Photo Credits: Cherry Hill Saab

Saab History site sponsor, Cherry Hill Saab of New Jersey has recently received their first 2010 Saab 9-3x. This vehicle in the 9-3 lineup, follows their previous delivery of 2010 Saab 9-3 convertibles that arrived earlier last month.

The Saab 9-3x is the most recent model in the original lineage for the Saab brand that represents all of the brand values that the company has been known for over the years. This model comes equipped with everything a Saab enthusiast could want, including cross-wheel drive complete with the electronic limited slip differential.

Having recently driven one of these, I must say that with the increased ride height, this vehicle is long overdue for the Saab portfolio!

If you have test driven one of these vehicles, please let us know what you think about it as most Saab dealers should now have them.

Photo Credit: Cherry Hill Saab

Saab History is pleased to welcome back Cherry Hill Saab as a longtime sponsor and advertiser.

As you know, Cherry Hill Saab has recently received their first shipments of 2010 Saab 9-3 convertibles, and in the near future their 9-3x models will arrive along with the all new 9-5 models later this summer.

Cherry Hill Saab is very excited to join the new Saab Cars North America organization to provide new products to their existing customers while also welcoming back those that have left the brand during the previous era.

As a company that is very familiar with premium products, they look forward to this new era of Spyker owned Saab Automobile.

Here’s a brief history and summary of Cherry Hill Saab.

Classic Cars Auto Group started in 1978 as a family owned and operated business here in Southern New Jersey. The Saab Franchise was acquired by us in 1981. It was started in a 3500 square foot Showroom on Route 70 in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Over the years it grew and was moved to our current location, a state of the art facility housing both the Saab and Jaguar Franchises.

Saab has always been one of the group’s mainstays. Building on Customer Satisfaction and referrals, we are now known as the place in the Tri-state area to come for a Saab. We have grown with the Saab Company here in the United States, and offer Sales, Service, and Collision Services.

Our Saab Trained Sales Staff has over 100 years experience in the Automotive Business and will strive to assist you in getting the car that certified. They will listen to you. Not only what options and colors you want, but also what your needs are. They will suggest the best vehicle for you. Then they will work with you to tailor a payment option that makes sense. We stock more than 80 Saabs, so that you have a full array of choices, all available for immediate delivery.

After you take delivery, that’s when we really go to work. Our service staff can assist you with your every need, whether it is a question about the functionality of your car, a scheduled maintenance, or a major repair. We offer a comfortable waiting area with WI FI Connectivity, wide-screen Television and even a Cappuccino Machine. If you need to be somewhere we also have a shuttle service, or can arrange for a car for you to drive while your car is being repaired.

We welcome everyone into our family. As a member, feel free to call for advice, talk about your current car or perhaps discuss the purchase or lease of a New or Pre-Owned Vehicle. Or stop by, we would by happy to see you in person and try to help. You’ll find that Cherry Hill Classic Cars is truly a unique car ownership experience. Our enthusiasm for both the Saab product and our customers makes us the Number One place to do business.

Cherry Hill Classic Cars
2000 Route 70 East
Cherry Hill, NJ 08003

Phone: 1-856-424-5300

Fax: 856-424-2057

http://www.cherryhillsaab.com

Photo Credit: Cherry Hill Saab

Cherry Hill Saab, a longtime Saab History advertiser and supporter who recently attended the New York Auto Show, that will be starting up advertising efforts here again shortly, have just received their first 2010 model year Saab deliveries.

The two deliveries that traveled from Sweden via Wallenius Wilhelmson to the Port of Newark, New Jersey consist of a Saab 9-3 Aero convertible as well as a 2.0T convertible in silver and carbon gray.

Today marked their first new products in over 400 days, a significant milestone for them with their new agreement with the newly created Saab Cars North America organization under Spyker ownership.

This is much better scenario than the previous plan with Koenigsegg.

Here’ the news below:

We have received word that under the Saab sale by GM to Spyker Cars the entire US dealership network will be retained. That is a far better outcome than had Saab been sold to Swedish’s Koenigsegg Automotive which sought to reduce the dealer network to less than half of current.

