Saab Says Warranty Coverage Indefinitely Suspended on All North America Cars

Just yesterday, we were telling about the benefits but also the dangers of buying a new Saab car in the U.S. after the company filed for bankruptcy on Monday. Today we learn that Saab suspended warranty coverage on all of its new vehicles sold in North America effective from December 19, while the company also informed dealers that they must sell any remaining cars "as is", without any coverage whatsoever.
Automotive News reports that Saab Cars North America issued the following statement on the matter:
"Warranty coverage is suspended indefinitely for all new Saab vehicles sold. During this period, the warranty booklet must be removed from the owner information packet. For any vehicle sold or leased during this period, the customer should be affirmatively advised that the vehicle does not carry any warranty coverage and is sold 'as is.' "
The Swedish automaker also told the news outlet that it has put off the processing and payment of all types of claims "including but not limited to":

• New-car warranties
• Powertrain warranties
• Emission warranties
• Parts warranty
• Safety belts, airbags
• Towing
• Recalls and campaigns
• Certified pre-owned coverage
• Goodwill
• No charge maintenance

Since it is not clear yet if the company will reimburse dealers in the future, Saab stated that "owners should be advised to keep receipts of all related warranty work done or services performed until further notice."
The company sold 5,340 new cars in the U.S. this year, which were covered by a 4-year, 50,000-mile warranty that included free scheduled maintenance for three years or 36,000 miles.
We'll remind you that while General Motors was responsible for Saab's sales and warranties through February 2010, the Trollhattan-based firm was sold to Swedish Automobile AB, a Dutch company formerly known as Spyker Cars led by Victor Muller.
Update: Carscoop emailed Saab to ask what the firm's bankruptcy means for the status of warranties on vehicles that were sold in the United States before and after GM sold the brand to Swedish Automobile AB in February 2010. Here's what Michele Tinson from Saab USA told us:
"All Saab warranty reimbursements have been temporarily suspended (regardless of the vehicle model year) until further direction from Saab Autmobile AB."