by TimR
April 5, 2011 in Editorial, Uncategorized
A great article by Alrik Söderlind in Auto Motor & Sport was published today:
A pretty hard wind has blown against Saab recently. But compared with the headwind when GM completely shut down the company 13 months ago, it’s a light breeze. But what a media storm it was! Did Saab deserve it?
by Swade
January 9, 2011 in News
Our friends at Auto Motor and Sport have been speaking to Saab and there’s some indications there that some good news we’ve been expecting for a little while now is just over the horizon.
Cue the Googletrans:
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Saab started slow, but climbing up
Pär Brandt – 2011-01-07 09:21,Sales forecast was written down twice and Saab sold not more than 32 000 cars in 2010. But the year ended with a faster tempo and according to managing director Jan-Ake Jonsson, [there is] confidence [for] sales [in] 2011.
Saab’s new start after the change of ownership in February was significantly slower than management had imagined. The original sales forecast of 60,000 cars were written down twice and finally ended up at only 32 000 cars. Although an improvement of 53 percent compared with 2009, but it was a particularly bleak year for the automotive industry as a whole and Saab in particular.
Despite the problems is managing director Jan-Ake Jonsson happy with what you did to accomplish in 2010. Saab loaded bearings out at the shops and established new sales organizations in several countries. Important markets such as China, Russia and Australia in the starting blocks and they will contribute positively, as the launch of the new 9-5 sedan and the 9-4X. In addition, hope you capture the more important to company clients during the early years then also 9-3 SportCombi in an eco-rated version with a low emissions to 130-180 hp. 9-3 will also get a face lift to increase interest.
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The bit of particular interest there is the last few sentences, where it states a couple of things we’ve been expecting, but hadn’t heard much of from a Swedish source.
It’s noted that those items aren’t direct quotes from people at Saab, but the author of the article is a man I know reasonably well, Pär Brandt, and I know he talks to the right people at Saab. He’s not one who’s given to idle speculation.
Anyone who knows anything about the Swedish market will recognise the massive drawcard a 119g/km emissions SportCombi will provide for Saab. Sales have been up already on the strength of the Sport Sedan offering this much power with such little emissions. To have to configuration available in the Swede’s favoured body style, the SportCombi, is going to be a huge bonus.
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It’s nice to see Pär make use of an article penned by our newest contributor, Red J, as part of his column.
Great stuff, and I imagine Red J might feel quite happy about that. As well he should 
Thanks to Tobias for the tip!
by Swade
November 9, 2010 in Saabology
Auto Motor and Sport did an interview with Saab Design Chief, Jason Castriota, and unlike mine (via telephone), it was in person.
As you’ve probably seen from Parts 1 and 2 of my interview with him, Jason enjoys a chat. Maybe the only thing he likes more is to get out the sketch pad and start drawing, which is exactly what he did while he was with the guys from AMS.
AMS are now giving readers the chance to win that sketch, which Jason did to illustrate what a future Saab Sonett might look like should they have the opportunity to make one.
To be in the running to win the sketch, all you need to do is leave a comment on AMS’s Facebook page.
Giddyup!
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AMS’s interview with Jason Castriota is in the latest print edition of their magazine, which Swedes can buy at outlets with the finest tastes.
Parts 1 and 2 of my interview with Jason Castriota is available at the following links. Part 3 is still to come.
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by Swade
November 4, 2010 in Saabology
The latest issue of Auto Motor and Sport has hit the news stands and it features their artist’s guess as to what the successor to the Saab 9-3 might look like when it comes out in a few years from now.
They also have an interview with Jason Castriota in the print issue. It probably won’t be online for a little while, so Swedes who want to read it might have to head to the news stands.
Thanks Tobias!
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Speaking of interviews with Jason Castriota, I’m just finalising part 2 of my trilogy at the moment. Hopefully it will come out in the next 24 hours.
You can read part 1 of my interview with Jason Castriota right now.
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Several Swedish newspapers have published a shorter interview with Jason Castriota today. Here’s a Googletrans:
Thanks Lennart and others!
