OKSAAB - Michael Cartwright

SAAB AUTOMOBILE FILES FOR BANKRUPTCY

2011-12-19T09:16:00.000+01:00

I try to avoid the media coverage on weekends. I can live with all of the negativity surrounding SAAB Monday - Friday thanks.
So this morning I re-capped on the various stories that made the headlines and I must admit it did not look good which ever way you sliced it.
These days I have become much more objective however I could only conclude that there was not even one positive piece of news. Everything looked pretty gloomy.

Had a great weekend where we at long last decorated the Christmas tree with the kids, drank a little glögg ( Hot spiced wine ) and generally brought in the Christmas spirit.

Then this

SAAB AUTOMOBILE FILES FOR BANKRUPTCY

Zeewolde, The Netherlands, 19 December 2011 – Swedish Automobile N.V. (Swan) announces that Saab Automobile AB (Saab Automobile), Saab Automobile Tools AB and Saab Powertrain AB filed for bankruptcy with the District Court in Vänersborg, Sweden this morning.

After having received the recent position of GM on the contemplated transaction with Saab Automobile, Youngman informed Saab Automobile that the funding to continue and complete the reorganization of Saab Automobile could not be concluded. The Board of Saab Automobile subsequently decided that the company without further funding will be insolvent and that filing bankruptcy is in the best interests of its creditors. It is expected that the Court will approve of the filing and appoint receivers for Saab Automobile very shortly.

Swan does not expect to realize any value from its shares in Saab Automobile and will write off its interest in Saab Automobile completely.

How things change

2011-12-13T12:19:00.002+01:00

Was blogging just a passing phase ? - probably but it never really got started.

Just a quick reflection on how things change since April.
Production stopped and no plan for the forseeable future to re start.
Antanov rejected as a potential investor by EIB
Salary payments delayed
Youngman / Pang Da sign MOU with Swan to invest zillions in Saab with plans to develop new models and distribute and manufacture vehicles in both Trollhättan and China. -
Further delays in salary payments but I must admit it was fantastic to get two at relatively the same time.

The press remain on the attack particularly Dagens Industri ( Di ) with their copius amounts of vennom for Saab - I will never understand the reason why but if there isn't a story they invent one regardless and never positive.

Then we have Victor.

If I am truly honest I had serious doubts about this guy both in his words and his intentions.
I have to say that in recent weeks I humbly eat my words.
VM is the magicians magician . and indeed it reminds me a little of the Monty Python sketch where the brave knight fights on and on having had his arms and legs cut off.
I am still not sure of Victor's true intentions but one thing is for sure - True Respect.
Saab is today under court protection from its creditors and an administrator appointed ( Guy Lofalk )and will be defending its right to stay there in the coming days.

GM
As always there is a spnner in the works , a fly in the ointment so to speak
General Motors, Great Mistake, Gross Margin or whatever.
GM have seen the chance to finally kill off the brand that they could never develop. Thinking about it Pontiac, Hummer and Saturn died the death by their own hand. Saab was not so easy and therefore by GM's own in-action in not agreeing to 100% Chinese ownership they effectively do the same thing.
VM is not a man to give up and proposes another constellation. He was likened this morning to a bar of soap ( odly enough )Whenever you think its clearly over VM has another plan up his preverbial sleeve.

Back to Antanov.

Since his arrest in London 2 weeks ago it has been amazingly quiet in the news regarding his alleged bank theft and loaning of funds to VM's company. Only time will tell on this one . On one side without Antanov Saab would have gone straight down the toilet. On the other hand if he had been allowed in as a " visible " investor you can only imagine the field day our friends at Di would have had.
In the latest round we have just Youngman and an un-named Chinese bank.

This Saab journey has been the most amazing in my life and I am pretty certain in corporate history. One day I hope that VM writes about this in minute detail. A best seller in my book ( pardon the pun )

Two weeks without salary and two weeks to Christmas. The shops are pretty empty as half the towns working population is in the same boat.

One way or another it will sort itself out as my mum would say.

For sure it will but I am not brave enough to bet on which way.

Happy Easter Mr. Ananov

2011-04-19T10:36:00.003+02:00

This is the same as the boxer who saw the jab but missed the quick left hook !
The factory is earily quiet, wating for the man with the wad of cash.

Easter is coming and a few days to re charge the batteries.

In reading articles on competitors it seems very much that the Audi's, BMW's, Mercedes and even Volvo are charging ahead.
VW / Audi in particular are recording double didget increases in certain markets particularly China. These are the markets where Saab need to be and every effort is being made to get there.....as fast as possible.

It seems as though Antanov plays a very hard game with a clear focus on getting what he wants regardless.Is the selling of SAAB property only an intrim solution for achieving what is the eventual goal a major stake in the company.It seems all too obvious.
How would this man deal with running Saab as opposed to banks and sports car companies..A very interesting thought indeed. Possibly Saab needs this type of "investor" to shake it back into life. This is no critism of today's management, on the contrary, dreams and ambitions play a major part. Trying to climb out of 20 years under GM leadership and mindset is incredibly tough.A fresh attitude combined with a " focus of getting what he wants ". Financial muscle is naturally a pre-requisite.

This is going to be an interesting few weeks to see how deep the damage is.

Happy Easter Mr Antanov

One Year on = Independence Day

2011-02-23T06:31:00.004+01:00

Interesting that I äm posting exactly one year to the day that Saab became an independent vehicle manufacturer " Independence day " as it is known here at Saab.

A lot has happened in the last year as SAAB strives to come back into the market and meet the goals.
We had the launch of the new 9-5 last summer and it was great to see so many loyal Saab dealers at the launch events which lasted for around 6 weeks.

The event itself was seriously impressive in a kind of quaint Saabish way. Not Spain,Monaco or the south of France as has happened in the past with most vehicle manufactures with bundles of cash......but Trollhättan where else.

A tent in the middle of the test track ( which in fact blew down one stormy summer night and damaged one of the cars.)

The dealer event was split into five workshops
Following a 2 hour test drive on a predetermined route, the dealers from around the world and VIP's ( Yes we had a few of those too ) assembled to first watch the guys of the Saab Performance Team perform their manouvers and tricks at amazing speeds.

The groups were then divided to experience Ride & handling,Infotainment, crash & safety One that I cant remember and my own accessory area.
The products that we had been developing during the turbulent 2-3 years were proudly presented . It was truly GREAT . Low key,sincere and very SAAB.

Production started and as has been repeatedly reported was hampered by suppliers including GM not delivering. Not what we wanted.
Sales targets were missed and there is a strong focus on cashflow as there should be in any company.

Then came the 9-4X A good looking Crossover...........Pity about the diesel.

Today as we celebrate "Independence Day" ( A good film by the way )

Contracting houses,Arthur and John

2010-02-17T19:58:00.005+01:00

I need to fire my current ISP provider having just typed in at least 500000 words and been kicked out without saving.

I lost the thread anyway.

The basic thread was positive restlessness.. but the thought has really left me.

I have been researching some of the Design and Engineering companies here in Sweden recently. The state of play reminds me somewhat of one of the American ( and other countries ) news story that tragically appears on an all too frequent basis. Some guy walks into a school or a shopping mall and opens fire wiping out a whole load of innocent people.
Why I thought of that I will never know but there is a synergy somehow in my weird mind at least of how the companies associated with the Swedish auto industry are dying , bodies everywhere, and as such a lot of engineers and designers are unemployed and have been for some time. The business has imploded so to speak.

