Good news today…..
—-
I can hear you now…….. What’s the big deal about a Saab 9-3x on a Saab build-your-own website?
Well, the big deal is that that particular screenshot comes from the Saab Australia website, which means that things are finally getting underway Downunder. Turbin was snooping around on the site and picked up on the new model loaded there. There’s also a dealer listing, but we’re unsure if that’s accurate at this point in time.
More than that, I can tell you I spent half an hour on the phone with a motoring jounalist from The Australian a few days ago. They’re preparing an article for their weekend magazine and wanted to know a little more about the state of Saab from the enthusiast’s point of view.
There’s even more to tell, but I best leave that until a more appropriate time.
Saab will re-start operations here with the 9-3 range, including the new Saab 9-3x. The Saab 9-5 sedan is expected around mid-year and the Saab 9-4x early next year.
Good news, Aussies!
The build your own for the 9-3x has been up a few weeks now but the dealer listings is good to see although there is only 1 listed for NSW, and none in or near the ACT. Hopefully there will be more to come. Good to see the Australian come on board.
Awesome! I noticed the detailed spin has been up for a while.
Dealers – anyone been in contact yet?
Great news!
And as always Steven wants to hold us in suspence:
“There’s even more to tell, but I best leave that until a more appropriate time”
but I like that
Cheers/Tom
Bring it on as it can be here fast enough !!! And please, work further with the local press (as its appears it’s been already done) and reinstate the Ambassador Program with worthy and high profile role models that are inspirational. Megan Gale and the likes will be a good start !!! Pinch them from our competitors.
Dealers:
All the Holden dealers have gone apart from City Saab in Richmond which is Allan Mance..
the plot thickens..
Can i tell PLEASE!!!!!
Metro Saab in Adelaide is a Holden dealer (Metro Holden). Both at 1 Port Road Thebarton.
Swade,
Can’t wait for offical Saab Aust announcement as 1st Feb is just around corner. Local Saab Clubs need some warning to prepare support for local dealers. Happy to have C900 at dealers to show that Saab is alive and kicking. Two years without any new cars is too long
Perhaps there are some other dealers who are willing to support Saab
sp
New Zealand, the austral Canada ??
The NZ site looks pretty much like the Oz one, so I think things will happen in New Zealand at the same time as in Australia.
Oh, that’s terrific news, building up the dealerships slowly but steady.On a side note, look what I’ve found!
A 11′ Saab 9-5 Vector 2,0 Turbo4 in Java with beige leather interior and a brown dash with tinted windows. Now we’re talking.
Great color.
On that colour combination, the amarello wood really looks good !!
Saab could sell 5000 units each year as the new models arrive, getting started is the hard bit, who is the ceo of the new Saab Australia?
I like your optimism but I don’t think sales will be really strong until the 9-3’s replacement arrives. I think the best Saab has ever managed in the past was around 2000 sales. That was sometime in the 90’s I think?
Swade, Just how popular do you think the 9-3X will be down yonder?
baas900i – I don’t think Saab have sold more than 1,500 per year in the six years I’ve been running this site. Might have got to 1,800 once. Considering the nearly 2-year effective hiatus, I think they’ll do well to get back to that many in the next 3 or 4 years. New chief is Stephen Nicholls, former Director for Saab in Asia Pacific. Fantastic bloke. 74 – I’m not sure. It will find some customers, but most people who see it here will think ‘Subaru’ first and Volvo CrossCountry or Audi Allroad much later. They’ll wonder why it’s considerably… Read more »
And various niche Euro makes have made lofty sales target claims in recent years and none have come even close while the big German 3 go from strength to strength.
In regards to the dealer network I hope and pray they change the dealer in Adelaide to some one who will care about the brand, the current “GM” dealer is a joke when it comes to service/sales we have 3 saabs and wont take any of them to that dealership again after a lot of “heartache and tears” re getting the basics done. Saab deserves a high profile and good exposure in this city, at the moment its in an area that thinks a “Barina” is a luxury car. Adelaide has a lot of older Saab’s running about, i hope… Read more »
Ian I agree totally. The history of Saab dealerships in Adelaide is far from good. The first appointed dealer (actually a Mazda dealer) never sold any cars. The second dealer ended up preferring to sell you a Citroen or a Mercedes. Then we had a Subaru dealer who did try to give it a go, and finally a Holden dealer. Saab deserves a real dealer in Adelaide. I don’t mind if it sells another brand as well, but for once it needs to be a dealer who considers Saab to be it’s No. 1 brand. That has never happened here.… Read more »