Well, it has been a while since I’ve written a post here. The love for the cars and the community that make it more than just a car still exists with me. Where have I been? What has happened? Well much like many other salesmen, managers and owners, my dealer is no more. This is an all to familiar story in North America and I don’t see it changing anytime too soon.
The problem simply comes down to economics. Owners cannot afford to operate on a service only business until SAAB comes back. My dealer tried very hard to hang on and in the end we suffered the same fate as many before us.
For over twelve years I worked for the Springman’s family in Surrey, BC. I can’t say enough about Dan and his brother Rueben and how they personally sacrificed so much of themselves personally and financially to try and keep things going. The history to this dealer mirrors a lot of the GM nightmare. They started as a body shop and moved to Langley to become a used car lot and then became a Passport dealer. Over the years things would change and GM offered them the Saturn, Isuzu brands. Under Saturn they became the highest volume dealer in BC and life was good. For many years we were busy and building a family of great customers who became very loyal. When GM discontinued the Saturn brand we became a used car dealer once again for one year. Obviously when we were approached to be a SAAB franchise once again, it really seemed like the perfect marriage as we both were left behind with GM’s reshuffle. Unfortunately we all know how that worked out.
In August of this past year, after long consideration, I gave my notice after 12 years of service. I had received an offer to manage a Kia dealer five minutes from home and could not justify letting it slip through my hands. Leading up to my decision, I had heard rumors that the dealer may be sold and that the new owner was looking to make it a Fiat dealer. To be fair, I was told that I would still have a job when the new owner came and that I would be taken care of but it did not sound exciting to me. At the end of September it was confirmed that Springman’s had been sold and indeed was to become a Fiat store. They do still hold a service contract to be able to offer parts and service but it is not their main focus.
Fast forward to today and I have to say that I am very happy with my decision. I do miss the people and the time that I spent trying to be everything I could to the local community. I am still here and will continue to post from time to time and still believe that Saab can once again thrive. I wish the whole SAAB community a very Happy New Year.
The “Open Day” can only be described as successful. Jerry and his crew were there early on Saturday morning ready with coffee and food for all visitors. All cars were welcome to be “Tech 2’d” and there was a steady flow of Saabs both new and classic in the work shop during the day. Even Kerry’s 9-5 Aero was driven on the ramp for a check-over with happy results. A few full had their air-con re-gassed and cleaned.
