Yes, this is it. The Saab saga is definetly over, there’s no chance of Spyker pulling out like Koenigsegg did. General Motors has completed the transfer of ownership to Spyker, and Saab is officially saved. Congratulations Saab!

It’s been a long journey. Back in June last year, General Motors was negotiating with Koenigsegg to sell Saab. The deal was looking very good, until Koenigsegg decided to abandon it. Then for several months, offers came and went, with GM constantly not pleased with any of them. However, in mid-January, General Motors announced that it would be selling Saab to Spyker. The only thing left was the ensure funding on Spyker’s part. That’s all been handled, and Saab is now under Spyker’s control.

The Saab community has been very supportive along the way, showing that the brand’s fans are some of the most passionate and determined people in the world. They held rallies, asked people to send e-mails to Ed Whitacre, and got the word out there to everyone. I’ve never seen anything like it. No one went insane like this when GM killed off Pontiac and Saturn. It takes quite a special company to have such supportive fans.

Victor Muller, who is probably viewed by Swedes as a superhero by now, is determined to keep Saab’s heritage in check. “We are delighted – Saab’s future is now secure. From today we will be concentrating all of our efforts into reviving Saab and transforming it into a sustainable and profitable company with the confidence to be bold. We will reinforce the emotional experience between Saab drivers and their cars and we will focus on Saab’s historical strengths in the fields of independent thinking, aircraft heritage, ecological performance and motorsport,” said Muller.

Now that the company has been bought, there are still plenty of things to do. Firstly, before merging Spyker and Saab into one company, Spyker must sort out some trademark issues with aircraft company Saab AB. The issue should be resolved at Spyker’s next shareholder meeting on April 22nd.

Then there’s the product line-up. If Spyker plans to return Saab to profitability, they’ll need to improve, and maybe even expand, Saab’s line-up. Spyker has outlined a plan for that, in which they plan to release the new 9-5 and 9-4X, develop a new 9-3 for 2012, and they are considering a brand new model range known as 9-1. This would be a minicar made to compete with the likes of the Audi A1 and BMW 1-series.

I wish Saab luck in the future, and hope that they will continue making great cars as they have been for many years now.

Press Release (Spyker):

SPYKER CARS FINALIZES THE PURCHASE OF SAAB

• Spyker Cars finalizes deal over the purchase of Saab Automobile
• Transfer of ownership has taken place
• Transaction signals the start of an exciting new era for Saab
• Saab and Spyker to operate under parent company Spyker Cars N.V.

TROLLHÄTAN, SWEDEN (23 February, 2010) – Spyker Cars N.V. today confirmed it has finalized the deal with General Motors Company to purchase Saab Automobile AB. The transfer of ownership took place at 16:30 on February 23. Going forward Saab Automobile and Spyker Cars will operate as sister companies under the umbrella of the Amsterdam Euronext listed parent company Spyker Cars N.V. (Ticker symbol:SPYKR). This transaction secures the future of Saab Automobile and signals the start of an exciting new era for the iconic brand.

Victor Muller, CEO of Spyker Cars NV said: “We are delighted – Saab’s future is now secure.” He continued: “From today we will be concentrating all of our efforts into reviving Saab and transforming it into a sustainable and profitable company with the confidence to be bold. We will reinforce the emotional experience between Saab drivers and their cars and we will focus on Saab’s historical strengths in the fields of independent thinking, aircraft heritage, ecological performance and motorsport.

“Through this acquisition we add approximately 15 euros per share in equity and 60 euros of assets. With a well funded business plan in place we are looking forward to working with Saab’s management on the realization of that plan and bringing exciting new products to our customers. Real Saabs, Saab Saabs”

Jan Åke Jonsson, CEO of Saab Automobile AB said: “Today’s announcement is great for Saab’s customers, dealers, suppliers and employees around the globe, the level of passion and support shown to Saab over recent months has been remarkable and this does bode well for the future. Now we aim to get back to the execution of our business plan, starting with the introduction of the new 9-5 later this year, and with the continued support of our employees and business partners I am confident we will succeed.”

“This transaction represents the successful outcome of months of hard work and intense negotiations, all aimed at securing a sustainable future for this unique brand, and we are pleased with the positive outcome,” said John Smith, GM vice president for corporate planning and alliances. “This is a great day for Saab employees, dealers and suppliers, and a great day for millions of Saab customers and fans worldwide.”

Press Release (General Motors):

Spyker Cars Finalizes Purchase of Saab Automobile from GM

Transfer of ownership and operations to Spyker Cars takes place

Previously announced wind down of Saab operations ends

A new era begins for an iconic auto brand

DETROIT – General Motors and Spyker Cars NV today announced that they have finalized the deal for Spyker to purchase Saab Automobile AB.

Going forward, Saab and Spyker will operate under the Spyker (AMS:SPYKR) umbrella, and Spyker will assume responsibility for Saab operations.  The previously announced wind down of Saab operations has ended.

“This transaction represents the successful outcome of months of hard work and intense negotiations, all aimed at securing a sustainable future for this unique brand, and we are pleased with the positive outcome,” said John Smith, GM vice president for corporate planning and alliances.  “This is a great day for Saab employees, dealers and suppliers, and a great day for millions of Saab customers and fans worldwide.”

“Throughout negotiations over the past year, GM has worked with many parties, including governments and investors, to find a solution for Saab,” said Nick Reilly, president, GM Europe. “I’m very pleased that we could come to a positive conclusion, one that presents a viable future for Saab and preserves jobs in Sweden and elsewhere.”

Source: Spyker, General Motors and Autoblog