As of today (or yesterday: depending on your time zone), it has been a month since Saab Automobile has filed for bankruptcy. The weeks that immediately followed that dreaded day, were absolutely painful. What originally started as a haphazard cocktail of anger and sadness quickly turned to hopelessness and confusion. We have just witnessed that ominous moment where Victor Muller stood before the world, announcing the bankruptcy filing, and later found ourselves enveloped in complete silence. Indeed we may be many, but we are also among others that simply do not understand our obsession. Yes, they may have took pity in our sorrow. But, they also expected that we would return to our feet, dust ourselves off and move on to more fashionable pursuits. Well that’s not what happened. Not in the slightest. The reality is, deep down within each of us: something snapped.
What we witnessed during those weeks would be one of the largest grass-roots movements of the automotive industry. It all started with http://www.outside-saab.com/ and grew into a worldwide phenomenon of 100 events held in 39 countries. How could it be that from the darkest days of Saab’s history, that the Saab community could valiantly emerge with such awesome power, united as a single voice? You, me and everyone else here, know the answer to this question. It is the one thing that we can all agree on. And suddenly: we no longer find ourselves trapped in confusion. In fact, we are very sure of ourselves and our purpose. But, do you see what we have done? We have completely turned the tables. I can imagine all the leading analysts of the automotive industry doing a double take after witnessing this uprising. Suddenly, they are the ones that are confused. In fact, make that: baffled beyond belief.
But, that’s not all. Notice all the recent activity that we are now hearing about Youngman and Brightwell Holdings? It is times like these that we are reminded that all of us can and do make a difference. One does not have to have a degree in marketing to realize that such a large and active fan-base behind Saab points to a vast untapped potential. Indeed, this has been a roller coaster of an experience, and even though we bore witness to the proverbial roller-coaster flying off its tracks, we could very well be pioneers. That would be pioneers, leading the way towards a new future for Saab.
We are many, we have spoken and they have listened … for tomorrow: there will be Saab!
