This one's for Capt Rightfoot ;)

[Pedro_The_Swift]

VIDEO: Griffin Up! Saab supporter creates mash-up in support of brand — Autoblog (http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/28/video-griffin-up-saab-supporter-creates-mash-up-in-support-of/#continued)

[Captain_Rightfoot]

LOL :)

"We're gonna maake ittt!"

Sorry, you're not actually going to make it!

I did enjoy the bit where the guy was shaking the tree to get his plane down towards the end though.. I can associate with that!

[Pedro_The_Swift]

There were some STUNNING cars in there---:o:cool:

[Captain_Rightfoot]

There were some STUNNING cars in there---:o:cool:

There was. Personally, I don't get too excited about prototypes, but bringing new technology to market does impress me.

As an example, and on a different note if the 787 does make it through to production and then goes on to be a good aeroplane - then i think Boeings designers and engineers should take a bow as that will be the biggest step forward for aviation in a long time. Very courageous.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Indeed, the interior looks amazing,,
but is the technology/exterior that much better than what we have now?

[Captain_Rightfoot]

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/12/123.jpg

[Captain_Rightfoot]

Indeed, the interior looks amazing,,
but is the technology/exterior that much better than what we have now?

It's the worlds first composite airliner. It also has lots of other firsts like electrically driven hydraulics and cabin pressurisation. The result is a lighter plane that uses 20% less fuel than todays benchmarks. Courageous. :)

[Pedro_The_Swift]

BREAKING: GM reportedly delays board meeting as new Swedish bidders emerge for Saab

by Chris Paukert (http://www.autoblog.com/bloggers/chris-paukert/) (RSS feed (http://www.autoblog.com/bloggers/chris-paukert/rss.xml)) on Jan 7th 2010 at 12:57PM https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ (http://www.autoblog.com/tag/breaking/)
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/01/1162.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/gallery/saab-a-history-in-pictures/)

Saab: A history in pictures – Click above for high-res gallery

Just when we thought the financial soap opera surrounding Saab (http://www.autoblog.com/make/saab/) couldn't get any more convoluted or tortured, it has. Bloomberg is reporting that General Motors (http://www.autoblog.com/make/gm/) has once again delayed a meeting planned for today to determine the Swedish automaker's fate. The gathering will now take place tomorrow, in part because a new bidder has entered the fray, Genii Capital, the private-equity group that purchased Renault's Formula One team just last month (http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/17/renault-stays-in-formula-one-after-selling-stake-in-team/). According to the report, Genii intends to make a cash offer for the brand, and it plans to use the business plan of an earlier bidder, Koenigsegg (http://www.autoblog.com/category/koenigsegg/), as a roadmap to getting Saab into the black by 2012 with just 105,000 units per year.

For his part, interim GM chief executive officer Ed Whitacre told reporters yesterday that he isn't optimistic about consummating a sale, remarking that nobody has yet stepped up to offer the necessary funds for Saab: "It's real easy – show up with the money and you can have it." Naturally, such statements might also be designed to increase the size of the bids, and that statement may have come before Whitacre was made aware of Genii entering the fray, but we digress...

Of course, Spyker Cars (http://www.autoblog.com/make/spyker/), the bidder for whom the deadline was originally extended until today, is still very much in the mix, but there are also new rumors of yet another Swedish group making a last-last-minute play for the brand. More as it happens...

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Update: Bernie Ecclestone tied to late-breaking Genii Capital bid for Saab

by Sam Abuelsamid (http://www.autoblog.com/bloggers/sam-abuelsamid/) (RSS feed (http://www.autoblog.com/bloggers/sam-abuelsamid/rss.xml)) on Jan 7th 2010 at 6:30PM
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/01/1151.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/07/update-bernie-ecclestone-tied-to-late-breaking-genii-capital-bi/www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aByRt2Zw6xWQ&pos=4)

Bernie Ecclestone, the long-time Formula One impresario, has confirmed to Bloomberg that he plans to make a play to buy Saab (http://www.autoblog.com/make/saab/) from General Motors. The pitch is evidently part of the bid by Genii Capital that we told you about earlier today (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/07/breaking-gm-reportedly-delays-board-meeting-as-new-swedish-bidd/). Genii's last-minute pitch may have been the reason why GM decided to postpone a scheduled board meeting today to determine the Swedish brand's fate.

Ecclestone is clearly a capable business man in light of the billions that he's squeezed out of F1 over the past couple of decades. Whether he's able to translate that acumen into turning Saab into a profitable brand given its history of red ink remains to be seen. Of course, whether Ecclestone and Genii will get the chance in the first place is a more pressing question, as GM would appear to be every bit as likely to sell Saab to Spyker Cars, or perhaps just continue shutting down the brand altogether. Thanks for the tips, everyone.

