Saabosphere – Links we liked this week

There’s a story in Dagens Industri where they ask whether or not Saab will file for bankruptcy. Victor Muller’s answer to that question could be summarised with a “No”. That is, whilst there is still negotiations to be made and a climate that allows them, our people will continue to do everything they can to save this company rather than file for bankruptcy.

We’d all prefer some definitive good news right now. As a Saab person, I take the fact that people are still working hard to get an outcome that sees us continue business, as being a good thing. If there were no hope for a resolution, there would be no ongoing negotiations.

“Never, ever give up” is not just a catchphrase.

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If you read Wulf’s Saab 9-4x owner review – part 1 – the other day, then you’ll likely want to catch up with part 2.

If you didn’t read Part 1, read it now. Then click the part 2 link. It’s your must-read for today’s Saabosphere.

Wulf casts his critical eye over his Saab 9-4x 3.0 Premium’s interior to see how it passes muster.

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You might remember that two blogs, SaabActu and Saablog-In, were running a photo competition for the Saab Dealer Tour of France.

It looks like the entries are in and there are some fantastic photos amongst them. Head over to either of the blogs to check them out.

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I link from time to time to the Charles River Saab weblog, written and maintained by a good friend of mine, Pierre Belperron.

Pierre has written a wonderful piece today that focuses on one of his favourite retailers, a small audio/electronics store that unfortunately went into liquidation a few years ago.

His story poses more than a few questions for companies like Saab, especially with recent commentary stating that kids prefer smartphones to cars.

As always, it’s interesting reading.

Saab 9-3 TTiD vs the Top 10 green cars in Sweden

I’ve talked a little bit over the last few months about what Saab engineers were able to do with the Saab 9-3 in terms of reducing emissions. Today, you can order a Saab 9-3 TTiD with a full 180hp (or 160, or 130) that emits only 119g of CO2 per kilometer.

The powers-that-be didn’t think that was possible with the 9-3, and yet Saab achieved this figure, first with the Sport Sedan and then with the SportCombi, in just a matter of months after being freed to pursue this goal. It’s a prime example of the engineering expertise that exists here at Saab Automobile.

Some of you, like me, may not come from a country where vehicle taxes are based on emissions and the significance of this might be lost on you. Others will understand a bit better right from the get-go.

In Sweden, a ‘green’ car is referred to as a miljöbil and this vehicle class attracts quite a few benefits. Firstly, a new car that is compliant with Euro5 and has CO2 emissions of max 120g/km attracts zero vehicle tax for its first five years. Company car drivers who choose a miljöbil for their company vehicle may also benefit from reduced fringe benefits tax rates compared to non-miljöbil choices (which would be a massive drawcard for Saab).

There are other benefits, too, which some will make use of more than others. In Stockholm, for example, miljöbil drivers pay no congestion charge and there are parking zones in many cities around Sweden that miljöbil drivers can use for free.

So, some significant benefits are there if you’re driving the right sort of car. It’s not just tax benefits and parking convenience, though.

A car has to fit in with your lifestyle. One of the biggest criticisms of a vehicle like the Nissan Leaf, for example, is range anxiety. That is, the car might be able to run on pennies per day, but if it can’t get you where you need to go (and back) without running out of battery power, then it’s not really suitable for anything other than a short commute.

Some of the cars you’ll see on the list below have wonderful emissions figures and prices, but do they allow the average family to live their normal lifestyle, to travel with comfort, performance, safety and adequate space – AND accrue the various benefits of a miljöbil?

To give us all a better picture of what Saab have been able to do, of what Saab can offer in this segment of the Swedish market (and some others that incentivise the same way), I thought I’d put together this table.

The following table shows the Saab 9-3 TTiD range as well as the current top 10 selling miljöbil offerings in the Swedish market.

[table “26” not found /]

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So what’s the point?

The Saab 9-3 TTiD involves no sacrifices. Some cars on the table have equal (or better) cargo capacity, but the driving experience will be compromised due to much low power and torque.

Others lose out on the driving experience as well as the storage capability, relying on their small engine size and weight to get under the emissions limits.

Saab engineers re-worked the 9-3 TTiD SportCombi so that owners can have a complete vehicle experience – all the comfort, performance, safety and amenity that the car offers in its normal configuration – PLUS the benefits of a miljöbil.

Bottom line: You don’t have to drive an underpowered rollerskate to get the benefits of driving ‘green’.

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Press Release: Saab GB Files For Administration

Trollhättan, Sweden: Swedish Automobile N.V. (Swan) and Saab Automobile AB (Saab Automobile) announce that Saab Great Britain Ltd (Saab GB) filed for administration with the High Court in London today.

The board of Saab GB is of the opinion that administration gives the company and creditors the necessary legal protection until the required funding for the company has been secured. The appointment of the administrator is effected by the directors of Saab GB. Once appointed, the administrator will take on the management powers of the directors.

Swan received a conditional funding commitment from Youngman for the payment of the wages of the employees of Saab Automobile and for the continuation of the activities of Saab GB. Saab Automobile and Saab GB have not yet received this funding.

Saab Dealer Tour España – Barcelona and Gerona

The first two stops on the Saab Dealer Tour of Spain were in Gerona and Barcelona.

We’ve got a gallery of images from those stops below. Click.

Spirits are high amongst the attendees and Irene from Saab España even passed along a little story from the Barcelona stop:

I was talking to some customers (a family) in Barcelona and they told me that they don’t have a car at all right now. They ordered a new Saab 9-5 three months ago, and are still waiting. Their old car (an old 9-3) “died”, so they were looking for an alternative but weren’t able to find one that was suitable. So they have decided to use public transport and wait for the new 9-5 to come. Their words were “it is a sacrifice we do now, and we are sure that it will be worth it in the future”

Isn’t that awesome?

