Polls Archives - Swadeology

Poll results – leaked Saab image

The poll’s been up for around 12 hours now and as I thought it might be, it was the busiest poll we’ve held on the site.

I’m pleased to pass on a 93% HOT rating, which I think is also a fair reflection of how good this basic image looks. But remember, it’s just a basic image.

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Comments sections are notorious for being a receptacle for complaints. More often than not, it’s the people who don’t like something who are active in saying so, whilst the people who do like something are content to just move on (which is why, IMHO, quality surveys from all the leading players are so flawed, even if we still want to succeed in them).

We invited your feedback and some of you certainly chose to provide it, which is fine. It was great to read your thoughts, both positive and negative. As always, it reminded me of the film clip to one of my favourite songs – Short Skirt, Long Jacket – where you’ve got multiple opinions on the same thing. It’s always interesting to see what people think. I’m not the only one who’ll see the feedback, by the way, so please don’t think it’s just for my entertainment.

A few things I’d like to pass on, from what is now years of experience with multiple new Saab vehicles:

A car in an image can look great, but seeing it in person is much better. Seeing at a motor show is good. Seeing it on the road is the best of all. I remember seeing a sketch of the PhoeniX concept for the first time in LA last year. I gave it a very lukewarm reception. I saw the car for real in Geneva five months later and it really shone in person. Then I saw it on the street in New York a month later again, and it blew me away.
More importantly, this is just a basic image from some time ago. It’s not definitive and certainly nothing to base your final conclusions on.

And now, for your musical interlude…. the art of gathering public opinion 🙂

Poll – Leaked Saab image

By now, may of you would have seen the image below, which first appeared in a Swedish newspaper yesterday and has since gone all around the web.

The image should have been redacted by the body that passed the document on to the newspaper, however this was overlooked. An apology has been offered and accepted. Thankfully for us, the image is small and of insufficient detail to give too much away, but we can say that it was from a Saab document and that’s all we’ll give away at this time.

So…. seeing as you’ve had your sneaky peek, let’s go to the polls. Hot or Not?

Have your vote, and comments are open.

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[poll id=”10″]

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Poll wrap – what should we call the Saab 9-3 replacement

Yesterday we ran a poll both here on Inside Saab and on our Saab Cars Facebook page. The poll asked your thoughts about the naming of the future replacement for the Saab 9-3, after a possible name change was hinted at in the US press.

The poll results are in and as of right now, the winner by a sizeable margin in the six-horse race was to retain the current 9-? naming convention.

The results from Facebook were quite similar, with nearly 50% voting for the 9-? naming convention. Second place at FB was using the 900 name, with around 280 votes.

There is a similar poll still underway at Saabs United if people are interested in contributing.

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It was great to hear some varying opinions and other reasonings in comments to the poll. Personally speaking, I think the poll produced the right outcome. The 9-? naming convention respects the company’s heritage whilst allowing for different size vehicles, as well.

There is (rightly) some confusion over the ‘x’ attachment, however I think that perhaps we need to start pushing the idea that it’s a type of vehicle (crossover type variant) rather than a designation for the vehicle having XWD. Clearly, some ‘x’ vehicles dont actually have XWD.

Of course, how to designate trim levels with a model range is the next question that some answered in comments. The historical use of Linear, Arc, Vector and Aero is mentioned, some people like it and some people don’t. Some markets understand it and some markets don’t, which is why I think it’s used in some places and not in others (where ‘Premium’ is used between ‘Aero’ and …. nothing).

Overall, though, I think the naming convention is good. It’s unique to Saab, it makes it pretty clear as to what playground a model is sitting in, and it doesn’t confuse people with a mishmash of letters that mean nothing to those who are unfamiliar.

Thanks to all for participating in the poll and for sharing your opinions. I’m sure there were a few curious eyes in the marketing team looking over this one 🙂

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What should we call the Saab 9-3 replacement?

Saab Cars North America chief Tim Colbeck was speaking to the Motor Press Guild in the US earlier this week, when he mentioned that the replacement for the current Saab 9-3 might be released under a new name.

The big question: what should that name be?

To the polls ….. with a few generic and a few specific options available for your vote. You can elaborate on your vote in comments.

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[poll id=”8″]

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Saabs have traditionally had numeric names, starting with two-digits (92-99) then moving to three and four digits (900, 9000) before going to the current format, badged as “to the power of” but written as 9-3, 9-5, etc.

Very few Saabs have been deliberately and solely marketed with an alpha name – the Saab Sonett comes to mind – but a few others have been come to be known by alpha names. They were often variations on an existing model, like the Viggen, the Turbo-X, the Saab Sport and the Monte Carlo.

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Poll: If you could change one thing about today’s Saabs, what would it be?

A few weeks ago we gave you a magic wand and asked what Saab from the past you’d recreate today, brand new from the factory, if you had the chance. The Saab 900 was the overwhelming winner.

Today we’re asking you what particular area of today’s Saab vehicles would you improve if you could break out the magic wand once again. You can only choose one area, so pick carefully.

