I carry a lot of kit up and down the motorway so needed something big, reliable and fast. It was this or a T-5 and it had to be black, and the Saab came up first. We now have two 9-5 Aeros and they've been fantastic. One is a 98 and the other a 2000. Both have over 140K on 'em now and going strong.
GM took ownership in 89 and gradually dictated the use of off-the-shelf GM parts more and more. Mine still have Saab engines, suspension and ergonomics. I wouldn't have the facelift one though, whoever signed the "Dame Edna" off needs shooting. They go really well but it's so ugly it would depress me before I got in it. GM have also kindly added sh!tty cheap generic switchgear and "De-contented" the remote petrol cap popping swtich from the driver's door. It's these little things that make me not want another.
GM have been leaking money in their biggest market, the US, hand over fist for years. Same as most. The unions over there have made the plants cripplingly expensive to run, and now they are looking to ditch their overseas interests and stop funding Sweden in this case.
BM have done it with the Mini plant over here. They were selling like hot cakes before. Car Industry Captains are harping on about the government coming up with some scheme to get people buying cars again, Government are saying make cars people want, but the stark reality that needs addressing is:
Every effer with a car is bricking it about keeping a job and therefore no-one wants the debt of a new car. Any car. Doesn't matter if it comes with a free nympho italian supermodel to polish your rocket every night; if you have to take 20K of debt on in this climate, it won't sell. Restore job confidence should be the priority for the government; the rest will come.