A lot of cutbacks and layoffs throughout. sad but inevitable.
The contract companies have built up a huge resource without the flexibility that this business demands.

Semcon/Caran, Etteplan,Cliff Design & Models to name but a few have shed people not the hard and fast contractors who simply move on, but employees tired of the OEM's and dreaming of a better life on the other side of the green stuff.

What these companies did not tell them is that having tried to emulate the OEM's by marketing themselves as the best thing since the proverbial slice. Gods gift to the automotive business.A certain amount of arrogance has prevailed.

They simply lost the thread and its now payback time.

Unlike my friend Arthur who works for one of the afformentioned companies.

Arthur .A legend in his own lunchtime !!!!

Arthur is one of lifes weelers and dealers who can bend company rules to and often beyond breaking point....and get away with it for the sole interest of making money and keeping the customer satisfied.
The customer will receive something that he is entirely happy with and maybe not aware that he has just been shafted.

Another character who was the pioneer of of the contracting business as we know it was John Shute, sadly no longer with us.

John founded the company International Automotive Design ( IAD ) in the late 70's and built a full service design and engineering company with facilities worldwide.
Like many I will always be indebted to John and he will always have a place in my memories.
John was a "large " jovial man who looked remarkably like Henry VIII.

His secret to success became opening design studios and pulling in the engineering work as a result. John always maintained that when you were discussing engineering projects with customers you were talking to the engineering community or the buyers.
When you were selling design on the other hand you were talking to the guy that owned the company.
IAD had studios ( and I mean lots ) 2 in Germany 2 in Spain, Claifornia and Detroit and 3 in the UK.
The irony and probably little known fact ( Other than to those who worked for IAD at the time ) is that the Kia's Hyundai's, Daewoo's all started their first own branded vehicles at IAD.
Sadly in being so ambitious he took one too many risks and the company folded in 1993 as a result of another automotive bankrupcy.
The 2000 plus designers,engineers and technicians evaporated to the four corners of the earth and there is probably not an OEM that does not have an ex IAD contact. Wherever I go I meet or hear from ex IAD colleagues.

True respect.

The Swedish and European contracting industry can learn a lot from people like John and Arthur.
The business is about not being an OEM. The business is about innovation, flexibility and finding the niche that the OEM's need.
Not getting involved with middle management until the deal is done. This was Johns tactic.

The survivors and thrivers in Sweden seem to be the small companies who do not wish to become the IAD's and Semcon's. They have found their niche and probably make a tidy living thankyou.
When times do change , and they will there will be a new generation who need to do a lessons learned on why the contracting business dropped into the abbyss.

Hunting and Scandinavian Airlines

2010-02-10T06:31:00.004+01:00

2 very strange subjects and not at all connected either to each other or to Saab which is what makes this just a little different.

First the hunting bit

I decided back at the beginning of September to take a hunting course.
Not for the love of being out there all guns blazing you understand . That is definitely not my style.Neither do I wish to blast away defenseless animals ( well not really ).......my family would never forgive me.

A couple of reasons prompted me to do this.

Firstly to get a gun licence I need to take a seven month course on nature,conservation, the land and forestry,weapon and hunting law etc. etc.

Seven heavy books that I need to study and have a trolley to carry them around.

What is worse is that I have to do this in Swedish which I find pretty hard going.

I didn't realize that there were so many birds that looked the damn same ( to me ) but with different names.

My advice would be to not let me out there with a gun as I would end up shooting everything in sight.

Back to the reasons for signing up for the course.

2 actually

I have a house about an hours drive from Trollhättan which is my paradise and one place that I can switch off from everything. At the beginning of September I arrived on a Friday evening to see that the grass which I lovingly cut sitting on my tractor while listening to Mary J Blige in my iPhone every week ( minimum ) had been ripped up.
On closer analysis ( I wont go into the details but it does come out of the rear ) we determined that we had had a visit from vildsvin ( wild pigs ).
I was so angry having spent 4 hours in the pouring rain making the repairs that this became the proverbial straw.
The second reason is a little more disturbing. Directly behind the house are several hundred hectares of mushroom forest which we take every opportunity to exploit and savour. A few weeks ago and not for the first time a neighbour was driving on the road servicing the houses in the area. Out of the forest came a wolf not 200 meters from my place. ....Yes a wolf. Now that's scary.

So yesterday evening I was for the first time training on the shooting simulator. A cool VR thingy that only confirmed how bad my shooting was. This was really a great boy toy and if it was not for the fact that it cost an amazing amount of SEK,Euros or Pounds I would buy one .........Really was cool

To the second subject Scandinavian Airlines ( SAS )

The majority shareholder of this miserably arrogant and uncompetitive airline is non other than the Swedish Government, together with the Norwegian and Danish.

Maud Olofsson held a press conference yesterday to confirm that the Swedish taxpayer would pump in a further injection of capital that had lots of 00000's after it into a company that is very reminiscent of good old General Motors.
I was speechless !!
This was the same person who has maintained for so long that it was not the Swedish Governments place to own or get involved in a private business. That the Government was not qualified to run an automotive company. It clearly is not qualified to run an airline either.!!!
If an image of Maud had been on the simulator yesterday evening instead of rabbits moose and ducks maybe my score would have been better.

OK now I feel better

OKSAAB

Good news is always bad news

2010-02-09T06:20:00.002+01:00

There is always a twist to a news story in the Swedish media.

Two pieces of really good news yesterday and the press could not help themselves but to add a negative twist to both of them.

It would appear that I write very often about the press and their negative slant on SAAB.
I freely admit that it is probably the only issue that truly irritates me about this whole affair as I sit with my I love SAAB badge proudly displayed on my shirt. Corny I know but sometimes youv'e just got to do these things.

Back to the press reports.
In the report that Vic had secured a further $25 M loan from a Swiss / Dutch private investment company for whom he had worked in the 80's.Great news I thought but upon reading the article in DI 90% referred to the terms and conditions of the loan and the high interest and what would happen if it could not be repaid / refinanced.
The statement " The business is still not finalized because Vic needs to pay GM a further $24 M on the 15 July and he does not have the money "
Only the headline was positive.
Swedes have a tendancy to use the BUT word quite often

The second report was regarding the EU commisions approval of the EIB loan. An iportant milestone. DI again reported the " BUT there are still parts of the puzzel that are not in place , the EIB needs to approve the loan "
Again the BUT word comes into play.

At the weekend there was a sort of half hearted launch of the new 9-5 at the Saab Museum.
I do not mean this in any negative way. When the deal is finally done everybody will be working like crazy to do a real launch. The museum event was very much like a car showroom with a steady but high flow of people throughout the day. Much higher than in the SAAB dealer showrooms in fact.

Lots of positive critique. Lets hope that this turns into sales.

As you would imagine there are quite a high number of new 9-5's around the SAAB site in various forms from camoflaged test cars to latest production status.

I have to say the car has presence on the road.It is both dynamic and elegent at the same time unlike some of the Volvo's,Audi,s and BMW,s which tend to *wallow * when they get to this class ( particularly the Volvo S80 )

The 9-4X is also confirmed for production start at the beginning of next year.
I think that this is much needed and a pretty cool looking vehicle. Lets hope we see them in Europe competing head to head with Audi, and of course winning.

