[ Prev by Date ] [ Next by Date ] Member Login / Signup - Members see fewer ads. - Latest Member Gallery Photos Saab News Posted by Ian G Batten (more from Ian G Batten) on Mon, 24 Jul 1989 15:44:00 ``CAR'', August 1989, reports (page 6) that Saab is set to lose about$200M as US sales fall. Production will be cut from 126000 to 120000and 1500 staff will be shed.In 87 sales were 48000, with profit of about $170M, helped by a goodexchange rate. The following year peaked at 48600 cars. Last year [[sic. I suspect they mean model years throughout, or for ``87'' read``86'' --- igb ]] only 37000 were bought and the car maker was barelyprofitable. This year it was hoped to sell 40000, but in the first fivemonths registrations are down 12% and 1989 may sell only 30000.The 30% shift in the exchange rate has hurt profits.The new plant at Malmo has doubled the Arlov plant's capacity, and willcost over $200M.There are Union problems and problems finding a colaborator for the 900replacement. Labour turnover is 20% and absenteeism runs at 15%. TheSabb Valmet plant in Finland, by contrast, reports 3% and 5%respectively.The work with Lancia on the Type 4 (9000) showed the benefits ofcollaboration. But Saab wants to control any partnerships. The 900replacement will require a parter, but the links with Mazda neverdeveloped into serious talks. There are now strong rumours of a V6engine with Ford.``Will Ford, eager to spread its influence in Europe and gather prestigemarques, demand a stake in the Saab car division as the price for anengine the Swedish firm needs so badly? At Trollhattan, times arechanging.''ian Posts in this Thread:
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