You are browsing the archive for 2010 December.

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by Swade

Saaby Christmas research from Saab GB

December 4, 2010 in Uncategorized

Anyone buying Saab stuff for Christmas?

Some stuff from Saab GB…..

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SNOW WON’T PUT BRITS OFF THIS CHRISTMAS

Despite the flurry of snow and cold weather hitting the UK this week, it seems that Brits won’t be put off by the bad weather when it comes to visiting friends and relatives over Christmas.

Research released today by Swedish car manufacturer Saab GB, shows that the average family travels up to 207 miles over the festive period, making five stops to drop off the 37 presents they’ve bought for friends and family for a total of £520.49.

85 per cent of families refuse to travel on Christmas Day – preferring to have already arrived at their destination, or staying at home for the entire 24 hours. Instead, 36 per cent of folk will travel before the 24 December, and 18 per cent will arrive at friends and family on Christmas Eve. In the lead up to Christmas Brits will make three long distance car journeys of 59-miles and a further two short 15 mile trips to deliver presents.

The figures emerged in a study of 3,000 households, which also shows that Brits are spending more cash than ever in December.

As well as giving more than £500 worth of presents, they will also receive an average of 21 presents to the tune of £248.28.

This means a staggering 58 presents worth just under £800 will be passed between immediate family, friends and extended family members such as uncles, aunts, grandparents and cousins. The North East will be the most generous with 43 per cent planning to exchange more than 20 presents with family members this Christmas.

Meanwhile, those in Northern Ireland are expected to make the most trips with 17 per cent planning more than eight trips to visit friends and family this year, whilst people in East Anglia will travel the furthest, averaging 80 miles over the Christmas period.

A spokesperson for Saab GB, which commissioned the research, said: “Given these results, people could easily be fooled into thinking Christmas was all about the presents – but it’s hard to avoid when you’re part of a family.

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Saabs arriving in Vancouver – Canada is stocked!

December 4, 2010 in Saabology

OK, it’s not completely stocked, but Vancouver is as far away from Halifax, where they come off the boat, as a Saab dealer gets. So just about every city with a Saab dealer should have some new Saab stock to look at.

I received these photos earlier today from Jason Powell, the Sales Manager at Springman’s Auto Center in Surrey, BC.

We have one 9-5 base model and four 9-3’s as well as one 9-3X. Everyone here is extremely excited about having the new product and getting previous Saab customers in to see what Saab has been doing right. I have six cars in stock right now (waiting on another ten) and am very excited to start to add to those North American numbers. Sorry for all the photo’s, like I said, we’re quite excited.

Click to enlarge. Thanks to Jason for passing along the good news.

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Saturday Snippets – the deal edition

December 4, 2010 in Saabology

Discussion surround US November Saab sales data has certainly been lively, with nearly 250 comments logged so far.

There are a lot of valid comments and suggestions in there and I really hope that some of the powers that be in the US and Sweden are reading them. These are your buyers (and a few of your dealers) talking here.

I’ve stayed away from contributing to the discussion, but might contribute my 2 cents in a post on here, soon.

One thing that I’d encourage people to bear in mind as they read/make suggestions, is that we are outside the circle and we’re coming at this discussion with incomplete knowledge of the situation. There are sometimes good reasons as to why things can’t happen as quickly as we’d like them to. I’ll try to cover off a few of these situations in my post. In those cases, it’s important that the situation is acknowledged for what it is.

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I’d like to draw attention once again to a post I wrote a few months ago – I want the Saab.

There are some great Saab deals going around at the moment (see below) and whilst you might be able to get a BMW for $20 a month cheaper than these, you’ll be stuck with it.

Personally speaking, there are very few motoring requirements for which I’d want anything other than a Saab. Possibly about 5% of my motoring needs. For the other 95%, I can’t imagine driving anything else and being so well catered for or happy.

As I’ve said plenty of times here before – no other vehicle name that I’ve experienced has ever given me the combination of comfort, performance, utility and safety that a Saab does. And even if another nameplate came to within 10% of that, I wouldn’t want to own it. I want the Saab.

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There are Saab dealers in the US who are now doing run-out deals on 2010 Saab 9-5s.

You can get this car, with loyalty and customer cash, for under $40,000 – and that’s the full-blown V6 XWD version.

New Salem Saab in Albany, NY are doing them, as are Dirito Bros Saab in Walnut Creek, CA. Probably others too.