OKSAAB

Putting money where the mouth is

2010-02-03T11:43:00.002+01:00

During the Magna deal with GM regarding OPEL both the Unions and the Opel dealer forum planned to take a sizable stake in the new company.

The Russian banks and Magna were in the forefrunt but the unions and dealers would play a significant role AND would have clout in the running of OPEL.

What do we have with SAAB........Zip !!

Where are the unions....Nowehere to be seen
The red / green alliance....totally silent !!!
Dealers...They send cakes and good wishes.

I for one have and will buy shares in the companies that I have worked for. Not part of a an option scheme but as part of both my own personal commitment to my company and having the opportunity however small to vote on the issues I care about.

It may sound naive but it is what I believe in and nobody can take that away from me.

I would challenge the unions and the dealers and anyone else who wants to get involved for that matter to put their money where their mouth is and support SAAB/ Spyker in buying a say in the company.

I for one will be there

OKSAAB

Who cares where the money comes from !!

2010-02-02T06:21:00.003+01:00

My favourite profile photograph. This goes to show what the last 13 months has done.
I have used this on the odd occasion for the last 10 years and it still makes me smile. At least its better than the one on GM Peoplefinder where I look as miserable as sin which I probably am.

Not satisfied having lost the last battle over SAAB the analysts are again out in force to have one last stab at crucifying SAAB.
Having read so many news articles over the last few months, it has become crystal clear that SAAB the Swedish banks and certain investment / life insurance companies are the targets for their venom. Are they considering the public interest or are these really the targets that stir public emotions.
In the case of banks they duly have the reputation of robbing you blind which indeed they do, and pay themselves big fat bonuses in doing so !!!.

In the case of SAAB though who the hell should care. What has SAAB a small manufacturer of great cars ever done that should create the types of headlines and targeted hatred.

SAAB in the last few months has stirred enormous emotions within the faithful and has in fact created a " nuvo SAAB " following. People who had almost never heard of the quirky iconic brand. Incidently " ICONIC " is the new in word. There have been several high and mighty leaders using it in the last week particularly relating to SAAB being sold to Spyker Cars.

Turning to Victory Victors cash pile.

The press and analysts here in Sweden are " demanding " to know where Vickies cash comes from.

The government on the other hand having sent in SEPO, the FBI,KGB and not least 007 to investigate seem quite cool and satisfied......for now.
It will take just one little sh** journalist to uncover the dirt on Vicky and it will be blown wide open.
This holier than thou attitude is mind boggling and pathetic to say the least.

I for one have some ( not many ) morals but when Vicky says its private then its private, notwithstanding drugs, prostitution etc etc. are no go

Write about the banks and the fat bonuses or whatever you like but give Vicky and SAAB a chance to make this happen

OKSAAB

That was the week that was

2010-01-29T06:30:00.009+01:00

Here is a photograph of me ( middle )with some of my team at Saab Design 2005

I am not sure whether this was a good week or not.
There is no question that it will be one to remember.
Decision made, it was a fantastic week.

This is going to be an enormous flywheel that could be difficult to get going at first but the inertia that will be created will make it difficult to stop.

Plans B,C& D are now on ice. Sorry Trollhattan no fish & chip shop just yet. You'll just have to make do with Pizzas and kebab.

Back in 2005 GM announced that Saab Design would close and move to Russelsheim which it did in 2006.
Both my studio colleagues and I went through exactly the same agony.What were the alternatives ?? Russelsheim was not an option, A dark grey city in the middle of a country that I have never been particularly fond of living. ( My apologies but I miss the elements that makes Sweden special for me )

All possibilities were open for future career opportunities.
Within my team we discussed it almost every day.
More as a joke than anything else I got locked on two ideas.

1. A fish & chip shop - As I mentioned in an earlier blog Pizza,Pizza & Pizza is on the Trollhattan take away menu.I have a friend from my childhood whose parents had a F&C shop close to where I lived. Eventually he took over and created a chain of F&C shops and made a fortune. It was called Pete's Plaice. I could do this over the whole of Sweden and maybe compete with Ronald Macdonald. The one thing that deterred me was that I didn't fancy the idea of smelling of old frying oil.Prada and Versace are more in my line.
I will continue this story as it is connected to idea number 2

2. Idea number 2 was an internet launderette. For those who are not familiar with launderette's it is where you can do your laundry.
The concept came to mind as Trollhattan high school was become a university.
An influx of 10000 new students mostly from 18 - 22 were to descend upon the town.

The concept was to offer a cafe with internet connection where the students could sit while doing their laundry, chat,mingle,surf or whatever.
This was a sure winner as here in apartment dominated Sweden you need to book a time in the communal washing room. I figured students would find it difficult to work with this concept preferring more to " drop in "

The reason these two ideas are connected is that one of the guys who worked for me ( Erik ) was one of life's wonderful characters.I have my arm around Erik in the photograph. The whole team had hours of fun at his expense. Never cruel he enjoyed it,he felt loved and wanted which he was.
I teased him that he would be the ideal person to run my two money spinning ventures.
Erik is a jolly good natured man who can talk and laugh for Sweden. If laughing was an officially recognized sport in the Olympic games he would win gold for sure.
Erik would be the perfect front man to success.

In addition I teased him about running the launderette.

The design of the cafe would be such that it could take 20 washing and 10 drying machines. There would be a room or passage way behind the row of machines that when people put the money in it would go straight into Erik's pocket..black money.

Erik's bonus I assured him was that he would get the additional benefit of dealing with attractive young girls and their various forms of ( minute ) clothing

Pure fantasy but we had a lot of fun.

This journey has not been at all the same. Much more serious and much more concerning, but today I feel great. It is both Friday and I can put the last 13 months behind me.
This definitely was that was the week that was.

OKSAAB

Happiness is an understatement

2010-01-28T06:31:00.002+01:00

I took part yesterday in the welcoming home of Jan-Åke Jonsson and Victor Muller at the Saab Museum.
What an event !!
It is difficult to estimate exactly how many Saab emplyees had left their workplaces to join. It certainly appeared that the vast majority were in attendance.

We were encouraged to car share, park away from the museum in side roads and extra public transport was layed on.
The carnival atmosphere was charged with goodwill,happiness and relief.
I could here similar conversations using the same adjectives.
It was freezing cold and snow but nobody cared. This was the day that we had all been waiting for for so long.

A sound stage had been set up, a new 9-5 and a Spyker C8 were on display ( Spyker really need to do somthing about that design )
The press were in full attendance.
I am unsure whether either Jan-Åke and Victor Muller new anything about the event as they were ferried directly from " Trollhättan International Airport " having flown in directly from Stockholm.
Needless to say the standing ovation they received was overwhelming especially for Jan-Åke who had some difficulty in composing his speech. Totally understandable.
Here is a man who has really travelled the year long roller coaster.

Today starts the beginning of a new era in Saabs history. The challenge is enormous , to change the tide of public perception will not be easy

I plan to buy shares in Saab Spyker Automobile NV as the new company will be called.

