You are browsing the archive for 2010 November.

Avatar of Swade

by Swade

Saab 9-4x and US sales

November 15, 2010 in Saabology

Carl-Henrik has done some stellar work in compiling sales data for the US market over the last 8 years. There are a couple of holes, where data wasn’t available, but other than those we’ve got a complete picture as to what Saab sales looked like in the later stage of the GM era.

Click.

Saab sales USA 2003-2010

One of Carl-Henrik’s interests in compiling this was to see the effect of Saab 9-7x sales in the US – exactly how much of a contribution it made.

As you can see, the Saab 9-7x made a significant proportional contribution to sales in the US over it’s lifetime. In pure numbers terms, it probably came close to averaging 500 a month up until April 09 (when Saab were in the beginnings of a long sale process) and it was quite consistent in being the #2 vehicle for Saab behind the 9-3.

What does this mean for the Saab 9-4x?

Well, here’s an interesting tidbit (esp for those complaining about the price of the Saab 9-5. The Saab 9-7x Aero had an MSRP of $46,000. Yes, you got a big stonking V8 from a Corvette in it but it was essentially a body-on-frame SUV that drove like a small truck, despite the (considerable) tweaks made Saab engineers.

We don’t know the pricing of the Saab 9-4x yet, but the Aero model will likely be in a similar ballpark. The Cadillac SRX with the 2.8T engine costs $48,800 in the US and customary options appearing on test vehicles seem to bring the selling price up to around $53,000.

Will it sell?

The Saab 9-7x ranged in price from 39,000 to $46,000 and it filled a nice spot in Saab’s sales chart.

Similarly priced, the Saab 9-4x is going to represent a much much better driving experience for the money. It’ll provide a style of vehicle that history has proven to be quite popular. And unlike the 9-7x, it’ll do so with Saab engineering built-in from the ground up.

——

It’s hard to ignore the orange line in that graph, of course.

The Saab 9-3 is still the daddy of Saab sales. It’s the company’s most crucial offering. It’ll be great to see what enhancements they come up with in MY2011.5 to extend this car’s life until a successor comes in two years from now.

Thanks to Carl-Henrik for the stats!

Tags: , , , 43 Comments »

Avatar of Swade

by Swade

Saab ad competition – Day 11

November 14, 2010 in Saabology

Two new sponsors jumped on board today – Saab USA Parts and Elkparts. The total prize pool, to be divided 1-2-3 is now up $1250 plus fudge!

My thanks to all of our competition sponsors.

Click here for entry details.

——

Trond kicks things off with the Saab 9-3x getting down and dirty….

Saab ad competition

–

JH documents the 9-4x…

Saab ad competition

–

There are more great ads after the jump, including a 5-ad campaign from Peter P, in Sweden.

Read the rest of this entry →

Tags: , , 19 Comments »

Avatar of Swade

by Swade

Saab passengers survive Semi crash in Denver

November 14, 2010 in Saabology

If you were told that this truck crashed into a car “at a high rate of speed”, you’d fear for the welfare of the car’s occupants.

From the Denver Post.

Saab crash with semi

The crash triggered a fire in the semi, which accounts for most of the damage you see there, but any semi hitting a car at high speed is a recipe for potential disaster.

The car was a Saab (model unknown) and thankfully, the mother, infant and toddler who were in the Saab all escaped the incident with just minor bumps and bruises. The driver of the semi was also uninjured.

“Seatbelts and the proper use of child seats definitely saved some lives tonight,” said Summit County Deputy Chief Jeff Berino.

I wouldn’t mind adding in a healthy dose of safety engineering, too.

Thanks to Tim and Ted for the links.

——-

It’s always a case of mixed feelings when covering crash stories.

It’s good to talk about Saab’s built-in safety technology because the company has worked hard at it over a 60+ year history. The Saab safety philosophy has saved thousands of lives over a number of decades and many of them well before safety became a fashionable element of automotive design.

There are no safe crash situations, however. Despite all the advantages a Saab gives its occupants, there will always be situations where the physics overcome the best efforts of the engineers. For every story like the one above, you have to acknowledge that there are some drivers or passengers who didn’t make it.

No car can guarantee your absolute safety in any given situation, but a Saab gives you as good a safety cell as any, and much better than most.

