You are browsing the archive for 2010 September.

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by Swade

Press Release: Victor Muller named Entrepreneur of the Year by Automotive News Europe

September 30, 2010 in News

Congratulations, VM!!!

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  • Recognition for achievements of Saab Automobile Chairman Victor Muller from major European automotive publication
  • Praise for securing Saab’s future and implementing its business plan

Trollhättan, Sweden: The dynamic business acumen of Saab Automobile Chairman Victor Muller was recognized last night when he received an Entrepreneur of the Year award at the 2010 Eurostars Awards ceremony in Paris, staged by trade publication Automotive News Europe. This award was specially created to acknowledge Muller’s outstanding achievements.

The Dutch businessman showed extraordinary tenacity during protracted negotiations to purchase Saab Automobile from General Motors, working closely with Saab’s executive leadership team. The future of Saab Automobile was eventually secured when its takeover by Muller’s company, Spyker Cars NV, was confirmed on February 23.

“I feel incredibly honoured and proud to receive this award,” said Muller, as he was presented with the accolade. “However, this is not just for me, but for all the Saab employees and Saab’s excellent management headed by Jan Åke Jonsson, who have shown tremendous commitment and dedication during a challenging but exciting period in the company’s history.

“Saab has already achieved a great deal in a short space of time. We have strengthened our global organization, successfully launched a new flagship model, forged exciting new business partnerships and ramped up the development of future products and technologies.

“Over the next 12 months Saab will launch two more premium cars, in addition to the new 9-5 sedan, and will enter at least one new market segment. These vehicles will be engineered and designed as true Saabs. All this activity shows Saab is firmly on track to deliver on its business plan.”

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Paris: Saab forecasting 33% lower sales target in US

September 30, 2010 in News

Jan-Ake Jonsson and Victor Muller entertained some of the automotive press on the way from Trollhattan to Paris overnight and Automotive News Europe have written a story based on the conversation on the plane.

Saab Automobile CEO Jan Ake Jonsson says it will take longer than anticipated to gain the hearts, minds and eventually the wallets of U.S. car buyers.

The automaker has reduced its U.S. sales target this year by at least 33 percent to below 10,000 units.

“The U.S. is a huge country,” Jonsson said. “There are many areas where they still believe we are gone. It will take time…….”

……Global sales are expected at about 48,000 this year, down from a range of 50,000 to 55,000 forecast in June. Jonsson estimates Saab will sell 80,000 vehicles globally next year, of which 16,000 to 20,000 will be in the United States……

That article goes on to talk about current incentives available in the US, like the conquest incentive available to owners of various marques until the end of September.

“Having all these tools in place is resulting in the great month we are having nationally,” said Fred Shaw, owner of Shaw Saab in Norwell, Mass. “We are on a roll.”

Shaw did not provide any national sales numbers. He is a member of Saab’s national marketing and advertising council.

I definitely think sales will be light years better in September than what they were in August. For example, my mates at New Salem Saab told me a few days ago that they’d sold 4 new and 10 used vehicles so far this month. It may not sound like a heap to some of you, but it’s way ahead of previous months and when you consider that around 200 Saab dealers sold just 290 cars nationwide in August, well, you get what I mean.

We don’t have long to wait and see, but I’m confident of a better month and much better times ahead.

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JAJ and VM video from the Saab/BMW press conference

September 30, 2010 in News

Saab have released another video from the press conference held yesterday to announce the engine deal between Saab and BMW.

It contains short commentaries from Jan-Ake Jonsson and Victor Muller, where they speak about the deal and what it means for Saab.

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Thursday night snippets

September 30, 2010 in Saabology

Another bunch of small-ish Saab stories that are bouncing around amongst all the BMW engine stories……

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It looks like someone from Autospies has been staying at the Swania in Trollhattan. They’ve done a pictorial ‘tour’ of the town that pretty much features Saabs parked on Storgatan, the street the Swania’s on.

