SU and SPNA working together
January 17, 2013 in SAAB Parts North America
As some of you might have seen there is a new advert online on SU, at position number 5. The advert belongs to Saab Automobile Parts North America and we at SaabsUnited are extremely happy to have gotten off to such a great start with the North American brother of Saab Automobile Parts AB.
We’ve enjoyed a good relationship with SCNA until it closed down but even after its closure, we maintained our friendship with some key people and they are now back working for us Saab fans.
About a week ago the Saab Secure Program was introduced by SPNA and we were very happy to be able to get the news out to you several hours before other news-organizations managed to understand what it was about but also to get you guys feedback on how it impacted you as a customer.
That, I feel is the true power of SU, by having writers on several continents and time-zones being able to bring you information as fast as possible, but also that these writers maintain a good relationship with managers and key-people within these companies.
By being able to pick up the phone or write an e-mail to a key-person within a company, SU enjoys the ability to be able to bring real, confirmed, information and ask direct questions which matter to us Saab fans in a way that nobody else can.
These channels of information have become very important for the world of Saab fans and Jason Powell has done an amazing job in keeping up relations with SCNA and SPNA.
I’m really happy that SPNA is up and running and from what I’ve heard they are really busy.
We’re very happy that SPNA decided to start working with SU officially and we hope that this will mean a good feedback to the fans on what progress is being made on the North American market!
Steve C. said on January 17, 2013
That 800 number in the advert is the Customer Relations number for Saab Cars USA (that became SCNA with the Spyker acquistion). It has probably been in existence for over 20 years. Great continuity!
While we are speaking of SPNA and the Saab Secure program, one thing to keep in mind is that a Service Center may not offer it. Considering that these centers, that were once official Saab dealers, probably had to find extended aftermarket warranties to offer long before SPNA became official and then 6 months later,offered theirs. As a result, why would the service center want another one? I’ve already experienced this at my former dealer. It also appears the press release for Saab Secure was released too early since the service centers didn’t even have the details.
On a brighter note, I did sign up to be on the SPNA Customer Service mailing list and wrote a nice note in the space provided. I was wondering if someone at SPNA might recognize me and sure enough I got an e-mail from a long-time former US Saab employee now at SPNA. Now that made it feel like family!
JH said on January 18, 2013
Regarding phone numbers, NEVS is now using the same old PBX number which Saab in Sweden used for years, +46 (0)520-850 00.
dcpattie said on January 17, 2013
I think that fact that SU delivered the message – forget that your beat a very news organizations – its whats important. I purchased a new 2010 Saab 9-5 Aero and didn’t receive any news about the program from SPNA. One would think SPNA retained the list of current Saab owners from Saab NA – so why haven’t I received any email updates about the program from them?
JasonPowell said on January 18, 2013
You would think that all that info was easily at hand but I can tell you that when Saab was purchased from GM, we dealers didn’t get the customer list of Saab owners from GM for many many months. As a dealer we do retain an internal list and contact our own customers about such programs but as Steve C points out, the PR was released early and none of the dealers were set to start the program. We can all do it and it would make sense for a dealer to at least offer it as it will ensure customers coming back because they have to stay within service intervals to be covered by the program. This is not by any means the same as a full bumper to bumper warranty but it will at least offer some piece of mind to buyers and Saab drivers. All dealers now have a warranty to offer for sale to customers now that will go above and beyond the Saab secure program as well. We need to have a little patience though as dealers are still waiting for literature to fully explain the program.
Perian said on January 17, 2013
Can someone at SPNA explain the SaabSecure program to me? I have a NG9-5 and would be willing to purchase the extended warranty.
Is there now base (no charge) warranty coverage of some kind?
Explain the free oil change service and advise pricing for the extended warranty packages.
LOVE my 9-5. Thank you in advance for your reply!
JasonPowell said on January 18, 2013
Perian, the free oil change is offered by SPNA through the service centers and starts the Secure Drive program in which you will need to continue to service your vehicle at certain intervals to maintain your coverage. This is not a base warranty but does act somewhat like one and covers select parts of your vehicle. There are extended warranties being offered at competitive pricing at your Saab dealer/service center that can cover your car with warranty. I don’t have exact prices for all the warranty options as they differ in Canada and the US and there are many options to chose from. I hope that helps and I hope for more info shortly.
Perian said on January 18, 2013
This is really great news. Thank you so very much for your reply!
Simon said on January 18, 2013
Welcome to SPNA!
If one of you knows when my Saab dealer (Cadillac Laval) will receive my control unit #13326676, for my Turbo X rear differential that was ordered on November 7, 2012, I would really appreciate a helping hand.
Please tell me where I can find one before the end of this winter (without XWD).
John said on January 21, 2013
Greetings. We here at Saab Parts North America read your posting and contacted Michele in Saab Parts at Saab Laval. Sweden cannot supply the control unit. You must obtain the complete differential PN 12823675. Michele will be ordering this part today 1/21/2013. These parts are in stock in the Pennsylvania Parts Distribution Center in the USA.
Regards,
The SPNA team.
JasonPowell said on January 21, 2013
Thanks for keeping up to date with the customers John, very appreciated
Simon said on January 23, 2013
Dear SPNA team,
You are the greatest part supplier team of the world!
Best regards,
Simon
100%Saab said on January 18, 2013
The link for this ad is the bookmark after my SaabsUnited bookmark. I guess that makes me “current”. (smile)
Seb said on January 18, 2013
This is good news I guess.. But honestly I will believe it in when I see it regarding parts availability for my 2006 9-5. So far SPNA was not able to provide a replacement bumper cover for my vehicle, etc.
Idealized excitement about this is all fine and good. The real proof in the credibility of SPNA is their ability to deliver parts when needed for my vehicle. Just saying.
74StingSaab said on January 18, 2013
nothing but good news! Hats off to Mr. Colbeck and his crew.
923m said on January 20, 2013
Is there anyone out there in SU-land or Saab Parts Sweden that might have any idea when NG 9-5 windshields may become available, especially for heads-up dlsplay equipped cars? Also what about navigation disc updates, not only for the NG 9-5 but for the 9-3 as well? Are the latest DVDs from GM compatible as the NAV units appear to be identical to various Buick, Cadillac and other GM cars?