The YouTuber Forgotten Buildings has posted a video showing an abandoned Saab showroom somewhere in France. It likely ceased functioning in the early 2010s, but there are still cars inside – both of the Swedish brand and some others.
Saab ceased operation 12 years ago. Some dealerships shut down while others were repurposed to sell cars of other brands. This particular showroom may have originally wanted to diversify its brand portfolio by at least offering select services to Peugeot and Renault owners, as evidenced by such cars found sitting in the maintenance area.
Used Saab models were sold here, too: one of the 95 models discovered had 95,000 kilometers (59,000 miles) on the odometer. Based on the video, vandals have broken into the facility on multiple occasions, breaking glass, removing wheels, crushing furniture and throwing junk around.
The host believes this dealership network was founded as far back as 1972. Its downfall was apparently driven not just by Saab going bankrupt, but also by the owner of he whole chain falling seriously ill. Just why the business was abandoned so abruptly with no attempt to at least salvage the cars remains a mystery. One of the more plausible theories is that the property was under arrest.
