Two Biggest Automotive News Stories of 2011



 In 2011 the Fiat 500 officially went on sale, marking the return of the brand to America. The first year has failed to live up to expectations, with Fiat predicting sales of 50,000 units, less then 20,000 have been sold in the first 11 months of the year. With more models coming, and Alfa Romeo set to return in 2013, Fiat is here to stay. More importantly, perhaps, is the Fiat connection to Chrysler – a company it saved from bankruptcy and which it is now slowly rebuilding back into a profitable automaker.    
 
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 Saab Automobile, the 64 year old Swedish automaker has come to the end. The automaker filed for bankruptcy in December and said it expects to liquidate.Since March, the automaker has struggled to stay alive as it hasn't been able to raise enough money to build cars. In recent months, Saab sought out to sell itself to some Chinese investors as a move to survive.
 
But the deal was blocked by its former owner General Motors, which provided key technology to Saab and still holds preferred shares in the automaker. GM refused to go along with the move, citing intellectual property concerns.
 
Saab has 188 U.S. dealers and 16 other facilities that provide service only. Saab only sold just 356 vehicles in the U.S. in November. Saab's sales fell from 49,000 in the United States in 2003 to 5,800 in 2010. 
 
In 1958, Saab became the first automaker to make safety belts standard on all vehicles. It developed dual brake circuits to assure that damaged brakes could still stop a vehicle. It pioneered placing the ignition lock between the seats to prevent knee injuries during crashes. It also first introduced headlamp washer-wipers, heated seats and asbestos-free brake pads.
 
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Posted by Stigza at 1/2/2012 12:01 AM
Categories: Stigza, Stigza Auto News
Tags: Fiat Fiat 500 saab saab bankruptcy two biggest Automotive news stories of 2011 Stigza GM General Motors China America
 

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