I received an email this morning from Saab Parts North America stating that they had learned that Victor Muller will no longer be able to make it out to be a guest speaker at the event at the Simeone Automotive Museum this friday in Philadelphia. SPNA has been in contact with the Simeone Museum and will be participating in the event. In fact, Tim Colbeck will now step in and be doing the speaking and I think for the North American market, he will be well worth the listen. If anyone knows Saab and the North American market, it’s him.
Here is a little bio on Tim Colbeck for you and what he will share:
Tim Colbeck is the most recent President of Saab Cars North America and current CEO of Saab Automobile Parts North America (SPNA). Tim will share his experience and insights on the Saab brand both as the Car Company wound down and the new Parts and Service company started up. He will also share the plans that SPNA has to support owners and the brand for years to come and help keep the spirit of Saab alive. To me this sounds even better for the crowd of enthusiast at the event, to be able to listen to someone connected to ensuring their cars are kept on the road.
Some other facts about Tim:
Tim spent 25 years at Subaru of America, most recently as Senior VP of Sales before joining the fight to save Saab. Tim currently owns a 2011 9-5 Aero and also owned a 1985 900 SPG and wishes he still did.
I won’t over sell Tim to you, but if you’ve ever read anything I’ve ever written about him, you will know that my respect level for him is higher then that of most other heads of companies. I really hope that all who attend this event come away feeling more secure about the cars they love.
Tim is a great guy! I had the pleasure to meet him at the Saab Support Rally myself and Julie Gardner put on in Jan ’12 at Longwood gardens. He will be a wealth of information and just a dang nice guy to be around.
I’ve had the pleasure of talking to Tim at a few Saab events here in North America. What a great ambassador for the Saab brand. I hope there will be a place for him as the new Saab gets off the ground.
While it is of course disappointing that Victor will not be there, it sounds like Tim Colbeck will be a great replacement speaker.
Considering Victor hired Tim, I think he’ll do a good job representing him. As mentioned, Tim’s a great guy. At the press lunch I had with him only a month into his job he was already an expert on all things Saab. I sincerely hope NEVS uses him to his maximum potential.
Not the first time VM canceling an event….
I remember the Geneva Motor Show 2011 when VM invited German Saab dealers to an event concerning the future of Saab and to meet them for a q&a – he cancelled it because he had a dentist’s appointment. Well at least he broadcasted via skype from his kitchen in Mallorca,Spain – lots of happy faces in the room i can tell you 😀
oh well, in a way for me if I were able to be there, this is a better scenario because I see Tim as a part of the future and not just the past.
I agree! While meeting VM could have been cool, Tim offers what is happening NOW and in the future.
VM was flying in specifically for this meet however because of a court schedule change he had to unfortunately cancel. Tim Colbeck and John Moss will be there and do a fine job representing Saab. I’m attending as I am a personal friend of Bill Jacobson and all his crew at Sports Car Service.
A group of us met Tim last Winter at a Save Saab event, Longwood Gardens, Pennsylvania. Very sharp guy—friendly to all of us and answered our questions.
I figured that Victor’s appearance on Friday at the museum was because he was in the country for the 2/19 GM/Spyker hearing. I’ve had that on my calendar since it was announced. Since it is postponed a week, Victor won’t be in the US unless he was already here for other business.
Yes—-when I saw that postponement, it seemed as though that might be the reason.
Jason, do you happen to know if Tim drives a grey NG 9-5?
Not sure, I’ll ask tomorrow
Thanks – I only ask because last fall I raced a fellow that looked like him, driving a grey NG 9-5 out of the Detroit Opera House parking garage – he pulled over cursing me for tailing him – I was only trying to get his attention to say “nice car”.
Please let him know I was in an arctic white NG 9-5 right behind him just trying to say hello!
not him at all, here is the reply right from Tim:
“It wasn’t me, I drive a Fjord Blue NG 9-5 Turbo 4 when I’m in Detroit and my NG 9-5 at home is a Black Aero. I’d certainly enjoy racing/ being tailed by an Artic White 9-5.. I always look for a connection with other Saab drivers so I wouldn’t curse him out!”
So there you go, he would’ve probably raced you rather then curse you lol.
Thanks for asking Tim!
It is good to know it wasn’t him. Hopefully I will get a chance to race him down a parking structure one day!
Looking forward to Friday, be there with my Tech2.
We don’t forget that Mr Colbeck fought until the end for saving Saabusa of bankruptcy. A very respectable gentleman, for sure.
and he’s still fighting to support the Saab drivers
OUTSTANDING EVENT!!!!! It was such a great time!