Yes, we could theoretically have an interior lined with the fur of bear cubs who are certified 100% happy to give their skins for Saab motorists, but then someone would have to pay for the bear psychologist, the certification program, the bear farm and the costs of fighting the various court challenges that would arise from such a program. That’s a rather extreme example, but the purpose is to illustrate that anything’s possible, at the right price.

At Saab, we take all the steps we reasonably can to produce a total vehicle package that will satisfy all of our customers needs and expectations, one that will fulfill the requirements of our brand pillars at the expected price range.

We always look for ways to improve, though. This is an opportunity for you to indicate which would be the first priority for you. The poll is open.

[poll id=”7″]

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Poll – Do you name your Saab?

I’ve done this before and I’ll probably do it again….

The first car I can remember is my grandfather’s brown mid-60’s Holden. It’s a little strange that that’s the first car I can remember because I would have travelled to my grandparents’ home – the only place I would have seen it – in my own parents’ car and yet I have no recollection whatsoever as to what they would have been driving at that time. I do remember Pa’s Holden, though.

The second car that I can remember clearest from my childhood is a Morris 1100 that was owned by my sister. She would have bought the 1100 when I was around 6 years old. It was white, had red vinyl seats and I used to ride in it everywhere because I never let my sister go anywhere without me (which must have been miserable for the guy who is now my brother-in-law 🙂 ). She called the car Bugalugs.

Despite this, I don’t come from a family of car-namers and I’ve never given one of my own cars a name, either. The only inanimate object that I’ve ever named is a bass guitar, which I called Veronica because of the big “V” at the top of the headstock. As far as I know, Bugalugs is the only car owned by our particular branch of the Wade family that’s ever had a name and I’m sure it was just a teenage phase and the novelty of a first car that made my sister do it.

Nevertheless, I’ve known other car-namers. A friend of mine owns a Saab 95 wagon in yellow that used to be known as “Sally Sunday” by its previous owner. And I’ve lost count of the number of people I’ve heard calling their Saab by the name “Saabrina”.

A simple poll, then…..

Do you name your car? Or not? And because it’s so common, do you name your car Saabrina?

Other names and explanations can be posted to comments if you wish. I’m sure there are some entertaining stories out there about names given (and if the story’s a little too personal – nudge, nudge, wink, wink – please remember this is a family site and keep it to yourself. Thanks).

[poll id=”6″]

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Results will be published next weekend, along with a few of the comments if they’re deemed entertaining 🙂

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Saabosphere – links we liked this week

Welcome to the weekly roundup of Saab links we enjoyed reading this week at Inside Saab.

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A bit of internal follow-up first…..

The Lime Yellow Saab 9-3 Convertible Hot-or-Not poll has confirmed that the color, now no longer available on the convertible, to be officially HOT.

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Internal follow-up #2…..

An addendum to recent stories about the genesis of the Saab Convertible. This came in from Ed Iawanicki, a former employee of Saab in the USA back when the convertible was launched.

….I had to pick the car up from a photography studio in LA and drive it to Carson on a Sunday morning – this car was supposed to be secret and here I am driving down the 5 in a one-of-a-kind 900 convertible in a VERY cool color (that was never used in production) with the top down because at that point it wasn’t too clear if I put the top up that it would go back down. I was 21 years old and never so paranoid about my driving as I was that morning. Steven Rossi used to refer to it as “my girl Pearl”. 26 years later and I remember it like yesterday.

A great memory and a great story 🙂

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To our friends down the road at Volvo, your decision to abandon the wagon market in the United States has been noted.

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Speaking of Saab wagons, ABC News reports that the Saab 9-3 SportCombi has been noted by the IIHS in the United States as being one of the 15 safest SUV’s on the market there.

Personally speaking, I’m a little surprised by the SUV classification for that car, but we’ll take it.

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Till72 over at Saabs United had the opportunity to take the Hirsch Performance Saab 9-5 for a spin and it’s fair to say that he enjoyed the opportunity.

Readers might like to note the carbon leather dashboard Hirsch installed, as well as the very subtle, but tasty body kit.

Hirsch Performance are the only official Saab tuning house and modifications by Hirsch retain the vehicles factory warranty.

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This could well be my favourite classic Saab (cue Clarkson voice) ……. in the world. I filmed it whipping past everyone at the Kinnekulle track back in 2007 and this photo is from the very same track – this morning.

It’s an early 1970’s Saab 99 fitted with a 16V turbo engine and making somewhere around 300hp.

I was meant to be at Kinnekulle today, too, for a Saab Turbo Club of Sweden event, but a time mixup saw me miss it. The photo was sent to me this morning by Peter S, the owner of Saab tuner Speedparts (his brother owns this 99 and Peter has a matching one in the same spec, but in red).

Wish I was there.

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I’m in for a long drive tomorrow and there’s even a chance I’ll get to stick my head in and see this: The Umeå Institute of Design Degree Show.

It’s 900+ kilometers north of where I’m sitting right now, but I’m heading up close to Umeå to help a friend pick up his Saab 9-5 (a long, sad story involving some ice and a telegraph pole).

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How long have you owned a Saab? One man's story….

