It’s not GM’s IP that’s the real issue. GM’s concern, as I see it, is keeping SAIC happy. SAIC is GM’s chosen dance partner in China and they are scared to even appear to do anything that might sour that relationship.

As others have pointed out, Saab’s engineering talent is a nice thing to have, but it’s the brand, having history and not being Chinese, that has value to Chinese suitors.

Aside from the fact that, today, Saab’s not a going concern without GM’s IP (no GM IP means no 9-4x, no 9-5 and no current 9-3), GM’s IP isn’t what the Chinese are interested in. That’s really the beauty of the current deal…not only does the structure avoid GM’s contractual thresholds, it also reflects what Youngman is interested in procuring.

It’s about time you “manned up” GM! Have some confidence that you can hold your own against a small car company. A bit of competition should only make you stronger.

Ford has a fairly small footprint in China. Although that’s probably not a good thing for them on a macro level, it also means that their concerns about Geely’s access to their IP is fairly limited as well. Although Changan, a large player in China, is Ford’s primary partner there, Ford’s actual market position is quite low. Further, Ford is far from being Changan’s most important partner. If anything, selling Volvo to Geely might actually have strengthened Ford’s position in China, especially in light of subsequent moves to really pursue a “One Ford” product policy in fact, versus the lip service given to such an idea over the last 20 years or so.

On the other hand, much of GM’s growth (and profit) of late has come from China. GM is also, by far, SAIC’s largest partner. GM has far more at risk in China than Ford, so they understandably need to tread more carefully.

Unfortunately I have to say that GM totally sucks and I’m not talking about lollipops here.

I wish all involved a lot of wisdom.
And Jerry Maguire was not only about money.