Not many but enough to vote and have my say. Enough to show commitment to an independent SAAB ( Spyker )

I will order a new SAAB 9-3 SC next week and I truly hope that many many more will do the same.I will lobby the Audi BMW and Mercedes owners that I know to change to a great brand with spirit and determination. Determination enough to fight and

SAVE SAAB

Now the campaign begins

2010-01-27T06:46:00.003+01:00

This is truly FANTASTIC news and I cannot find enough adjectives to describe how I feel.
I watched the press conference from Stockholm live and was enormously impressed with the commitment and passion of both Jan Åke and Victor Muller

I received a number of mails yesterday evening including one from the RESCUE SAAB.COM
campaign.
Having heard the news this morning I was a little surprised.

The mail headline was " Saab Rescued-Mission accomplished ". I guess that I understand their message but in my book the " Mission " has only just begun.

The mission is now to turn the tide of negativity surrounding SAAB. To challenge the Swedish analysts and pundits who as was on the news this morning questioning Saab's long term viability.They gave SAAB 2-3 years at most.
What are these people like !!!!
As I mentioned in an earlier blog edition, the Swedish media have no idea how to be positive and supportive.

My son who is 10 years old is pretty smart.

At exactly 17.33 he called me on my mobile as I was on my way to a course that I am taking.
" Your job is safe you do not have to worry anymore , Saab is sold to Spyker "

I had not realized that he was even really aware of the situation we as a family were facing. Clearly I underestimated him. He had heard the discussions, he was listening to the news and in all probability understood to some extent that closing Saab whould have some impact on his life too.

The campaign begins in earnest.
To launch and develop new vehicles, move faster and more efficiently and more importantly to challenge the media.Improve the brand image and sell more Saab's.

For those supporters out there who have campaigned so hard to " SAVE SAAB " ( for which we will be eternally grateful )

Keep the nostalga in the garage and take them out on fine sunny days.

Order your new SAAB from your dealer now !!! and encourage your BMW / AUDI freinds to do the same !!! -

OKSAAB

Mr. Whitacre's press conference

2010-01-26T06:32:00.004+01:00

I left work yesterday and rushed home specifically to watch the press conference live on GMtv.I had sent the link as we are unable to view this at Saab.
Fresh coffee in place I eagerly waited for the 17.30 slot.This had to be it.
After a day of positive reports started by SVt's RAPPORT this was the news SAAB fans the world over had been waiting for.........SAAB had been sold to Spyker...........WRONG !!!

This was not the press conference subject matter at all. This was a typical back slapping what a great team GM is type of Press conference.

I have to say at this point that I am not a great fan of Mr. Whiticare, his mannerism's and his style .........then who am I to judge.
I tried to count how many times he mentioned what a great leadership team he had around him but was distracted by two of my kids and gave up at somewhere between 11 and 13.

Strangely enough a song from the musical ' EVITA' came into my head. I have no idea why but over and over again I kept thinking " oh what a circus , oh what a show ".

Circus pretty much describes this whole situation.

Over the last 2 or 3 months I have not seen my colleagues as positive as they were yesterday afternoon.....The deal was DONE !!, plans were being made, we could move forward with determination and speed.
As the afternoon progressed it became quite clear that SVt's article was far from accurate. The Swedish government very quickly came out with statements denying that they had approved the EIB loan guarantee's.......What a bummer !!!

A note to SVT
Yesterday due to sensationalism and inaccurate reporting the emotions of thousands of people once again travelled the roller coaster ride just as they thought they could get off.Pretty poor taste I would say.

Today I guess we will travel a similar journey

OKSAAB Nervous beyond belief

2010-01-25T13:05:00.002+01:00

Every news wire in Sweden is reprorting that the deal is DONE.

I feel butterflies in my stomach I am so nervous

Is it really true ????????????

Press conferences at 14.30 today by the Swedish Government and what is the betting that GM hold one at the same time ( not announced yet )

I think the whole company must have every news wire open. I currently have 7

Got important things to do

Come back later

The SAAB Community and a great weekend

2010-01-25T07:17:00.003+01:00

At first glance the titles are not linked but indeed odly enough they are.

First to the weekend which as I mentioned on Friday was my birthday weekend .

My wife had farmed out the kids and the dogs ( 3 of each ) and took me to a surprise spa weekend atVarberg a resort on the south west Swedish coast.
( Thankyou Lena it was wonderful !! )

I can most definately recommend it.

A couple of very relaxing treatments later combined with saunas, etc. great food and drink ( you know the type of thing ) I returned home having not read a newspaper looked at TV or logged into mail.
I was news-less and totally relaxed.
It was not only the spa treatment but the resolute refusal to think or worry about SAAB and the future.

Naturally as soon as I returned hope on went the computer scanning for the latest ...........Shame on me !!

That takes me to the " SAAB Community "

I logged into mail both private and SAAB's and was absolutly astounded that I had received birthday greetings both from old freinds and past colleagues but also people who I had never met and am not likely to. An enormous amount. For which I am extremely apreciative.
Thankyou very much indeed.

The reason that I highlighted this is that the main thread in the greetings were " fingers crossed " and " good luck "

Was the meaning fingers crossed and good luck that I would survive my birthday.
Of course not it was for SAAB, that the iconic brand itself had created a common cause ..a community.........The SAAB community.......My Community

News this morning is so positive that the champagne is getting colder. Lets wait and see shall we.

Rumour has it that a Spyker car was spotted at the museum yesterday.

Both Spyker and GM are in Stockholm.

Today I am going to keep my fingers crossed and figure out the subject matter for the next blog. Clearly it can be nothing to do with saving SAAB.......If the deal goes through.

OKSAAB

Showing the money was obviously not that easy

2010-01-22T19:11:00.002+01:00

When Mr. Whitacre gave the cast off remark at the Detroit show it all sounded so easy
" show us the money ". Did he mean the $1 or the $450 million. ???

It does not neccessarily matter as two weeks on there is still no deal.

I for one am quite hopeful that the delay is a good sign. As SWADE said this morning " Treading Water " that is all we can do

I am certain that I can tread a while longer having achieved bronze, silver and gold awards for treading water as a kid.

Most people believe rightly or wrongly that there will be a positive outcome for SAAB.The silence the amount of time that the silence is taking is positive.
What other conclusion is there ?
The liquidation team is in place , the gun is loaded but no shot fired.

It is my birthday on Sunday and I need to be on top form.

I will put everything on hold for the coming days and pick up the thread again very early on Monday morning

Genii still at the table ?

2010-01-21T06:29:00.001+01:00

If I read the article published yesterday by Lars Carlström I would have to say that his comments are not consistent with a company still in negotiations with GM.

Purely my speculation however I do not believe that I have EVER read a more open criticism of the Swedish Press, Government and further open comments regarding GM's accounting practices contributing to Saab's losses over the years.
He goes further to heavily point the finger of responsibility for Saab's bad press at the pundits,analysts and press in general.

It saddens me to say that I have found this to be the case in Sweden.
Saab has ALWAYS received negative press when compared to VOLVO and I have absolutely no idea why this should be the case.
A similar analogy can be made between Stockholm and Gothenburg. Stockholmers do not give a damn if the auto industry dies or gets flat packed and shipped to China....Because they are not affected. That is the same with SAAB. If the guy down the road is not DIRECTLY affected he does not give a damn. On the contrary he will post a comment on an article WILLING that SAAB will be closed.
I know that I have mentioned this before but it would NOT happen in Spain,France Germany,Italy or even Belgium for that matter.
It would however happen in the UK where the auto industry has been decimated due to poor management and disastrous political decisions over the years.
Incidentally in the 1920'2 - 1930's in Coventry which was the heart of the UK auto industry there were 86 separate vehicle manufacturers.