I posted a poll late last week asking people how long they’d been a Saab owner. I’ll get to the results of that poll tomorrow, but first I want to thank everyone for their input in comments. There were some wonderful Saab stories there.

I’ve picked out one in particular and contacted the writer seeking his permission to post here on the front page. It’s a wonderful story that I think a few people will relate to. An early connection, a hiatus, some classic Saabs and a new one as well. It caught my eye and I thought a few of you might enjoy it too.

The writer’s name is Xavier and I thank him for sharing his story on site.

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Hello from France,

I bought my first SAAB in Denmark, at Kobenhavn in 1990. It was a new white 900 T16 (175ch) 3-door combi. A few years later I bought a white 1990 convertible T16-S (185ch) at 90,000 km. I was so proud with my 2 white Saabs. Unfortunately, my wife had a accident with the coupé because of the cat in 1997 and I had a big accident with the convertible on the peripherique of Paris on a winter sliding morning in 2003. We also had a 900 T16 sedan for some time but I did not like it very much and sold it. So after this, I had no more Saabs, nor any cars at all. I bought a Peugeot 406 V6. Although it was good car, I could not get used to it for reasons I can’t explain with my poor English (you’re doing fine, your English is a gazillion times better than my French – SW). I sold it for a Mercedes C220, which I then sold for a Mercedes R280.

At this time, I did not like the new “products” of Saab. It was GM with a Saab logo. What I like in Saab is to drive a different car and GM was just making ordinary cars that were so similar to the other cars. With a 900, people are a fan or they hate it. There is no between!

I knew that I would buy a 900 one day and I heard that Saab was about to disappear, so I woke up and I bought a 900 T16-S convertible at the end of 2009. I sold the Mercedes and bought a 900 T16-S 3-door combi at the beginning of 2010. They are both dark grey and from 1991. Last summer, we went to Italy with the convertible. It was just great. The children, who are 12 & 10 years old, love the car!

And to finish, I bought the new Saab 9-5 Aero 220ch Biopower last November. Although this car is born under GM period, we can feel the Saab spirit blowing! The windshield and other details have the 900 as a reference. I really love the line and what a pleasure to be at the wheel!

So, now I have 3 Saabs. Maybe the beginning of a collection…

Xavier

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And here are Xavier’s Saabs. Definitely a collection, if you ask me, and a very fine collection, too. Click to enlarge.

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Poll follow-up: What’s your favourite color Saab 9-3x?

Our Saab 9-3x poll is over and done, with over 1,100 votes received – thankyou!!

The poll numbers turned out as follows:

Arctic White – 281 votes
Oak Brown Metallic – 196 votes
Laser Red – 179 votes
Jet Black Metallic – 169 votes
Carbon Grey Metallic – 119 votes
Glacier Silver Metallic – 102 votes
Diamond Silver Metallic – 60 votes

One of the reasons that I wanted to conduct the poll was to see how people’s preferences in the poll would match up with actual sales numbers on the ground.

I had a theory that the large number of Arctic White sales, for example, were because Saab themselves promoted Arctic White quite a bit at the vehicle’s launch and many of the test cars would have been produced in that color. That theory turned out to be wrong, however, as you can see from the poll. Arctic White is popular in sales terms simply because it’s popular in general terms.

But there are some interesting outcomes from the poll. It predicts good things, for example, for Oak Brown Metallic, which has previously only been available on the Saab 9-5. A lot of people seem to like its application to the more down-to-earth Saab 9-3x and it’ll be interesting to see how it goes (it’s only just been released as part of the new Griffin range)

In comments to the original post, many people asked what happened to the blue color options. Well, they fell victim to poor sales. When the Saab 9-3x was first launched, it actually had a very wide color palette, which included Titan Grey, Snow Silver, Pepper Green and Nocturne Blue. All four of those were dropped for MY2011, some of which would have been down to lower sales, and some to restricted paint options being available in a post-GM world. A new color will be added for MY2012, but you’ll have to wait a little to hear what that one is.

The only other mystery remaining now is what color(s) will be dropped from the current range? I can’t tell you that either, but I can tell you what were the three poorest selling colors in 2011 and it’s interesting to see the correlation (or lack thereof) between the sales and the poll.

Continue reading Poll follow-up: What’s your favourite color Saab 9-3x?

Poll – What’s your favourite color Saab 9-3x?

I’d like to do a little experiment here.

Yesterday I heard that one particular color in the Saab 9-3x range was the lowest selling color (there has to be one, of course) and thus was in danger of being cut to make way for a new color in the coming model year.

What I’d like to do is conduct a poll looking at the current Saab 9-3x colors and see which colors are most (and least) popular with readers. It’ll be interesting to see the results.

Your choices, all from the current Saab 9-3x color palette, are as follows:

Arctic White:

Laser Red:

Carbon Grey Metallic:

Diamond Silver Metallic:

Glacier Silver Metallic:

Jet Black Metallic:

Oak Brown Metallic:

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You can only vote for one color.

Please cast your vote in the poll below. It’ll be interesting to see whether the least favourite color in this poll is the same as the slowest selling color in dealerships.

[poll id=”2″]

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