Mysterious German Bidder Interested In Saab?

Today the bankruptcy administrators held another of their weekly press-conferences and talked mostly about the pressing salary situation for so many of the employees. They did confirm that they needed another week to sort things out.

One very interesting confirmation from the administrators was also that they highest bidder might not win the deal. The deal will go to the company that can present the best combination which will benefit the creditors, employees and the region the most. In other words the deal will go to a company that re-starts production again and has the money, know-how and credibility to run it for a long long time…

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wac77 - 2/21/2012 6:26:50 PM

+5 Boost

I seriously doubt BMW will buy Saab. But it wouldn't be such a bad idea, allowing them to compete with all the FWD "luxury" cars (60% of Audis, many larger Volvos, Peugeots, Citroens, etc.), and still keep most BMWs enthusiast-friendly RWD.

motor1 - 2/22/2012 1:31:00 AM

+4 Boost

I could see this happening, if any big brand was going to buy SAAB. BMW have tried before (not to success all the time) in kick starting back or taking over other brands (Land Rover, Rover, Rolls-Royce, Mini etc.). The last 2 of those have been quite successful. I'd love for this to happen because I'd hate to see SAAB go, for good.

MorePower - 2/22/2012 2:08:41 AM

-1 Boost

Besides a few reader comments from the original article, BMW was never mentioned. Unless BMW wants to pull a MB/Chrysler "merger", I think VAG would be a more likely candidate.

Who has a wealth of fwd engineering experience, a wealth of brands and can afford to bankroll a small niche automotive manufacturer by supplying them chassis, powertrains and a wide variety of four & six cylinder engines: n/a, forced induced, diesel and hybrid? VAG

bmwcs - 2/22/2012 8:53:08 AM

+2 Boost

I have always been a big fan of Saabs, and obviously like BMW, so for me this would be a great partnership. BMW is one of the few companies that can develope other brands, and allow them to maintain their unique corporate culture while sharing technoloby, but without turning them in to a rebadged vehicle.

mini22 - 2/22/2012 12:28:34 PM

+1 Boost

For a long while BMW has been interested in another brand. A few yrs back there was talk about their recreating Triumph or even Riley. The reasoning was that Mini has not made them very much money. Having another brand below BMW but above Mini would be a way to defray costs with Mini platforms.Further it does not dilute BMW RWD brand.Further BMW could take advantage of the Phoenix Platform that has already been developed by Saab.This larger platform could be used for both Mini and Saab as well as any FWD BMW in the future. BMW was already prepared to share their 1.6 Mini engine with Saab.Another advantage. Saab is a European brand that has had established dealerships in Europe and the US. This could be a very doable enterprise. It saves improves Saab, defrays costs for BMW and Mini and allows BMW the ability to grow into a larger company in the long run.Saab would finally be able to complete it's car lineup in the 9-2 and 9-1 as well as taking on Audi,VW, Fiat etc in the FWD and AWD arena at a lower cost.