ASAC
January 26, 2012 in News
Now I’m going to tell you guys something very interesting, I have been researching the parts situation for sometime since for obvious reasons it is one of the more important factors for Saab owners today. I have had some nice feed back form ASAC, the Saab After Sales System Center who more or less work with solving technical issues for dealerships around the world. They are sort of a middle man between the dealerships and Saab Parts and this department would be a nice addition to Saab Parts as a natural step in their development.
ASAC is very much alive and working, they are basically the ones who manage the TILS / EPC and / WIS systems (maintenance and parts software) that we discussed in an article the other day. Some dealers and garages have had minor issues accessing the system but HP who handles the technical support for the software have made it clear that most often it is a firewall or computer issue at the dealership rather than a fault with the actual web-based systems and yes they are still very much up and running!
There is a task-force of guys at Saab Parts and ASAC who are mainly working with a priority list for cars called OTR (off-the-road) which are prioritized cars since they are not drivable. These cars need parts urgently to get back in use and this is also the list that Saab Parts is working with. Keys for an understandable reason is one such issue however it is not a top priority since most cars have two but for example critical engine parts etc is a major issue and are of course placed at the top.
For Europe the parts situation is becoming very good, there has been a big issue to get parts for obvious financial reasons with Saab Automobile AB, but after the bankruptcy the situation has cleared up significantly. They are however a very limited group of about 15 guys who work with this and the bankruptcy administrators have put them back into work since the beginning of January. So some patience is required on our part to give them time to do their job and basically catch up with the situation, they are doing their very best!
Dealers in america have direct contact with this department at Saab and most countries in Europe work very well. The ones who have some issues are Italy, Spain and France but also that should improve in a matter of weeks.
So like I said the other day, keep your shirt on, keep on loving those Saabs and don’t rush off to some used cars salesman and try to sell your car in panic! Your Saab will serve you well for many more years to come and there are a big bunch of good people working to make sure that your time with your Saab will work smoothly!
JH said on January 26, 2012
Sounds good!
Eleven said on January 26, 2012
Again, more good news, just bought a classic 900 convertible, so three on the drive now. Love SAABs and won’t stop.
oxblod89 said on January 26, 2012
Nice to hear. I am planning to buy my first “more expensive” Saab later on this year, most likely a 2006 – 2010 Saab 9-3 and I feels good to hear that parts are not going to be a problem, even If I never was worried in the first place.
If the worst would happen and the factory was to never produce another Saab again I will continue to drive Saab for as long I can get my hands on one that works
BellaAsil said on January 26, 2012
I sincerely hope so Tim. Things here in the states are not looking that great right now as people & dealerships are scrambling to find parts for their cars and having to pay for parts for the new ones. My TurboX is still under regular warranty until May 2012 but since my local dealership is an independent, they not able to honor the warranty. The car needs work which means having to go several hundred miles to the nearest GM/Saab dealership while hoping that the car doesn’t break down on the way. Also means that they need to have the parts there prior to me coming with an official diagnosis. Even though the local dealership can go the escrow route to get parts directly from the warehouse in the states, they had a large amount due to them from Saab prior to the bankruptcy and now cannot afford to front money for an parts escrow account.
Also I am sure many of the 2008 models are coming out of warranty in this time period and I haven’t heard whether you can even buy an aftermarket warranty for Saabs right now since the issue with the parts availability. If there are no parts available or a qualified mechanic in a 50 mile radius, you have to ask yourself how much money do you have just lying around in case the XWD service light might go on . . .
SaabMan said on January 26, 2012
As of a month ago (but post-bankruptcy) I was able to buy an Ally (formerly GMAC) extended warranty through my dealer for a 2011 9-3. Other dealers are offering other aftermarket warranties with new 2011 cars. Morrie’s Saab in MN was offering bumper to bumper from State Farm. Another poster was praising AAA (though they don’t sell warranties in every market). So buying the warranty shouldn’t be impossible. The bigger issue is getting the parts for the warranty work–whether the Saab/GM warranty or other.
sandycapp said on January 27, 2012
In the UK Warranty Direct are offering a 25% discount on warranties on Saabs which are less than 3 years old.
dezzer said on January 27, 2012
Also for cars older than 3 years. they offered me the top package for 12 months warranty on a 2008 aero ….£355.
lab shala said on January 27, 2012
My Sabb 9-5 Aero is at dealership since December 1st waiting for a strut and few other suspension parts.
I am very disappointed with SCNA, they are not even responding to the local dealer. Apparently, the strut is unique fits just Saab 9-5 Aero. At this point I wouldn`t care much for the warranty, I just want my car back.
