According to Germany’s Autobilde (via Autoblog) BMW is one of 6-7 firms in the running to by the Saab brand. Why would a successful company like BMW want to own one of the most trouble automakers in recent history? We can see four reasons. 1. Front Wheel Drive Saab’s offerings have traditionally been front wheel [...] (visit MotoringFile for the full article) More...
Yup.... Now if they would somehow figure out a way to incorporate the Saab front wheel drive technology with their 2 liter turbo into the MINI S chassis..... All of the ridiculous re-calls might end..... and we'll have a 3rd gen on par with the first gen MINI.....
Sorry guys, didn't mean it as a either-or proposition. Just saying if They have deep enough pockets to bring Saab back from the dead, one would think they could support the Mini effort for the season in WRC too. Especially considering that the development money has already been spent.... Now whether Saab is in itself a good investment and fit for BMW could also be debated...
Who knows what BMW may want with Saab. I doubt they would want the nameplate myself. It really is damaged goods at this point. Pretty much only the real Saab faithful are interested in the brand anymore. My thoughts are that this might be a way that BMW can add manufacturing capacity. If they can pick up the factory with its trained staff for a song it could be a good way to add production.
+1 :yesnod: If this can save a factory full of jobs I'm all for it. SAAB was a very good & innovative company for years. If they can get the GM out of SAAB BMW may do well to have them under their wing.
As long as they don't want that TR7 engine that they used for soooooo long...... Of course they did make it better than Triumph....
Oh, come on. Where was the Mini nameplate when BMW got a hold of it? You might like, or dislike what they do and how they do it, but it would seem they have plenty of smart enough folks who don't just do stuff on a whim.
Mini Cooper was one of the largest selling brands ever in Europe and a brand with a panache and a racing history that Saab does not possess. The Mini Cooper pedigree was a perfect fit for BMW and their own "Ultimate Driving Machine" history and image. Twas a match made in heaven and one that BMW executed to perfection!
Eric "Carlsson on the roof".... [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2yeW6jvOlI]SAAB 96 - The World's Greatest Rally Car INTEGRALE VESTITO - YouTube[/ame]
1...lol: Not saying Saab wasn't a good car but the brand is not MINI Cooper. But I must confess, I've never looked at a Saab and gotten excited, not then, not now.
I do I do!!! Babs & I had a 67 Saab 96 2 stoke for a number of years. Unfortunately it rusted to a point it was no long safe to drive. It became an organ donor to help keep other SAAB 96's on the road. PSA: Organ donation is good. Sign up if you haven't yet.
I always liked them. 900 Turbos were quiet popular around here back in the day. Would have had one myself if not for that MG that caught my eye.
Had a friend back in the day that had a turbo and he would sit in his garage and uw and ha over it, we never had the heart to tell him we just didn't get it... Different strokes for different folks I guess. Have friends now that don't understand my love of Minis...:frown2:
This sounds more like a BMW idea to me. Buy the plant and the convert it to make good cars. Maybe it will be a JCW only plant or CM only plant. :idea: I just hope to god they NEVER make another SAAB. Just let that brand go the way of the Yugo.