Comments on: Waiting….. (still) http://inside.saab.com/waiting-still/ Lorum Ipsum tagline Tue, 27 Dec 2011 02:03:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.1 By: Angelo Vecchio http://inside.saab.com/waiting-still/#comment-5076 Angelo Vecchio Thu, 17 Nov 2011 00:48:00 +0000 http://inside.saab.com/?p=3849#comment-5076 Not too long ago, I WAS a General Motors shareholder---until their stock dropped to about a dollar, at which point I cashed out, right before it became worthless when they went Chapter 11.  Of course, new stock was issued after they were "rescued."  Right now though, I'm looking at it from the viewpoint of a General Motors customer.  I bought a Saab from General Motors in late 2004.  They made the determination to sell Saab in 2009/2010, knowing full well what they were doing----in essence, taking themselves off the hook and dropping their Saab customers somewhere else.  From what I understand, they are now more obligated to Pontiac, Saturn and Hummer owners than they are to GM Saab owners.   Now they will be obstructionists as another company attempts to buy Saab.  As a GM customer, I am angered at GM for potentially damaging my car's resale value and making it more difficult for me to get parts and service.  That is the basis of my anger at General Motors and I think it's justified.  I don't have to understand the nuances of the Ford/Volvo deal or GM's agreement with their own Chinese partners to realize that I was shafted by GM and now they're adding insult to injury.  Not too long ago, I WAS a General Motors shareholder—until their stock dropped to about a dollar, at which point I cashed out, right before it became worthless when they went Chapter 11.  Of course, new stock was issued after they were “rescued.”  Right now though, I’m looking at it from the viewpoint of a General Motors customer.  I bought a Saab from General Motors in late 2004.  They made the determination to sell Saab in 2009/2010, knowing full well what they were doing—-in essence, taking themselves off the hook and dropping their Saab customers somewhere else.  From what I understand, they are now more obligated to Pontiac, Saturn and Hummer owners than they are to GM Saab owners.   Now they will be obstructionists as another company attempts to buy Saab.  As a GM customer, I am angered at GM for potentially damaging my car’s resale value and making it more difficult for me to get parts and service.  That is the basis of my anger at General Motors and I think it’s justified.  I don’t have to understand the nuances of the Ford/Volvo deal or GM’s agreement with their own Chinese partners to realize that I was shafted by GM and now they’re adding insult to injury. 

]]> By: Anonymous http://inside.saab.com/waiting-still/#comment-5056 Anonymous Wed, 16 Nov 2011 13:27:00 +0000 http://inside.saab.com/?p=3849#comment-5056 Angelo - I know you believe what you are writing.   The basis, the premise of the GM anger, is that if Saab fails it is GM's fault.   That simply isn't rational based on what we know.   You're asking GM to ignore their own obligations and agreements with their existing Chinese partners (not to mention to their own employees and shareholders) - and place above that Saab's desire to sell the company to a Chinese entity.   Imagine how important China is to the future of GM.   Now imagine you are a GM executive - would you intentionally hurt your own company and it's partners? The comparison with the Ford situation has been trotted out here and elsewhere.  In one case, Ford was SELLING Volvo.   In this case, GM ALREADY sold Saab.   A rather huge difference, but conveniently overlooked in an attempt to make a point.   Do you presume that selling Volvo caused Ford to violate it's existing agreements, but they just ignored that because they are nice?   Or perhaps in reality they sold Volvo because it was in their best interest, and didn't violate existing agreements. And now the Swedish govt is calling on GM to sacrifice to save Swedish jobs.   This wouldn't sound bad, except with the knowledge that the Swedish govt has done little to save Saab jobs themselves, but now expects GM to step up where they have not. GM's obligation is to GM.   In the end, I am truly hopeful that Saab can find a different deal with it's Chinese buyer's that GM finds it can agree to.   But the onus is on Saab, not GM, to make that so. Angelo – I know you believe what you are writing.   The basis, the
premise of the GM anger, is that if Saab fails it is GM’s fault.   That
simply isn’t rational based on what we know.  