The Saab sale is due to consummate on February 15 so something could still fall through, as it has so often in the past. Yet as it currently stands, Saab dealers who seek to retain their franchise under Saab’s new Spyker Cars ownership should to be able to do so. Seems to be better news for ALL Saab dealer than some wind-down dealers with go-forward GM brands – Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac.

Today is a brighter day for Saab dealers, their employees and their unique brand and customer base!

Photo Credit: JMK Saab

Longtime Saab History site supporter and advertiser, JMK Saab in New Jersey are sending a number of staff members to the “SAVE SAAB” convoy in New York City this weekend.

Here’s their message about their commitment to Saab and this unprecedented global campaign. We’re looking forward to their coverage of the Saabs rolling down Times Square, that will be incredible!

Go JMK Saab!

The reason why we are doing this is because we just want to see our beloved brand saved. We want a chance to continue what we do best and that is to sell and service Saabs. We as a group have all been in this together and it has been a very challenging time. We have had support from our employees and our customers . We want to show what ever support we can. We are fighting for Saab as long as it takes.

Some comments from employees -

- I am here to show my support and allegiance to a car company that I have been affiliated with throughout my career.

- I am here to show people love their SAAB.

- I am a loyal employee and owner of a Saab and would like to see a bright future for this terrific brand.

- I have given 12 years of service to JMK Saab and also an owner of a Saab we deserve our chance.

JMK Saab
345 Route 22 East
Springfield, NJ 07081

Phone: 888-500-9021

http://www.jmksaab.com/

GM may have discontinued Saab but New Salem Saab will not discontinue our Customers!!

Dear Saab Friends,

December 18, 2009 is a sad day for sure. GM has decided to discontinue Saab as a brand and will commence an orderly wind-down just like Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Saturn and Hummer.

Rest assured the Carl family is deeply saddened as this will close an era in our lives which is 48 years old. However, this is not the end. We have been planning for this just in case it came to realization. Very soon my wife Melissa and I will be opening Albany Speed Shop really close by to our current location. Inclusive within this new entity we will continue to provide independent Saab service for your families Saabs. Although we will only be able to provide warranty service for a short period of time, as GM will appoint a GM dealer to handle your warranty needs locally, Albany Speed will be up and running to provide a continuance of Saab service using both OEM and aftermarket parts. We still carry the tools, technology and years of experience, something GM cannot take away.

We have been a leader in customer satisfaction and fully intend to continue the trusted service for your families Saab into the future. Now, without the strings of a franchise, we will be able to transform back into ideologies which helped us build this great dealership with its employees and loyal customers. Our plan is to retain our employees, great customer service under a better pricing structure than ever before.

Melissa and I appreciate your loyalty and understand your concerns. We have the same emotions to handle. We both remain positive and look forward to greeting you in our new first class arrangement in the very near future. Until then, we will continue operations in our current location which will include warranty repairs but not include a Saab sales department.

If you have questions that you think I can answer, please phone the dealership and pass through to extension 122. I will return your call as quickly as I can and offer what information I know is fact.

Thank you for being our friends and customers. We truly are disappointed in the decision GM has made regarding Saab. However, the Carl family has no plans to leave you standing alone. If fact we plan to support you well into the future. Of course we are more then capable in repairing any vehicle on the road today and would be grateful if you considered us for your routine maintenance on any make vehicle you have.

Sincerely,
Darryl & Melissa Carl
New Salem Saab
ALBANY SPEED SHOP

Film Credit: Saab History

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to visit Pioneer Saab in South Deerfield, Massachusetts which was the first Saab dealership that I had the opportunity to experience many years ago.

Having grown up Western, Massachusetts and owning my first Saab while experiencing this dealership, I began to realize why many others like me, continued their ownership and loyalty to products that come from Saab Automobile in Sweden. While the products have been great, it was the dealership like Pioneer Saab as I continue to learn, that significantly contributed to keeping me and many others in the region with Saab, over the years.

Pioneer Saab has served this greater Western, Massachusetts region for over 45 years and is effectively the only remaining semi-exclusive Saab dealership in its area. The dealership’s access to customers within the academic industry to wealthy year-round vacationers anywhere from New Jersey via Interstate 91 all the way to Canada is ideal. The customers that they serve outside of their immediate region continue to indicate that it’s not just your location, it’s how good you are as a Saab dealership, that dictates the loyalty. This premium positioning geographically, is just a small percentage of their success story.