An article in Dagens Industry www.di.se this morning highlighted that the Vovo / Ford / Geely negotiations were not as far along the road as had been claimed by all parties.There seemed to be serious concerns over IP's and control. Fundamentals in my book. It will be interesting to see how that one unfolds.

Hummer is as quiet as SAAB - and has been for some time while awaiting Chinese state approval.
When buying a house you do not go out agree the deal,sign the contract and put down the deposit without talking to the bank. Why should the auto industry be any different ??

Enough said.

One day at a time and still optimistic I have the news feeds on standby

And by the way well done Lars Carlström.

OK SAAB's Dream

2010-01-20T06:36:00.002+01:00

I woke up this morning having dreamt about my OKSAAB blog.

To you guys I am sure you are thinking " so what "

For me remembering a dream has tremendous significance as only twice has this happened before. I wont go into the details as one was not the best outcome and the other well.....thats embarrassing !!

Only to say that on both occasions that following day was eventful.

Back to my dream.

I awoke having dreamt that the OKSAAB blog had become hugely successful,that in fact it was so successful it had been sindicated around the world. Advertizers clamoured to get space space on the OKSAAB blog.

SAAB was the "IN WORD " trendy and got to have.

The URL http://OKSAAB.blogspot.com appeared everywhere in emails and on the net.

500000 hits a day and both my own and Saabs future was secure !!!!

What is the significance and what events are about to unfold ?.........Damned if I know but it made me very happy I know that !!!!

Yesterday I chatted ( via messenger with an ex team mate from OPEL

I refer to him as ex because in the last year we have both separated and divorced.

3 years ago when I joined my current organization we were going into the GM Global world.

A huge programme management system was develeped specifically to run our part of the business.

Going global meant that as a global team we could effectively manage global programmes simultainiously in Korea, Australia,Europe and North America.

Global teams,Global decision boards,Global forums were put into place.

Metrics were regional and global.

It may sound too much and there were elements and processes I would have done differently, but it actually worked !!!

I had European responsibility which meant my team was both in Opel and Saab at the same time resulting in extensive travel. I enjoyed it and miss it.

Miss the colleagues and the multinational aspect.

Our delivery on time was as good as it gets and we were empowered and accountable with given boundries.

The process was so successful that it was wound down.

Our boss in North America decided to retire.

The system was shut down and we went from global to regional and now back to SAAB.

One message was loud and clear in my chat with my ex.

Its no easier right now for the guys at OPEL. Moral is low

What OPEL have to their advantage are 4 very key factors

GM need a volume car manufacturer in Europe to stay in the global game

A strong leader in Nick Reilly - That is NOT to say that JAJ is not a strong leader only that he has a track record of saving GM's arse in Korea.

Strong unions that WILL stand and fight yet make the right concessions

Finaly a strong goverment nationally and regionally that puts hard cash on the table to keep their auto industry alive.

As we know OPEL is not the strongest brand name in Germany .

SAAB on the other hand has the brand name but misses the other 4 elements. It has passion and passionate followers that OPEL or indeed any other manufacturer that I know of will never have.

Back to my dream

Remembering my dream has made me very upbeat. So much so that I changed the blogs name to simply OKSAAB as the previous title sounded so negative.

I am going to go to bed quite early tonight ( unless news breaks today ) and see if I can dream some more.

2010-01-19T07:10:00.002+01:00

The convoy seems to be making some news around the world.
What with yesterdays "after convoys " there have been around 40 in total.

There is very little other news. Saab has dropped off the news wires again and not surprisingly considering everything else that is going on.

Stephen Taylor the appointed liquidator has not called in the unions yet.

Are the Spyker / Genii negotiations really getting serious ?

I try not to be optimistic but even that is difficult.

There is so much plan B stuff swirling around in my head right now it is difficult ( as for most ) to stay focused, but focus we must and the plan today is to run the regular weekly project review meeting. As we have had engineers on CAD courses , sick etc it will be good to get everyone back together and get moving again.
Stimulation as opposed to living in a vacume.

Plan B - an interesting question. what could it be.

As with a turbine my mind tends to spin at high revs throwing out different ideas and then crossing them off the list. Its an interesting way of keeping active.
There are no limits to what I think of for the future state - very open thinking which is something I like.
Last week I was out on the net looking at businesses for sale here in Sweden.
There did not seem to be the right opportunity but an amazing amount of Pizzarias.

Trollhättan incidentely has the highest Pizzaria rate per capita in Sweden. - A useless piece of information.

Fish and chip shops on the other hand....Zero.........Now there's an opportunity

2010-01-18T06:33:00.002+01:00

Yesterday was a day filled with irony.

I joined the Trollhattan SAAB convoy from the SAAB Museum to the factory

The convoy was one of 36 yesterday to show the mighty GM the solidarity and support for the SAAB brand.
It really was amazing to see people having travelled from far and wide. Danmark,Norway and Finland were well represented

An estimated 1500 SAABS of all models,types. I would have put the figure higher.

As luck would have it I ended up towards the front of the convoy only because the convoy set off from various directions and my group was directed in such a way that we received a short cut.
It took two and a half hours for the stragglers to reach the factory wher by that time I was freezing my nuts off even though I had my winter blue and orange jacket with a big standard issue SAAB on the back.

Now for the irony

Yesterday was 11 years to the day since I started working at Saab.I came upon this noteworthy occasion as I was sitting in my car in the convoy. I hadn't thought about it prior to that.

Irony # 2
If there were 1500 SAAB's in the convoy with an average of 2 people in each car, ( and I am sure that they are both low estimates )then that did not represent the SAAB workforce ( 3400 ).
That being the case the total numbers should have been around 3500 cars and 7000 people. - Where was everybody on that cold and snowy Sunday afternoon !!!!
Is the apathy so great that SAAB workers could not show their feelings and solidarity for the cause.?- This is our jobs and our livelyhoods we are talking about.
With that said I met a number ( not a great number ) of colleagues past and present which was great.
Even some from our neighbours from down the road VOLVO:

What was interesting to see were the " important people " hovering.

Hovering not in the literal sense but you could see them growing for the cameras,standing in a place to be seen at the front facing the crowd.
Peter Backstrom who runs the museum as always did a tremendous job.
There is one guy who shows a deep passion and knowledge for SAAB.

Irony# 3

I did not see Ed Whitacre, Bob Lutz or any of the GM crowd - strange
Neither were the Swedish red / Green alliance representatives on hand. In fact they have been totally silent for many weeks. New games to play I guess

Today is the start of of a new week of uncertainty.
Will the axe fall today,tomorrow or Friday.
I am not so positive. This is all about determination. If as Mr. Whiticre appears to be you are DETERMINED to shutter the SAAB brand then you will do it.

Look at the Flint Michigan GM plant that was closed a few years ago THIRTY THOUSAND people YES 30000 !!! were out of a job without batting an eyelid.

Today Flint is a ghost town by comparrison.

What the hell do 3400 souls in a town named Trollhattan somewhere in Europe matter ( by the way it is not between Austria and Italy )

To Mr. Whitacre in means Zip,Zero nothing. And that takes me back to irony number # 2

Apparantly it does not mean so much to some of the 3400 SAAB workers either. Nor the local and national politicians or the shops,the people planning to sell there houses in the next year or so.