We have the best owners and fans in the world.

These tours are getting a lot of attention, especially in Barcelona. From that one tour stop alone, they had 5 orders for the new Saabs on display. The media also took a big interest in the tour: 7 radio interviews, BTV Television, the #1 newspaper in Catalonia (La Vanguardia), the most important motoring magazine in Catalonia (Cotxes), the #1 motoring website in Spain (coches.com), the top 10 renting & leasing companies in Barcelona – all took a look at the vehicles during the Barcelona tour stop.

Tour dates and venues for the Spanish Dealer Tour can be found here. Make sure you get along if the tour passes through your area.

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Saab 9-4x owners review

As you can tell, there’s not a much to share in terms of the business side of things at this precise moment.

That gives us a perfect opportunity to have a look at something that matters….. cars!

If you’re looking for a 5-minute stress reliever with a wonderful Saaby flavour then you need to get on over to Saabworld and take a look at Wulf’s review of his new Saab 9-4x. This is a must-read for a few reasons.

First, I’ve known Wulf (in the online sort of way) for a few years now and I know him to be a very reasonable and fair guy. He’s not the sort to unduly praise or criticise anything, preferring some well measured and thought-out commentary over anything that could be taken as sensationalism. His is an opinion that you know will have been well thought out, and the fact that this is his own vehicle won’t taint that.

Second, he’s bought the 3.0 Saab 9-4x Premium FWD. Most of the reviews you’ve read thus far would be about the 2.8T Aero XWD model. This is a great opportunity to get an insight into what it’s like to not just drive the 3.0 model, but also to own it.

I drove the 3.0 model earlier this year, just on a short test around Trollhattan, and I was much more impressed than I thought I’d be. The power feels less than you’re used to from a Saab, but it’s adequate and the noise was fantastic.

Head on over to Saabworld and check out Wulf’s Saab 9-4x review (which is still in to-be-continued mode).

"Snap up a Saab" – semi-finals

Saab of North Olmsted’s competition – Snap up a Saab – is now at the quarter final stage. In just days from now, someone is going to walk away the proud owner of a new Saab of their choice to the value of $50,000.

To recap the competition so far:

Over the last 4 weeks, groups of drivers have been driving vehicles supplied by Saab of North Olmsted. 4 weeks, 4 groups. Their task, during their week with the vehicle, was to show it to as many people as possible, gathering fans, shares (and points) via QR codes, facebook, twitter or on the competition homepage.

The six top point-gatherers from each week are now at the semi-final stage and have less than 48 hours to gather as many points as possible.

Someone’s going to win a new Saab!!

The Snap up a Saab competition webpage now lists the finalists for each week. You can click on a finalist’s individual page, watch their video, check out their pictures and most importantly – cast your vote.

The 5 top semi-finalists will go into the final, where they’ll have a 1-in-5 chance of unlocking the doors to a new Saab, thereby giving them the win, and the Saab of their choice.

Make sure you head over to the competition page, support your favourite entrant and help them to spread the word about Saab – and win a new one of their own!!!

Black Friday fanfare – Saab style

For those who love shopping, especially in the US, today is Black Friday. It’s the day after Thanksgiving, the traditional start to the Christmas shopping season and more recently, the season for an internet shopping bonanza.

For those who do love to shop, I thought I’d help you see the day in with a fanfare, provided by the Saab Black Turbo Orchestra.

I love a good exhaust note……..

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And a note to self……

I’ve got to get some seat time in a Turbo X. I’ve only driven it once and the more I see them, the more I want one. It’s truly an outstanding machine.

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A word about the "Let Saab Go!" movement on Facebook

I don’t want to make any extensive comments or provide any explanations as to what’s happening on Facebook at the moment. If you’re involved in the “Let Saab Go” movement, then you know what’s going on.

I just want to say two things:

1. I want to acknowledge this fan-based movement, started and sustained by Saab enthusiasts on Facebook, using the social media tools freely available to them and everyone who uses the site. We have observed the movement and I want you to know that as always, your faith in our products and your desire to see Saab successful is a great morale boost for all who work with Saab.

2. I want to urge everyone who does participate in this movement to do so with respect and dignity. I’m pleased to say that as I’ve watched the movement evolve, that this has been the case for 99.9% of people. There will always be one or two, however, who get a little too enthusiastic in getting their point across. I hope you all understand that being abusive or coarse in any way will not serve the cause you seek to advance at all.

GM are, and hopefully will continue to be, significant stakeholders and suppliers in our business. They have genuine concerns that they need to address for the sake of their global business. We all hope that there’s a way that those concerns can be addressed, a way that leads to a good outcome for all concerned.

Social media has opened up opportunities for customers to voice their opinions, which is what is happening right now. We simply ask that if you choose to make use of this opportunity, then please do so respectfully.

Thanks for your support and understanding.

All aboard! Saabs on Norfolk Island

What to do when it’s time to get your Saab serviced and you live on a small island?

Norfolk Island is a self-governing territory, but part of Australia. It’s located approximately 1,500km off the east coast of Australia, in the Pacific Ocean. Did I say small? The island is only 32 sq km in size and has just 80km of roads (the cows get right of way).

Apparently this is one of two Saabs on the island, the other being a Saab 9000. I’m not sure if this one’s coming, going, or the reason why, but the message relayed to me included the possibility that it was time for a service.

I know of one guy who used to do a round trip of several thousand kilometers in Africa to get his 9-5 Aero serviced. It would be a big call to figure out who’s undertaking a more arduous trip.

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