Demographics:

The demographics of Pioneer Saab’s highly educated and wealthy customer base stems from students and faculty from colleges such as Amherst, Smith, Mt. Holyoke, Hampshire & the University of Massachusetts. Their unique demographics serving a semi-urban academic clientele, continue to serve as a symbol that many other Saab dealerships even in the New England region strive to achieve, but cannot.

Minimalist Approach:

Size matters, and with Pioneer Saab’s sales, service and parts business, it is a continuation of Saab Automobile’s historical roots as a small car player in the global automotive industry. The company’s low-overhead approach to best serving an entire region in Western, Massachusetts better than just about every other nearby dealership in the state, keeps their customers coming back.

Personalized Service:

Due to their relationship based approach to customers, Pioneer Saab continues long standing relationships with the community and outside of their community. In the 15 years that I have known them, the referrals and overall quality of feedback I have experienced and heard about from other customers with regards to Pioneer Saab, have encouraged me to go out of my way to do business with them or refer others to them.

The Saab Experience:

If you are new to the brand or someone who is very familiar with it, Pioneer Saab epitomizes many other dealership experiences in every way. While their owner has been running the dealership for over 4 decades, their service and parts departments have nearly the same length of experience serving all Saab model years. My most surprising aspect of my visit consisted of re-acquainting myself with not only the owners, but their parts staff who first served my needs 15 years ago with my 1987 Saab 900! The RED designed facility to the personnel, all communicate the brand in the best way possible to the customer. This is the Saab experience!

Ideal Future Positioning:

As a result of everything mentioned here with my visit, I see Pioneer Saab’s future positioning as a premium player for the next era of Saab ideal, and it is their hope and mine that Saab Automobile continues so they can continue their Saab spirit!

A thank you to the folks at Pioneer Saab for having Saab History as their guest.

Pioneer Valley Sales & Service, Inc.
dba Pioneer Saab Volvo
253 Greenfield Road
South Deerfield, MA 01373
telephone: 413.665.2140
http://www.pioneersaabvolvo.com/

One of the most recent actions taken by the group was the selection of the 137 out of 218 Saab dealerships in the United States a few weeks ago.

The understanding by all Saab dealerships this week that received termination letters, now understand that they are not terminated because the Koenigsegg agreement is no longer in effect. This means they now have another month to stay alive under GM ownership (ie. until December 31st, 2009).

If you are a Saab dealership in the United States, please confirm what you understand to be now in play at this time.

Film Credit: Saab History

Saab History has been listening and learning about the significant impact that was made to Saab dealerships here in the United States over the past week. That impact involves 37% of 218 Saab dealerships in the United States or 81 individual retailers that are expected to terminate their agreements by the time the sale is completed, targeted for November 30th, 2009.

Here in the state of Maine, all but a few of these dealerships have received termination letters and as a result, there has been a huge impact to the local economy with customers and local businesses alike.

An example of this is Cold Brook Saab located in Skowhegan, Maine. Cold Brook Saab has been an exclusive Saab dealer for over 46 years and enjoys a strong customer following and has thrived despite tough times in the auto industry. Cold Brook Saab owner Joey Joseph credits innovative marketing through cross marketing opportunities that have evolved over the last 15 years. “We started establishing our cross marketing campaign with a sponsorship at Sugarloaf Ski Resort and have since forged alliances with Sunday River Ski and Golf Resort and Shipyard Brewery in Portland.”

An example of how this action by GM/SAAB to close the Maine Saab dealer network down can be seen by the dissolution of the long term partnerships. I had the pleasure of meeting the folks over at Shipyard Brewery and discussed what the demise of Cold Brooks Saab franchise might mean to their corporate fleet car of choice.

The current fleet that the company uses includes Saab 9-3 SportCombi’s, 9-5 SportCombi’s as well as 9-7xs. These vehicles initially began as transportation vehicles for upper management serving as premium transportation for executives that promote a premium product as a corporate benefit, much like what has been done at nearby Sunday River ski and golf resort who has many top executives driving Saabs from Cold Brook Saab also.

Today, the Saab vehicles have been handed down within the company to all levels and now support marketing and other critical functions to the company. For over a decade Cold Brook Saab has provided over 20 Saab vehicles to Shipyard Brewery and as a result, they have enjoyed every minute
of it.