[Source: Bloomberg (http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aByRt2Zw6xWQ&pos=4) | Image: Paul Gilham/Getty]

[Captain_Rightfoot]

I reckon Berny could put Flav in charge of SAAB. What could possibly go wrong? How hard can it be? :wasntme: :D

[Pedro_The_Swift]

BREAKING: Saab board reportedly votes to liquidate company, but GM still weighing bids

by Chris Paukert (http://www.autoblog.com/bloggers/chris-paukert/) (RSS feed (http://www.autoblog.com/bloggers/chris-paukert/rss.xml)) on Jan 8th 2010 at 11:28AM https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ (http://www.autoblog.com/tag/breaking/)
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/02/664.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/08/breaking-saab-board-reportedly-votes-to-liquidate-company-but/#continued)

According to a press release quoted in Dow Jones Newswires, Stefan Lofven, head of Swedish trade union IF Metall, the board of Saab (http://www.autoblog.com/make/saab/) has voted today to liquidate the company. Simultaneously, General Motors (http://www.autoblog.com/make/gm/) has announced that it has hired AlixPartners to supervise the "orderly wind-down" of the marque.

Interestingly, none of this means that Saab is dead, although certainly neither of these things can be seen as reason for optimism. According to its own statement about AlixPartners (available after the jump (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/08/breaking-saab-board-reportedly-votes-to-liquidate-company-but/#continued)), GM continues to evaluate bids for Saab, presumably those from Spyker Cars (http://www.autoblog.com/make/spyker/) and Genii Capital/Bernie Ecclestone (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/07/update-bernie-ecclestone-tied-to-late-breaking-genii-capital-bi/) – if not others as well. To this, Lofven is quoted as remarking that "It is irresponsible of GM in this situation to act in two directions, both towards a sale and towards a wind-down." Irresponsible or no, that appears to be exactly what GM is doing. More as it happens...

[Sources: Dow Jones Newswires via The Wall Street Journal (http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20100108-707903.html'mod=WSJ_latestheadlines), General Motors | Image: Joe Raedle/Getty]

PRESS RELEASE

GM STATEMENT REGARDING SAAB

GM today confirmed it has selected AlixPartners to supervise the orderly wind down of Saab, and has requested approval of the selection by the appropriate authority in Sweden. The use of a wind down supervisor is a commonly-used process in Sweden and works in the interest of the shareholder.

The wind down process is expected to take several months, and will ensure that employees, dealers and suppliers are adequately protected. As stated previously, Saab customers can be assured that warranties will continue to be honored and that service and spare parts will continue to be available.

GM also confirmed that it has received several proposals for Saab and is continuing to evaluate these proposals. This evaluation is not affected by the appointment of AlixPartners.

Filed under: GM (http://www.autoblog.com/category/gm/), Saab (http://www.autoblog.com/category/saab/), Earnings/Financials (http://www.autoblog.com/category/earnings-financials/)

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Report: Saab dealers stumping up $24M in unsolicited funds to make Spyker deal a reality

by Jeremy Korzeniewski (http://www.autoblog.com/bloggers/jeremy-korzeniewski/) (RSS feed (http://www.autoblog.com/bloggers/jeremy-korzeniewski/rss.xml)) on Feb 8th 2010 at 6:01PM
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/02/1212.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/08/report-saab-dealers-stumping-up-24m-in-unsolicited-funds-to-ma/dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/08/saab-dealers-said-to-put-money-up-for-spyker/)

Spyker's deal to purchase General Motors' ailing Saab division (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/26/breaking-gm-reaches-agreement-to-saab-to-spyker/) out of the throes of insolvency appears to be moving along quite nicely. Production of vehicles is underway, a plan is in place (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/02/spyker-releases-more-details-on-saab-purchase-promises-new-9-3/) to launch critical new models and the European Union has approved (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/08/breaking-swedish-loan-guarantee-for-saab-reportedly-wins-eu-app/) of a European Investment Bank loan of 400 million-euros ($546 million) to Spyker.

It would seem that the road to a successful acquisition is so sure that the executive committee of Saab (http://www.autoblog.com/make/saab) dealers have made an unsolicited offer (http://dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/08/saab-dealers-said-to-put-money-up-for-spyker/) of $24 million dollars to help Spyker complete the deal. Peter Hallberg, president of the association, said, "Those of us close to the business think that there's substance to Spyker's business plan for Saab, and that there are no great, imminent risks."

What's more, Spyker has just reported that it has entered into an agreement to secure a $25 million convertible loan from an investment company owned by Heerema Holding Company Inc. that's conditional on the EIB's aforementioned $546 million loan. Details can be found in the press release after the break.

