Was Saab owned by Ford?
The concise answer is no. Saab was never owned by Ford. Its ownership history includes General Motors (GM) from 1990 to 2010, followed by a purchase by Spyker Cars, and later asset involvement with National Electric Vehicle Sweden (NEVS). The Saab brand name itself has remained associated with Saab AB, a separate Swedish company.
Ownership timeline of Saab Automobile AB
The following timeline highlights the main owners of Saab Automobile AB, the car-making arm of the Saab brand, in recent decades.
- 1990–2010: General Motors (GM) ownership. GM acquired Saab Automobile AB in stages, ultimately taking full control and integrating Saab into its global product strategy.
- 2010–2013: Spyker Cars ownership. GM announced the sale of Saab to the Dutch automotive company Spyker Cars in 2010, though Saab faced financial difficulties during this period.
- 2012–2013 onward: National Electric Vehicle Sweden (NEVS) assets. NEVS acquired Saab Automobile AB’s assets after the earlier ownership changes, attempting to continue Saab’s car-building ambitions under new ownership structures.
- Brand rights and licensing: The Saab name and brand rights are managed separately by Saab AB (the defense and security company), with various licensing arrangements historically allowing limited use by NEVS and others.
Note: This timeline focuses on Saab Automobile AB, the carmaker. Saab AB, separate from the automobile business, retains rights to the Saab name in many contexts, which influences how the brand is used today.
Ford’s role in Saab’s history
Ford did not own Saab at any point. The only large-scale ownership connection Saab had in the modern era was through GM, which owned Saab Automobile AB from the 1990s through 2010. Ford’s involvement with Saab—if any—has never extended to ownership. Any collaboration or industry-wide alignment between Ford and the Saab brand has been limited and indirect, not constitutional ownership.
What this means for the brand today
After GM’s exit and Spyker’s ownership, Saab Automobile AB faced a turbulent period, with NEVS taking over assets in the early 2010s. The Saab brand name continues to be tied to Saab AB, not Ford, and mass-market Saab car production has not resumed under Ford’s ownership. The brand’s presence in the market remains constrained by licensing arrangements and the broader restructuring of Saab’s automotive endeavors.
Summary
In short, Ford never owned Saab. The carmaker’s ownership history runs from GM (1990–2010) to Spyker (2010–2013), with NEVS acquiring Saab Automobile AB’s assets afterward. The Saab name and branding are controlled by Saab AB, a separate entity from the car manufacturer. As of today, Ford is not a proprietor of Saab in the automotive sense, and Saab’s recent history has centered on ownership changes outside Ford’s control.
Why did they discontinue Saab?
After struggling to avoid insolvency throughout 2011, the company petitioned for bankruptcy following the failure of a Chinese consortium to complete a purchase of the company; the purchase had been blocked by former owner GM, which opposed the transfer of technology and production rights to a Chinese company.
Who was Saab owned by?
Saab Automobile was owned by a series of companies, most notably General Motors (GM), which bought the company in 1990 and fully acquired it in 2000. After GM sold it, the company had brief ownership under Spyker N.V. (2010-2012) before it went bankrupt. The assets were then acquired by National Electric Vehicle Sweden (NEVS) in 2012.
- General Motors (1990–2010): GM acquired a majority stake in 1990 and took full ownership in 2000. GM sold the company during the 2008 financial crisis.
- Spyker N.V. (2010–2012): The Dutch carmaker purchased Saab Automobile from GM in 2010. However, the company filed for bankruptcy in 2012.
- National Electric Vehicle Sweden (NEVS) (2012–2014): NEVS acquired the assets of the bankrupt Saab Automobile in 2012. NEVS continued to produce some Saab 9-3 sedans before the right to use the Saab name was revoked.
- Other earlier owners: Before GM, Saab was a division of the Swedish company Saab-Scania.
It is important to note that Saab AB, the original parent company, still exists and operates in the defense and aerospace industry, separate from the car business that went through bankruptcy.
Is Saab owned by Ford?
Yes. Saab was bought by General Motors in 1990. Saab needed money, as seemed always the case, and GM wanted a European brand to compete with the German big three. Another reason why they bought Saab was to compete with Ford who had Volvo.
What brands does Ford own?
Ford currently owns the Ford and Lincoln brands. It also markets auto parts under the Motorcraft brand name. Ford used to own other brands like Mercury, Edsel, and Volvo (prior to 2010), but it no longer does.
- Ford: The company's primary automotive brand, known for models like the F-150 and Mustang.
- Lincoln: Ford's luxury automotive brand, which it has owned since 1922.
- Motorcraft: The brand under which Ford markets its auto parts.
Former brands that Ford no longer owns:
- Troller: Ford previously owned the Brazilian off-road vehicle manufacturer Troller, which was sold in 2021.
- Mercury: The Mercury brand was discontinued in 2010.
- Volvo: Ford sold its controlling interest in Volvo Cars in 2010.
- Mazda: Ford sold most of its stake in Mazda by 2015 and is no longer a part owner.
