Even as the Occupy movement is being disbanded around the world, one branch of the movement just had a resurgance, as Saab fans “occupied” the Facebook page of General Motors.

Saab fans blame GM for holding up the sale of Saab to their potential saviors - whoever they may be (so far it’s been Russian businessmen, American private equity investors and now, a Chinese automaker) but GM has expressed concerns about intellectual property getting into the wrong hands. GM definitely has a point, and we’re not sure if juvenile tactics like this will help advance the cause of Saab fans. Perhaps the opposite.

We now have a better idea of what Volvo’s next generation XC90 may look like thanks to a quartet of sketches the Swedish automaker has released to the public. Reports are that Volvo intends to release its new XC90 sometime in 2014 and it should incorporate the automaker’s new Scalable Platform Architecture.

Few details are available for the successor of the popular crossover, but chances are Volvo will be looking towards a hybrid variant as well as outfitting it with a four-cylinder force-induced powerplant. For now we’ll just have to enjoy the sketches to see the design ideas that Volvo has, but so far we like what we see.

GALLERY: Next Generation Volvo XC90

Polestar, Volvo‘s racing outfit founded in 1996 for competition in the World Touring Car Championship, will finally be introduced in the United States.

Specifically, Polestar is offering a factory-authorized performance tuning software for Volvo C30, C70 and S40 models that are 2008 and newer and fitted with the T5 engine. Priced at $1,295, the software enables increased airflow into the T5′s combustion chambers and advancing spark timing to promise a bump in power of another 23-hp and 29 lb-ft of torque while fuel economy remains unaffected.

Chris Dauerer, VCNA vice president of customer service explained, “Our performance-oriented customers have told us they wanted a tuning option for their vehicles. With Polestar, we are able to unlock the power potential of our engines which leads to impressive acceleration and a more memorable driving experience – not to mention it adds value to the vehicle.”

Best of all, the factory-authorized software product retains the original manufacturer warranty.

GALLERY: Volvo C30 Polestar Performance Concept

Saab‘s matchmaking saga is the stuff of cinema. Facing compounding financial dilemmas and a series of unsuccessful talks with a number of investors, the troubled Swedish automaker had little going for it. Just as Saab was close to finally making a deal with its Chinese investors, Pang Da Automobile Trade Co. and Zhejiang Youngman Lotus Automobile Co., the company faces yet another challenge that may prevent the deal from happening.

General Motors Co., the former owner of Saab, is looking to prevent the Chinese acquisition. GM spokeswoman Renee Rashid-Merem claims, “GM would not be able to support a change in the ownership of Saab which could negatively impact GM’s existing relationships in China or otherwise adversely affect GM’s interests worldwide.”

Removing Saab during its 2009 bankruptcy restructuring, GM still owns the technology that Saab uses to produce two of its models. Also, GM has built the 9-4X in Mexico for Saab this year. If bought by Pang Da Automobiles and Youngman Lotus, GM is concerned for the intellectual property that is licensed to Saab.

As roadblocks mount, it is becoming clear that time is running out for Saab. The Swedish brand sold 49,000 units in the United States in 2003 and have now dropped to only 5,800 models sold for 2010 nearly a 90-percent decrease. Through October, only 4,984 units have been sold in the United States so far this year.

[source: Detroit News]

Swedish car firm Volvo takes safety very seriously, and so it’s taking the extra step to correct a small error it had made in the past.

The issue is in regards to the tire pressure label for the spare tire. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), some Volvo vehicles had incorrect information labeled for the spare tire on the car, and the safety agency want’s Volvo to rectify this issue.

Volvo looked into the issue and found that vehicles in which the spare is added at port or by the dealer might have had a wrong label regarding the tire pressure in the spare tire, even though the spare tire information was correct in the owners manual and on the tire itself.

Still, an error is an error and Volvo will address the 20,000 vehicles with the wrong labels. Vehicles affected include the C70 model built between November 2005 to July 2011, and the S60 model built between July 2010 and April 2011.

According to Inside Line, Saab may be ready to re-start production at its factories in as little as 8 weeks, after being sold to two Chinese automakers for $142 million.