It’s absolutely insane, but incredible value for what is an absolutely outstanding car to drive. Ask anyone who’s actually bought one and they’ll tell you.

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Speaking of value, North Shore Saab on Long Island has Saab 9-3s, with XWD, at just under $300 a month.

Without XWD, they’re at $279 a month.

And 2011 Saab 9-5s (they have one in Java!) are available on a lease deal for $380 a month.

All are incredibly good value when you consider what you get for your money. That link has their current offers.

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Overview: New England Auto Show

December 4, 2010 in Uncategorized

Here’s a nice little video clip from Boston.com giving and overview of the New England Auto Show.

“The best news comes from Saab….”

Couldn’t agree more.

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Thanks to rpg, via comments.

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Saab 9-4x at New England Auto Show

December 3, 2010 in Saabology

The New England Auto Show is on right now (Dec 1-5) and the Saab 9-4x is there, in black!

Luxvelocity was there and had a lot of kind things to say about the 9-4x and the Saab stand in general.

When Colleran was done speaking, the sheet was pulled off to reveal the all new SAAB Aero X concept inspired SAAB 9-4X. My initial thoughts when seeing the car in person was that this new SAAB is incredible sleek, sporty, and aerodynamic looking. It is a SAAB 9-5 in a mide scale luxury SUV package.

OK, the Aero-X and 9-4x bit is back to front, but you get the message….

The SAAB display in itself was the star of the New England Motor Show and did not differ too much from the LA display. Walking into the display made you feel like you were walking into a world of SAAB and the display had so much personality.

The Saab stand is indeed a beautiful thing.

I hope some of you get along to the New England show and see the Saab 9-4x for yourselves. As always, it’s much better in the metal.

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Long term Saab Pride

December 2, 2010 in Saabology

I love getting emails like this. They make my day.

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Dear Steven,

My name is Bertil S and I live in Varberg, Sweden.

I’m a regular reader of your daily blog which I find most interesting. On November 21 there was an article with the title “24 years of family Saabs” about Mr Harry Wilks, whose family had been driving SAAB cars for 24 years.

Because of the article mentioned, I felt that I had to tell you about my relationship concerning the brand.

The story begins 1947 when I happened to get sight of a test-car – the very first SAAB model, a 92, which was parked in a street in my neighbourhood. I found the shape of the car to be so very different from other cars on the market. I became so fond of what I saw that I said to myself that such a car must be mine as soon as I was allowed to drive and I could afford to buy one. I was only 14 years old at the time.

Time went by and 1954 was the first year when my dream to drive a SAAB 92 came true. The local SAAB dealer needed people to drive home sold cars from Trollhättan, about 150 kilometers away. He asked me if I was interested and of course I was. This “sidejob” – I had earlier the same year been employed as a police officer – lasted until my desire to buy a SAAB became reality.

On October 21 1957 my wife and I became proud owners of a brand new SAAB 93B.

Ever since then we have been faithful to the brand and have had the great pleasure to be owners to several 96 two-stroke and V4, 99, 900, 9000, 9-5 and finally 9-3, all new. Besides them we have had a number of used cars, SAAB 92, 93 as well as 96 two-stroke and V4. We have still a 93B from 1959 which we bought 34 years ago, still going strong.

It woud be interesting to know if we are unique being SAAB-owners for 53 long years.

I enclose two pictures where I’m appearing together with our very first SAAB 93B and the one we still have. 52 years passed between the pictures. The first is taken in February 1958 and the second in August this year.

Yours,

Bertil S

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Now that’s Saab spirit.

Enjoyment. Longevity. Sensational.

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SU Site Stats November 2010

December 2, 2010 in Troll Stuff

The monthly report is as follows….

  • There were 160 posts written on Saabs United during November. That’s an average of just over 5 posts per day.
  • Saabs United served 519,518 pages to 71,638 individual visitors during November 2010.
  • Visitors spent an average of three minutes (precisely) on site, per visit.
  • The busiest day of the month was November 18, with over 23,000 pages served. November 18 saw various posts associated with the launch of the Saab 9-4x at the LA Auto Show.

Geography

The US provides the most visitors in terms of countries……

…but doesn’t provide a single city in the top 10….

New York was #11 :-)

Content

The top 5 posts viewed during November were as follows:

The most commented articles on site this month (over 50 comments) were as follows:

And finally, for something different, the top 10 browsers accessing the site:

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Thanks to all for hanging around. It’s been a pleasure.

