When Saab Got So Different It Killed Itself

Saab built fighter jets before it ever built a car, and that aviation obsession is exactly what made it impossible to save. This is the story of the Swedish carmaker that turned military engineering into cockpit-style seats, aerodynamic bodies, and one of the first mass-produced turbocharged engines in the world, backed by Erik Carlsson's back-to-back Monte Carlo Rally wins in 1962 and 1963. But being different came at a cost Saab could never fully cover. When General Motors bought in, two philosophies collided: GM wanted shared platforms, Saab wanted to stay Saab. What followed was badge-engineered disasters, a 2011 bankruptcy, a last-minute rescue by Spyker, and a final chapter under NEVS that couldn't even keep the Griffin logo.