Gents: I just got off the phone with Mike Colleran, President and COO of Saab Cars North America (SCNA). Most of the information Swade has ably covered over the past thirty days or so, but I’ll post for posterity nonetheless in about a day’s time.
Two things to think about:
1. There are significant rebates against 2009 Saabs still in stock. Believe me, that brand-new black 9-3 Aero Convertible isn’t going to get any cheaper.
2. Make your plans now for the Saab Owner’s Convention 2010 as soon as you can. It is sure to be heavily attended because it’s in a reasonably central location and the honeymoon is still on, so to speak. Don’t be left out!
————
Beware imitations!! Other automotive bloggers may misreport numbers and generally goof on basic information. Little things like the name of the Saab CEO and the number of vehicles in stock in the United States.
Stay with the name brand, SaabsUnited. The brand that you know, the brand that you trust. At least most of the time.
Update: Mr. Sheena has corrected his post to reflect the correct name of our beloved Saab CEO, but the numbers he included from the AP wire are a little off – no fault of his. We all know that stock has dwindled quite a bit, but we aren’t quite at that level yet.
————
U.S. February auto sales overall were up over 10% year-on-year which bodes well for the Saab “re-entry” into this market. Garnering just a 1% share would have put Saab back onto the automotive map with over 7,000 units sold in February of this year.
Certainly much to be done, but the silver lining is there if you look.
No related posts.
{ 23 comments }
That reminds me of a comment I read a few days ago…someone said that SAAB stands for Saab Automobile AB. Ummm…so, what does Saab stand for?
Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget…just FYI.
On a completely different note, does anyone know if the 9-4X will have a third-row seat? I know the new Cadillac SRX isn’t offered with one anymore, but I have always thought that the third-row seat made so much sense in a vehicle like this. The new SRX is smaller than the old one, but really, what’s the difference now between the SRX and a regular sedan other than ride-height? I’m afraid I know the answer to my question, but it would be great if the 9-4X did indeed have a third-row seat as an option, even if it was only practical for the height-impaired. I think I remember reading in the past about safety concerns with occupants of a third-row seat…???
Also, I assume that the goofy blue OnStar button will not be in the new 9-5 and 9-4X…someone correct me if I’m wrong and I need to invest in some nice black electrical tape to cover it up. Drive safely and KEEP ON SAABING!!!
“Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget” is a lot more unique and genuine. It clearly indicates the roots of the brand.
Saab is for the car industry not longer an abbreviation anymore. This is the reason the brandname isn’t spelt in capitals, but as a common name (Saab), although the logo exists of capitals.
SAAB written in capital is the defense/airplane organisation.
AB = Aktiebolaget.
Uhh… maybe it’s my crappy work computer, but when I punch in my zip- the screen is blank.. as in no discounts. I hope it’s my junk computer…
Or no rebates in your area! LoL
For those of us that live in the Southeast, the Amtrak Autotrain may be a good option! It runs from Orlando, FL to Lorton, VA. Living in Miami, an Aurora round trip would still be over 3,000 miles. Always the longest road home in a Saab, I know, haha but still that’s too many hours behind the wheel for me.
The Autotrain is about $500 roundtrip, so it may be a viable option for many just not on costs but convenience. Once you’re in Lorton, VA its a quick 300 mile hop to Aurora.
See you all at the convention!!!
Clay: Actually both are correct. The original SAAB is still in existence and is still “Aeroplan”. The SAAB that built my 9-5 (GM ownership) was Saab Automobile AB.
I think we’re on the same page and perhaps I failed at effectively stating the humorous point. The comment was that SAAB stands for “Saab Automobile AB”, which is like saying RPM stands for “RPM per minute” or MPH stands for “MPH per hour”. It was one of those things that wasn’t necessarily funny, but more ironically humorous…well, to me, anyway. Drive safely and KEEP ON SAABING!!!
Ahhh…. yes, I see. Same to you, pal – keep Saabing!
It looks like we are going to have a very limited 2010 model year run here in the US. Given that, I hope we start getting some MY2011 info soon. We know what the new 9-5 is going to bring. How about the 2011 9-3? Is it still going to be refreshed? If so, is the interior going to be to the new 9-5? I hope so, because the interior of my ’08 Aero is pretty weak (glorious seats aside). Are there going to be tweaks to the exterior? What about engine options? Without a V6 will the Aero receive a higher tuned 2.0T? I can’t see the Aero stepping back to 210HP. Inquiring minds what to know!