I miss Swania.

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Here’s another story stating the BAIC plan to release their remodelled Saabs by the end of 2011, and they’ve built 30 full electric test vehicles based on Saabs already.

They hope to build 150,000 full electric vehicles per year by 2015. And Pete D the AutoExtremist thought Volkswagen’s targets were ambitious!

Still, good luck to them. The better they go, the better off Saab’s relationship with them should become. Does that make Saab BAIC’s BMW?

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By the time you read this there will be mere hours to go on the auction, but it might be worth a look.

Selling via Ebay in the US is a rare Saab 900 rear spoiler
(and no, I don’t know the seller). Apparently it’s a genuine Saab part, though not seen very often. Below is an image of the spoiler attached to an actual 900.

900 mid-spoiler

Definitely different.

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A few US Saab events coming up this weekend that locals might want to check out…..

People are gathering at various places for a drive up Mount Washington, New Hampshire, on Sunday 3rd October. There’s a Facebook Page for the gathering, so check it out if you’re nearby and in the mood to take on one of Mr Pastrana’s favourite roads.

The Mitchell Saab and Volvo dealerships in Simsbury, CT, are having an Annual Swedish Beauty Contest Car Show. Send photos, please.

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Don’t put your eggs all in one basket, or your executives all on one plane.

TROLLHATTAN, Sweden — Whoever books Saab’s charter flights at the automaker’s headquarters here apparently thought this was a good way to reduce costs.

The plan was simple: Put Saab’s senior management, everyone scheduled to be at the Paris auto show, all on the same plane today along with journalists from Europe and the United States.

When the plan was discovered, and fearing the potential for disaster to the small automaker, several executives were taken off the list and issued plane tickets on a commercial aircraft. It is not known when the plan surfaced and was quickly modified.

Saab Automobile Chairman Victor Muller and Saab Automobile CEO Jan Ake Jonsson remained on the two-hour charter flight. Their time was spent in interviews with journalists.

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Reasons to hold on to your car….

September 30, 2010 in Saabology

A few years ago I ran a competition at Trollhattan Saab called “Saab Pride”. Various people wrote in with some great photos of their car, telling stories of things they’d done with their car, why they love their Saabs, etc. It was a tremendous success and almost spawned a book (stay tuned, still considering the possibilities on that one….).

One of the entries came from a guy named Bjarne. He was a Swede living in the United States.

Bjarne Saab 9-3

I thought it was pretty funny that a Swede went to live in America but bought his 9-3 SportCombi through the European Delivery Program. Not only did he get it a bit cheaper, he got a trip home to Sweden as well!

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So….. I just received an email from Bjarne with a bit of follow up news.

The family have now moved back to Sweden, but given that they had so many good experiences in the US with their 9-3 SportCombi, they decided to bring that home with them! They just didn’t want to part with the memories.

Now, Bjarne’s feeling like they’ll never EVER be able to part with the car. Why?

Last week there was another major event involving this car. My second child, a daughter, was born in the back seat! We understod it was cricital and tried to get to the hopsital in time, but on the highway (only a few minutes away from the hopsital) my wife told me that the baby would come. And so she did, while I was going 150 km/h on the highway.

Everything went well and we are happy. The leather seats are still in great shape!

Congratulations to the family on the new (and safe) arrival of the little Bjarnette.

And long live the Saab 9-3 SportCombi that’s seen so much of the world and provided so many memories.

A great story.

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Saabs O The Week – triptych edition

September 30, 2010 in Saabology

I know I don’t do SOTW photos often anymore, but I saw a magnificent trio of photos today and I couldn’t wait for the next of my semi-regular Flickr Dumps to show them to you.

Click to enlarge.

The first is from Arild’s Saab 9-5 ownership blog. Someone requested some photos of the exterior lighting, with results that I thought were just super-cool!

The second is a hot from the guys at Hirsch Performance. Sourced from Flickr, it’s called Five Black Beauties….