If this particular dealership ends up being terminated at the end of the month or when the sale of Saab is completed, the direct result will inevitably be that Shipyard Brewery will no longer be using Saabs as their fleet vehicles in the future.

The message here is that the dealerships and and their customers are inextricably linked through relationships. If a Saab dealer cannot offer Saabs any longer, their customers have no real incentive to go out of their way to find another Saab dealer to continue their ownership because that relationship began with the dealer, not the Saab product.

A special thanks to those at both Shipyard Brewery as well as Cold Brook Saab for the opportunity to realize the local impact in Maine to the immediate situation with Saab dealerships in the United States.

Shipyard Brewery
86 Newbury Street
Portland, ME 04101
www.shipyard.com

Cold Brook Saab
337 Madison Ave
Skowhegan, ME 04976
www.coldbrooksaab.com

“It’s not like we’re really eliminating them,” said Mike Colleran, chief operating officer of Saab Cars North America. “We’re just selecting ones that make sense for the new business plan for Saab.”

Colleran said that while the decision was difficult, dealership longevity and stand-alone allegiance to the brand did not enter into the equation. In addition to sales, parts and service performance, the smaller network reflects a marketing strategy aimed at recapturing Saab’s unconventional cachet, something that dissipated during the GM years.

“It is our intent to focus more on premium positioning in the luxury segment, and to focus less on discounts and volume,” Colleran said.

“

Press Release:

***

New Salem Saab of Albany NY executes “moving forward” agreement with Saab Cars North America.

Thank you all for the positive opinions regarding our Dealership on the public forums as well as all the calls we have received in congratulating us. New Salem Saab has struggled over the last few years due to the automotive environment. We once had two huge state of the art buildings, but as the Saab market and auto industry changed so did we. From an outside glance it would appear as though things were not going so well, however the opposite was in effect. My goal was to be able to jump ahead of the ball which in turn meant serious alterations to our business model including locations. We are ever so excited and grateful that we have been chosen to continue on with the new Saab.

My grandfather started this company in 1947 and we were granted our franchise with Saab on March 23rd of 1961. I have been working in the dealership now since the age of 13 and have not strayed far from what my forefathers taught me. In doing so, I remain the Service Manager here in my store as well as the Dealer Principle. I continue to work in the shop aside our technicians and with our customers to this day. Although limited in time, my heart is truly in to maintaining the Saab on the road today as a technician. We currently have four technicians and now looking to add another as all of the surrounding dealers, North Country Imports, Brownell Motors, Pioneer Valley and Rutland Saab did not receive the same letter from SCNA that we did. I understand the distance some of the customers have to drive for warranty work and have already submitted a request for the opening of warranty service centers in the Utica, Kingston and Glens Falls areas. However, there will be some time before SCNA finalizes the K-Saab deal leaving a severe gap in warranty needs for customers. There is no real time line for when and if these shops can come online so it is up to our store in Albany NY to maintain your trust and convenience to the best our ability based on the circumstances. We cut a deal with Enterprise rent a car for a low daily rental fee and have already started to increase our parts department’s breadth and scope to help shorten repairs times. I am unique and intend to stay that way. We tell it like it is and sometimes it’s hard to hear the truth, but we will happily take you out in the shop with our technicians and show you exactly what we are seeing and why. We currently have three master Saab technicians, two of which are also GM master techs. The fourth is a UTI grad and all have ASE’s.

I feel bad for those that did not make the cut and our hearts go out to all of them on a personal level however, it is now up to New Salem Saab to do everything we can to make sure we cater to our old and newest customers the best we can during this transition. Lou Roberti formally from Roberti Saab in Kingston is still here with us and going strong. He is the sales guy and I’m the service guy. The two of us make up a pretty strong team regarding Saab. Our experience including the total dealership personnel is well over 100 years with Saab. We are 100% Saab. Completely focused and ready to reinforce our customers new and old why Saab is the brand they should stay with now and in the up and coming years. In fact this is a great time to look into Saab, its future and bring your family, your friends and your Saab back to the dealership for a reintroduction to our staff and Saab’s future!

