Dutch automaker Spyker Cars NV announced on Friday that Saab Automobile’s Chief Executive Officer and President, Jan Åke Jonsson, has decided to step down from his position on 19 May, 2011. The company said that until a successor to the longtime Saab executive is found, Spyker Car’s CEO Victor Muller will temporarily assume the role of President and CEO of Saab Automobile AB in addition to his role as Chairman of the Board.
The 59-year old executive, who has worked for Saab for close to 40 years, took over the helm of the company in 2005 when it was still under the ownership of General Motors. Jonsson has been credited for playing a key role in the savior of Saab when the Detroit automaker wanted to close down the brand.
“I have been with Saab Automobile for almost my entire career of 40 years, of which almost six years as the head of Saab Automobile,” said Jonsson in a statement. “The last three years have of course been very demanding and forced me to focus on one thing only – my work. Now it is time for me to also spend some time on other things that had to stand back for my duties to Saab Automobile.”
The longtime Saab executive leaves the Swedish brand at a time it is working on the development of a new range of models built on a common platform architecture called Phoenix, the first of which will be next year’s 9-3 model series.
“We have already accomplished so many things that many thought were impossible and I am convinced that Saab Automobile is on the right track towards replacing the entire product portfolio by October 2012 - when the next generation 9-3 will be launched - as well as creating a stand-alone company with a financially sound business model,” Jonsson added.
Victor Muller said that Jonsson was instrumental in Saab Automobile’s survival but also in the transition of Saab into an independent car company. “I am really sad to see him leave, but understand and respect his rationale. He has had one of the toughest jobs in Sweden in recent years and I am grateful that he has transferred his knowledge and experience to the Managements of Saab Automobile and Spyker Cars N.V.”
The announcement on Jonsson’s resignation came on the same day that Spyker Cars NV reported a 2010 net loss of €218 million ($309 million). The Dutch company, which plans to sell its non-Saab sportscar business to Russian banker and businessman Vladimir Antonov, said 2011 will also be a loss making year stating that it expects to turn a profit from 2012.