That said, it’s wonderful that this young family survived….

——

JeffP pointed out some great safety advertising by Mercedes Benz a few days ago. He’s right.

MB have filmed some testimonials from accident survivors, which they have posted on their US website. Watch one or two of these and you can’t help being moved by the stories told. (Watch for or five like I did and the sight of women crying becomes a bit cheezy, but that’s the old hard-ass cynic in me coming out).

Bottom line, what these people went through is very real and it’s been handled very tastefully by Mercedes Benz.

–

Tags: 18 Comments »

Avatar of Swade

by Swade

Saab ad competition – Day 10

November 13, 2010 in Saabology

Day 10 brings an addition to the cash prize AND a new 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize division, which means more people can share the spoils! Check that link for details.

Thanks to our ad competition sponsors:

Here are today’s entries…..

——

Tim starts us off with simplicity…

Saab ad competition

–

Viktor has made some adjustments and tweaks to his original proposal….

Saab ad competition

–

Lol tries some variations on the mirror look….

Saab ad competition

There are plenty more ads after the jump (24 in all)….

Read the rest of this entry →

Tags: , , 15 Comments »

Avatar of Swade

by Swade

Saturday Morning MADNESS snippets

November 13, 2010 in Saabology

Another day, another sponsor for the Saab (unofficial) ad competition!

With prizes hitting the $1,000 mark, I think we’re going to have to move from a winner-take-all stance to a 1st-2nd-3rd.

More prizes means more winners, so get your entries in!

——

It’s going to be a MAD weekend here due to the preparations I’ve got to make prior to the LA trip next week. Posting will be slower as a result and this snippets entry will be link with minimal filler because of it.

——

The Saab 9-5 didn’t make the cut in the European Car of the Year finalists. I still think that award was sewn up by the Alfa Giulietta some time ago.

HOWEVER….

The Saab 9-5 has been listed as a finalist in the Motor Trend Car of The Year awards, which is a great achievement and good publicity for the company.

——

I might have to buy a PS3 on November 24. Gran Turismo 5 finally has a date.

Unfortunately, there are no Saabs in the lineup.

——

The lads over at Saablog-in have found a truly unique Saab 9000 for sale in Sweden.

9000 Wagon, anyone?

——

Top Gear pose the Saab 9-5 against an Infiniti something-or-other and decide that you should buy a 5-series.

They like the Saab, by the way.

It’s probably a good read if you’ve got time, but I don’t.

——

Thanks for your questions prior to the LA Auto Show. A number of them have already been answered in these pages over recent weeks, so I’ll probably skip those.

To answer a few:

- there’ll be no 9-4x diesel at launch and Saab won’t identify who they might be talking to about a bigger diesel, either, but I believe they’re working on it (quite earnestly) but these things take time.

- detailed customisation options for any vehicle aren’t likely to be around in the next year or so. You’ve got to bed down the basics before you can move to this stuff.

- I will be asking about global website development, but one should note a comment by Seth on this issue as I believe he’s “in the know”

- I believe we’ll see the 9-5 wagon at Geneva prior to it going on sale Q3 of next year.

- We won’t see the successor to the Saab 9-3 until just before it’s scheduled release (end of 2012). Saab will show a concept car at Geneva next year, but it’s more of a ‘dreamscape’ concept that will point to Saab’s future design language.

——

From Flickr, Hirsch get all dreamy in Zurich….

Hirsch Saab 9-5 Zurich

–

Tags: , , , , , 22 Comments »

Avatar of Swade

by Swade

Q & A – LA Auto Show

November 13, 2010 in Saabology

I am off to Los Angeles next week to see the all-new Saab 9-4x at the LA Auto Show.

Of course, all the Saab executives will be there and I’ll be catching up with all of them at one stage or another. I expect the following persons to be present for both media days:

  • Victor Muller (CEO, Spyker Cars NV)
  • Jan-Ake Jonsson (Saab President and CEO)
  • Jason Castriota (Saab Design)
  • Mikael Jakobsson (Saab 9-4x leader)
  • Mike Colleran (Saab Cars North America)
  • John Libbos (Saab Cars North America)

As is customary with these events, I’d like ask your questions and get the answers you’re looking for.