Saab’s new designer is no coward
Saab’s new chief designer want Saab to be more original. Now there are three completely new vision of the new Saab 9-3 in Trollhattan. He’s extremely tough demands on himself. But he himself is only a consultant.
At the end of the interview, Saab’s new head designer Jason Castriota become its feet.
- I do not understand that the new 9-5 was not a combi coupé, “he said suddenly – and saw the date of the new Saab car that is vital for his clients. He, who joins from Bertone in Turin, where he has been accustomed to designing sports cars and be the head had started in autumn 2008. He wanted to move back to New York with his wife and children after eight years in Italy. Wanted the children to get to start school in the United States.
Suddenly he stood alone. He began to build a simple small organization, took his newly printed business cards and flew in December last year the car show in Los Angeles.
There he met an enthusiastic Dutchman named Victor Muller, who had just made his first bid for Saab. They talked a bit.
by Swade
October 8, 2010 in News
My mate over at Auto Motor and Sport, Par Brandt, has trumped me with the Jason Castriota interview, speaking with him over dinner last night in Trollhattan. Hopefully, I’ll catch up with Jason next week and finish off our chat, then it’ll be a race to the presses *insert evil grin here*
Par’s been on the phone back to his office in Stockholm, however, and they do have some preview information ahead of their next issue.
Cue the Googletrans!
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AMS: Hello! How are you doing in Trollhattan?
PB: Thank you, OK. Right now I’m in the new 9-3 since featuring 180 hp, and yesterday I met Jason Castriota, Saab’s new and actually very charming design director. He was extremely eloquent and probably the best PR man Saab could get. His value can not be overstated, especially when it comes to marketing Saab in the U.S. market. But Saab is aware of this and he will be used extensively in public relations context.
AMS: What did he say – he revealed some secrets?
PB: He said almost too much … He said among other things, that he currently is completing the next generation 9-3. It is in “wind-tunnel-stage”, they are therefore on the aerodynamics testing, which means that it will take about two years before it is available on the market.
Then we talked a lot about Saab’s new design language and how he sees the design. And about how his approach to the design suits Saab. The funny thing is that he is an extreme Saab geek. His parents drove a Saab when he was little, and when he had been driving his mother went out and bought a 900 for him.
AMS: What have been the plans for Saab?
PB: Yes, he’s actually almost already pushed through what he had set out – namely, to take back the rear hatch. So we can expect a hatchback and a halvkomib, but besides these he has two models for the pipline, but which ones I reveal in the story that comes in auto motor & sport for future issues.
AMS: Okay, but what do you have to say about the new 119-gram then?
PB: Well, it’s nice, it works just like a regular TTiD. Spontaneous do people find no difference, more than that it has a bit sweet time when starting the engine, but as soon as it starts rolling it is completely silent. It is therefore classified environment has a carbon dioxide emissions of 119 g / km, consumption is 4.5 litres/100 km. It is very comfortable on the highway, the 110 m/h stands at 1750 yards. It has a lot of torque to 400 Nm. On the whole it feels very relaxed.
Are there any exterior difference?
PB: No, it looks just as usual, but after the new year comes a face lift for it to survive two more years, before the next generation will come.
AMS: Why no [TTiD] for the Combi? (I think this is what it’s saying – SW)
PB: Saab’s very aware that this is a problem in our combi-loving Sweden, so they’re working really hard to get it out. Rumor I have heard that carbon emissions are now at 122 grams per kilometer, so there are 2 grams before they are ready.
AMS: What happens more today in Trollhattan?
PB: First, I’ll run some more, then I see Saab’s engineers to talk a bit more on the elaboration and the engine itself. But more on that in the test drive coming in the next issue. (No. 22 in stores on October 21.)
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by Swade
October 1, 2010 in News
I’m still waiting to finish my phone interview with Jason Castriota. We got 30 minutes into things when a medical emergency with his family took him away and it’s been difficult to get in touch again, but we’ll get it done soon. I’m looking forward to it, too, as we covered a lot, but we had miles to go.
