In the Driver’s Seat With Steve Shannon

Posted on 15. Dec, 2007 by Ryan in 2000-2009, Company, Detroit, Michigan

Photo Credit: Nordic Reach

Nordic Reach has again granted Saab History permission to repurpose an article about Steve Shannon, current President of Saab Automobile USA who stands alongside Knut Simonsson, Executive Director, Global Brand & Sales Operations for Saab Automobile AB in Sweden.

Both Steve Shannon (right) and Knut Simonsson (left), are posing at the arlie airfield in Warrenton, Virginia during the Saab 9-3 Media Drive this past August here in the Washington, D.C. area. It is good to mention that I enjoyed the company of Knut Simonsson who was my co-pilot during the test-drive that took place on the second day of the event from Washington, D.C. to the airfield. There was a lot of interesting material I learned about Saab’s future and I look forward to meeting him again for a good interview.

In the meantime, enjoy the piece below that involves Steve Shannon.

In The Driver’s Seat

Quick Look At:

Steve Shannon, who has had a stellar career with GM that’s taken him from field sales, marketing, and product planning in both the US and Europe – most recently and until the beginning of this year as General Manager of Buick – to now serving as General Manager of Saab USA. Shannon started working with GM in 1982, and his appointment to the position with Saab is generally seen as a sign of GM’s strong commitment to the Swedish-born brand.

Lives in: Bloomfield Hills, MI with Wife Cindy and three kids
Last Read: Freakonomics
Last seen on TV or Big Screen: The Office
Favorite Pastime: Watching his children’s sports activities
Stays fit by: Biking – completed his first cycling “Century”
(100 miles) ride in one day this past summer.
Drives: Saab 9-3 Aero Convertible, Nocturne Blue/Blue Top

With a BA from Harvard and an MBA from Columbia, are you the stereotypical Saab driver?

Doing my best to fit in, I can certainly relate to most of the Saab circle of friends. Where I still lage is in years of ownership. We have many longtime faithful Saab owners – one of them just logged a million miles in his 1989 SPG. Makes me realize that I have a long way to go…

Your all-time favorite car model (other than a Saab)?

1953 Buick Skylark

Your favorite Saab?

Black Turbo – both for its classic guise from the 80′s as well as its modern-day execution, in the 2008 Turbo X with 280 hp V6 and Cross-Wheel Drive. One and the other are clearly born from Jets!

What do you predict for the future of Saab?

It is bright because Saab brings a young, affluent and well educated customer group to General Motors, which the corporation otherwise would not reach. In return, GM is investing in Saab with an array of new products, patterned after the universally well-received Saab Aero-X concept car.

What would you like people to know about you?

I donated one of my kidneys to my son.

Have you ever made Swedish meatballs?

No, but I have eaten my fair share!

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