Comments are open.

I can’t promise to ask everything, but I’ll ask everything that I can.

Tags: , , 120 Comments »

Avatar of Swade

by Swade

Things that go ‘bump’ in the afternoon….

November 12, 2010 in Troll Stuff

We moved offices yesterday.

We were told about the move around six weeks ago and I’ve been unhappy about it ever since. We’ve gone from a nice convenient office in the center of the city to a building that’s only another 5 minutes from home, but the setting couldn’t be any more different.

We’re now in the middle of what Australians call “the bush”. This is the sort of area that firefighters worry about – lots of trees, high fuel load and at the top of a hill where the wind can whip up a frenzy in no time. In fact, I went on a small walk today and you could see the charring from the last fire that came through.

I was told today that snake season is coming, too. We need to watch out for them in the carpark and in the surrounding countryside. Tasmania has three types of snake (Tiger, Lowland Copperhead and white-lipped) and two of those three will do more than just spoil your lunchtime stroll.

Enough of the snakes, though. As I was cleaning out my office cupboards earlier today, I came across some papers I haven’t seen in a long time.

The main one of interest was a green invoice, detailing the purchase of our Saab 9000 CS from a used car dealer here in Hobart a number of years ago. Along with that invoice was an inspection report, listing a bunch of items that needed to be fixed or replaced. Looking back, I don’t know why I paid the price that we did for that car, with all those things wrong.

It was a wonderfully nostalgic find for a car guy. Our 9000 isn’t anything to shout about but it’s served us faithfully, noisy transmission and all, ever since we first brought it home. It eats up the miles on a long trip and is truly one of those cars that gets you to your destination in as good a shape as when you started off.

The 9000 is my wife’s car. It’s the only automatic in the family, so it’s the only one that she drives. A few hours ago, as I was contemplating what to write next here at SU, she called me on my mobile phone.

“Swade, I’ve been in a bad, bad accident!”

My mind raced, as would anyone’s. But she was OK enough to call, she sounded OK and she wasn’t crying.

How bad could it be?

Read the rest of this entry →

Tags: 74 Comments »

Avatar of Swade

by Swade

Coming to the LA Auto Show next week – The Saab 9-4x

November 12, 2010 in Saabology

It’s only been a few weeks since the announcements were made, but I thought it might be good to take a look once again at what Saab will be showing at the Los Angeles Auto Show in less than a week from now.

——

New Saab 9-4X: World Premiere.

Scandinavian Choice for the Crossover Segment

* Saab enters fast-growing crossover segment
* Progressive Scandinavian design inspired by Aero X concept
* Car-like handling qualities deliver rewarding driving experience
* Advanced Saab XWD mated with Saab DriveSense adaptive chassis
* Spacious cabin, driver-focused cockpit and ample storage
* Compact, light, efficient engines: 265 hp 3.0V6i and 300 hp 2.8V6 turbo
* Flexible cargo management system

The new 9-4X brings unique Saab design and engineering values to the growing, luxury mid-size crossover segment. Distinctive Scandinavian and aircraft-inspired looks are combined with car-like handling and ride characteristics: this is a vehicle which delivers driving and design appeal in equal measure.

Making its world premiere at next month’s Los Angles Auto Show, the 9-4X expands Saab’s product portfolio to three car lines and will provide a fresh, alternative choice for independently-minded crossover buyers. It is an important next-step in the Swedish brand’s renaissance as an independent premium car manufacturer.

Saab 9-4x

Click to view full gallery of Saab 9-4 images.

Muscular and sporty to drive, the 9-4X is aligned in looks and size between the 9-3X all-rounder and new 9-5 sedan. Outside and inside, it communicates its Saab identity with clean, uncluttered design and signature motifs, such as its wraparound-effect windshield, ice block lighting theme, driver-focused cockpit and flexible cargo handling.

In true Saab tradition, the 9-4X delivers on its sporty persona. It is configured around a unique, purpose-designed crossover body structure, which has been key to delivering such excellent handling and ride properties. Its car-like driving dynamics can be enhanced still further by Saab’s advanced all-wheel-drive system, Saab XWD, and DriveSense adaptive chassis control. Both are standard with Aero, while Saab XWD is also available as an option.