My mates at Auto Motor and Sport caught up with him at the Paris Auto Show and JH has been kind enough to send through a transcript:
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“I call them Clark Kent and Superman”
Nisse Svärd sat down together with Saab’s new chief designer Jason Castriota, and discussed the future: Hatchback, concept cars, black interior and model name (current 9-3 will be 900 or 93?). And Jason also revealed what he calls his two bosses …
Our reporter Nisse Svärd had a chat with Saab’s new chief designer. Jason Castriota proved to be a promising quote machine …
Why did you take the job at Saab?
Why not? It is a good chance. Saab is an icon in the automotive world and its re-launch offers new opportunities. A perfect environment for a designer when Saab will be reborn and start from scratch and you are also allowed to be responsible and lead the work
Why do you think Saab chose you to manage their heritage?
It was Victor Muller who contacted me. He knows my work at Pininfarina and liked my projects. I have not worked with Spyker, but he appreciated how I managed the design and history of other brands that I worked with. We met at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year and Victor told me I had to come over. The second press days, I went to the Saab booth where I had a meeting with Jan-Åke and Viktor. It was supposed to last for 15 minutes, but it was a good conversation about Saab’s future design for over an hour and we were very consistent. Then they came over to me at the car show in New York a month later, where I presented the sketches of my proposals. We agreed.
Pushing ahead, that is. Typically Victor, and is it typical for you?
I am a determined designer. Saab must be decisive, especially now. It’s a good synergy between the fiery Victor and restrained Jan-Åke. They are a perfect combination and a dynamic duo. They’re like ying and yang. It is wonderful to work with them. I call them Clark Kent and Superman.
Clark Kent and Superman aka Jan-Ake Jonsson, and Victor Muller.
What is it like working at Saab and in your new design?
There is a great passion and enthusiasm within Saab. It’s fun to work here and so easy to be creative. Lovely atmosphere.
When will we see Castriota-design in Saab’s cars for the first time?
The first production car that I was responsible for is coming in 2012.
You consequently mean new 9-3?
Can not promise that it remains the 9-3.
Is it therefore more of a new 900 than a 9-3?
Saab 900 was an icon with a unique silhouette. All the manufacturers want to build premium, sporty and crossover (this refers for instance to the BMW 5 GT). It’s time to go back to a unique Saab which is premium and sporty.
Can the replacement of the 9-3 be called 900 or maybe even 93?
You get a laugh in response. (Jason’s laughter leads to a deliberate silence.)
When will we see the first touch of your Saab design?
There is a concept car next year. It gives a hint of where we are headed. Both the design and technology terms. Exactly when in 2011 is too early to tell. It depends on when the technology that shall be in the car is available.
How do you see Saab’s earlier concept cars? They have received considerable attention, do you build upon them?
No, it will be a new cycle of concept cars. The old ones had elements of Saab DNA, it will of course remain, but with new ideas.
Here at the booth Saab is showing a large text with “The Scandinavian Spirit”. How do you see the term Scandinavian design?
First you observe cultures from the outside, but then you live in it and develop the vision. Today, I live in Trollhättan. Scandinavian design is a rich heritage and not just cars. It is minimalistic and it’s a bit of a contrast to what we see in many booths here today. It is often said that a good car design will be drawn with only three lines. It is not the case with many manufacturers today. Even details are beautiful, but it should be clear lines.
Scandinavian design is often associated – not least among furniture – with light materials and wood. The interior of the Saabs today is almost known as “black”. How do you see it?
Today it is a little too sober inside the Saab cars, and it has been so for a while. I want to give more warmth to the interior and work with natural materials. Saab has lost to competitors regarding the design and colors – it also applies to the outside. I want to make a more humane environment with sustainable materials.
by Swade
September 23, 2010 in Saabology
I showed some pictures from Auto Motor and Sport a few days ago. They were AMS renderings of what they think a new Saab Sonett could look like.
Those images appeared in an paper issue of AMS that’s been released to the public today. Oscar K was kind enough to volunteer a translation, and AMS were kind enough to give me the OK to share it here for those not blessed with the Swedish language.
Swedes should go buy a copy of the mag and read it for themselves .