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by Swade

Thursday Snippets

December 2, 2010 in Saabology

Stay cool, brother.

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We’re buying that 9000 today. There are a few things to be done on it (expected with a 14 year old car) but it should be good.

If anything, it’ll be good to get out of being the family taxi. Kudos to all the other family taxi drivers out there for doing what you do.

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A few things that have been mentioned quite a bit in comments, but need to come here to the front page….

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Autoweek have a very positive short impression of the new 9-5. The first sentence will give you the gist of things:

This is hands-down the best Saab I’ve ever driven. For more than 25 years I’ve been a fan of Saabs, especially the wagon variants.

Good, if quick, reading.

Thanks to the multitude for the emails :-)

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Autoblog have a rather longer interview piece with Victor Muller and Jan-Ake Jonsson. I’m not sure when it was done as Autoblog weren’t at the LA Auto Show at all, but it’s all quite recent.

There’s nothing there that will surprise a regular Saab newshound, but it’s a good summary of the status quo, nonetheless.

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Pierre over at the Charles River Saab blog has finally got some good seat time in a new Saab 9-5 V6 XWD Aero.

Those of you who regularly read his stuff know that Pierre doesn’t pull any punches, which makes his review all the more valuable reading.

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Sometimes, even Saabs find it too cold to get out of bed :-)

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Some footage from the Roger Albert Clark rally.

Only one Saab, but one Saab nonetheless.

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CkRUa7DI3Q

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Saab US sales data – November 2010

December 2, 2010 in News

Sales numbers for the United States were circulated while I was sleeping and as forewarned (before I started sleeping), a mountainous workload remains for the people at Saab Cars North America.

There were 1,127 vehicles delivered in September 2010 in the US.

There were 741 vehicles delivered in October 2010 in the US.

November 2010 saw 397 vehicles delivered in the United States. I mentioned the numbers from September and October just in case SCNA were tempted to rest on the fact that 397 vehicles actually represents a rise on the 371 vehicles sold in the same month last year.

While it’s a year-on-year rise, the fall over the last few months is clearly evident. One now has to wonder how many service loaners were ‘delivered’ into dealer carparks a few months ago.

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Something needs to happen in the US.

I don’t know exactly which part of the operation/strategy is playing the part of the boat anchor right now, but whatever it is, they need to blow it up and get some real-world awareness out there.

Saab have genuinely good offerings for sale at the moment but they’re just not getting the interest they need. I’ve heard from one dealer who’s not getting bites on 2010 Saab 9-5s despite having almost five-figure incentives on the vehicle.

A 2010 Saab 9-5 V6 Aero for around $40K does not represent a value problem. This is one cracker of a vehicle. There is a visibility and perception problem out there and there’s a massive challenge ahead to change it.

We’re getting to a point where “in progress” and “we’re aware” just aren’t cutting it anymore. Hugh W reported in comments today that Manhattan is now without a centrally close Saab dealer because Parkfield Saab just closed its doors. How long can stuff like this keep happening?

Sweden need to make sure they offer good vehicle configurations (no green-screen radios) and the US guys need to price and market them effectively.

What was one of Bob Sinclair’s rules? Make people believe they’re getting a car that’s worth more than what they paid? Equip it, price it and market it.

Sorry. Had to vent. I’ve met too many great dealers in the US who are still hurting.

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by Swade

Swedish press reporting Saab sales in a fair manner

December 2, 2010 in Saabology

Never say I don’t give credit where it’s due. Well, kind of due.

I slammed a fair proportion of the Swedish press earlier this week after DI.se and other agencies ran a speculative story that I felt was totally unnecessary and damaging to Saab.

It’s good to see them recording sales information today, even if it’s light on highlights. They also include an acknowledgement that Jan-Ake Jonsson refuted their story from earlier in the week.

Saab climbs in car sales
Updated 2010-12-01 12:20
Volvo tops new car sales in Sweden with 4960 cars sold, but also Saab gears up.

In November, car sales were up by 33 percent compared to the same month last year. Overall, it was sold 26 750 new cars, new figures show from Bil Sweden.

Saab sold during the month 1120 cars in Sweden. Most of the cars was the Model 9-3. Saab model is the fourth best selling car in November and the ninth best selling car model in years……

……On Monday published the German magazine Focus an article which claimed that Saab will not succeed in meeting its goals for 2010 to sell 30000-35000 cars this year. This rejected the CEO Jan Ake Jonsson as “pure speculation” and held that the forecast for 2010 is still valid.

