The History Of Saab Automobile Canada

Posted on 05. May, 2008 by Ryan in 2000-2009, Canada

Photo Credits: Saab Automobile Canada

As a follow-up to my recent communications with Saab Automobile Canada, not only did I kindly suggest that they include themselves in the media.saab.com website, which they have now done, I also suggested that they submit a photograph and their company history from the very beginning.

Saab Automobile Canada took my suggestions seriously as you can tell and have provided Saab History with said photograph and company history.

The Team:

The photograph of their team that I requested above, includes the Saab Automobile Canada team members (Left-to-Right), Terry Smith, Aftersales Manager, MÃ¥rten Wahlstedt, Brand Manager and Steve Tamblyn, Assistant Brand Manager. I emphasized that this photograph not only include their team, but to be taken within the context of their headquarters, as well as a Canadian flag in the background, rounding out with a Saab 9-3 in the foreground. A great job on the photograph, this photograph certainly contextualizes Saab Automobile Canada now.

The History:

The history has been provided with the best of their ability, with some significant digging in order to get the details, and here it is.

Saab Canada History

* In 1975, Saabs were first imported into Canada by Scancar, based in Toronto, Ontario. Cars were distributed across the country by approximately 9 dealers.

* Previous to that, Saab automobiles were imported into the country on an individual basis.

* In 1980, Imsport, of Toronto, took over the importation of Saabs into Canada from Scancar. This increased the distribution network to approximately 20 dealers.

* In 1985, Saab itself entered the Canadian market forming Saab Canada taking over from Imsport.

* In 1989, General Motors of Canada Limited acquired the exclusive rights to distribute the Saab brand in Canada. They were marketed through the existing Passport dealer network, formed by General Motors of Canada, to retail imported vehicles, which included at that time, the Isuzu brand.

* In 1992, with the birth of the Saturn division, Passport dealers underwent a name change to Saturn Saab Isuzu ‘Retailers’, to include the new brand in the distribution chain.

* In 2002, with the Isuzu division no longer part of General Motors, the Saturn Saab Isuzu Retailers became simply Saturn Saab Retailers.

* In 2009, GM Canada issued a memo to the Saab dealerships stating that they must cease operation by December 31st, 2009

This photograph and history now better contextualizes and thus provides the credibility that we needed and wanted to see from Saab Automobile Canada.

An enthusiastic thank you to MÃ¥rten Wahlstedt and his colleagues at Saab Automobile Canada for providing this information for the record.

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