Hirsch Five Saabs

And finally, this fantastic action shot from a NASA rally event in New York….

Blue Saab Rally

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Till72: My personal Saab

September 30, 2010 in Saabology

People like to dream about their ideal, future Saab. One of our regulars here at SU is Till72. He’s a great supporter of both the brand and his local dealer (check out the graphics he did for his dealer) and he’s put fingers to keyboard in order to visualise the kind of Saab he’d like buy in the future.

I enjoyed reading this because it reflects some of the changed expectations that people are having now. Saab is no longer the company we’ve known for the last few decades. It’s keeping its roots and its core philosophies, but there’s no doubt that Saab is changing.

Thanks Till!

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The car I would like Saab to build

It’s been a long journey for me to get this car together in my mind. Recently I’ve been reading a lot about future car concepts and I have to admit that there are many out there that look quite promising at first glance.

But things get tricky when you look at the details. With hydrogen, for example, the logistics may be difficult. Electricity is a big thing today but as long as most electricity is generated from burning fossil fuels (emissions) or atomic plants (spent fuel issues) it’s not as clean as it looks. E85 is a good thing if the next generation is made from waste, not from food.

Does anyone remember “Back to the future”? Doc Brown had the Delorean running on waste right from the trash bin after he got the technology on a trip to 2015. That’s not too far away, right? ;-) Those who are interested may take a look at the Choren website – the things they have developed are quite promising.

I still believe that the easiest way to make a customer use alternative fuels is to offer it at the gas station so they can fill their cars like they always did. Charging batteries takes too much time for those who drive more. I’ve got a delivery car here at my company and I’d happily jump on the electric train but right now, the range is simply not enough.

Right now we have a 9-5SC and a 9-3x in our family garage. Both are diesels. Since we are a tall family we’ll always need a big family car for longer trips but right now I’ll concentrate on a potential follow-up to my superb Saab 9-3x (with Hirsch for added superbness :-) ).

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Wednesday Night Snippets – Saab/BMW press conference video

September 30, 2010 in Saabology

Before I kick off with these quick snippets, can I just take a moment to remind everyone of the comments policy for this website.

Your consideration of and adherence to the comments policy makes administering and publishing this site a heck of a lot easier (and more pleasurable).

Hint: the respect section applies to Saab as well. Constant carping about how such-and-such an announcement isn’t good enough for you is kinda disrespectful to a company that was nearly dead just seven months ago. Everyone at this company is busting a gut, doing their absolute best to bring great new Saabs to market for as many people as possible to enjoy.

Listen to the first 5 minutes of the video, below, to hear just how far they’ve come.

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Now that’s over and done with….

I have it on pretty good authority that the Saab-related news from the Paris Auto Show is not over quite yet.

I won’t give away the full details, but how do the words “Entrepreneur of the Year” sound?

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The big ticket item in this snippets entry is the video from the press conference earlier today.

Enjoy. (and thanks Wulf for the tip in comments).

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The Saab Club of Spain participated in a track day last weekend at Jarama’s racing circuit (in Madrid). Some old 900′s and 9000′s came out to play, looking fantastic in formation…..

…..and that’s not all. Check out who else came along for a ride…..

Thanks to Carlos D, via mail.

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It was always going to come and indeed, it came quickly…….thanks Jacco!

Saab BMW badge

If the new Saab 9-3 with the BMW-sourced engine is released on 1 September 2012, I reckon these badges will be on Ebay by 2 September :-)

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by Swade

Notes from Saab/BMW press conference

September 29, 2010 in News, Saabology

Following are my Twitter notes from the press conference and question time today, in relation to the Saab/BMW engine supply agreement.

Important: These tweets are in reverse chronological order, so start at the bottom and read up.

