, with the reviewers saying the vehicle “delivers better driving dynamics and interior design than the General Motors SUVs on which it’s based.”