While Saab was valued at $660 million this summer, both Pang Da and Zhejiang Youngman Lotus Automobile Co. managed to purchase the company at a rock bottom price after a number of other deals failed to materialize. Chinese companies now own both Saab and Swedish automaker Volvo.

Saab’s Swedish factories have been idled since March, but could be up and running in as little as 2 months. The company claims to have 11,000 vehicle orders on the books, and may even bring the 2012 9-5 SportCombi station wagon to this April’s New York Auto Show if all goes smoothly in the upcoming months.

[Source: Inside Line]

Volvo and the Twilight Saga are inviting fans to join “Journey to the Wedding,” an online promotion created in conjunction to the upcoming release of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, in theaters November 18th. Participants of the “Journey to the Wedding” online game could win a trip to visit the locale of Edward and Bella’s honeymoon, Rio de Janeiro, as well as a night in the same luxurious house the movie’s hero and heroine enjoyed. More importantly, participants also get a chance to take home the Volvo S60 R-Design driven by Edward in the movie.

Edward’s Saville Grey metallic 325-hp Volvo S60 T6 R-Design is fitted with all wheel drive, an automatic transmission, active dual Xenon headlights, climate package, multimedia package, BLIS (Blind Spot Information System), keyless drive, the same supple off-black leather interior that coddled Edward and Bella, stunning 18-inch diamond-cut Xion alloy wheels, and a sport chassis accented with a rear spoiler.

The question is, do you want this sweet Volvo badly enough to admit to the world that you’re Team Edward?

Visit http://www.journeytothewedding.com/ to play the interactive game. Volvo will announce the winner on November 28. Its online gallery will also feature photos and information on Edward’s Volvos, including the Volvo C30, Volvo XC60, and Volvo S60. Fans can also learn more at on Volvo’s Facebook page and Twitter account.

GALLERY: Volvo S60 T6 AWD R-Design

According to Saab CEO, Victor Muller, a takeover offer of the Swedish brand by China’s Zhejiang Youngman Lotus Automobile Co. and Pang Da Automobile Trade Co. has been turned down.

Although initial talks were intended to aid Saab in raising capital, Muller explains during a Reuters interview, “The token offer was unacceptable because it would trigger every conceivable change of control clause and that would possibly mean the end of Saab.”

Although the undisclosed offer was unsuccessful, the two Chinese automakers are still interested in Saab, committed to their 53.9 percent stake in the Swedish brand.

Addressing Saab’s plans if the Chinese companies walk away from the deal, Muller answers, “There is always a plan B.” However, keeping his cards close to his chest, Muller will reveal the details of the plan, “only if we resort to it.”

Moreover, an investment firm has also pledged an injection of capital, prompting the directing administrator in charge of Saab’s reorganization to request on Thursday for the Swedish court to pull the plug on Saab’s bankruptcy protection. Saab, having extended plants halts since March due to lack of money, avoided bankruptcy last month when the Swedish court granted Saab voluntary reorganization.

[Source: Automotive News]

U.S. private equity firm North Street Capital will give Saab a $70 million investment, including an equity stake worth $10 million and a $60 million loan to the ailing car maker.

With Chinese-backed financing looking increasingly unlikely, the investment from North Street Capital, a firm run by auto enthusiast Alex Mascioli, will give Saab the resources it needs to (literally) keep the lights on at their facilities. The Chinese government has yet to approve the bridge loan being offered by both Zhejiang Youngman Lotus Automobile Co and Pang Da, and Saab’s owners fear that full payment will not be received on the October 22nd due date.

[Source: Automotive News]

The administrator in charge of the Saab bankruptcy proceedings has told a Swedish court that the process must stop.

“The money is not enough to continue the reorganization,”said Guy Lofalk in an interview with Reuters. “Now, an application [to terminate the reorganization] has been mailed. It should be on the court’s desk tomorrow.”

Lofalk said that the $70 million investment from North Street Capital was insufficient, and that the two Chinese companies looking to buy Saab have failed to reach an agreement with Saab’s owners.

Saab’s owner, Swedish Automobile, said that it would fight the request and attempt to have Lofalk removed from his position.

