How General Motors Killed The Saab 2000

"Margin Of Error" (marginoferror)
07/07/2015 at 11:56 • Filed to: HISTORY, FC, ESSAY

Nothing is easy in the world of Saab, especially when GM is around. While its automobile arm was selling its soul to GM, Saab aerospace was rolling out an high speed turboprop that had one mission : to take down the Dash-8 and the ATR and dominate the regional air transport market.

The Saab 2000 was a modern turboprop capable of carrying 50 to 60 passengers at the wig destroying speed of 413MPH. The first aircraft was delivered to Crossair in 1994. The Swiss airline had ordered no less than 34 aircraft and Saab had high hopes that other airlines would join the bandwagon.

In typical Saab fashion, the ergonomics are fantastic. Each driver gets a proper steering wheels, two pedals, stick throttle controls, 3 screens and some kind of auxiliary steering wheel for ground maneuvers. The visibility is also excellent, thanks the the low belt line and the generous greenhouse.

On the outsidem the “2k” as avgeeks likes to call it easily identifiable by its two mighty Allison engines that also holds the wheels, a nice typical Saab quirk. The sleek shape of the 2k makes it one of the most beautiful regional aircraft in the world.

General Motors operated several corporate versions of the 2k, they even used one of them to fly execs to Washington to get their bailout money and kill Saab automobiles. GM was in talk with a regional airline named Pro Air Express. The goal was order several 2k’s, which would have definitely saved the aircraft and made the sky a sfer and quirkier place, but bad luck strike again and Pro Air went bankrupt and orders were cancelled. Of course, GM did nothing to help and let Saab bite the dust.

Ironically, the production of the 2000 ended in 1999, after only 57 examples were built. It’s very sad for the general public, but definitely makes it collector’s material. As of 2013, only 33 Saab 2000 remains in service, Darwin airlines (Etihad regional) is running the largest fleet with 10.

Thanks for reading.

DISCUSSION (19)

Your boy, BJR > Margin Of Error
07/07/2015 at 12:04

Uuuuh....no

After the ‘60s, SAAB had next to nothing to do with Saab. Sure they shared a name but that’s like saying Rolls-Royce (the car company) has anything to do with the current Rolls Royce airplane motor makers.

Also people need to shut the fuck up about GM “killing” Saab. GM was gracious enough to give them 20 more years of life. Saab was wasteful, never really profited, and constantly squandered opportunities given to them. There's never been a car company that was as shittily managed as Saab. The fact that they made it past the 80s is a miracle you have GM to thank for.

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > Your boy, BJR
07/07/2015 at 12:17

I dunno, I think TVR might give Saab a run for their money in the management department.

Nibbles > Margin Of Error
07/07/2015 at 12:18

Kinja'd!!!

Your boy, BJR > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30
07/07/2015 at 12:25

At least TVR made cool cars though.

Margin Of Error > Your boy, BJR
07/07/2015 at 12:27

Ouch that hurts

Your boy, BJR > Margin Of Error
07/07/2015 at 12:29

So does reading your writing.

lulinboy > Margin Of Error
07/07/2015 at 12:31

I’ve been on one. On a Malev flight, operated/owned by Air Moldova. It was Frankfurt to Budapest if I remember correctly. Even though it must have been in ‘05 or ‘06 I would never have thought the plane was that young. It looked positively neglected and run down. The rainstorm in the darkness on Budapest approach didn’t help its cause.

Margin Of Error > Your boy, BJR
07/07/2015 at 12:33

It’s actually an essay

ttyymmnn > Margin Of Error
07/07/2015 at 12:44

Aside from Rolland’s vitriol about the history of Saab (or SAAB), I enjoyed this. I think that one of the problems with bringing a new aircraft to the party is that airlines can be a careful lot, and they don’t want to rush out and buy a new and relatively untrusted plane when what they have is working just fine. Sure is pretty, though.

Margin Of Error > ttyymmnn
07/07/2015 at 12:49

Very true, I’m actually worried about the Bombardier C-Series for that exact reason.

Thanks for the good words.

Your boy, BJR > Margin Of Error
07/07/2015 at 12:55

It’s actually really shitty.

Your boy, BJR > ttyymmnn
07/07/2015 at 12:56

Child boo don't hate me cuz I'm beautiful.

Margin Of Error > Your boy, BJR
07/07/2015 at 12:59

Kinja'd!!!