As self rightous as it is sounds and as I am, I can say that I was there on a cold windy snowy afternoon on a convoy in Trollhattan..........And it felt damn good !!!!

2010-01-14T19:18:00.003+01:00

Total silence
The press agencies have been so short on news surrounding Saab that they needed to quote the previous buyers as saying that they could have bought Saab fr 1 Skr.
If I had of known I would done it myself !!

Sunday 17th Jan there are a series of convoys around the world.
The Tollhättan convoy will meet at the SAAB museum which is only 3oo mtrs from where I live. I'll be there.
They then plan to drive in convoy to the SAAB plant.......COOL

I would have preferred it if they had done this on a weekday and stopped th liqudators getting in.

Today I asked to join a SAAB group on Linkedin. Not sure why but I felt solidarity somehow. It would be a real bummer ifthey turned me down !!!

Finally Steven Wade founder of Saabs-united.com - What a hero. A real Tasmanian tiger.

I have to take my hat off to him for pursuing such a crusade on our behalf.
Well informed and well listened to by both the media, Saab employees and those that comment on his site.

As I mentioned at the beginning - No news either from GM or Spycker / Genii / Merbanco. Is this actuallly a positive sign ?? - This is like waiting for the dentist and Christmas at the same time.
GM have already made the SAAB windown statement repeatedly so that is not what we are waiting for. Are they actually working out how to say SAAB is sold..Perish the thought

I have the browser tabs set for all the major agencies during the nigt with a little gadget that will alert me on my iPhone as soon as the news breaks.

Blogging feels pretty good again mostly for my own sanity

Footnote - If anyone out there thinks my spelling is crap ( which it is ) I have noticed that while using the blog the keyboard becomes unpredictable and misses letters and spaces which I need to go back and correct. If anyone has aslution fo this it would be very much appreciated.

Other than that sd of fr tody

2010-01-13T19:32:00.004+01:00

I needed a little therapy followng the last 4 weeks No pun intended.

I actually took a long sabatical during Christmas and to be honest I could not be "arsed" to blog. Sad but true

Having so much snow I did not have time anyway
Almost every morning digging out more snow 20cm a day for 5 days X 5mtrs wide and 120 mtrs long. Must work out the volume and mass at some point and how much energy I consumed .

Back to the SAAB thingy.

I would have used the word circus but they are generally speaking quit entertaining.
Farse is also not qute right.
What I am looking for is that one special word that describs a bunch of useless arrogant businessmen who having failed with their own company would rather ( maybe out of spite )close their own failure than see another succeed ( or maybe not )

In any event like most at Saab I want to see an end to this torture one way or another and move on.

I was part of a " manifestation" at Saab yesterday lunchtime.

Fo those who do not know what a manifesation is ( and I'm not sur I really do ) it is a symbolic gathering to show support or feelings for an issue.

In yesterdays event it was organized by the SAAB unions at short notice outside the main gate. Its purpose to show GM management and the world the felings of the SAAB workforce.
It seemed as though everyone at SAAB was there.
I was along way back and could not hear a word hat was said. I clapped when everyone else did to not only not look stupid (double negative )
Suddenly the crowd was turning towards me. It was all over within five minutes ( bit like sex I guess ) and everyone was returning back to their work place.
BIZZARE - much too peacful for me but very Swedish

The same day JAJ was replaced by the liquidator I am asahmed to say a BRIT

Today has bee a lot of thinking about plans B,C and whatever.

More on that later

2009-12-18T17:46:00.003+01:00

Well now we have the final outcome. The decision is made.
GM chose to close their embarrassment today.

Thanks GM I wish you all on behalf of Saab employees a very happy and prosporous Christmas with your families.

Blog Off

2009-12-17T08:38:00.003+01:00

Typically Swedish at least the way the Swedish media have started to dig into the backgrounds of the owners of Spyker. Dagens Industri ran a headline reporting false accounting,losses and spekulation of Spykers ability to survive even as it stands today let alone pump in the required 3 billion SEK.
What the hell does it matter and why do DI care......They don't its just something to write.
Is the Swedish media so absurdly naive that Spyker is the only company with dodgy owners ? Look at GM they went bankrupt !!! They ripped off and ripped up the retirement agreemets for thousands of people. They terminated agreements or put those that they did not like into the old GM which eventually will be liquidated.
GM owe the American taxpayer $50 billion......GM a model company I dont think.

Spyker Cars owners

Largest shareholder in Spyker Cars is the Russian financial company Convers Group. Ownership of nearly 30 percent are divided on the bank string in Lithuania and Desolery in Cyprus.

Convers Group is in turn largely owned by Vladimir Antonov. His father, Alexander Antonov is president of the company.

Second largest shareholder is the state investment company Mubadala based in United Arab Emirates. Mubadala rescued Spyker Cars to avoid a bankruptcy two years ago. The company disclosed in accordance with their own website have invested billions of dollars locally, regionally and internationally.

This type of ownership is not disimilar to other well known vehicle manufacturers, VW and Mercedes ?

Today I am going to an auction. My neighbour is selling his inheritence which is 85 ha of forest.If the price is right ( which I dont think it will be ) I will become a lumberjack instead.

Blog on

2009-12-16T11:19:00.003+01:00

Today is not a day for Blogging

Spyker is Saabs last hope according to the Media the analysts and of course GM's chairman Ed Whitacre ( well he would know wouldn't he )
Reading between the lines he sounds positively optimistic.

Even reports about the Russian investor behind Spyker ,his father and the Russian mafia have surfaced in recent days.
Saab and the Russian Mafia, now thats an interesting constellation.

I am trying to train myself NOT to use the word bizzare, mainly because even though the situation is exactly that B****e

Instead of me whittering on I decided to include a little entertainment in the shape of a " pulled " article in the FT. It amuzed me and I hope that anyone if anyone is remotely interested in reading my blog has the same experience.
Blog On

The enlosed article was in this week's Sunday Times but
has since been 'pulled' - probably by the subject of the article, Mandelson.
So much for free speech. But poor old Manglebum fails to appreciate how the
blogsphere works and in no time the article finds itself going viral round
the world. Wonderful. Enjoy it - and feel free to pass it on if you enjoyed
it.....
Jeremy Clarkson
Sunday Times 15/11/09

I’ve given the matter a great deal of thought all week, and I’m afraid I’ve
decided that it’s no good putting Peter Mandelson in a prison. I’m afraid he
will have to be tied to the front of a van and driven round the country
until he isn’t alive any more. He announced last week that middle-class
children will simply not be allowed into the country’s top universities even
if they have 4,000 A-levels, because all the places will be taken by
Albanians and guillemots and whatever other stupid bandwagon the conniving
.idiot has leapt

I hate Peter Mandelson. I hate his fondness for extremely pale blue jeans
and I hate that preposterous moustache he used to sport in the days when he
didn’t bother trying to cover up his left-wing fanaticism. I hate the way he
quite literally lords it over us even though he’s resigned in disgrace
twice, and now holds an important decision-making job for which he was not
elected. Mostly, though, I hate him because his one-man war on the bright
and the witty and the successful means that half my friends now seem to be
taking leave of their senses.