You’re asking GM to ignore their own obligations and agreements with
their existing Chinese partners (not to mention to their own employees
and shareholders) – and place above that Saab’s desire to sell the
company to a Chinese entity.   Imagine how important China is to the
future of GM.   Now imagine you are a GM executive – would you
intentionally hurt your own company and it’s partners?

The comparison with the Ford situation has been trotted out here and
elsewhere.  In one case, Ford was SELLING Volvo.   In this case, GM
ALREADY sold Saab.   A rather huge difference, but conveniently
overlooked in an attempt to make a point.   Do you presume that selling
Volvo caused Ford to violate it’s existing agreements, but they just
ignored that because they are nice?   Or perhaps in reality they sold
Volvo because it was in their best interest, and didn’t violate existing
agreements.

And now the Swedish govt is calling on GM to sacrifice to save Swedish
jobs.   This wouldn’t sound bad, except with the knowledge that the
Swedish govt has done little to save Saab jobs themselves, but now
expects GM to step up where they have not.

GM’s obligation is to GM.   In the end, I am truly hopeful that Saab can
find a different deal with it’s Chinese buyer’s that GM finds it can
agree to.   But the onus is on Saab, not GM, to make that so.

]]> By: 100%Saab http://inside.saab.com/waiting-still/#comment-5049 100%Saab Wed, 16 Nov 2011 02:16:00 +0000 http://inside.saab.com/?p=3849#comment-5049 No problem with my door lock repair today. keep the faith. No problem with my door lock repair today. keep the faith.

]]> By: Angelo Vecchio http://inside.saab.com/waiting-still/#comment-5048 Angelo Vecchio Wed, 16 Nov 2011 02:01:00 +0000 http://inside.saab.com/?p=3849#comment-5048 Keith:  I think it's the opposite. He's shown remarkable restraint and in my opinion, probably hasn't gone hard enough on GM.  I understand his position and I know that he can't express disdain for them as those of us not working in the automotive industry (particularly as close to the situation as he is) can do.  The fact is, I won't use this site for my REAL rants against General Motors.  But suffice to say, if they succeed in killing Saab, plenty of us are going to be more than a thorn in their side for many years to come.  The internet is a wonderful place for mobilizing and doing a little persuasive truth telling.  The irony is that counting my 2004 9-5, I currently own 3 GM products.  I've lost count of how many I've owned since I began driving---and my first car was a Chevy.  They will lose me if I lose Saab.  I always have multiple cars----and I'd love to have GM as an option.  Unfortunately, if they kill Saab, I'll never own another GM and I'll work tirelessly and permanently to convince others to go that route and to spread the gospel.  Payback is a .... Keith:  I think it’s the opposite. He’s shown remarkable restraint and in my opinion, probably hasn’t gone hard enough on GM.  I understand his position and I know that he can’t express disdain for them as those of us not working in the automotive industry (particularly as close to the situation as he is) can do.  The fact is, I won’t use this site for my REAL rants against General Motors.  But suffice to say, if they succeed in killing Saab, plenty of us are going to be more than a thorn in their side for many years to come.  The internet is a wonderful place for mobilizing and doing a little persuasive truth telling.  The irony is that counting my 2004 9-5, I currently own 3 GM products.  I’ve lost count of how many I’ve owned since I began driving—and my first car was a Chevy.  They will lose me if I lose Saab.  I always have multiple cars—-and I’d love to have GM as an option.  Unfortunately, if they kill Saab, I’ll never own another GM and I’ll work tirelessly and permanently to convince others to go that route and to spread the gospel.  Payback is a ….