Oskar Malmgren said on January 26, 2012
I’ve just bought a 9-5 – 98 and it is like a dream to drive and own. As long as I live, I will continue drive Saab, there is no discussion about that =). But I still hope that I sometime in the future can roll out from the Saab dealer with a new one…
derek said on January 26, 2012
and don’t rush off to some used cars salesman and try to sell your car in panic!
I am not in a panic nor am I going to sell my car. The only reason I will sell my car is if my car cannot be driven because of a needed part and I have waited one month for parts. In that case, I will have to buy another car and it will not be a Saab.
However, the chances that my car will not be drivable for a month is approximately, in my estimation, 3% in the next year, maybe 15% over the next 3 years, rising to 50% in the next 6 years. I hope the situation will be resolved before that happens.
TimR said on January 27, 2012
Well you know it’s been just over a month since the bankruptcy and in-between that you’ve had x-mas and the new-years holidays so you can’t expect things to happen that quickly. I know that Saab had an issue prior to the bankruptcy but what we’re saying is that despite being a very small group of guys, they’ve managed to bring a lot of order to the chaos that existed…
Things are becoming a lot brighter on the parts side and I have heard that lack of parts will not be an issue for many more years to come!
100%Saab said on January 27, 2012
I’m waiting for a call from my Lubbock Saab dealer concerning the available extended warranties for Saabs. They still have a 2010 9-5 and two 2011 9-5s on discount. Will parts be available for the NG 9-5s? Otherwise I’ll keep my 9-3s.
kochje said on January 27, 2012
Best news of the day, Tim.
Thanks!!
derek said on January 26, 2012
Keys for an understandable reason is one such issue however it is not a top priority since most cars have two but for example critical engine parts etc is a major issue and are of course placed at the top.
Saabsunited is sometimes accused of being too optimistic. Publishing this quote brings credibility to Saabsunited! Keys are projected to be available but are not the highest priority. That is honesty! I expect that there is a 33% chance that keys will be widely available by May 2012 and a 33% chance that they will forever be hard to get and eventually impossible to get.
TimR said on January 27, 2012
Over 33’000 keys for the 9-3 have already been delivered to customers who were waiting, over 50’000 more keys have been produced and are on their way to the dealerships right now!
Right now every part that is a vital part to get cars running are either ordered or being produced or already shipped to the dealerships!
bert lutzke said on January 27, 2012
I dont know where you get your info from, but here is my situation, 2009 9-5, 23000 miles. Obviously still under warranty. alternator pulley fell off allowing serpentine belt to come off,and flop around,wrecking oil cooling lines and and many other parts, engine burned up in just 3/4 of a mile. quicker than my 68 year old wife could get it off the hi-way. Anyhow $9300.00 parts,$3100.00 labor. My dealer is Bergstrom.Appleton,wi. the largest dealer chain in the midwest,selling every brand of car sold in the u.s.,They cannot get any parts and no one will even communicate with them. Last week I moved my car to ‘The Auto Shop-Saab’ an independant shop that only services Saabs (35 years ) and sells used saabs. They put in a used engine (20000 miles) and fixed everythine else. Today my car is just like new. Tomorrow trading in on a new car, not saab, not GM. I paid the repair bill ($4900.00) my Saab, our 2nd 9-5 -s a wonderful car, but tomorrow after it is gone will be the end of a nightmare and I will sleep once again.
bert lutzke said on January 27, 2012
This happened Dec 17 2011, just a few days before bankruptcy.
Saabseller said on January 27, 2012
I would have thought the clatter and banging of a pulley and belt thrashing around the engine bay would have been a signal to stop the car thus avoiding the ensuing damage. These aren’t the noisiest cars on the road after all. The nut behind the steering wheel should also be checked.
bert lutzke said on January 27, 2012
Before you start calling little 68 year old ladies names you should think a little. My wife was on a 26 mile long section of U.S 41 under construction with temporary concrete barriers on both sides of the lane. there is no place to pull over, and stopping is not allowed. she was fortunate that an exit was fairly near and was able to get off the hi-way but the car died in less than 200 feet later. We will accept your apology.
Ken Williams said on January 26, 2012
I have a 2010 9-5 and a 2003 9-3. I love both cars! It’s my understanding that the older vehicle will have better access to parts as aftermarket manufacturers have been making the parts for years – is that a correct assumption?
My concern is for the 2010. Only a few were sold, so what’s out there for parts? Has anyone on this site picked up a warrantee for a 2010 or 2011 vehicle and if so where and how much?
The 2010 is a lease, so I’m not worried about the depreciation factor (that’s Ally’s issue). I do worry about having a car I can’t fix.