There’s talk of emigration in the air. It’s everywhere I go. Parties. Work.
In the supermarket. My daughter is working herself half to death to get good
grades at GSCE and can’t see the point because she won’t be going to
university, because she doesn’t have a beak or flippers or a qualification
in washing windscreens at the lights. She wonders, often, why we don’t live
in America.

Then you have the chaps and chapesses who can’t stand the constant raids on
their wallets and their privacy. They can’t understand why they are taxed at
50% on their income and then taxed again for driving into the nation’s
capital. They can’t understand what happened to the hunt for the weapons of
mass destruction. They can’t understand anything. They see the Highway
Wombles in those brand new 4x4s that they paid for, and they see the M4 bus
lane and they see the speed cameras and the community support officers and
they see the Albanians stealing their wheelbarrows and nothing can be done
because it’s racist.

And they see Alistair Darling handing over £4,350 of their money to not sort
out the banking crisis that he doesn’t understand because he’s a small-town
solicitor, and they see the stupid war on drugs and the war on drink and the
war on smoking and the war on hunting and the war on fun and the war on
scientists and the obsession with the climate and the price of train fares
soaring past £1,000 and the Guardian power-brokers getting uppity about one
shot baboon and not uppity at all about all the dead soldiers in
Afghanistan, and how they got rid of Blair only to find the lying twerp is
now going to come back even more powerful than ever, and they think, “I’ve
had enough of this. I’m off.”

It’s a lovely idea, to get out of this stupid, Fairtrade, Brown-stained,
Mandelson-skewed, equal-opportunities, multicultural, carbon-neutral,
trendily left, regionally assembled, big-government, trilingual,
mosque-drenched, all-the-pigs-are-equal, property-is-theft hellhole and set
up shop somewhere else. But where?

You can’t go to France because you need to complete 17 forms in triplicate
every time you want to build a greenhouse, and you can’t go to Switzerland
because you will be reported to your neighbours by the police and
subsequently shot in the head if you don’t sweep your lawn properly, and you
can’t go to Italy because you’ll soon tire of waking up in the morning to
find a horse’s head in your bed because you forgot to give a man called Don
bundle of used notes for “organising” a plumber.

You can’t go to Australia because it’s full of things that will eat you, you
can’t go to New Zealand because they don’t accept anyone who is more than 40
and you can’t go to Monte Carlo because they don’t accept anyone who has
less than 40 mill. And you can’t go to Spain because you’re not called Del
and you weren’t involved in the Walthamstow blag. And you can’t go to
Germany ... because you just can’t.

The Caribbean sounds tempting, but there is no work, which means that one
day, whether you like it or not, you’ll end up like all the other expats,
with a nose like a burst beetroot, wondering if it’s okay to have a small
sharpener at 10 in the morning. And, as I keep explaining to my daughter, we
can’t go to America because if you catch a cold over there, the health
system is designed in such a way that you end up without a house. Or dead.

Canada’s full of people pretending to be French, South Africa’s too risky,
Russia’s worse and everywhere else is too full of snow, too full of flies or
too full of people who want to cut your head off on the internet. So you can
dream all you like about upping sticks and moving to a country that doesn’t
help itself to half of everything you earn and then spend the money it gets
on bus lanes and advertisements about the dangers of salt. But wherever you
go you’ll wind up an alcoholic or dead or bored or in a cellar, in an orange
jumpsuit, gently wetting yourself on the web. All of these things are worse
than being persecuted for eating a sandwich at the wheel.

I see no reason to be miserable. Yes, Britain now is worse than it’s been
for decades, but the lunatics who’ve made it so ghastly are on their way
out. Soon, they will be back in Hackney with their South African
nuclear-free peace polenta. And instead the show will be run by a bloke
whose dad has a wallpaper shop and possibly, terrifyingly, a twerp in
Belgium whose fruitless game of hunt-the-WMD has netted him £15m on the
lecture circuit.

So actually I do see a reason to be miserable. Which is why I think it’s a
good idea to tie Peter Mandelson to a van. Such an act would be cruel and
barbaric and inhuman. But it would at least cheer everyone up a bit.

2009-12-15T06:46:00.003+01:00

Sixpence half a crown, a quaint English expression the details of which I wont go into.
As the week progresses there are a huge amount of rumours and speculation most of which are positive.
Everyone from Goran Hagglund ( Swedish government )Jan-Ake Jonsson, Erik Geers and his staff are presenting an upbeat and confident face. The deal will be done before the end of the year dedline.
Not a word from GM !!

09.00 yesterday the announcement came as expected that Saab would sell it's tools for the outgoing 9-5 and in part 9-3 to BAIC. In addition Saab engineers will support BAIC in there efforts to develop their own vehicle in China, presumably one that looks nothing like a Saab or ???

BAIC ( Pronounced BIKE ) thats an interesting twist. For a country whose poulation was just a few years ago renowned for travelling from A to B on BIKES, ZILLIONS of them have a company called BIKE producing CARS.

There was also an article yesterday in one of the Swedish news sites that a group of Swedish investors were interested in buying Saab. Do not believe this for one second. Volvo on the other hand always have an ex CEO / VD leading the fight. If it was Jan-Ake then it could be plausable.

Christmas

Christmas is a time for eating, drinking and spending more than you can afford. As you say to yourself when you hand over the warm plastic " Christmas only comes once a year ". and that takes me back to sixpence half a crown.
If a positive decision on Saab's future comes in the next 8 days the plastic will be glowing . If not there could be a degree of hesitation or maybe not.

Blog on

2009-12-14T06:53:00.004+01:00

Very difficult to get up this morning

The start of the last full working week before the new year..........what is in store.???

A lot of media reports over the weekend that BAIC and GM have cut a deal for BAIC to buy the tools and interlectual property rights for the Saab 9-5 & 9-3.

Of course the comment was from " a source with direct knowledge of the deal "

If I think about it last weeks lack of news was disturbingly uncomfortable however reading between the lines of the various articles RENCO bailed and now BAIC seem to have what they were interested in all along. Is that an indication of what would have happened in the longer term ??
The BAIC setup looks as if it will follow the same trail as Rover.

So that leaves us with Spyker unless " a source with direct knowledge of the deal " knows something I don't. Not that I know much anyway.
Lets see what this week brings

Blog on

2009-12-11T06:34:00.003+01:00

An old colleague commented on my blog today. He could not quite work out what Saab had to do with food. Neither can I really but maybe the connections you make and the ironic spins that you put on things tend to add a bizzare dimension to everything.

Needless to say it has been a tough week and like most people I am looking forward to the weekend.

There are so many positive people around the company. This is not just everything will be alright " attitude but very much we can win approach.

Naturally there is always the dark side that sits somewhere deep in your mind but they so far seem to be managable.

From my perspective the plans that we are preparing, the projects that we are executing go way beyond 30 December when D day is meant to be therefore that is the goal we are working towards.

The Swedish government ministers visited on Tuesday, The same day Spyker representetives were photographed by the local media.

From the articles in Wednesdays newspaper Maud Olofsson was incredibly positive ( which is a first )The need for speed in this process is the key.
She was obviously convinced that the representetives of both the company and the unions BELIEVE in the business plan for Saabs future.

So do I

BLOGG ON

2009-12-10T06:25:00.004+01:00

Today I want to talk about food as I firmly believe that it should become one of the selection criteria for a potential new owner.
A few years ago Saab had an alliance with FIAT at a facility just outside Gothenburg.

