All Entries Tagged With: "Trollhattan"
For Profit: Spyker Shifted Production From Zeewolde Last Year; The Same For Trollhattan In The Future?
By Gunnar Heinrich
FUNNY, I thought Britons went to Holland to buy cars and not vice versa.
Not with the current weak sterling to strong euro exchange rate which was, apparently, part of Spyker CEO Victor Muller’s decision to up manufacturing from the now-well-publicized Zeewolde, Netherlands to Coventry (home of Jaguar).
The Dutch flight to Albion had to do with business logistics and to “secure the future of our business,” Mr. Muller told the Telegraph. Spyker will be moved near its main supplier CPP Manufacturing.
The November 20th, 2009 press release echoed this rationale:
“By relocating its assembly lines from Zeewolde to Coventry, Spyker will achieve considerable improvements in efficiency and substantial cost-reductions [...] With approximately half our vehicles’ parts and components sourced from the UK, and virtually all key suppliers being located there, moving closer to our suppliers and engineering partners will result in substantial savings and tangible efficiency improvements.“
In a few years time, might we anticipate the same from Spyker management in moving more of Saab manufacturing from pricey Trollhattan? It’s reported that 45 out of 135 Dutch jobs were lost in the jump to Old Blighty.
[Source: Daily Telegraph]
Saab Lives To See Another Day
By Gunnar Heinrich
SAAB almost died yesterday. That quirky, lovable icon that helped pioneer FWD, the turbo, invented the heated & cooled seat, along with overly complicated cupholders -now free floating from GM could’ve perished from the Earth in court proceedings held yesterday in Vanersborg, Sweden. According to SaabsUnited, here’s how the mortal wound could’ve been inflicted -but wasn’t:
ADL’s “B” List for 2008
Not as hot as the 900 was in the 80s. But a fly ride, nonetheless.
“B” for “‘Bout Right”
Saab Turbo X
I was much more enthusiastic about the Turbo X in May than I was in October. There’s something about getting into an old Opel platform that’s cramped and noisy after just driving a fresh Holden design (Pontiac G8 GT) that has you second guessing.
So, following time at G8′s helm, I can say that the Turbo X isn’t near powerful enough, which means it isn’t fast enough. It isn’t near fuel efficient enough. And even with “XWD” (Haldex’s sophisticated all-wheel drive setup) providing a rear wheel drive feel, the Turbo X still understeers when you go hard into a sharp corner.
I imagine that if Trollhattan’s people could, they’d put all their eggs in the 9-1 basket and let it roll instead of trying to design a performance sedan on a zero dollar budget. A lean, high-tech hatch is what’s needed. That’s Saab’s true strength. That’s their distinct platform in a sour, crowded marketplace. But Saab can’t because they’re at the end of the receiving line and I digress…
On its own merits, the Turbo X is an accomplishment. It drives better than any Saab in history. By a long stretch. So much better, in fact, that it threatens the justification for buying front wheel driven Saabs; which along with the turbocharger is Saab’s schtick, last time I checked.
The Turbo X with LED sparkle and jet black finish is a handsome Swede. With a manual transmission, it is happy in its work. These two charming characteristics alone – in true Saab form – save the day.
So, If you’re a loyal Saabist and don’t mind trading in tradition for driving pleasure, it’s worth swapping out the old 9-5 Aero or even 9000 for a used Turbo X. For Viggen owners on the other hand… it’s your call.
[Linked: Saab]
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Bentley Continental GTC
Like the Cadillac CTS, it’s difficult to put down a car that looks so very, very right. The Continental GTC, for all of its Volkswagen Phaeton underpinnings, is one gorgeous droptop. Visually, the Bentley marks the perfect aesthetic balance; modern luxury classically defined.
And yet there remains too much VW behind the Flying B here. It’s a sticking point, I fear. Whereas the Continental GTC is likely best appreciated (and bought) by people who don’t know the difference, old school Rolls-Royce and Bentley people can tell. My friend who was kind enough to let me have a go behind the helm of his new GTC, traded in his old Arnage for this refined décapotable.
Despite the praise he’s received from friends, neighbors, and bystanders for his new set of wheels, I couldn’t help but detect a slight bit of remorse over the fall of the ancien regime.
Trouble is, the car doesn’t feel like a Bentley even if it so sweetly carries off the look. Much of the interior’s functional bits and details are to blame for being entirely Audi/VW sourced; right down to the purple and red backlighting. The leather, while soft, doesn’t feel Connolly grade. There’s no seductive aroma. No true tactile delight. Just a good standard of luxury.
Where the GTC does carry on ye olde Crewe tradition is that the car maintains a tall profile. The driver sits high over the road – the position lies somewhere between a Toyota Highlander and a Subaru Forester. Plus, the 2+2 proceeds serenely, even when you burry the go pedal. And because its rag-top is so well insulated, it manages to rival the boxy Arnage in cabin quietness.
The W12 dials high numbers on the speedo swiftly and with zero drama. Paradoxically, this rapid rate of progress feels like it’s happening in slow motion. And perhaps that’s the point for this kind of car. A gentle, but capable cruiser. But then again, if that truly is the point then it’s a little too boring. Perhaps, some of us are just more accustomed to the Wagnerian drama of an American or German big bloc V8.
Ultimately, the GTC stands as a prime addition to anyone’s collection. But if you have the choice, opt for tradition and take the (Arnage based) Azure T, instead. In the Azure you get tradition with all the modern comforts and none of the VW pretense.
[Linked: Bentley]
Note To The General: Let Saab Go
By Gunnar Heinrich
THEY say that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. And in the case of General Motors’ ownership of Saab Automobile AB, that route takes an icy path through Trollhattan.
In 2000, the advertising text, “Made In Trollhattan” spooled GM’s acquisition in this gray cast:
“Swedish brains with American brawn. Saab is now a part of General Motors and it is proving to be a beneficial relationship for both parties. GM has access to our technical competence and we can make use of GM’s enormous resources and production knowledge.”
Or not. Saab has consistently lost money for GM. And GM has, in turn, invested relatively little in Saab.
The Swedish automaker is to GM what Jaguar was to a Ford; a costly acquisition that the parent company never really understood or could manage into positive sales growth.
To put the dire circumstance into a computational context, GM’s ownership of Saab is like Microsoft trying to run Apple with no money. Sad cases of shared platforms gone wrong include the 9-2X a.k.a. “Saaburu”, the generic 9-3, and (worst of all) the 9-7X SUV.
When GM was gracious enough to invite my crew and I to cover the Saab event in New York last Spring, it seemed as though things were looking up for the troubled marque and that the General had finally come round to the concept of putting the right investment and marketing into a struggling division.
The 9-X and 9-4X BioPower concepts on display both demonstrated that Saab has the ability to make beautiful, innnovative, special automobiles.
That neither of these promising concepts will see the light of production day is a testament to the fact that the parent company who never really cared about Saab when the money was good, really doesn’t give a $#!& now that its own core business is evaporating.
It’s understandable that GM’s top brass have lost hope for their red inked Swedish concern. It is, however, unforgiveable that they should let Saab die the slow death of a thousand heavenly concepts unfulfilled.
GM should do the right thing and solidify its core marques (Cadillac, Chevrolet, Saturn, etc.) by selling Saab off to a corporative entity that will treat it right and give it the money and resources to grow once more in the company’s own unique way.
No more sacrificing Saab at the expense of Cadillac.
The General would get some much needed ca$h from the sale and Saab would be set on the road to salvation. Considering the current alternative route, it’d be vastly more appealing for both Detroit and Trollhatan if GM would just let Saab go.
[Linked: Trollhattan Saab]