Read the rest of this entry →

Tags: , 12 Comments »

Avatar of Swade

by Swade

Saab ad competition – Day 9

November 12, 2010 in Saabology

New sponsorship announcements for this (unofficial) Saab ad competition:

Part of the cash prize boost came from ATS, a transportation company in the US owned by a Saab enthusiast, Allan H.

We have also added a package of the best fudge in the entire world, made by former Saab technician Matt G and his wife Danielle, otherwise known as the multi-awawd-winning the fudge a’fare. That’s on top of the $650 cash and two $100 gift vouchers – one each from State of Nine and Swedish Saab tuners, Maptun.

It’s the biggest competition I’ve ever held on SU, so my thanks to the sponsors and thanks to all who have entered so far. And please, pass the word around so more Saab enthusiasts get to see some of this wonderful work. There are a number of sharing options at the bottom of the post.

If you want to be part of the fun, here are the instructions on how to enter the Saab (unofficial) Ad Competition.

To today’s entries, then…..

——

Magnus E is being a little playful, sort of like a kitten….

Saab ad competition

–

There might be some copyright issues with this effort from Daniel B, but the association between the Sith and the Black Turbo is well known….

Saab ad competition

–

Gary W goes for perfection….

Saab ad competition

–

Jean-Marc and Mrs Jean-Marc – from France – came up with this gift…

Saab ad competition

–

Curtis refines, and plays with, a previous theme….

Saab ad competition

Saab ad competition

Saab ad competition

——

Click here to view the Saab ad competition – Day 1 entries.
Click here to view the Saab ad competition – Day 2 (part 1) entries
Click here to view the Saab ad competition – Day 2 (part 2) entries
Click here to view the Saab ad competition – Day 3 (part 1) entries
Click here to view the Saab ad competition – Day 3 (part 2) entries
Click here to view the Saab ad competition – Day 4 entries
Click here to view the Saab ad competition – Day 5 entries
Click here to view the Saab ad competition – Day 6 entries
Click here to view the Saab ad competition – Day 7 entries
Click here to view the Saab ad competition – Day 8 (part I) entries
Click here to view the Saab ad competition – Day 8 (part II) entries

Tags: , , 6 Comments »

Avatar of Swade

by Swade

Saab Homecoming at Reinertsen Motors (NJ)

November 12, 2010 in Saabology

Reinertsen Motors are one of a number of dealerships that I only ever hear good things about, so when I got an email about this (I’m on their regular mailing list) I emailed Keith Coultrap at Reinertsen to find out some more.

Saab Homecoming Event

Where: Reinertsen Motors – Denville, NJ
When: November 20, 2010, 10am-4pm
Why:

  1. Show off your Saab
  2. See the RMI Saab Heritage Collection
  3. Test-drive the All-New 9-5 Sedan, both the Aero & Turbo4 will be available.

Test-Drive an All-New 9-5 Sedan to receive a $25 voucher to use on your next visit to the Reinertsen Motors Service or Parts Department.

Bagels & Mimosas will be served from 10am to noon…Skol!

Whilst a number of dealers have already had launch events for the Saab 9-5, Reinertsen decided to wait until the 4-cylinder range was available for people to see and test drive. This is a lunch event, another great opportunity for Saab people to get together, catch up, enjoy their vehicles and support a local, standalone dealer.

Reinertsen are hoping for a good fleet of Saab cars to turn up, show off – and for people to check out the new 2011 Saab 9-5, of course.

As mentioned in the promo, they’ll also have a few of their own vintage Saabs available for inspection (not for sale, though!). These include a 1972 96 V4, a 1980 99 EMS and the classic 1990 900 SPG. Hopefully there will be a few old Saab racers on site as well.

If you’re in the area, mark the 20th November on your calendar and get along to Reinertsen.

Tags: , 5 Comments »

Avatar of Swade

by Swade

Video: Saab 9-5 remote start

November 12, 2010 in Uncategorized

AJ Murphy works at Just Saab in Cincinnati and he’s put together this quick video showing how the remote start feature of the 2011 Saab 9-5 works.

Great stuff!