Eggs … You tweeted about leasing:
“Mike Colleran, President #Saab Cars North America: “Leasing to be available ASAP” “More cars in stock this month”
Should this be added to this article? Leasing is huge news.
I just spent quality time with my Saab tech this morning over a small issue with my 2009 9-5. It seems my Saab tech wants a NG9-5 to work on. It seems my wife and I would want one to satisfy her 5-series bug. Hey, Mr. Colleran … it’s Jim Hudson Saab. Show us some love, at least in the form of a price list?
Dear Saab internets: My Saab tech tells me I missed out on one heckuva car. The 2009 9-3 Aero SportCombi V6 and XWD that I was watching locally and just missed by a month was a blast to take airborne, uhm, I mean, test drive.
(Standard disclaimer: They didn’t literally take the 9-3 airborne. That’s me being a goof. The car was a rocket on rails. My local dealership is a class act.)
I’m guessing you meant “Ladies and Gents” … wouldn’t want to ruffle the feathers of the finer side of SU.
No 3rd row. Supposedly not safe enough in a rear end impact given that they have to be so close to the gate.
Guys,
So I noticed that you linked over to my story with less than favorable comments. That is fine, everybody is entitled to their opinion. I did flub the CEO’s name, but that was b/c the original AP story also did the same. They and I have since corrected that issue. The caption was 0-5 instead of 9-5, an obvious mistake made in haste. My bad.
However, you state that I misrepresnted numbers and that I believe is not correct. According to this AP post there are only 500 new Saabs in US inventory:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hSXYOF1FDRmZN_N8Z5GIRMG_vSJQD9E6JAT00
“Saab’s near-death experience has left it with just 500 cars for sale in showrooms across the United States, a figure the company wants to boost in coming years, CEO Jan Ake Jonsson said Tuesday”
Because the AP is god… LOL
And from what I can tell, Nobody has bashed your article here. On your site, maybe- But i’ll not be going there.
Thanks,
Matt
Michael Sheena’s article, while perhaps having typos, was not negative towards Saab nor particularly positive, just “let’s wait and see” but without the usual snarkiness we’ve seen lately.
Any mention of Saab that lets people know the company IS alive and new models are forthcoming is probably a good thing. Scarcity of product often leads to increased demand.
Chris
Lutz finally retires.
http://media.gm.com/content/media/us/en/news/news_detail.brand_gm.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2010/Mar/0303_lutz
Just have to give a shout-out to my old Saab dealer, Garry Small Saab of Portland Oregon, who has a brand NEW 2008 9-3 Aero Convertible for $38,930– an astounding $13,000 off.
Garry Small has been a Saab-exclusive dealer under the same ownership for over 22 years, and has stood by this marque through thick and thin. I’ve bought both of my Saabs there, and would never consider going anywhere else. Like a lot of dealers, these guys are starved for product right now– this 2008 is the newest Saab on the lot– and are eminently worthy of the Saab community’s support. If anybody’s looking to pick up an Aero ‘vert, do give these guys a call (I know for a fact that they ship). You’ll get a great deal, and support somebody who’s supported Saab for several decades.
http://www.saabstory.com/inventory.asp
It’s a safety item. Telemetrics has a place. It should be an option at least. Now that GM put in side impact airbags, let’s not take them out. If you like, don’t call it Onstar. Change the color of the button, etc. Telemetrics are available in BMWs.
Just a thought.
True, true…good for some, but not for everybody. I guess I’m shooting more for the GM disconnect than anything else. You have a point. Drive safely and KEEP ON SAABING!!!
Mr. Sheena: I’ve updated the post to reflect your corrections, and I hope that you take the post as intended — tongue firmly in cheek (note facetious tag line).
The AP was wrong on both counts — did you see that I’d actually spoken to Saab North America President no more than 90 minutes prior to this post? Admittedly, it’s not a mistake by a HUGE margin, but again, I’m drawing a somewhat humorous line between us as Saab specialists and others that have a more general automotive interest.
Saab is only a fraction of one percent in most automotive market measures, thus they should only be a small focus for the general automotive press, too. That’s kind of the point — AP (or any other mainstream outlet) throws in those little statements and they get it “close enough” and let it rip. We try to go the extra mile.
We are not above making mistakes, either; I’ve certainly made my share. Again, this is offered in jest.
Let us know when the West Texas Saab Club is up and running. Thank you.
Comments on this entry are closed.