Spyker Rewrites Saab Story, Adds Happy Ending

Having grown up with real winters, I am the offspring of parents who were early adopters of front-wheel drive cars that offer far better handling in treacherous conditions compared to rear-wheel drive. Back in the late 1960s, rear-wheel drive land yachts ruled the roads, and front-wheel drive options for the American car customer were few. The Saab 96, however, was a standout exception.

A relative newcomer to the modest import market, the Saab was just the ticket for my folks: front wheel drive, efficient, reliable. Sweden's Saab-Scania, originally an aircraft manufacturer, began making cars in 1949 with the intent to make cars that would drive well in Sweden's tough winters conditions not unlike those in Maine. My parents saw a good fit, and over a period of several years, several 96 models made their way through our household. And from the get-go, they were very safe. As Saab was a pioneer of the roll cage safety innovation, one my parents lives to this day thanks to the benefit of the structural integrity of Saab's design that allowed walking away from an I-95 rollover with little more than a bad bruise.

Soon, Saab's visibility would increase, particularly with the 1978 launch of the 900 model, a popular car that sold nearly a million units over its two-decade run. Built like tanks, and with quirky design touches such as the ignition switch placed between the front seats, the Saab brand's luster would soon having them swimming with the big fish with their 1989 purchase by General Motors.

The recent unraveling of the domestic auto industry brought GM to once unthinkable bankruptcy, forcing the former industry behemoth to shed brands. As 2009 ended, it was looking like sad certainty that the singular Saab brand was destined for one final one-way ride into the sunset.

But now we can put the brakes on that anticipated sad ending, as things have suddenly been steered in a happier direction. Saab fans: rejoice! As news reports have come forth from The Guardian, Saab has reportedly been saved by a $400 million deal between GM and Dutch sports car manufacturer Spyker Cars N.V.

Is a boutique car manufacturer that sells approximately 100 units annually at about $400,000 each going to take to the challenge of successfully managing their new purchase? Spyker CEO Victor Muller is ready to put the pedal to the metal, quoted by The Wall Street Journal in expressing excitement and optimism at the press conference confirming the deal:

"Saab is an iconic brand. What we can bring to Saab is entrepreneurship and tenacity. I expect production volumes over 100,000 cars a year in the not too distant future." This, the Journal suggest, might lead to Saab's return to profitability.

And in light of Spyker's corporate motto "Nulla tenaci invia est via," ("for the tenacious, no road is impassable") Saab may have found its way into great hands, with the right attitude that's well-suited for driving in tough conditions, behind the wheel of a car especially built for them.

Photo courtesy of underwhelmer via flickr