[Source: Automotive News]

Narrowly escaping bankruptcy and liquidation for the 17th time (ok, maybe that’s an exaggeration), Saab has confirmed receipt of a 70 million Euro payment from Chinese investor and automaker Zhejiang Youngman Lotus Automobile Co.

Far from a magic wand that will make all of Saab’s troubles go away, the automaker continues to operate in its restructuring phase, with the funds being used to simply keep the ship afloat during that time. Swedish law doesn’t permit companies to take out new loans during a restructuring phase, a law both Saab and Youngman have managed to avoid by signing an agreement back in September, and now claiming the funds have been available for several weeks.

Saab continues to await further investment by Youngman and Pang Da Automobile Trade Co., both of which are subject to approval by the Chinese government won’t be decided on until October 14th at the earliest. Saab has given no indication of when it hopes to open its Trollhattan assembly plant.

[Source: WSJ]

The tiny island nation of Singapore is best known for its laws banning chewing gum and instituting corporal punishment against criminals, and apparently, a big lover of the Saab 9-5.

The obscure Swedish sedan was named “Car of the Year” by a local publication called “Consumer Guide”, according to Saab’s PR department.  Car taxes in Singapore are severe and import restrictions make it difficult for residents to actually buy a new car, so Saab may get bragging rights, but seeing any extra dollars from this is unlikely.

Volvo Cars plan to discontinue production of the Volvo C70 convertible at the Pininfarina Sverige AB plant of Uddevalla, Sweden, by 2013. Established as a joint venture between Italian design house Pininfarina and the Swedish Automaker since 2005, the plant is responsible of building only the C70 model and employs 600 workers for the task.

Volvo CEO Stephan Jacoby explained that while the plant produces high quality vehicles, it isn’t cost effective at current levels of production. “A Car manufacturer of Volvo’s size cannot, from a financial standpoint, justify a plant that manufactures one single model in the low volumes we have today… The production capacity in Uddevalla is only utilized to 65%.”

According to Volvo, the 600 workers of the Uddevalla plant will be moved to other facilities after its closure. However, there has been no word on the C70′s fate. Once the Uddevalla plant is closed, Pininfarina and Volvo will end their joint venture, shifting plant ownership solely to Volvo.

GALLERY: Volvo C70

At this week’s SEA All-Wheel Drive Symposium in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, OEM supplier BorgWarner will show off its next generation of AWD systems including a new hybrid-electric setup. The system, known as eAWD, will be fitted to a Saab 9-3 and BorgWarner claims it will offer, “superior stability and traction with lower emissions and up to 20 percent better fuel economy.”

Saab announced a similar system on its Phoenix Concept (above) at the Geneva Auto Show earlier this year. Calling its version eXWD, the setup makes use of a 200-hp turbocharged 4-cylinder gasoline engine and 34-hp hybrid system with power constantly going to the front wheels, while sending power to the rear wheels when necessary. Saab claims the setup would be able to deliver a 50-mpg rating.

In addition, BorgWarner will display new single and multi-gear eGearDrive transmissions for electric cars.

GALLERY: Saab Phoenix Concept

Saab‘s museum collection of historically significant vehicles was seized by Swedish authorities from the company’s museum. The Swedish Enforcement Office took possession of  the museum and other contents, including 13 exhibits, 22 engines and six workshop tools.

Saab is said to owe parts suppliers more than $31 million in overdue payments, and the Swedish government is moving to seize Saab’s assets. Saab was said to have been readying to sell off its museum collection, but was granted protection from creditors, enabling them to hold off attempts to seize assets.

[Source: Left Lane News]

There was a time, some 35-odd years ago, when the only engines found under the hood of a Volvo were four-cylinder units. Some were naturally aspirated, and some were boosted via a turbo-charger.

However, due to the demands and pressures from customers and share holders, Volvo started producing five-cylinder, six-cylinder engines. They even got Yamaha to design and build them a V8.

But that is all about to change for its future. According to industry sources, Volvo will not be employing any engine larger than a four-cylinder by 2020. Volvo is looking to develop a line of three-cylinder and four-cylinder motors. To get extra power, they will be turbo-charged, and diesels are also on the menu card.

