Hi all.
Last night I went to a big celebration dinner at the Grand Hotel here in Stockholm. There were about 50 people present in one of the most beautiful dining rooms I’ve ever seen. It was totally surreal, like watching a scene in a very ornate movie with suited people, frescoed walls and complete with a snowfallen city backdrop.
This is not my life, is it? Well, for one night it was.
I can honestly tell you that if any of the participants from yesterday’s proceedings and last night’s dinner are at work today then they are not human. They’re some sort of mutants that defy science.
I guess we’ve got to class Jan-Ake Jonsson and Victor Muller in that category as they backed up this morning on Swedish television, getting picked up at around 6 o’clock this morning to do so. Amazing.
I have a whole heap of notes to share from yesterday, but those will have to wait. Right now I have to check out of my hotel and start making tracks back to Gothenburg – effectively the beginning of my long journey back home to Australia. It’ll be great to get back home but my goodness it’ll be sad to leave the people I’ve met in the last 36 hours.
——
Two quick notes before I head off (I’ll write a lot more later on and have video and other audio notes to transcribe).
Note one:
Last night there were a number of fantastic speeches given by various people (Joran Hagglund’s had a number of fantastic stories that won’t see print).
During Victor Muller’s final speech (of five or six) he was very very gracious in paying tribute once again to all the support received from the Saab community during the sale process. This wasn’t a speech for the media or any wider audience, it was a genuine acknowledgment shared only with the people who were already insiders on the deal.
Take a bow, people.
I’m going to have to petition my local state government to have the state’s name changed to “freaking Tasmania”.
Note two
Today, Victor Muller heads back to Trollhattan, where he’ll meet up with at least one of his sons, and together they’ll drive home to Holland in his new Saab 9-5.
Now that’s pretty cool.
——
Will talk again later. Time to check out.
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{ 69 comments }
WoW, have a nice trip back home!
You have to be exhausted, but it must me very gratifying to be part of “SAAB History” being written!
Bravo swade! Thanks for sharing ALL of this with us.
Safe travels!
History has been written – and you are a part of it.
Congratulations and thanks for all the effort and energy that you have put into this “project”.
Speaking of “project”, any off-the-record comment from Victor about the 92 that you can reveal to us?
Best,
M.
that’s so cool!
thank you for sharing all that with us.
Steve
Before you make your long trip back home and if you get the chance, can you bend the ears of VM and JAJ and tell them to get advertising Saab in the media, especially in the UK.
The BBC has singularly failed in mentioning anything about the deal. Unlike all the previous bad news about Saab, which they were on the ball with (sour grapes over Rover?).
So the UK car buying population has no idea that Saab has it’s future secured. I’ve been speaking to my dealer (Concept Saab in Coventry) about this over the last few days.
So please guys start the media campaigns ASAP.
Thanks
Michael,
I’ll have more to say about that car later on. Right now I’ll just say that it does look quite cool. It really does.
Swade, this trip has been nothing but great news, well done to everyone involved. At least you can do some typing on that long journey back to “freaking Tasmania”. Catch you soon, so looking forward to all the news.
Robin M.
In Markus Nordberg’s comment on ttela.se (“SAAB has shown that nothing is impossible”) there are two paragraphs about Swade and the role SU played in the process of saving SAAB.
Here’s the link:
http://ttela.se/ekonomi/saab/1.743481-saab-har-visat-att-inget-ar-omojligt
You actually seen it? Sketches or the real thing
I love the bit of VM driving home in a new 9-5. I hope they will be spotted along the way, and someone makes a picture.
I have read a few articles which said VM showed some sketches he had stored on his mobile phone.
Wow, must be great driving home in a new 9-5. If he takes the good route he can try out the car on the Autobahn (take the northern route over Oldenburg towards Groningen, Victor… it’s a usual quiet road where you can hit the floor up till the 250km/h).
He must have loads of attention along the road. Can’t wait till we drive one too
All this way and not a stop in Saabh
Swade, I am looking forward to your book about the saga of the sale of Saab.
Have a safe trip home to freaking Tasmania!
Utterly cool, and you know I’ve said so before: you deserve some of that James Bond lime light!
Be glad you’re headed somewhere warm! I wish I was going with you!
Wow, what a story and what a grand finale! You are sooo lucky, Swade, and it is all very well deserved!
Thanks for connecting us to this great event!
Have a nice trip out of the snow
Cheers from Norway
-Olav-
Always on the longest road home when out there with my SAAB. Always!
Steven, hope you have a safe trip home and get to catch up on some well earned rest on the flight. I think we all need a few days to catch our breath before all the interesting news starts to hit the site. Very nice the mention in the ttela article, think a lot of journalists are very jealous, and they should be.
Back to the roots!:
http://public.blu.livefilestore.com/y1pQwZokBtKAPVy5Kj7O_2Bfuc-5cF6v5Utz76YjzevVcDF2HpUvvKf1hSBRTvPIH7OE76vQu0s7HiU0zp5xm3wmQ/saab1000ad1vs5.jpg
The future is BRIGHT!
