Saab says too early to talk new car with Volvo

[NINETY EIGHT REGENCY]

Saab says too early to talk new car with Volvo

Automotive News Europe -- October 7, 2010 12:46 CET

STOCKHOLM/AMSTERDAM (Reuters) -- Swedish car brand Saab said on Thursday it was too early to talk about a possible co-operation with Volvo Car Corp. on producing a new model, pouring cold water on reported interest from its domestic rival.

Swedish business daily Dagens Industri had earlier reported that carmaker Volvo, recently bought by China's Zhejiang Geely, was interested in cooperating with domestic rival Saab in softtop model cars.

The newspaper had cited Volvo spokesman Olle Axelson, who later told Reuters that Volvo had had no actual discussions with Saab over product development, though the firm was always open to discussions with other carmakers.

"Our priority number one ... is China operations right now," Axelson said.

"There are absolutely no discussions and have never been any discussions on the executive level at Volvo to cooperate around product development with Saab."

Saab Nederland spokesman Dick Braakhekke said it was too early to talk about whether Saab and Volvo would work on a new model together.

"There are talks on various levels, but I'm not aware of whether talks are on a product level. It's too early to say whether Saab and Volvo would work on a new car," he said.

Braakhekke said Saab was in talks with Volvo about parts delivery and the pick-up of cars at the factory. Saab is also talking to other manufacturers, he said.

Both companies have new owners after Dutch sports car maker Spyker Cars NV bought Saab earlier this year, and both are looking at ways to boost sales and make production more efficient.

Spyker shares were down 1.67 percent at 3.89 euros at 1034 GMT in a flat Amsterdam market.

Read more: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20101007/ANE/310079980/1131#ixzz11gNc2IeT

[regfootball]

BMW / Saab / Volvo should just get drunk and hook up already.

Maybe even let Peuguot and Citroen in on it too.

Edited October 7, 2010 by regfootball