Thanks to Oscar for the translation.
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“Victor Müller told us that the Saab 92 will be a “modern retro” and claims that the design department already got the main character of the car finished. Saabs new head of design Jason Castriota confirms that the “model 92″ is being created, but he doesn’t want to describe it as a retro – “not in the same way as a Mini or a Fiat 500″. But it will have unmistakable features, which you can easily associate with other models through Saab’s history, the Head of Design says.
The Saab 92 will be a “buying construction” [that is, they will buy the platform on which they will develop the Saab 92] in the basis, but when it comes to existing models Saab have developed a whole new architecture themselves, which will be the basis of the new 9-3. According to Jan Åke Jonsson the solution is so flexible that it will be the base of the next generation of the 9-5 and the 9-4X. Jonsson confirms that taking home the production of the 9-4X from GM’s factories in Mexico to Sweden is included in Saabs plans.
by Swade
September 22, 2010 in News
Auto Motor and Sport hits the news stands on Thursday, but subscribers get it a little earlier.
I guess one of my contacts on Buzz must be a subscriber, because he’s posted the images there (Thanks T!). Here are the two scans.
Please bear in mind that these would be renderings by an artist contracted by AMS. They’re not official.
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I don’t know the tone of the story, but the headline as translated yesterday seemed to indicate a belief that the Sonett might actually be coming, as a competitor to the Audi TT class of vehicles.
Personally speaking, I’m a bit skeptical about that.
I believe Saab will be successful in securing an appropriate partnership to build what’s referred to as the Saab 92 – a small 4-seat hatch with teardrop styling.
A Sonett would likely be shaped on the same architecture, if it were to eventuate. That’s a big “if”, though. The extra money needed to make this work might be hard to get, and the market for 2-seater sports cars is limited, meaning the potential return on the additional investment might be pretty limited, too.
I’d absolutely love for it to happen. A vehicle like this would be a dream come true for me. It embodies everything I love about the driving experience.
I’d love to be wrong, but I won’t count this chicken until it’s hatched.
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As noted in comments, Auto Express wrote about this last month. This is a quote from that article…..
I’ve looked at a retake of the Sonett, as Audi did with the TT, and I didn’t have to push the management too hard to justify it.
Aside from my usual reservations about AE content, I think the quote they attribute to Jason Castriota is more about some conceptual drawings and a little fun exploration than a commitment to building the model itself. I think that quote came from an interview around the time of the US launch of the 9-5 at Monticello.
by Swade
September 22, 2010 in Saabology
One of our regulars here at SU has just bought a mighty fine looking Sonett in the US. I hope to squeeze some good pics out of him when he gains possession soon.
Auto Motor and Sport seem to be keen on Sonetts at the moment, too, though of a different vintage.
I don’t know what the tone of the story is, but their new edition with that front cover will be on sale this Thursday.
Thanks to Kashif, and Sven, for the tip!
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Speaking of magazines……
TIME Magazine has just named the Saab 9-5 amongst its Best Cars of 2011.
Good to see!
Thanks to John M and Joe P!
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Saab’s quarrel with the Västra Götaland administrative board has just been escalated to “debt collection” status.
The Västra Götaland county loaned Saab a bunch of money when Saab went into administration back in February 2009. This money was used to pay staff salaries at the start of the administration process. The VG county wants repayment of outstanding amounts, which Saab say are not repayable because of the 75% debt reduction they were granted as part of the administration process. Saab have repaid the 25% that they see as their obligation.
Västra Götaland say the loan should have been excluded from that agreement. Saab say it’s part of it. Both sides are sticking to their guns.
VM has previously said that Saab will make provisions and pay the amount if ordered to do so by the courts, but it seems Saab believe they have a solid case and are willing to be persued and taken to the judiciary.
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To some more Brown Saabs, then!
This is a 1977 Saab 99GL in Dorado Brown with less than 60,000 miles on the clock! It’s owner is a lady named Linnea K and the car is officially nicknamed “Cocoa”. It has a secondary nickname, too, with the licence plate translating to “angry snail”, which is how it sounds on the highway, apparently
AlanH has written in with some Brown Saab memories, too.