Cheers from Norway!
-Olav-
Always on the longest road home when out there with my SAAB. Always!
Good work!
Have a safe trip back. If you need a ride to the Airport I would be happy to drive you from Gotehburg to Landvetter!
TrakDah-translate of the article:
When the Saab employees list their heroes in the drama, they must not forget the name Steven Wade. It was through this Saab blogger enthusiasts were able to coordinate and synchronize their actions. It was through Wade’s blog that they became a strong voice in the debate on Saab’s fate.
There is no doubt how much Saab Spyker value him. Yesterday, he was invited, all the way from Tasmania, to with his own eyes witness the moment when the ownership of Saab changed hands at the law firm Roschiers’ office in Stockholm.
Have a safe trip home Swade and Victor!
I am happy to drive you as well Steven. Any chance for a meet up at Landvetter? May I ask why you are flying from GOT Steven? Stopping in Trollh
From TTela.se this morning:
N
Thanks to google tranlate we canrewad it too
When the Saab staff lists his heroes in the drama, they also do not forget the name of Steven Wade. It was through him Saab enthusiasts bloggers who could coordinate and synchronize their actions. It was through Wade’s blog that they became a strong voice in the debate on Saab’s fate.
How Saab Spyker evaluate him needs no doubt. Yesterday, he was invited, all the way from Tasmania, with their own eyes witness the moment when the Saab changed hands at the law firm Roschiers office in Stockholm.
And where we stand now.
A new Saab epoch begins. It starts down in the cellar, with a torn brand, customers who fled, and a production that stands still.
Great work, great reports! Thank you Swade!
Now, take a deep breath, sit down in your seat and go to sleep.
Today is day one, and there
(…or you just make sure to skim through the comments first to see whether or not someone’s already gone through the process of manually translating that article in this same thread before
)
Ha, ha
I want to see pictures from that dinner. Please!
Hi Swade!
Since you are here in the cold winter, you should come to Norway and we could go skiing (on salomon skis). Would be a great way for you to reload your batteries, relax and then be ready for future blogging about the reborn car company we all love.
Thank you for all the work you have done for us SAAB enthusiasts. And, for sure, you really deserved to be present in Stockholm during yesterdays events.
Driving my SAAB, I always pick the longest road back home.
Cheers
Bergtor
Swade,
Thanks for your prompt reply.
I am looking forward to what more information you may have on the 92 that you are willing to share with us later on.
Now, have a safe trip back home and try to digest what you have accomplished and experienced lately, which is truly stuff enough to fill a book.
Best,
M.
Sorry about that. Well, i added italics to it, that should count too, shouldn’t it…
Nice work, Swade and Victor. It is fantastic to see that Victor acknowledges the true fans and supporters. It’s a great feeling to be part of the new SAAB community now when the owner have the passion for the brand.
Did you have dinner at Vintertr
Tears in my eyes, shivers running down my spine…
Greetings,
Swade,
Much respect to you and your fine website.
The information highway is kept free of “Imperial forces” thanks to the dedication of good people like you. Take the high road and you will never drown.
Victor Muller,
Major kudos to you.
Some internal combustion engines are imbued with living souls. May God grant you the wisdom to guide such souls into the proper vehicles.
I am at your service, and will do whatever is within my power to aid your noble quest.
All Citizens Of Planet Earth,
This event hearkens the cry of a world gone mad.
Monumental works are the result of singular acts.
May the intent, purpose, will, wisdom, intelligence and enthusiasm of Mr. Muller fill the hearts, minds and souls of all the good readers of this website, and spread like a plague throughout all of human society.
That Steven Wade is one impressive guy
We love what you do
Cheers/Tom
Victor should insist on TopGear testing both a Spyker and a NG9-5 Aero XWD in the next series.
But maybe SAAB shold make a 350 hp version first?
Cheers/Tom
Hmmm, The charm of the Viggen went straight over Jeremy Clarksons head.
As always, thanks again Swade! Seriously, you can stand on a podium with JAJ and VM!
Freaking awesome!!
Would you honestly have believed some years ago that you
Freaking Tasmania LOL…I can just imagine the context of that! I am sure you will be glad to get back to summer or fall..whatever it is in Australia these days.
The last year has been a wild ride for us Saabers and sometimes the difficulty of the journey makes for a more exciting destination. I do believe the Saab community is much stronger because of the turmoil of the last six months, and I look forward with great anticipation to the future of Saab.
Stryker Up!!
Griffin Up!!
Freaking Tasmania Up!! (or is it down under?)
Swade, some photos?
P.s: You made a great job! Now I can stop thinking about what car I have to select as the next one (our company allows such possibility)…
What a journey this has been… what a long year of wondering what will happen next.
Simply wonderful it’s all over and a bright new future has begun!
He is indeed…thanks again Steven and have a safe trip home. Cheers from freaking New England!
Mark
Well, Swade did you leave a glass slipper and will you arrive home to a pumpkin in your driveway? Must have been great!
Looking forward to all the great new Saab news.