[Source: New York Times (http://dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/08/saab-dealers-said-to-put-money-up-for-spyker/), Spyker]

[Captain_Rightfoot]

Owned by the Dutch!!!

:D :D

[housefull]

BREAKING: Saab board reportedly votes to liquidate company, but GM still weighing bids

by Chris Paukert (http://www.autoblog.com/bloggers/chris-paukert/) (RSS feed (http://www.autoblog.com/bloggers/chris-paukert/rss.xml)) on Jan 8th 2010 at 11:28AM http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/swipe-breaking.gif (http://www.autoblog.com/tag/breaking/)
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/02/664.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/08/breaking-saab-board-reportedly-votes-to-liquidate-company-but/#continued)

According to a press release quoted in Dow Jones Newswires, Stefan Lofven, head of Swedish trade union IF Metall, the board of Saab (http://www.autoblog.com/make/saab/) has voted today to liquidate the company. Simultaneously, General Motors (http://www.autoblog.com/make/gm/) has announced that it has hired AlixPartners to supervise the "orderly wind-down" of the marque.

Interestingly, none of this means that Saab is dead, although certainly neither of these things can be seen as reason for optimism. According to its own statement about AlixPartners (available after the jump (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/08/breaking-saab-board-reportedly-votes-to-liquidate-company-but/#continued)), GM continues to evaluate bids for Saab, presumably those from Spyker Cars (http://www.autoblog.com/make/spyker/) and Genii Capital/Bernie Ecclestone (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/07/update-bernie-ecclestone-tied-to-late-breaking-genii-capital-bi/) – if not others as well. To this, Lofven is quoted as remarking that "It is irresponsible of GM in this situation to act in two directions, both towards a sale and towards a wind-down." Irresponsible or no, that appears to be exactly what GM is doing. More as it happens...

[Sources: Dow Jones Newswires via The Wall Street Journal (http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20100108-707903.html'mod=WSJ_latestheadlines), General Motors | Image: Joe Raedle/Getty]

PRESS RELEASE

GM STATEMENT REGARDING SAAB

GM today confirmed it has selected AlixPartners to supervise the orderly wind down of Saab, and has requested approval of the selection by the appropriate authority in Sweden. The use of a wind down supervisor is a commonly-used process in Sweden and works in the interest of the shareholder.

The wind down process is expected to take several months, and will ensure that employees, dealers and suppliers are adequately protected. As stated previously, Saab customers can be assured that warranties will continue to be honored and that service and spare parts will continue to be available.

GM also confirmed that it has received several proposals for Saab and is continuing to evaluate these proposals. This evaluation is not affected by the appointment of AlixPartners.

Filed under: GM (http://www.autoblog.com/category/gm/), Saab (http://www.autoblog.com/category/saab/), Earnings/Financials (http://www.autoblog.com/category/earnings-financials/)
I reckon Berny could put Flav in charge of SAAB. What could possibly go wrong? How hard can it be? :wasntme: :D


__________________
Watch The Wolfman Online Free (http://moviesonlinefree.biz/)

[Captain_Rightfoot]

[QUOTE=housefull;1185696]I reckon Berny could put Flav in charge of SAAB. What could possibly go wrong? How hard can it be? :wasntme: :D

You'd find the cars would just strangely crash - for no reason :o

[Pedro_The_Swift]

2010 Saab 9-3X U.S. pricing announced

by Alex Nunez (http://www.autoblog.com/bloggers/alex-nunez/) (RSS feed (http://www.autoblog.com/bloggers/alex-nunez/rss.xml)) on Mar 7th 2010 at 3:25PM
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/03/1177.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/gallery/2010-saab-9-3x/#2)
2010 Saab 9-3X - Click above for high-res image gallery

Saab (http://www.autoblog.com/category/Saab/) has released pricing details on its 2010 9-3 (http://www.autoblog.com/tag/93/) lineup, a newsworthy action in that it wasn't long ago that "Saab" and "2010 models" appeared to be mutually exclusive terms. Now that Victor Muller (http://www.autoblog.com/tag/VictorMuller/) and Spyker (http://www.autoblog.com/category/Spyker/) have graciously relieved GM of the Saab albatross, it's onward and (ideally) upward for 2010 as the new company, Saab Spyker Automobiles, chases after the profits that have perennially eluded Trollhättan. The most noteworthy ride on just-released the price list? That would be the 2010 Saab 9-3X (http://www.autoblog.com/tag/93X/), the Allroad/Outback style jacked-up, all-wheel-drive SportCombi. Parking one in the garage at your ski home in Aspen will set you back, at minimum, $37,800, including destination. You can check out more high-res pics in the galleries below.