SaabMan said on January 27, 2012
A couple days after the bankruptcy I went into the dealer (Shaw Saab in Massachusetts, that we’ve heard is closing) and I bought an extended warranty for my 2011 9-3 through Ally. The plan is called ‘Repair Advantage Select.’ It was for 5 years/60,000 miles (beyond those already driven). The cost was $1800.
Ken Williams said on January 30, 2012
SaabMan,
Thanks for the info. I’ll look into that plan. I finance my lease through Ally and have dealt with Shaw Saab for 22 years over 8 vehicles. I can’t tell you how sad I am to hear that they are closing.
Warranty notwithstanding, I’m still concerned about parts availability. Not just engine parts, but body panels, etc. in case of accident. I don’t know if there’s any information in that respect but it’s a concern.
Hopefully we’ll get some news on a buyer soon and the concern and warranty issues will be a thing of the past.
hughw said on January 27, 2012
True Story: Friend with Saab 9-5SC loses key on Martha’s Vineyard raking leaves. He’s lazy and doesn’t bother to replace. Three months later, same location, he loses his other key shoveling snow. Wife is pissed. Car needs to be taken off-island by ferry on a trailer to the nearest dealer for new TWICE. Total cost with towing about $2,000 and car out of commission for about 5 days.
My wife misplaces key. Knows story above about our friends. She panics and makes me go to dealer and order new key. One hour each way. Recieve new key. Back to dealer for programming. Come home with new key. WIfe is their to greet me saying “Guess what I just found in my beach bag.”
John brown said on January 27, 2012
Get her a smaller beach bag or an iphone attached to the key then use find my iphone app… solved LOL
100%Saab said on January 27, 2012
I bought a third key for both my 9-3s when they were new. Problem solved. All 6 keys work.
Nate 9-3 said on January 27, 2012
That is an hilarious anecdote. Thanks for the laugh.
hughw said on January 27, 2012
I just called dealer today and told him that I was passing on buying a new 9-4X Premium that I had my heart set on. I was thinking about the key, and thinking about having a little fender bender and there’s not a new fender to be had. When I called the dealer to tell him I wasn’t taking the car, he said there would certainly be a third party company making replacement parts. I asked him how many 9-4s had been produced. He said about 700-800. I said really, what company is going to tool up to make parts for such a limited customer base?
JasonPowell said on January 27, 2012
Hugh, why would GM not produce them. I know to most, GM is a bad word, but would the bumper and panels not be something they would continue to produce or stock? They’ve already paid to produce the parts, I would think it would make sense to even for a small number of customers, produce them as they make more money on the parts when they are sold separately for body work.
bpsorrel said on January 27, 2012
I have a strange feeling we’ll see the 9-4X again, with a different badge. I’d be very surprised if GM let this car just disappear after setting up the factory to build it!
Buick SUV anyone?
Hans H said on January 27, 2012
The key problem is not unheard of in my family also. We now have three keys to one of our cars. Much the same way you have three keys.
baas900i said on January 27, 2012
two missing keys in western austalia results in $3500 bill
dezzer said on January 27, 2012
lets talk about something else…..football, FA CUP 4TH ROUND this weekend in UK !!!!
baas900i said on January 27, 2012
no…… leeds are out!
theSandySaab said on January 27, 2012
Off topic, somewhat – Swade returns to Tasmania:
http://ttela.se/ekonomi/saab/1.1508889–jag-har-gett-upp-hoppet-
bpsorrel said on January 27, 2012
Here is a beautifully written piece by Swade…. Very interesting.
http://www.swadeology.com/2012/01/a-letter-to-my-colleagues-and-friends-at-saab-automobile/
Peter Doyle said on January 27, 2012
asac are also attempting to help techs around the world with technical repair issues. I’m sure their plate is full and they are doing an excellent job
Darryl said on January 27, 2012
Nice article Tim. I’m glad people and customers who read SU now know Parts supplies for the future are intact.
Peter 96 said on January 27, 2012
“For Europe the parts situation is becoming very good, . . . ”
“So some patience is required on our part . . . ”
Well, how long still ?
I’m waiting 5 weeks now for a common rear bumper part for my 2002 9-5 Aero sedan.
Date of delivery ist still unknown !?
Jeff Greiner said on January 27, 2012
I would hate to break everyone’s mood but parts are available in the US. I have been waiting on a bumper assembly for a TurboX and Just Saab has it on order with ship date 1feb. As of today it is on the way. It looked bleak last week that it would never get repaired but all parts are moving via Saab. You just have to poke and prod the parts guy and buy him a beer. They have been through a lot over the last month but parts are moving finally