]]> By: Anonymous http://inside.saab.com/waiting-still/#comment-5043 Anonymous Tue, 15 Nov 2011 17:42:00 +0000 http://inside.saab.com/?p=3849#comment-5043 My Durango is on it's LAST LEG!  I am so pro-Saab, yet my husband is on the fence...he had a 88 White Conv and I had a 86 900 with a crank sunroof.  The new 9-5s are gorgeous, but at this stage of the game, I'm reluctant to buy.  The dealers are talking about not having parts in the future if the company folds.  HELP!  I see a 6-speed Saab in my future and want to ensure my purchase is warranted.  With $4 gas on the horizon, I want a car that's fun to drive, something I can LOVE once again.  I'm saying my prayers and hoping for good news on the 22nd. My Durango is on it’s LAST LEG!  I am so pro-Saab, yet my husband is on the fence…he had a 88 White Conv and I had a 86 900 with a crank sunroof.  The new 9-5s are gorgeous, but at this stage of the game, I’m reluctant to buy.  The dealers are talking about not having parts in the future if the company folds.  HELP!  I see a 6-speed Saab in my future and want to ensure my purchase is warranted.  With $4 gas on the horizon, I want a car that’s fun to drive, something I can LOVE once again.  I’m saying my prayers and hoping for good news on the 22nd.

]]> By: Anonymous http://inside.saab.com/waiting-still/#comment-5035 Anonymous Tue, 15 Nov 2011 09:36:00 +0000 http://inside.saab.com/?p=3849#comment-5035 How long can you stay "100%Saab" under such conditions? :-( I am 50% ovloV and 50% Saab, and I fear that will change in the wrong direction. :-( I hope that I'm wrong! How long can you stay “100%Saab” under such conditions? :-(
I am 50% ovloV and 50% Saab, and I fear that will change in the wrong direction. :-(
I hope that I’m wrong!

]]> By: Anonymous http://inside.saab.com/waiting-still/#comment-5032 Anonymous Tue, 15 Nov 2011 08:07:00 +0000 http://inside.saab.com/?p=3849#comment-5032 Very true! Very true!

]]> By: Anonymous http://inside.saab.com/waiting-still/#comment-5031 Anonymous Tue, 15 Nov 2011 07:37:00 +0000 http://inside.saab.com/?p=3849#comment-5031 Greed is such an unpleasant thing.. Greed is such an unpleasant thing..

]]> By: Gaycarboys http://inside.saab.com/waiting-still/#comment-5030 Gaycarboys Tue, 15 Nov 2011 01:16:00 +0000 http://inside.saab.com/?p=3849#comment-5030 Let me check my wallet! Regardless, there is no doubt the Volvo sale by Ford was in good spirits, and the SAAB sale by GM was not. No matter what happens SAAB is still  bound by ridiculous impositions placed on it by GM. GM should have been allowed to pass in to the annals of history and let SAAB get on with making good cars.   Let me check my wallet! Regardless, there is no doubt the Volvo sale by Ford was in good spirits, and the SAAB sale by GM was not. No matter what happens SAAB is still  bound by ridiculous impositions placed on it by GM. GM should have been allowed to pass in to the annals of history and let SAAB get on with making good cars.  

]]> By: 100%Saab http://inside.saab.com/waiting-still/#comment-5029 100%Saab Tue, 15 Nov 2011 01:01:00 +0000 http://inside.saab.com/?p=3849#comment-5029 Time is of the essence. Expect GM to act in their own best financial interest, period. GM exists in its current form totally because of the US Government. Blame the Swedish Government for Saab's current corporate structure and situation. I'll be getting a small warranty repair tomorrow. Current delays at Saab in everything are causing concerns in my family about ongoing maintenance to keep our Saabs running when needed. The Saabs sit right next to the Buicks and Chevys on my dealer's lot. A fact not missed by my wife. Time is of the essence. Expect GM to act in their own best financial interest, period. GM exists in its current form totally because of the US Government. Blame the Swedish Government for Saab’s current corporate structure and situation. I’ll be getting a small warranty repair tomorrow. Current delays at Saab in everything are causing concerns in my family about ongoing maintenance to keep our Saabs running when needed. The Saabs sit right next to the Buicks and Chevys on my dealer’s lot. A fact not missed by my wife.

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