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It’s the engine that’s in the MINI currently on the streets. – BMW guy
half a minute ago via Chromed Bird

BMW guy – a step along strategic journey. See Saab as a manufacturer of reasonable volume, step up from the low volume they’ve doing so far
less than a minute ago via Chromed Bird

“One of the most important milestones since we acquired the company, and in past years” – VM
3 minutes ago via Chromed Bird

VM – BMW and Saab have pretty different customers (except Richo….)
3 minutes ago via Chromed Bird

VM – talking brand DNA. Bringing it back. Responsible performance, turbo. BMW is a partner that can help achieve that objective
3 minutes ago via Chromed Bird

Saab’s volumes don’t make it affordable to manufcture their own engines now.
4 minutes ago via Chromed Bird

…..this opportunity to select what they want
5 minutes ago via Chromed Bird

JAJ – this is a step in migrating away from GM. But GM still provide good stuff, 9-5 is an outstanding package, but they’re using ….
5 minutes ago via Chromed Bird

BMW aiming to push the envelope with performance and sustainability which is why Saab chose this engine (BMW dude)
7 minutes ago via Chromed Bird

Customers want performance and green solutions. BMW perfect for this (JAJ)
9 minutes ago via Chromed Bird

Prospective output…Will have discussion as to what sort of performance they want to deliver with the 9-3
9 minutes ago via Chromed Bird

….answering in Swedish again…..
11 minutes ago via Chromed Bird

………. damn silent questions…….
11 minutes ago via Chromed Bird

Too early to put a number on the number of engines they’ll be buying, but several hundred-thousand over the life cycle of the new 9-3
12 minutes ago via Chromed Bird

BMW guy – he’s talking and it sounds like Saab will benefit from stop-start stuff associated with this engine (not completely sure on that)
13 minutes ago via Chromed Bird

VM: BMW are #1 premium carmaker in the world. Saab will benefit by association as well as getting good engine
14 minutes ago via Chromed Bird

VM – We’re going to take positions to shape our own future and don’t rely on others to take those decisions
15 minutes ago via Chromed Bird

Q: Can we afford this? A: Business plan is fully funded and new 9-3 is part of that plan
16 minutes ago via Chromed Bird

Is this agreement part of reducing dependence on GM. Answer – it’s about getting the right engines more than dependence.
17 minutes ago via Chromed Bird

Answering in Swedish – poop! English, Jan-Ake, English!!!
20 minutes ago via Chromed Bird

Questions will be followed by short interview session
21 minutes ago via Chromed Bird

Question time now……
21 minutes ago via Chromed Bird

Still too early to tell what will happen with Saab 92.
21 minutes ago via Chromed Bird

You will be able recognise the next Saab 9-3 as a new Saab even if it had no badges on it
22 minutes ago via Chromed Bird

Represents confirmation in the market that Saab is here to stay
23 minutes ago via Chromed Bird

Saab has achieved a lot in 7 months. Bursting at the seams
23 minutes ago via Chromed Bird

“A landmark” – only 7 months into owning Saab and we have a deal with one of the best premium marques. Very proud.
23 minutes ago via Chromed Bird

Talking about the perfect storm again. Should just hand out the DVD
24 minutes ago via Chromed Bird

Had a wonderful time doing this deal
25 minutes ago via Chromed Bird

VM up now.
25 minutes ago via Chromed Bird

Wishes Saab every success as it’s good for BMW too.
25 minutes ago via Chromed Bird

Exploring other opportunities between BMW and Saab
25 minutes ago via Chromed Bird

200hp engine and award winning piece. To be manufactured at Hams Hall in UK
26 minutes ago via Chromed Bird

“We share passionate customers who care about vehicles and powertrains”
26 minutes ago via Chromed Bird

Part of BMW long term plan to sell tech.
27 minutes ago via Chromed Bird

Wet in Munich. Sunny in THN. yeah.
28 minutes ago via Chromed Bird

BMW guy up and talking now…..
28 minutes ago via Chromed Bird

Exploring other things with BMW but not ready to talk about those yet.
29 minutes ago via Chromed Bird

Doing feasibility for BioPower.
29 minutes ago via Chromed Bird

BMW engine Expected to deliver around 200hp
30 minutes ago via Chromed Bird

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Press Release: Saab Automobile and BMW enter agreement for supply of gasoline engines

September 29, 2010 in News

Prelude to the press conference to be held later today….

