SaabsUnited.com

Saab’s Independence Day – it all seems to have happened so very quickly.

I’d like to take just a minute to thank RedJ and Dave R for being the primary sources of content here during the Independence Day celebrations. One of the hard things for me was being involved in an event and therefore not being able to write about it. They did an outstanding job making sure everything was up to date and informative and I owe them a debt of gratitude for that.

I’d also like to take this opportunity to congratulate Saab’s management on doing this. Saab will always have to rely on the personal nature of its business. This is evidence of that personal side coming from the top down. It really is a community as well as a company and personally speaking, I feel immensely proud to be a part of it – and I think you should too.

With that said….. here’s a wrap of all that’s happened so you can go through it all again at a more leisurely pace. There are some new links in here, too, so make sure you check them all out.

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One of our SU regulars, Rune, called in to check things out. His photo gallery at Flickr contains some great images of the 9-3 Independence Edition Convertible and the new Saab 9-5 SportCombi.

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Our mates from Auto Motor and Sport were also in attendance and they’ve published some fantastic photos from the event, too.

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RedJ kept a running commentary going on Independence Day celebrations, which was updated as new information and photos came to hand.

Cakes!

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Of course, the core focus in vehicular terms was split three ways, between the new Saab 9-3 Independence Edition, the Saab 9-3 Griffin the new Saab 9-5 SportCombi. Saab let press releases loose for both the 9-3 editions.

• Saab 9-3 Griffin
• Saab 9-3 Independence Edition

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Our man on the spot was Dave R, a good friend of mine from England, and Dave was kind enough to supply both photos and his well considered thoughts:

My overwhelming feeling is one of great optimism both in the factory and in the town. I was here in Trollhattan last year on February 23rd. The sense then was more just of relief that Saab was not going to be shut down after all. Now the sense is far more positive – the worst is over, and the hard work is begining to bring its just rewards. There is no point looking back any more and dwelling on the past . The future is bright, so let’s just look forward to the suuccesful future of Saab.

Again, my thanks to Dave for keeping us informed. I’m so glad you were able to see this, mate, and I just wish I could have been there with you.

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Video?

There’s been more video than you could poke a stick at. Again, Saab’s attempt to keep everyone feeling connected to things and I the words of appreciation that I read in comments to these videos here at SU told me that their work was very much appreciated.

I’ll assume it’s the same crew as usual working on these videos, and send my thanks out to Joe, Charlie and Matt for getting them up online so quickly.

Saab’s year since independence…..

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUDe-JHQ4QA

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A thankyou to the Saab community….

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPIJK7_nrEw

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Saab’s Independence Day celebrations….

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6Be2ANPuOw

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And while we’re here, let’s take a look at the Saab 9-5 SportCombi ad once more…..

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dglwkIvuEmo

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Thanks again to RedJ, Dave R, all of you who shared in the event and of course, Saab for making it all possible.

I love this company and community. Absolutely awesome!

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Our friend DaveR has been assisted at the celebration, and while it was able to send some pictures during the event, it is now that he had some minutes to write down his thoughts about the event today.

Enjoy !!

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Arrived at the factory at 11.00 today on a bright,sunny but cold (minus six) morning. The Press assembled, a bit daunting for me as a complete amateur surrounded by so many seasoned professionals, including regular SaabsUnited visitor Graeme L from AutoExpress.

Jan Ake Jonsson greeted us by outlining where Saab stood at present. He stressed that they were part way through a three year plan, upto 2012.It made me realise that those who want ‘everything now’ ( myself included) should view events and actions with this in mind.

Then Victor Muller spoke. What a truly inspirational bloke! He began by saying what a desperate shape Saab were in just over a year ago. ‘Buried’ as he put it.But now they are ‘alive and kicking’, emphasising how proud he was of everyone involved who had fought to achieve this.Employees, suppliers and ‘most importantly’ the customers.He also said, not all together jokingly, that he was about to collect the bets from all those who last year had said to him that Saab would not last a year. Pointedly, he added that no-one would repeat their bets if he were to offer odds now.