For his family, their entire Saab experience started with a brown Saab 99GLE back in 1976, with gold-trimmed soccerball wheels and a brown/gold interior.
Just like the brochure…..
It’s so good to see brown coming back from it’s 1970s exile.
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by Swade
June 29, 2010 in Saabology
From the cover and pages of the latest issue of Auto Motor and Sport in Sweden…..
Click to enlarge.
Looks pretty accurate from what I can remember.
UPDATE: Apparently scheduled for a display in Paris later this year, according to the AMS article. Thanks Tobias.
Thanks to Victor S!
by Swade
May 31, 2010 in News
The guys from Sweden’s Auto Motor and Sport are at today’s first press drive and they’ve phones in some preliminary thoughts.
Dot points here, as it’s a short piece, which you can read (or translate) here.
The bit I really like is the poll at the bottom:
by Swade
April 6, 2010 in Saabology
Like it or lump it. Compact concepts are the flavour of the month around here right now.
A little while ago, I showed you the front of a concept drawn up by the guys at Auto Motor and Sport. Many of you thought it a bit too Fiat 500 for your liking, though I thought it was actually OK at the front.
Today, we have the addition of a rear quarter photo as well and it’s at this point that I jump the fence and say ‘no thanks’.
The front, again:
And the rear…..
As I see more of this sort of thing, I’m starting to form an opinion on this whole teardrop shape idea, and unfortunately I don’t think it’s a positive opinion. I like the idea from a conceptual point of view, but I’m yet to see an execution that makes me think it can win over a whole bunch of people looking for a modern compact car.
Thanks to C30 for the images
by Swade
March 12, 2010 in News
The Saab 9-5 prices that I published a few days ago were taken from a PDF brochure that I received from Djup Strupe, via email.
I lifted only certain parts of that brochure for publication here as I figured a) they were the ones that would be of most interest, and b) the info was preliminary, so the less the better.
It seems my mates over at AMS have similar contacts as they’ve published some more of this info in a story over there, as well as providing a link to the complete PDF brochure (in Swedish).
The brochure lists pricing, as per my post the other day, as well options and packages available. As you can see at the AMS post, it also shows prospective additions to the color palette for 2011.
Please note that it’s preliminary information intended for the Swedish market. It may change and it may not be complete.
by Swade
February 5, 2010 in News
My mates at Auto Motor and Sport in Sweden have been very busy the last few weeks and to celebrate the Saab-Spyker agreement, they’ve put together a huge 10-page feature.
They’ve chatted with various people at Saab and have some renderings to share of what they think the next 9-3 might look like.
For those who contributed last night to my post about what Saab’s internet presence might look like, you’ll be able to compare your thoughts to some from Saab’s head marketing guy, Knut Simonsson.
I believe there’s also an editorial piece from Genii’s Lars Carlstrom, which should make for interesting reading. I’ve got a copy of it in Swedish, but have to hold off until mid next week.
The issue is available online to subscribers today and the paper edition will start hitting mailboxes early next weeks. Non-subscribers can pick up at news stands shortly thereafter.
by Swade
December 29, 2009 in News
Paul Akerlund from the IF Metall union says there’s no big news expected today and he’s always been a good barometer, so with that, how about something normal to put smiles on people’s faces?
Something like the Saab 9-5 jetting about in Stockholm.
Auto Motor and Sport picked up these photos and whilst many Swedes would have seen them already (they’ve been around for about 24 hours) some may have not. If you haven’t you can click that link and see a few more.
This car could well be Jan-Ake Jonsson’s own personal whip. It seems senior management are driving some of the first pre-production cars at the moment (see Mats Fägerhag, head of Tech Development on video here) and JAJ does have a place in Stockholm, which I’m sure would have been his Christmas destination.
I hope he had a great Christmas.
According to the registration data, the car seems to be the 2.0T model, 220hp and fitted with XWD. That’s the same configuration I drove back in September so I’m sure that JAJ is one happy motorist right now as the car was sensational.
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