A whole flock of Italians descended upon Sweden. Instead of the crap Sodhexo " cook and chill " food we had a local family owned kitchen preparing freshly cooked pastas alongside the traditional Swedish fare. It was always a pleasure to go there and meetings strangely enough were often just before or just after lunch.

Ultimately the Italians went home which we thought would be the end for quality cooking. Needless to say following mass protests the chef stayed on and " cook and chill" never came to be.

Now lets take the close interaction of future Saab ownership and food.
Today under GM we have the " cook and chill " solution.
Its cheap to produce , poor quality and tastes crap. Customers are dissatisfied and in many cases go and eat elsewhere. There could be a close analogy here with product satisfaction and customer retention !!!

If you read and listen to the press the two current suiters BAIC and Spyker are in town.

Think of the impact that the choice of owner could have on future sales and customer retention.

I think that we all appreciate the impact that Chinese ownership could have.
" cook and chill" would be exiled to the world of schools, hospitals and old peoples homes and instead we could call up 30 minutes before lunch, choose a meal with a number at the front and a little guy on a moped would deliver it direct to the desk.... Amazing. Incidentally I have never understood why in every Chinese restaurant in the western world there is a number before the name of the dish. Is it because the owners think we cannot read ???

Lets turn to Spyker and the impact they would have.

Dutch company - Russian investment. Now that IS a combination.
In focusing on the Dutch aspect and having lived and worked in Holland I cannot for the life of me remember the food !!
Only to say that there were chips ( Pommes Frittes ) and mayonnaise with everything.

If that be the case and if I were in the GM management team, I would definitely choose BAIC.

It just makes good business sense

BLOG ON

2009-12-09T06:46:00.003+01:00

Dynamic leadership - This has not been the case in the last 20 years under GM.

We have had a steady flow of new CEO's from GM over the years, each one tasked with fixing the " Saab problem ". Each one has failed.
In most cases the CEO's have been reassigned to bigger and better things - Why ?

Is it something about the GM culture - Fail = Climb one step up the ladder ?

One CEO did end up in Russia. He must have been threatening to show break even in the accounts, or even worse make a profit !!

Then there was Peter Augustsson. - A well liked and well respected Swedish national who never had a chance. The constraints of the GM systems, philosophy, culture and indeed accounting practices secured hie eventual downfall.

Eventually GM tired of playing the game. All the GM folk went home or to Russelsheim to see if they could fix other problems.

In any event Saab was NEVER going to win !! and hence the constant media and analyst comments that Saab have made 20 years of losses. IT WAS NEVER MEANT TO MAKE A PROFIT !!!

This takes me to the latest in CEO's - Jan Åke Jonsson -

Jan-Åke really is a TRUE CEO the like of which has not been seen in 20 years at Saab.

He has worked tirelessy to steer the company during 2009. Taking decisions and risk, managing and conserving cash.

Last week on returning from the GM board meeting in Detroit he was greeted by HUNDREDS of Saab employees as he drove towards his office.
The welcome was a show of both gratitude and respect the like of which has not been seen before at Saab.

If this is the leadership that awaits in a future Saab state then I like most would welcome the opportunity to be part of that company.

Time to start my engines and we will see what another day in paradise brings

Blogg ON

Tuesday 8 December

2009-12-08T06:24:00.000+01:00

" Business as usual " at least that is what my boss says and he's right. There is however an ironic twist to the phrase.
I am here at 06.00 as usual - a lifelong working habit
The feeling and overall atmosphere is surreal. My department colleagues and in all respects the company as a a whole is running headlong into the abyss and " its business as usual ".

Thats ok it takes your mind off what awaits in the abyss. !!

Production continues as normal , we plan meetings for January and beyond, we start projects that take us way into next year as if everything is going to be OK and that this was just a nightmare ....which it is.

There is definately a nervous tension, with the spoken word that everything will be fine which it probably will be in one way or another.

Just to take an overview of the events : ( I beg forgiveness for minor inaccuracies )

Autumn 2008 GM in light of its own horrendous losses announce that Saab and Hummer will be sold or closed. The same goes for Saturn and Pontiac announced later does not even get the chance.
Hummer - who the hell is going to buy that in todays climate ( pun )
Saab - 20 years of losses - really ?

The Swedish government immediately announce a stimulant package for the Swedish auto industry........I do not believe anyone has seen it yet.

20th February 2009 - what a day - Saab Automobile AB files for reconstruction in the Swedish courts. I am never quite sure whether Jan Åke pulled the rug from under GM or not. They seemed somewhat surprised.

Rescue Saab. Com became a focal point for Saab enthusiasts worldwide. Quickly 12000 people from all over the world writing in different languages gathered together on one site ( I registered twice ).
T shirts, posters etc. etc. with slogans that I cannot remember became available. I have to say that I have never seen anyone wearing a T shirt or a set up a poster..
If this had been France or Germany or Spain the workers would have been taking to the streets in mass protest dumping car parts to block the traffic........No this is Sweden.

There are now over 17000 people registered on Rescue Saab.com
When you think about it, if those 17000 people who feel so passionately about the brand went out and ordered a Saab the company would have a healthier situation. Now thats what I call support. !!!

April, May, June - Lots of rumours as to who has been spied visiting the company. Groups of Chinese,men in suits, Koenigsegg.

Is this really the company that will charge to the rescue ?..somehow I am doubtful
Small boys trying to play big boys games ???

Actually I thought of buying Saab myself. For a number of years I have emptied my pockets of loose change in the evening and put the coins ( sometimes low denomination notes ) in a stone jar that sits behind the coffee machine on the kitchen work surface. I have always believed that eventually I will accrue an enormous sum that will allow me to retire early. The only problem is that when I need change in the morning for work I go to the jar and take the money out again.

Koenigsegg become the main actor in the play.

A little sports car company 3 hours drive from Trollhättan ( 2 if your name is Bård Eker ) that produces 20 cars a year and sells them for ZILLIONS.

Koenigsegg model lineup

Classic low volume sports car appearance - nothing special or even new.

CCX & CCXR ( There always seems to be an X or R in theses super car models ) What does CCX stand for ??? Crap Cortina ( got stuck on the X )
606 BHP
0 - 100 Kph in 3,2 sec............Wow that really is a supercar

OK time to sign off and go and do some " Business as Usual "

I will try and give this blogg thingy another go ( I am a blogg virgin and it felt extremely good the first time ) I enjoyed downloading some thoughts and perspective from the inside

One thing to remember and I am sure I will say it more than once.
Saab Automobile is a great company with great people fighting for survival
We don't need the shit and drivel that the so - called analysts and one track tabloids plaster the papers with to sell a few extra copies.

Blogg again soon

2009-12-07T19:46:00.001+01:00

Monday 7 December 2009 - This is a short introduction to what over the coming weeks will give an insight into how life goes on in a company threatened with closure.

The first news came 2 weeks go. Our "Rock Solid Buyer " backed out or probably if you read some of the other pieces of information in the public domain BAIC found a bettr angle for what they were really after.

In any event the knockdown punch came when Ed Whitacre the new GM CEO announced a stay of execution until th end of December. I thought that was the plan all along !!!

I may not have time to share this on a daily basis we will have to wait and see