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It’s good to see some other publications covering Saab’s sales rise as well.

From E24.se

In November, newly registered 1119 Saab Cars. There is an increase of 86.2 percent over the same month last year 2009, according to industry organization Bil Sweden.

Saab Automobile applaud course, the rising sales.

- Incredibly gratifying and encouraging for us. These numbers give us the incentive we needed, “says communications manager Hans-Jörgen Brandt said.

He expects a good sale also in December.

- We are going into next year with good momentum.

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It’s good to see Saab Sweden’s hard work paying off.

A word of caution, though. Sweden is Saab’s home market and they’ve advertised quite effectively there, even through all this adversity. There’s a natural curiosity and knowledge that Saab are alive and building cars.

Saab’s other key markets lack this level of awareness. I’m not sure what the UK’s going to bring in terms of sales, but I do fear for the US numbers.

There’s plenty of work still to be done.

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Saab magazine available online

December 1, 2010 in Saabology

I haven’t read it yet so I can’t tell you a thing about it.

But Click here…..

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Saab ad competition – Final Day!

December 1, 2010 in Saabology

Entries are now closed for the Saab (unofficial) ad competition but there are still a heap of ads for you to see. Lots of last-minute entries came in, so here we go.

Of course, thanks are due once again to our fantastic sponsors, who have made this competition all the more interesting with their fantastic donations to the prize pool – New Salem Saab, International Saab, ATS, transport services, SoonSaab, State of Nine, Maptun, Elkparts, Saab USA Parts, The Fudge A’fare and a couple of private donors – you’ve all done a wonderful thing supporting this competition, so thankyou.

Here are the final entries in the (unofficial) Saab ad competition.

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Waxle kicks things off with an aircraft theme….

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Kevin C has submitted a new ad and an edit of a previous one….

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There are heaps of new ads for you to peruse after the jump!

Read the rest of this entry →

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Swedish Saab sales data – November 2010

December 1, 2010 in News

For something different, I’ve got the press release from Sweden via googletrans (thanks Johan!)

This is a great month for Saab, as you’ll see below.

Saab sold 1,119 vehicle in Sweden during November, which is an 86% rise on the number of vehicles sold in the same month last year.

So far in 2010, Saab have sold 7,544 vehicles, 14% more than the 6,638 sold in the same period last year. When considering this number, bear in mind that Saab didn’t start production again until April.

Saab 9-3 sales grew by 99% compared to November 2009 (792 vs 398)

Saab 9-5 sales grew by 61% compared to November 2009 (327 vs 203)

Here is the press release from Sweden. And congratulations to the sales and marketing team there in Sweden on a great result. From strength to strength!

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Seasonal best of Saab Automobile’s sales in Sweden

· Saab notes in 1119 new car registrations in the Swedish market in November
· Best sales month for Saab in Sweden since December 2008
· Saab Sweden’s sales grow by 86% compared to same month in 2009
· So far this year, surpassing sales in Sweden during the same period in 2009
• During the second half of the year, growth is +77% compared to same period in 2009

Trollhattan, Sweden – Today announced Saab Automobile’s new strong sales figures for the Swedish market, continuing the journey towards becoming a successful, independent company. Saab new car registrations in Sweden amounts to 1119, representing an increase of 86% compared with November 2009. Sales in the Swedish market has, in the first eleven months, exceeded last year’s corresponding figures of 14%. This despite the fact that Saab after their restart did not start production until April.

“These figures are extremely pleasing and encouraging for us. I would also like to once again stress that the figures should be viewed in the light of that we have not had any new cars from the factory to sell in the first four months. In fact, it was only in the third quarter as deliveries to our customers came up to speed. November’s figures give us the incentive we needed and it feels like we will go into 2011 with good momentum. “, Says Magnus Hansson, head of Saab Sweden and Scandinavia.

November represents the single best month for Saab Sweden so far in 2010 and is the best month since December 2008. The development is a result of the work that Saab Sweden is undertaking to give new momentum to the brand among both private and commercial. New Saab 9-5 and the model year updates of 9-3, including a number of diesel offerings with CO2 emissions of just 119 g / km, which received very good reviews in Swedish media, helping to orders is the best Saab Sweden since 2008. Indeed, it would thereby for good registration numbers even during the last month.