This new engine line is dubbed VEA for Volvo Environmental Architecture. The idea is to reduce green-house emissions via smaller, lighter engines.

These new engines will start appearing by 2013 in a Volvo model near you.

[Source: Automotive News]

Saab‘s days as an automaker might not yet be numbered. According to a recent report a Chinese automaker may be interested in purchasing the bankrupt automaker. “I’ve heard this one before,” you’re probably thinking to yourself. But this time it’s different…. we promise.

According to Sweden’s Dagens Industry, the interested Chinese suitor is none other than Geely, the very company that successfully bid for and took control of Saab’s Swedish big brother, Volvo. With the resources necessary to complete the transaction Geely has already proven it can navigate the tricky regulations process that has prevented several others from successfully backing Saab.

Recently Saab applied for creditor protection in order to reorganize the company. That move was, however, rejected by the Swedish courts, signifying that Saab may be headed for liquidation.

[Source: NU.nl]

It was just yesterday when we reported that Saab was seeking government protection against bankruptcy, but now it seems like this step has failed.

A Swedish court has rejected a protection and voluntary reorganization plan, citing that it does not believe any steps the automaker makes will help it to recover.

Saab is “disappointed” with the ruling and is filing an appeal to overturn this decision. If the appeal is rejected also, this would very well be the end for Saab as an auto manufacturer. This would certainly be a very sad end for what was once a thriving company credited for making cars like the 900 Turbo (pictured).

Another week and another sob story regarding Saab. The troubled automaker has just applied for protection from creditors, and is trying to avoid the bankruptcy petition made by the unions.

A once thriving manufacturer that made fighter aircraft, trucks and automobiles, the auto division of this 65 year-old company has been struggling ever since General Motors decided to liquidate its Swedish arm.

In 2009, Saab was bought out by Spyker Cars NV of Holland for $400-million. Since the take-over, Saab has struggled to keep the production line going and the much anticipated new 9-5 model has thus had trouble hitting the market place.

With creditors constantly breathing down Saab’s neck to get paid, Saab has filed for protection against creditors, so it can try to once again raise money and restart operations.

Saab CEO Victor Muller said in a statement; “A voluntary reorganization process will provide us with the necessary time, protection and stabilization.”

The plants in Trollhaettan have been quiet since June of this year. With suppliers losing confidence and workers waiting to get paid, it will take a miracle for Saab to get going again and to start making profit.

[Source: Bloomberg]

Can a Volvo transport truck beat a Ferrari in a drag race? Not unbelievable enough for you? Then let’s make the Volvo a hybrid too.

OK, so this Volvo isn’t exactly capable of hauling any loads down the Motorväg, but it still makes for an exciting comparo… or at least it did until we found out the Ferrari was “just” a 360. (Yea, we’re snobs).

Either way, Swedish racing legend Boije Ovebrink felt up to the challenge, lining up his hybrid Volvo truck, named ‘Mean Green’ against a Ferrari at the annual Trucking Festival in Mantorp, Sweden. Who won? Was it even close?

GALLERY: Mean Green Drag Races a Ferrari

Watch the video after the jump:

Continue Reading…

Typically a Saab news story nowadays is either to do with financial woes or plant shut downs, however, thanks to the company’s recent injection of investor cash, both these issues will be dealt with by the end of August.

With plans to move forward, Saab is now talking about the future, with an eye on its past.

According to Tim Colbeck, President of Saab North America, the company might drop the 9-3 name and revive the 9-2 name for its upcoming 2013 model.

The 9-2 was a popular model produced by Saab back in the 1940′s, and while it was resurrected shortly in 2004, it was nothing more than a slightly re-skinned Subaru WRX wagon.

Saab’s CEO Victor Muller is a huge fan of the original 92 and their chief designer Jason Castriota has already shown five possible designs for a future model.

Given Castriota’s design flair and Muller’s love for modern-retro designs, a modern day 9-2 could make its way into showrooms. Afterall, Saab cars were once popular because they were stylish, functional and affordable. That recipe can work for them again.

[Source: Automotive News]

Volvo is living up to its reputation for being a leader in safety, with a new report shedding light on exactly how big an impact the brand’s new City Safety collision avoidance system is having.