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Saab Automobile and BMW enter agreement for supply of gasoline engines

  • Engines with latest fuel savings innovations to be used in future generation Saabs
  • Major step towards successful future as independent company

Trollhättan, Sweden: Today, Saab Automobile and BMW announced an agreement for the supply of engines to be used in next-generation Saab vehicles. Under the purchase, supply and development agreement, BMW will supply Saab with 4-cylinder 1.6 liter turbocharged gasoline engines from 2012. The engines will be adapted to meet Saab’s specific requirements.

The contract was signed on Wednesday in Trollhättan, Sweden. Participating in the signing were Saab Automobile CEO Jan Åke Jonsson, Saab Automobile Chairman Victor Muller and Ian Robertson, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for Sales and Marketing.

Announcing the deal, Saab Automobile CEO Jan Åke Jonsson said: “It gives me great pleasure to confirm this exciting new relationship. BMW’s engines and their fuel savings innovations are widely regarded as a benchmark in the premium segment. We look forward to integrating this technology into our next-generation vehicles in a true Saab way.”

Victor Muller, Chairman of Saab Automobile, said: “This is a major step for Saab on our road to becoming a profitable independent premium car maker. In line with our strategy, we will continue to capitalize on our own engineering expertise while also working with the very best partners. Both parties are open to explore further opportunities as part of this relationship in the future.”

Ian Robertson, Executive Sales and Marketing Director of BMW, added: “We are continuing to expand our powertrain system sales business worldwide as planned as part of our Strategy Number ONE. Today’s agreement marks another important milestone along this route. We are delighted to support Saab with our engine expertise. Our engines have a clear lead over the competition when it comes to fuel consumption, emissions and performance.”

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Saab at the Paris Auto Show

September 29, 2010 in News

The Paris Auto Show is coming up later this week and Saab will have plenty for the press to talk about.

The following press releases have been featured here at Saabs United already, but make up the bulk of Saab’s offering for the Paris show. Of course, there will also be news about the collaboration with BMW to add to this list.

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Saab’s Product Offensive Continues

A summary release about the following:

  • Public debut: Saab 9-3 ePower, first EV from Saab
  • Class-leading 119 g/km CO2 emissions from latest Saab 9-3 diesels
  • New BioPower, diesel and gasoline engines expand Saab 9-5 line-up

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Saab Automobile and AAM form new technology company: e-AAM Driveline Systems

  • Saab and American Axle Manufacturing (AAM) in joint venture to develop electric and hybrid driveline systems
  • New company, e-AAM Driveline Systems, headquartered in Trollhättan, Sweden
  • Major step for Saab towards a successful future as an independent company

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Saab 9-3 ePower

  • Saab 9-3 SportCombi with all-electric propulsion
  • Projected driving range 200 km approx.
  • Battery cells set benchmark for energy density
  • User trials with 70-strong test fleet starting next year

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New Saab 9-3 Diesels Set 119 g/km CO2 Class Benchmark

  • Two-stage turbo diesels give CO2 emissions of just 119 g/km
  • Across-the-range reduction of 10 percent in CO2 emissions
  • Distinctive TX Edition continued
  • New 163 hp gasoline/BioPower engine with Saab XWD

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Wider Engine Choice for Saab’s All-new Flagship

  • Three engines added to powertain line-up
  • Sporty,190 hp 2.0 TTiD – first Saab diesel to offer XWD
  • Efficient, 180 hp 1.6T develops class-leading 112 hp per liter
  • Saab BioPower flex-fuel option

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Family holiday in a Saab 9-5

September 29, 2010 in Saabology

Robin M, often referred to here as Saab’s unofficial ambassador to the UK, recently enjoyed a chance to pilot a new Saab 9-5 for a little while.