Magnus Hansson: “That we, despite our, to put it mildly, tough off distance continues to increase our sales in Sweden strengthens us in our faith in Saab’s future as a successful, independent company. Together with the positive accomplishments we had in this tough year, continued close cooperation with our dealers and the news that lies ahead, we see with confidence to 2011 “

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Report: Saabs at the 2010 RAC Rally

December 1, 2010 in News

The following report has come through from the guys in the Saab Historic Rally Team, who participated in the 2010 Roger Albert Clark Rally on the weekend.

My thanks to Steve W for passing it on and congratulations to the rally team!

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Saab Historic Rally Team
Roger Albert Clark Rally 26 to 29 November, 2010

  • Event a great success
  • 1000 miles
  • 22 Stages
  • -17C lowest temperature
  • 12 inches the deepest snow on a stage
  • 64 entrants in the main rally event
  • 43 finishers
  • 9 hours sleep in four days

Nick Pinkett/Mark Casey
Second Historic Winners Class B1

They holed a piston on Saturday evening. The spare engine was fitted in the dark, in one hour thirty seven minutes, at the roadside, without a hoist or power tools, so that they could rejoin the rally. Nick’s result is particularly impressive as his car had no limited slip differential, which makes driving in snow virtually impossible, a heroic effort.

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Jim Valentine/Andy Harris
Third Historic Second Class B1

Though fast on some of the stages, punctures, ignition and fueling problems in the extreme conditions hampered their rally with the car only running properly on the fourth day. Despite the problems they finished second Historic but ended a run of three previous class wins.

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Colin Hope/Nick Patrick
Fourth in Class C3 31st Overall

Their result doesn’t tell the whole story. They started 59th overall and made up 28 positions despite having problems with the head gasket and cooling from Saturday night. Nonetheless, on Stages 12 and 13, in the Forest of Ae in Scotland they set really fast times in the top 30. That is some drive on a surface you couldn’t walk on, it’s hard to believe that his team finished building the car on the Friday of the event and this was the first time Colin has driven a Saab in anger.

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Richard Simpson/Debby Myer
Retired Stage 21

Richard was challenging for the lead of the Historic category from day one of the event. As the other leaders retired or fell behind, Richard started stage 21 with a ten minute lead over his nearest rival. On Monday morning a win in the Historics seemed within the team’s grasp, all Richard had to do was complete the last two stages at half speed to secure the position. The team put their efforts into supporting him trying to plan for various possible scenarios, with limited servicing opportunities between the last two stages, the B1 competitors would double up as “on stage” service vehicles to try and ensure Richard the win: Nick took on spares and Jim carried an extra spare wheel for Richard’s car. Cruelly Richard’s car lost the clutch on the start of stage 21 and that victory slipped away.

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Magic/Craig Wallace
Retired Stage 17

Magic’s rally ended when they holed the gearbox casing on stage 17. Poor Magic, two weeks before the rally the car was still a shell, and despite holding down his day job he managed to completely build the car back up and get it on the start line for the event (the team pretty much took the last spanner off the car as it went into the noise test for scrutineering on Friday). His late entry meant he started last in the rally, but the weather conditions dealt him the cruelest blow. As the last car on the competitive stages any car in the rally that went off or blocked the stage would hold him up. Sure enough he was baulked on the first six stages, and to add insult to injury since the stages are so narrow, having unstuck the car in front it would take off and, despite rescuing it, he would have to be stuck behind it for the rest of the stage. Where he could find some “clean air” the former works car was quick on the stages, but sadly a gearbox failure late on brought what must have been a frustrating event to a close.

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Sneak Peek – Saab 9-5 lineup for Australia

December 1, 2010 in News

Djup Strupe walked past my house overnight and an envelope with some 9-5 specs must have accidentally fallen out of his/her coat pocket.

Apparently the new Saab 9-5 will come to Australia with two model lines only – Vector and Aero.

Equipment listings on the base model Vector are therefore very impressive from the get-go, including items that are options elsewhere such as the color screen and Satnav as standard. Add HUD and Saab Smartbeam Xenons to that list.

Vector will come with either 2.0T or the 2.0TiD engine. Aero is V6 only.

Pricing will be keenly based on current prices for the Audi A6 at just over $70K for the Vector and mid $90K for the Aero (cf $73K for base A6 and $109K for 3.0TFSI). Add the on-road costs.

These numbers are significantly less than the BMW 5er and the Saab’s base level equipment will have the Teutonic shopper checking the options list for days.

9-5s are expected to land here around the end of the first quarter 2011.

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