Saab Managing Director Jan Ake Jonsson has been shown the door along with Saab's entire managing board. But not to worry, says General Motors, this is all part of the orderly wind-down process. Stephen Taylor and Peter Torngren, both of AlixPartners, the firm GM has retained to oversee the wind-down of Saab, will take the place of the executive team.
Interestingly, Jonsson has been asked to stay on and witness the slow killing of the automaker that has employed him since 1973, Automotive News reports. Jonsson became Managing Director in 2005. It's unclear what role he will play in the wind-down.
Separately, GM said it continues to "evaluate proposals" for a potential last-hour purchase of Saab. Presumably, these are the proposals from the Dutch automaker Spyker and the Luxembourg-based investment group Genii Capital, which includes Formula 1 chief Bernie Ecclestone.
This despite interim GM CEO Ed Whitacre's ominous "We are shutting down Saab" comment to reporters yesterday at the Detroit auto show.
firstclass says:
09:49 AM, 01/13/10
So we're finally nearing the end, it’s unfortunate that Saab couldn’t have had a dignified death. From dust thou art, and unto dust shall thou return. Ashes to ashes dust to dust... Goodbye Saab. GM if you’re reading this I’ll trade you my ham sandwich. Be swift with the guillotine this soap opera has gone on long enough.
estreka says:
02:20 PM, 01/13/10
I gotta give Whitacre props. Yeah it's sad to see these brands go, but at least it isn't the toothpulling incident Oldsmobile was. He's been concise, blunt, and unwavering. He says such-and-such division is getting the axe, and thus it happens. There hasn't been any of this catering to the unions or payouts to dealerships. It's simply done.