GM Refuses Warranty Support for 2010–2011 Saab Models in US
General Motors will not honour warranty repairs for Saab vehicles built after its 2009 sale of the brand, leaving US owners of 2010 and 2011 cars without factory-backed coverage.
General Motors has confirmed it will not cover warranty repairs for Saab vehicles built after the company sold the Swedish brand in 2009, leaving US owners of 2010 and 2011 models without manufacturer-backed protection.
The decision follows GM’s 2010 sale of Saab to Dutch firm Spyker Cars NV. GM stated its responsibility for Saab warranties ends with the last car it built, which was the 2009 model year. This leaves later models, manufactured under Spyker’s ownership, outside the coverage of GM’s warranty programme, despite sharing many GM-sourced components.
Saab Cars North America, along with a group of 25 US dealers, is now trying to establish a new parts distribution business and find ways to support warranty-like repairs. Around 2,200 new Saabs remain in dealer stock, with a further 700 units still held by Saab North America. Dealers are concerned that selling these cars at steep discounts, currently reported at 35% to 50% off, could further depress values for existing inventory.
Dealers and Owners Left Exposed
The lack of manufacturer warranty creates a major headache for both dealers and customers. US Saab dealers, represented by attorney Leonard Bellavia, have criticised GM’s stance, arguing that the company should have done more to ensure continuity of support given its knowledge of Spyker’s limited resources at the time of sale. GM, for its part, maintains it has fulfilled its obligations by supporting warranty work on vehicles built up to the point of sale.
For buyers of new-old-stock 2010 and 2011 Saabs, the absence of a factory warranty means any faults or repairs will be at their own expense unless dealers or third parties step in. This undermines confidence in the cars’ resale value and may make it harder for dealers to clear remaining inventory.
Parts and Service Uncertainty
To address the aftersales gap, Saab Cars North America and its dealers have proposed a new parts distribution company, though details remain uncertain. The challenge will be sourcing components for a fleet that relies heavily on GM technology, as well as arranging payment for repair work that would previously have been covered by the manufacturer.
The situation adds to the complications facing Saab’s US network after the brand’s bankruptcy and failed rescue deals. As of early 2012, the market for unsold Saabs is under severe pressure, with discounts eroding values for both new and used examples. For a broader view on Saab’s financial struggles and attempts at revival, see Saab Sale Falls Short of Covering $1.8 Billion Debt.