Given the opportunity for a long-ish test, many would be inclined to take the car for a drive in the country, maybe a number of trips to the shops. Robin packed up the family – wife Kerry and daughter Azabeth – picked up a couple of friends and went to Switzerland for IntSaab.

Here’s their story:

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Five Travel to the land of the Cuckoo Clock – And what a great way to do it: in the brand new Saab 9-5 Vector Saloon.

Our adventure started on the Monday evening when our Fjord Blue 9-5 arrived, ready to take us to the Saab International in Switzerland. The planned route was via the tunnel and down the side of France, crossing into and out of Belgium via Luxembourg and entering into Switzerland, from France just north of Neuchâtel.

This test drive was going to be an endurance event – a fully loaded car with five people and a boot full of luggage.

Read the rest of this entry →

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by Swade

Saab press conference set for 11:15am Wednesday

September 29, 2010 in News

I was a little uncertain as to when this was all happening, so one phone call later, I’ve got the date and time confirmed.

The Saab press conference to (allegedly :-) ) announce co-operation with BMW on unspecified parts supply is due to take place in Trollhattan on Wednesday, Sept 29 at 11:15am trolltime.

Through comments, I notice that BMW have now confirmed that they will have a spokesman present at the conference. That’s through the TT news agency (Thanks Jr!!)

A person from BMW’s chief executive faces must be part of the Saab in Trollhättan news conference on Wednesday, according to BMW spokesman Marc Hassing.

“We have been invited and will be there,” he said.

Info coming through to me is that the deal will most likely not be confined to diesel powerplants, but to gasoline engines as well. Early indications are that the engines will be destined for first use in the next generation of the Saab 9-3.

The other big item that’s potentially on the agenda is the use of a vehicle architecture for the development of a Saab 92 – Victor Muller’s dream compact Saab. Reports around the traps seem to suggest that the underpinnings of the Mini Countryman could be a likely candidate. I’ve got no inside running on this.

So, we wait, and wonder……. it should be an exciting day for the future of Saab.

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by Swade

SaabUSA offering $1000 luxury incentive

September 29, 2010 in News

I just thought I’d pass on the fact that Saab Cars North America (SaabUSA is shorter for the sake of a headline) is offering a $1,000 incentive to all owners of a luxury nameplate* if they purchase a 2010 Saab.

* – the car must be 1995 or later, and one of the following brands:

  • Lexus
  • Mercedes Benz
  • BMW
  • Audi
  • Volvo
  • Cadillac
  • Infiniti
  • Acura

One persuasive part about the incentive is that the buyer doesn’t have to trade in their old competitor. They just need to provide proof of ownership.

I found out about the incentive deal from Fred Shaw at Shaw Saab, in Massachusetts. They’re promoting it quite actively in their area and have set aside a spot on their website for customers specifically for this deal.

I kinda reluctant to get picky (I’m really over that sort of gear now), but the page for the SaabUSA site could use some different colors – it’s really hard to read.

Anyway, maybe you can benefit from this incentive, or maybe you can pass it on to some friends. It includes whatever 2010 9-5s that are still in stock, as well as the 9-3 Sport Sedan.

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by Swade

Your vicarious 9-5 ownership experience starts here

September 28, 2010 in Saabology

This is cool.

One of our regular visitors, Arild, has recently picked up his Saab 9-5 Vector TiD.

It’s finished in Oak Metallic with the Parchment interior and as a few people have already noted in comments, it looks absolutely superb!

Click!

The groovy thing about all this is that Arild has started a blog to take readers on a journey as he gets used to owning it, figuring out the technology, etc, etc.

It’s a really cool initiative.

And the wheels (top post on the site right now) – I’m surprised by how much I like the black turbines, but it’s the Edge for me.

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