Sometimes, there are things worth saving.
You can quote me on that.
As always: Just a thought.
Have safe journeys Swade and Victor!
) Griffin UP!!! (by the way, the 9-5 looks GREAT in the metal!!!)
As if by fate, I was sitting in my 9-3 convertible in traffic this morning just north of London and a car transporter truck pulled up alongside with — a new 9-5 on the back!! First time I’ve seen one in the UK and I guess it was on it’s way to Griffin House in Luton. How amazing was that on this first day of Saab freedom!
How about some bittersweet Springsteen? I believe the lyrics is quite appropriate these days when Saab and GM goes separate ways.
“…Cause the darkness of this house has got the best of us
There’s a darkness in this town that’s got us too
But they can’t touch me now
And you can’t touch me now
They ain’t gonna do to me
What I watched them do to you
So say goodbye it’s Independence Day
It’s Independence Day
All down the line
Just say goodbye it’s Independence Day
It’s Independence Day this time
Now I don’t know what it always was with us
We chose the words, and yeah, we drew the lines
There was just no way this house could hold the two of us
I guess that we were just too much of the same(?) kind
Well say goodbye it’s Independence Day
It’s Independence Day all boys must run away
So say goodbye it’s Independence Day
All men must make their way come Independence Day
So say goodbye it’s Independence Day
Well Papa go to bed now it’s getting late
Nothing we can say can change anything now
Because there’s just different people coming down here now
and they see things in different ways
And soon everything we’ve known will just be swept away
So say goodbye it’s Independence Day
WOW!!
The Boss is my absolute favorite, idol even. You got the message through well enough – for years of not understanding each other, Saab HAD to break free from papa GM.
I should
Is there anyone that knows anything about the concept car that SAAB will have as a premiere at the Geneva motor show? As it is a premiere it cannot be the 9-4X concept, 9-X Air nor the 9-5 SS as they all have been on display earlier.
http://www.salon-auto.ch/en/premieres/saab-concept-car-171-17089
Can it be the SAAB 9-5 SportCombi or a SAAB 9-5X? And why display those as concept cars when everybody already “knows” what they will look like?
….I guess a 9-5 would be a little more relaxing than a Spyker on winter roads
Yes, I agree. The minimalistic SAAB interior is easy on the eye.
Yes, congratulations, Swade, on being a part of this great event!
As with the others, I wish you a safe trip home, a good rest, and to paraphrase a line from The Princess Bride:
Sleep well, my friend, and may you dream of new Saabs.
I thing it will be an electric car …
That sounds like a lot of traveling which such a short time in Sweden. Too bad you couldn’t stay longer and enjoy more of the Swedish winter. At least you won’t have a problem with jet lag when you get back. Tasmania must be one of the farthest places from Trollhattan, no?
Jealous but very happy for you Swade.
I think that Mrs. Swade deserved the honor as well for sharing you with saab all this time.
Maybe, many car producers is saying that there will be new electric cars in production in 2012-2013.
SAAB is doing 100 electric 9-3:s this spring.
But, if the business plan is still on, maybe koenigseggs cooperation with cargine is still on? And then the might show a concept av a “9-Air something” combined with VM:s 92?
In that case it could be a bio power 92 with an air-hybrid engine. Remember that cargine already built a complete running 9-5 with this tech.
The name? SAAB 9-2Air 1.6T Bio Power. Capable of running on gasoline, e85 and just thin air….
Of course this is only my dream, but hey, that car would hit the news hard. And maybe so hard that the turbulence we have got custom to would be in the same strength, but with a positive spirit instead.
Patrik, I don’t know how the 9-5X nor the 9-5 SC will look like. Otherwise, it could be a concept of the NG9-3.
So Muller is part of 9-5 quality testing program now?
Yes, I think that a concept 9-3 would be more plausible. But they better not create a huge need fore a new 9-3 just yet. They need to keep selling the current one for a year or two more.
They should shock the world. But in real life i know that it is very much to ask right now.
It will take a little bit longer till more than sketches of VM’s 92-inspired micro-SAAB can be shown.
Too late, they’ve already said that the next 9-3 will have ahatch variant.
But it would be just phenomenal, right?
Was indeed a very good night!
However back to work in Trollhattan this morning. Have to say that there have been days I have felt better when I woke up
Safe trip home!
Check!
You are right.
What does that German Academic by the name of Dudenhoffer (“The Dude”) have to say about this? I wonder if he will eat his words? Same goes for Phil LeBeau of CNBC.
Did anyone else notice in Swade’s prior post when he was taking pics of the room there were other photographers taking pics of him? He’s like Ron Burgandy! “I’m kind of a big deal”.
Don
“Freaking Tasmania” – appropriate. LOL.
Nate 93 plus one. Swade is kind of a big deal.
Hi, my name’s Swade & I’m big in Sweden. Just don’t tell my boss in freaking Tasmania.
Swade, youve always been big to us.
no concept car on the geneve show !!!
FROM PESCARA, ITALY
Mitiche le Saab di un tempo! La
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