Then we went out into the factory to view the new products.A 9-4X was on display, but under covers were the new Griffin, 9-5 Combi and the Independence convertible. Each was uncovered seperately As he did so , Victor was questioned quite closely, even in some cases aggresively, by some members of the Press. It is truely amazing to see Victor operating in such circumstances. He knows all the relevant facts, politely correcting his questioners ( or even inquisitors) when they try to trip him up .In some ways the style of questions was self defeating – the harder the questioning, the better his responses become.

Interpersed with the new model displays were stands providing food – loads and loads of food and soft drinks.Thousands of hot dogs. Hundreds of ‘ Independence’ cakes .Containers of coffee. Boxes of soft drink cans.There were about sixty Press present, and I thought I would be hard pressed to consume my share , but would do my best.My initial fears for my health were unfounded, as at 12.30 back up, in the form of the four thousand or so Saab employees arrived for their part in the celebrations.

They had their well deserved chance to see what they have been instrumental in achieving so far.Jan Ake gave a speech ( naturally in Swedish) , then Victor Muller introduced Jason Castriota, saying that the ‘concept 9-3′ would be displayed at Geneva in around a weeks time.

But it was not all Saab facts and figures. It is Independence Day, so it is a time for celebration. Those who have worked so hard over the past year, including representives of many suppliers, were entertained by Asha Ali and Tomas Ledin. As a Saab fan I have obviously heard and enjoyed Asha Ali’s music in the past.It was my first acquaintance of hearing Tomas Ledin, but his enthusiastic reception by the assembled Swedes made it obvious I was in a minority of one.

Events at the factory came to a close, and I have returned to my hotel for a brief respite before heading to the Museum for more celebrations (including cake!) and meeting up with Saab owning friends.

What an amazing day I have had so far. I am priveliged to have been able to attend this event, on behalf of all the fantastic Saab supporters who gather together here on SaabsUnited.

My overwhelming feeling is one of great optimism both in the factory and in the town . I was here in Trollhattan last year on February 23rd. The sense then was more just of relief that Saab was not going to be shut down after all. Now the sense is far more positive – the worst is over, and the hard work is begining to bring its just rewards. There is no point looking back any more and dwelling on the past . The future is bright, so let’s just look forward to the suuccesful future of Saab.

Dave R

This post is meant to be a container for all the Independence Day Information that I have or will get during the day. Feel free to post links or pictures to the comments. I’ll try to update it on a regularly basis.

Red J here ….

A last update

Our man in Trollhättan is gone to the hotel to get a small rest before the evening event at the Museum starts.

This is what he has found in his hotel room.

It seems like the whole town of Trollhättan is celebrating with Saab.

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A detail of the Ice block front lamps introduced in the 9-3 Griffin.

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For our Swedish readers.

Automotorsport.se has a price list for the SportSedan and Sportcombi Griffin and Aero Griffin, and for the 9-3X Griffin.

As an example:
The 9-3X (current) 2.0TXWD (210hp) Man6 costs SEK 317.900
The 9-3X Griffin 2.0T XWD (220hp) Man6 will cost SEK 323.900

The 9-3SS Vector TTiD 160hp Man6 costs SEK 275.900
The 9-3SS Griffin TTiD 160hp Man6 will cost SEK 258.400

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Some more pictures from our on-site reporter DaveR.

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Swade here…….

A great video from Saab showing some of the achievements from their first year of independence…..

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUDe-JHQ4QA

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Also, a couple of photos from Dave, in Trollhattan….

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As you know, DaveR is today in Trollhättan, and will be the on-site reporter for SU.
This is his program for the morning.

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I don’t know if those announced 300 special Cakes will look like this

But it could be.

Saab says thank you to you all.

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TTela.se has a live article about the celebration.

They also have some photos of the 9-5SC.

Front

Back

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On the Saab media site, you can find hi-res pictures of the 9-3 Griffin.

This is the interior update for the 9-3 Griffin.