Saab History

Dan Chasins Saab Cars USA President Apr. 2000 – Sept. 2002

Posted on 25. Nov, 2008 by Ryan.

Photo Credit: Saab Automobile USA

Daniel B. Chasins began working with Saab Automobile in 1992, when he joined Saab Cars USA as director of marketing for three years.

Since then he worked in the capacity of vehicle line director for the Saab 9-5 and 9000 model line while working at Saab in Trollhättan, Sweden for another four.

In October of 1998, Dan Chasins was named the vice president of product programs and customer satisfaction while working in Norcross, Georgia. In that capacity, he worked in product planning, strategy, development and research, company wide dealer and customer focused activities and saw the global launch of the Saab 9-5.

In April of 2000, Dan was given the opportunity to operate as President of Saab Cars USA. Over this time he saw the launch of the 9-X & 9-3X concept cars.

Dan Chasins was replaced by Debra Kelly-Ennis in September of 2002.

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Jim Crumlish, Saab Cars USA President 1995 – 1996

Posted on 22. Nov, 2008 by Ryan.

Photo Credit: Saab Cars USA, Inc.

In February of 1994, Jim Crumlish took over the position as President and CEO of Saab Cars USA, Inc. and worked in the Norcross-Georgia headquarters.

Jim worked prior to this new position, for four years at Saab Automobile AB in Trollhättan, Sweden.

In his new position he was responsible for strengthening both North South America where he saw the introductions of the new generation Saab 900 Convertible as well as the world debut of the 3-door 900 coupe at both the North American International Auto Show as well as the Los Angeles Auto Show.

One vehicle that continues his legacy, was a 1991 Saab 900 Convertible in Cirrus White, made specifically for Jim Crumlish at the Saab factory in Sweden that now resides at Sports Car Service in Wilmington, Delaware.

Jim ended his tenior as President of Saab Cars USA, Inc. and was succeeded by Joel Manby

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Sten Helling, Saab Cars USA President Sept-Oct 1991

Posted on 17. Nov, 2008 by Ryan.

Photo Credit: Saab Cars USA, Inc.

Sten Helling accepted a position as interim President & CEO of Saab Cars USA in September of 1991 and worked in the corner office of 35 Executive Boulevard in Orange, Connecticut.

In 1980, he joined Saab-Scania of America as the National Manager of Sales and Marketing. Under his leadership at this time, he saw the Saab car division grow from 14,5000 units to 47,000 within a six-year period, the historic “60 consecutive months of growth”. In 1987, he was appointed executive vice president, sales and marketing.

Born in Gothenburg, he lived in Madison, Connecticut throughout his time with Saab. As part of the a new plan, Bill Kelly succeeded him, a month later in October of 1991.

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Jonas C:Son Kjellberg , Saab USA President 1972-1979

Posted on 12. Nov, 2008 by Ryan.

Photo Credit: Saab-Scania Of America, Inc.

Jonas C:Son Kjellberg became acting President of Saab USA, Inc. in 1972 replacing J. J. (Jerry) Upham

During his tenior, he worked in the corner office of the newly constructed 60 Marsh Hill Road in Orange, Connecticut facility alongside longtime PR personality, Lennart Lonnegren.

With Saab-Scania of America, he saw numerous model changes and launches including the pivotal Saab 99 Turbo for the 1978 model year.

Kjellberg worked in this capacity until Sten Wennlo asked Bob Sinclair to come back to work at Saab-Scania of America, as acting President in May of 1979.

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The People Have Spoken About Saab’s Future With GM

Posted on 07. Nov, 2008 by Ryan.

General Motors 3rd quarter press conference will be taking place at 10:30 until 12pm. While we are looking to hear anything about Saab, preferably positive, it seems like the people have certainly voiced their opinions about what GM could or should do with the Saab brand with the poll results below.

Where is Saab Automobile’s Future – Cast Your Vote

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General Motor’s Support of The Saab Brand

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General Motors Ownership Of Saab Automobile

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GM Premium Brands North America (Saab, Cadillac & Hummer)

Posted on 28. Oct, 2008 by Ryan.

It has been recently indicated that Saab Automobile USA, is now part of the channel now known “GM Premium Brands” North America. GM Premium brands consists of Saab, Cadillac & Hummer. The configuration of these brands is what we’re now seeing in Saab dealerships across the United States.

While the Saab USA name may be used here and there, I expect that to be used less and less internally and only be used as a simple external indicator of the brand in the limited advertising and marketing exercises within the United States.

Furthermore, there is no more president for the Saab brand as well, as the previous president, Steve Shannon while continuing to act as a general manager for Saab, is now also managing director of the premium brands, Cadillac, Hummer & Saab. Mr. Shannon’s time now not 100% devoted to leading Saab Automobile’s operations in the United States, so how can this be beneficial to Saab?

This all means that Saab is officially not receiving any urgent priority in the United States in comparison to other brands, and with a new “premium brands” channel, we should expect this trend to continue.

All of this news may call for a final tagline “Saab, the best kept secret”

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SCUSA President Steve Shannon Manages Premium Brands

Posted on 17. Oct, 2008 by Ryan.

Photo Credit: Saab Automobile USA

Saab Automobile USA President, Steve Shannon has left his position as General Manager after only 1 year 6 months of tenure, however he will be continuing in a similiar capacity while taking on additional responsibilities.

Update:

According to Saab Automobile USA Communications recently, Steve Shannon will, in addition to managing of the Saab Automobile USA brand, will now also be responsible for managing the “premium brands” which consist of Cadillac as well as Hummer.

With the tenure of less than his predecessor solely in a Saab-only capacity, Jay Spenchian at 2 years, I wonder what this means now that he’ll be working with other brands in addition to Saab.

The other big question I have here is, why can’t there be someone leading Saab Automobile USA that spends 100% of their time on Saab? I’ve been running this resource full-time for the past year and a half now, so with all of the work I have and all the work that needs to be done, I would believe that there is much more work in the capacity of a general manager at Saab USA.

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Bill Kelly, Saab Cars USA President 1991-1994

Posted on 02. Oct, 2008 by Ryan.

Bill Kelly became acting President of Saab Cars USA, Inc. in Oct of 1991 replacing Sten Helling.

During his tenior, he worked in the corner office at the 35 Executive Boulevard building within Orange, Connecticut campus and was personally responsible for moving Saab-Scania of America, Inc. to Norcross, Georgia in 1992.

Here is his first excerpt from the original press release to the public, dated September 30th, 1991.

William S. Kelly Named President and Chief Executive Officer, Saab Cars, USA, Inc.

In conjunction with this announcement, William S. Kelly, 43, has been named president and chief executive officer, Saab Cars USA, Inc, succeeding Sten Helling who has chosen to remain in Connecticut, and will leave Saab after 11 years of dedicated service with the company.

Mr. Kelly previously served as vice president, sales and marketing, for the Swedish automobile manufacturer’s U.S. subsidiary. Prior to that, Kelly was Saab’s national sales manager in the United States and held various Saab field positions. He first joined Saab in 1980, and has a broad background in dealer relations.

Jan-Ake Jonsson, 40, will assume the position of vice president, sales and marketing, Saab Cars USA, Inc., and will report directly to Mr. Kelly. Before this appointment he was manager, North America Coordination, Saab Automobile AB, and served as the principal liaison between Saab’s U.S. sales and marketing activity and the Swedish parent company.

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