What if BMW bought Saab?

an interesting Article

What are the other companies looking to purchase Saab?

I'll belive it when I see someone from BMW say it. IMO just BS at this point. If it did happen it could be good, I just don't see it though.

There would be some serious cross-stereotyping opportunity!

Saab's would become awesome and overpriced?

I'd rather see BMW buy Saab to help spread out FWD platform (MINI) developement costs than FWD BMW's. Plus, doing so might help to keep the "mini" in MINI vs adding ever larger and heavier cars to the brand line-up.

I agree with you Ian.. leave Mini where it is size and model wise.. and start working on bringing the awesome back to Saab

Saab and BMW would be an interesting mash-up— they're both based in the aircraft industry.

But, I am not sure if the world needs a floor-mounted ignition switch that leaks coolant every 80,000 miles.

The world doesn't need a lot of things, but choices are fun.

Is a coolant leak every 80,000 miles really that unreasonable?

Woody wrote: Is a coolant leak every 80,000 miles really that unreasonable? Especially if it is from the floor mounted ignition switch

Won't happen.

GM would block the sale for the same reasons it stopped the last one to the Chinese company. The only reason Spyker got SAAB is because they built nothing even remotely similar at the time of the sale.

Oy vey. GM had to stop the sale to any of the Chinese companies that weren't SAIC because SAIC is their Chinese partner and allowing the sale (along with GM's tech) to another Chinese competitor would kick GM out of China completely for breaking Chinese law. GM okay'd the sale to anybody that's not in China. BMW could easily buy SAAB.

In reply to Javelin:

GM has said they will not licence anyone to use any of their tech, that wipes out both SAAB cars for the most part.

It is possible that BMW only wants the name, and a place that not in Germany to build stuff in. SAAB had some good tech, but its not like BMW doesn't have the resources to duplicate it.

I still don't see it though

I can see SAAB being attractive because of all of the turbo experience they have, it seems like everyone is putting snails on things these days.

I think it would be good if BMW got them but that is a big IF.

I seriously doubt BMW would use GM technology.

spit well ferrehi used gm tech so why wouldnt bmw? just saying.

spitfirebill wrote: I seriously doubt BMW would use GM technology.

along the same lines......why would anyone ever put an LS1 in a BMW? I mean all that low brow GM tech you know......

This just reminds me of the BMW fan boys that think BMW can do no wrong. I have a BMW in my garage, but luckily know better

BMW used to buy a lot of automatic transmissions from GM.

I loved the floor mounted ignition switch and so did my knees. No slice and dice in a crash, no crap hanging off the ignition switch

I love my BMW, but yeah, they could use some help from the engineers at GM.

Instead of the new M3 getting 20mpg on the highway, I'm sure they'd like to have it get closer to 30 mpg like antiquated "push-rod" powered Corvette. (with much more horsepower)

Or how about those fancy electromagnetic shocks that allow the two ton CTS-V to be such a demon on track without making it ride like a coal-cart. I'm sure BMW could use that.

GM is such a huge company with so many bean-counters folks forget that there are also a lot of brilliant automotive minds up there in Detroit.

same they couldn't save Saab.

Joe Gearin wrote: I love my BMW, but yeah, they could use some help from the engineers at GM. Instead of the new M3 getting 20mpg on the highway, I'm sure they'd like to have it get closer to 30 mpg like antiquated "push-rod" powered Corvette. (with much more horsepower) Or how about those fancy electromagnetic shocks that allow the two ton CTS-V to be such a demon on track without making it ride like a coal-cart. I'm sure BMW could use that. GM is such a huge company with so many bean-counters folks forget that there are also a lot of brilliant automotive minds up there in Detroit. same they couldn't save Saab.

Well said.

spitfirebill wrote: I seriously doubt BMW would use GM technology.

You wouldn't think but... until about 2003 they were using GM 4L30-E autos in the 3 & 5 series cars.

i think it could be brilliant. sounds like less than a rumor for now though.