According to a study published by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI), Volvo’s XC60 model, which comes standard with the City Safety system, is involved in significantly fewer crashes than comparable vehicles. And that’s not all. Studying insurance claims data, not only does the XC60 get into 2 percent fewer accidents, but property damage claims are down 27 percent, while claims for personal injuries have been cut in half.

“It is great to see validation from HLDI and IIHS of the safety systems that we at Volvo are continually developing,” said Thomas Broberg, Volvo Car Corp.’s senior safety expert. “This is another step towards achieving our Vision 2020 of eliminating serious injuries and fatalities by the year 2020, and an even larger step towards a crash-free future.”

Along with preventing accidents and saving lives, the City Safety system is also benefiting the insurance companies, with property damage payouts down 20 percent, and overall collision payouts down 31 percent.

Volvo’s City Safety system works by using a laser sensor in the front of the vehicle that scans the road ahead, applying the brakes automatically at speeds between 2 and 19 mph if the driver does not react. At speeds below 9 mph the system can bring the car to a complete stop, while at speeds between 9 and 19 mph it can engage the brakes and reduce the speed at impact by half. Originally a technology only for the XC60 luxury crossover, it is now standard on all 2012 S60, S80 and XC70 models.

“This is our first real-world look at an advanced crash avoidance technology, and the findings are encouraging,” said Adrian Lund, president of HLDI and IIHS. “City Safety is helping XC60 drivers avoid the kinds of front-to-rear low speed crashes that frequently happen on congested roads.”

So could buying a Volvo cut your insurance costs? In the future, perhaps. “The lower claim frequencies found by HLDI prove that City Safety is preventing crashes and thus reducing insurance costs,” said John Maloney, VCNA’s vice president of marketing and product planning. “There’s an opportunity here for insurance companies to begin offering a discount on vehicles equipped with City Safety or similar crash-avoidance technologies.”

Another week and another episode in the Saab drama is upon us. Now news comes that this ailing Swedish brand has halted production on building any new cars until Aug. 9, 2011.

The delay is caused by suppliers, who want Saab to clear its debt with them before they provide any further parts. Saab has just secured an $81.2-million funding so it can produce cars once again.

Saab, which is owned by Dutch and Chinese company Swedish Automobile has said: “Saab Automobile continues its discussions with its suppliers on materials supply and commercial terms and is close to reaching agreements.”

It also commented that some of its suppliers need time to manufacture adequate amounts of parts to supply to Saab, leading to a delay of one month from today.

All these delays are not playing in favor of anyone holding shares in Saab,. Company stock is currently down 0.4% and any further delays can hurt its market value even further.

Saab is doing its best to pull itself out and support its workers. The Swedish automaker recently received a recent cash injection, and the company has finally paid wages to its workforce, some of whom had waited months to get paid. Some of the money it recently raised came from the property sale and leaseback that finally got the approval of the Swedish government.

Due to the nature of their shareholders agreement, any decision made by Saab has to be approved by the Chinese regulatory authorities which include Pangda (a parts distribution company) and Zhejiang Youngman Lotus Automobile Co. It also has to get an approval from the Swedish government, former owner General Motors and the European Investment Bank (EIB).

A 40.1-million deal with a consortium headed by Hemfosa Fastigeheter had already been approved by Sweden’s Debt Office and the EIB.

[Source: Reuters]

Having just signed a deal with two Chinese partners, Saab chief Victor Muller has immediately shown he knows how to work the media. Rather than sit quietly, Muller has already announced plans to build three new models, while a new joint-venture arrangement secures medium-term funding for the production of Saabs current lineup.

Two of the three new models will be larger, perhaps designed specifically for the Chinese market where luxury automakers like BMW and Mercedes currently sell stretched versions of their 5 Series and E-Class platforms. Their names: the 9-6 and 9-7

The final car is the much talked-about 9-1, a smaller vehicle (rendered above). “We will now be able to develop a small entry-level Saab, a car that has long been on the top of our wish list,” said Muller in a statement.

Funding for the projects will come from both Zhejiang Youngman Lotus Automobile and distributor Pang Da Automobile which recently purchased a $356 million 51% stake in Saab.

[Source: USAToday]