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfoyVADv-Ak

Tags: 57 Comments »

Avatar of Swade

by Swade

Friday Morning Snippets

November 12, 2010 in Saabology

Saab GB are printing their own money…..

Saab GB promotion

It’s been sent out to existing Saab customers as an incentive to come in and take delivery prior to December 31st (thus beating the VAT rise).

I think it’s brown because it’s a subliminal message – you want the Java. You need the Java….

——

Bard Eker (one of the partners in the Koenigsegg Group) recently said that he’s launching a slow but hostile takeover of Saab, even if he has to buy it one car at a time.

I shot him an email to check the context and he said “We have started the process. Cvk purchased his second Saab…. – and I am still fully occupied with [teaching] my little 1.5 yr daughter how to drive her first – of many to come – Saab.”

Can we look forward to young Ms Eker taking a seat on the board some time soon?

:-)

——

Arild loves the Head Up Display. In fact, as I did on my own test drive of the Saab 9-5, he’s finding it indispensable.

Pierre doesn’t love the wood interior.

——

And finally….

Saab rally legend Per Eklund was interviewed at Rally America last weekend, where he was keeping an eagle eye on (winning) protege, Toomas Haikkinen

Click here for the video.

–

Tags: , , , , 8 Comments »

Avatar of Swade

by Swade

Saab ad competition – Day 8 (part II)

November 11, 2010 in Saabology

OK, more day 8 ads in the (unofficial) Saab ad competition.

——

Some new work from Jake, who is learning and progressing as he goes along….

Saab ad competition

–

SaabBob goes for a white approach….

Saab ad competition

Saab ad competition

–

There are plenty more ads after the jump!

Read the rest of this entry →

Tags: , , 12 Comments »

Avatar of Swade

by Swade

Ever had to do emergency Saab repairs?

November 11, 2010 in Saabology

Matthew A almost had to channel MacGyver in a recent breakdown.

He was driving his Saab 900 4-door in the middle of a desert in Oregon (there’s a desert in Oregon?) when his fuel pump gave way.

Saab 900 breakdown

Matt was all enthused about the prospect of having to weave some MacGyver magic because his car is a doppelganger for a Saab 900 that actually appeared in an episode of Macgyver.

Unfortunately, his chance at improvisational greatness was quashed by the fact that he was carrying a spare fuel pump in the car (who carries a spare fuel pump?) and managed to do the repair and get going again.

——

My mate at Charles River Saab – PIerre Belperron – has a son named Pascal who indulges in a little rally driving every now and then.

Back in September, I told you about one of his emergency repairs:

Unfortunately, on his second run, his header pipe broke off at the turbo, and in the time it took him to get the car off the circuit and stopped, the blow-torch effect coming out of the turbo melted everything in the right front of the engine bay, including the main wiring harness.

Pascal employed a little ingenuity and rigged up a temporary harness with the hope of getting the car back home to New Hampshire. Unfortunately, he didn’t make the full 100 mile journey home, falling short of the garage by 100 feet!

——

I am always amazed by stories like these. I have the ingenuity of a beanbag. If I was in either of these situations I’d just sit on a rock and cry like the big baby I am.

All of this, however, leads me to ask the question – what’s been your most unusual urgent repair situation and did you get out of it successfully?

If so, how?

Tags: 12 Comments »

Avatar of Swade

by Swade

Saab ad competition – Day 8 (part 1)

November 11, 2010 in Saabology

OK. Busy day today so I didn’t get to posting ads this morning. Might have to split things up a little.

There’s plenty of great work in today’s ads. Please enjoy them. Keep in mind what makes a great Saab ad as you look at these and plan your own.

The total prize is now up to $850, comprising $650 cash via Paypal and two $100 gift vouchers – one each from State of Nine and Maptun (Saab tuners). Thanks to all who are supporting this great competition.

——

This triumverate of ads is actually a few years old. Dan P did them for a class he took back in 2008. As a concept, I think they’re still quite relevant, despite the Dame Edna being used in the creative.

They’re intended to go in the front, middle and back of a single magazine.
Saab Ad competition

Saab Ad competition

Saab Ad competition

–

There are heaps more on view (21 in all – and more to come in Part II) after the jump…..

Read the rest of this entry →

Tags: , , 12 Comments »