Could GM Europe Still Separate To Form A New Group?

Posted on 20. Feb, 2009 by Ryan in 2000-2009

There has been quite a bit of dialogue over the past week that I have initially been hesitant to showcase because it has not materialized very far with specifics.

However, I would like to see as a possible option, Carl-Peter Forster along with the Saab Automobile AB board, take Saab and split them from GM along with Opel & Vauxhaul and General Motors Europe to setup a separate business together ensuring that the european automotive business will work. As it is now, both Opel & Vauxhall are looking for partners as part of a GME restructuring plan. If this is what is needed for Saab Automobile AB to continue as a business, then I am all for it.

As I have said before and I will say again, this could also be a good option given that Saab & Opel have had a long standing dealer partnership in Sweden as well as in Europe, and the next generation Saab 9-5 could still will be built at the GME Opel factory in Rüsselsheim, Germany, why not? Did you also know in Russelheim, Opel also has next door to the factory, the GM Europe Design Center, they could take that with them too!

Furthermore, there is also a rather large Saab media archive, besides the Heritage Center in Detroit and the Saab Cars Museum as well, who would have thought? Furthermore, even Saab Automobile’s long time employee Kjell-Ã…ke Eriksson, who I interviewed in Detroit, is now the President of Saab Automobile Germany, go figure? Opel in Germany continues to sound like a logical partner in Saab’s success, and maybe even Vauxhall as part of GME Europe’s new group.

This ownership could ensure a critical new product launch and a continued dealership network in Europe and elsewhere. This way, once that transaction has taken place, GME if they wanted to, could Sell Saab in the future, but if GME is a separate business from GM, then maybe they would not need to?

Note to Carl-Peter: If you are a Saab Enthusiast like you said you were in your interview with me back in Detroit last year, I hope you are also pursuing this if you have not already.

Since the German Government is actually considering helping Opel at almost any cost, there may be a chance with this because the Swedish Government continues to hold their position firmly in not supporting Saab Automobile.

This may be wishful thinking, but if it is the option option at the end of the day, then why not?

Tags: Detroit, German government, Germany, GM Europe, Heritage Center in Detroit, Russelheim, saab 9-5, Sweden, Swedish Government, the heritage