Wednesday 4th January 2012

Mahindra eyes-up Saab

Saab story still going on... now the Indians want a bash

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The sale of Saab to Chinese investors may have been vetoed by GM, precipitating the company's tumble into bankruptcy, but the carcass is still twitching, and now it looks as if it's being picked-over by Mahindra.

Mahindra, India's largest producer of SUVs, is said to be in the process of setting up meetings with Saab's administrators, with a view to buying the whole or parts of the Swedish car company.

At least that's what industry publication Automotive News says; Mahindra has yet to comment.

Mahindra is on a bit of an expansion drive at the moment, too. It got hold of a 70 per cent stake in Korean-based SsangYong in 2011 to take advantage of the company's tech knowledge and sales network - it's quite easy to imagine Mahindra doing the same with Saab.

But Mahindra isn't the only concern sniffing around Saab. AN says that at least one Turkish investor is considering taking a punt - supported by a Turkish government that is desperately keen to create a successful domestic car brand.

Follow the whole Saab Saga in the forums here

[Frimley111R]

No surprises there. Can't see (for the Turks) that buying SAAB will be very nationalistic though.

[r11co]

Hah! So there's the secret to forging trade links with India. Don't send three entertaining buffoons there on a pretence - declare the country bankrupt instead (oh, hang on....)

[Harji]

The could rename it to Sahib. Ba-doom tsh

[tbc]

They couldn't do a worse job than General Motors

Look what Tata did with Jag/Land Rover

Better than it going bankrupt

[Hartge210]

Harji said:

The could rename it to Sahib. Ba-doom tsh

[The Hypno-Toad]

Hartge210 said:

Harji said:

The could rename it to Sahib. Ba-doom tsh

+1

[J4CKO]

Saab Sikhing another buyer, If they buy it will it be Memsaab ?

[Hellbound]

The Hypno-Toad said:

Hartge210 said:

Harji said:

The could rename it to Sahib. Ba-doom tsh

+1

Come on, it was at best a mildly amusing play on words...pah, some people! :P

Anyway, in a few years time SAAB could end up being India's number one domestic premium car brand.

Or they could rebadge the Nano and charge twice as much for it.

[DonkeyApple]

Harji said:

The could rename it to Sahib. Ba-doom tsh

Surely, MemSaab?

[LuS1fer]

tbc said:

They couldn't do a worse job than General Motors

Really? How about putting Saab badges on Ssang-Yongs given they have no GM stuff anymore?

[bakerstreet]

tbc said:

They couldn't do a worse job than General Motors

Look what Tata did with Jag/Land Rover

Better than it going bankrupt

I was thinking exactly the same thing

I hope they do it. Its better than them falling into the abyss

[ptopman]

Tata didn't have the huge task of making Jaguar or Land Rover desirable. They were not profitable, true, but there were more interesting models in the pipeline that would bump their output and improve finances. It also helps that their target customers probably can afford to care somewhat less about residuals than would-be-buyers for a 3-series/A4/etc. as would be the case for a new SAAB. IMO, SAAB is a lost cause in a market where Alfa cannot justify keeeping 159 in production and every non-premium manufacturer has already stopped trying.

[Liquid Knight]

Here's a thought if Mahindra buy SAAB and Lotus, SAAB turbo power for the Elise and SAAB V6 turbo for the Evora.

[J4CKO]

Liquid Knight said:

Here's a thought if Mahindra buy SAAB and Lotus, SAAB turbo power for the Elise and SAAB V6 turbo for the Evora.

You forgot to mention the Rover 213 anywhere in your post, my dissapointment is palpable

[Harji]

J4CKO said:

Saab Sikhing another buyer, If they buy it will it be Memsaab ?

GM need to curry favour (groan) with India and GM could only make it buy selling. There's no need to Hindi & Sikh about this issue (terrible) we need Sahib/MemSaab to survive. Goodness , gracious me, GM can't lose another oppertunity to sell.

I'll get my coat.

[FWDRacer]

Indian business ethics or Chinese business ethics? I think most of Trollhatten will be ordering a take out Ruby tonight in hope...

[Turbobanana]

FWDRacer said:

Indian business ethics or Chinese business ethics? I think most of Trollhatten will be ordering a take out Ruby tonight in hope...

The only way is Ethics...

[J4CKO]

Could be a good thing, look at JLR since TATA took over and look at MG/Rover since.....

[nick_mcuk]

J4CKO said:

Could be a good thing, look at JLR since TATA took over and look at MG/Rover since.....

MG-who????

How many of the MG's have you seen on the roads?

Sadly BMW truely killed Rover and MG....

[Munich]

Hellbound said:

Or they could rebadge the Nano and charge twice as much for it.

Isn't the Nano built by TATA?