If you’re in need of a New Saab, a Certified Pre Owned Saab, warranty service, regular service or genuine Saab parts please contact us at 518-862-2795 and ask for me, Darryl, Harold (my right hand man, with us for 14 years now) Lou Roberti in Sales, Eric in Parts or our #1 Saab advisor, Matt. We will be happy to help any way we can.

Darryl F. Carl
New Salem Saab
Saab since 1961
“The oldest originally owned exclusive Saab dealer in the US today!”
–

Cherry Hill Saab of New Jersey, a proud Saab History site sponsor is excited to emphasize that they have been selected as one of the Saab dealerships as part of the new Saab Cars North America organization.

As you may remember, Todd of Cherry Hill Saab worked with me this past spring interviewing the former President of Saab, Steve Shannon during the North American debut of the 2010 Saab 9-3x at the New York Auto Show.

A pleasure to see Cherry Hill Saab selected as one of the 137 Saab dealerships and wish them a bright future just around the corner.

Here is their piece below:

Todd Agostini announces that Cherry Hill Classic Cars and Cherry Hill’s Classic Saab will retain their Saab Franchise and look forward to a great future with the new 9-3x, an all-new 9-5 and the new Luxury Crossover the 9-4x. Special thanks to our customers for their patronage and we look forward to serving you with excellent service for years to come! For details, contact Cherry Hill Classic Cars at 856-424-5300 – ask for Todd Agostini!

Photo Credits: JMK Saab

JMK Saab of Springfield, New Jersey, site sponsor of Saab History has recently announced a new addition to their family.

Immediately following a favorable decision to become part of the new Saab Cars North America organization, a 1973 Saab Sonett III was acquired.

Apparently one of their customers came in and asked them if they were interested in acquiring this Sonett III. The rest as you can see, was Saab History!

New Salem Saab, which has recently been selected as one of the 137 Saab dealerships in the United States to continue with the new Saab Cars North America, has acquired Saab History’s scale model collection.

You may recall that Saab History traveled with New Salem Saab to visit a Koenigsegg dealer in New York recently. This collection of Saab scale cars not only includes just about every model in the lineage, but it also has Koenigsegg CCX to appropriately round out the collection.

Here’s a quote by New Salem Saab’s President, Darryl Carl.

“New Salem Saab finds a parallel in being the second oldest continual exclusive Saab dealer in the States and having a complete collection of Saab models encompassing the same time period.”

“We intent on rallying through this inclimate weather into the new beginning and resurgence with the ownership of Koenigsegg Group AB”

Photo Credit: Saab Automobile USA

Saab History has confirmed reports from Reuters, and Automotive News this morning about the selection process of Saab Dealerships in the U.S.

According Mike Colleran of the SCNA, the new Saab organization in the U.S. has chosen 137 Saab Dealers that were best positioned for the future, to continue as sales, service and parts retailers in the United States.

In parallel, GM Terminates 81 Saab Dealers that did not meet the criteria for potential throughput, profitability and other criteria that the new new owners of Saab Automobile set.

The results of this process boils down to approximately 37% out of the existing 218 Saab dealerships in the United States that will not be able to continue with the new era of Saab, moving ahead, while 63% will.

Once the Saab sale has been completed which is targeted for November 30th, the 81 Saab dealers will need to cease Saab operations, while the remaining 137 Saab dealerships will be operating under a new sales, service and parts agreement.

Below is a double quoted reference by both GM & Automotive news outlining the details on both sides of the spectrum.

As part of the continuing progress in the proposed sale of Saab, letters have been sent (Nov. 9) to selected Saab dealers in the U.S.

One set of letters is from Saab Cars North America (SCNA) to the Saab dealers it has selected to move forward with SCNA as a dealer and/or service center upon completion of the Saab AB sale transaction. There are approximately 137 dealers in this group.

The other set of letters comes from General Motors and indicates that the remaining approximately 81 dealers will now be expected to terminate their dealership under the terms of the Dealer Termination Agreement (DTA) that all Saab dealers signed in June. Those terminations are expected to happen when the sale closes between GM and the buyer of Saab.

If no sale closing occurs, the provisions of the DTA will stay in place for all 218 Saab dealers based on a ?no buyer scenario.?

Saab buyer rejects 81 U.S. stores

Jamie LaReau
Automotive News
November 12, 2009 – 5:08 pm ET

DETROIT — Saab’s new owner will reject 81 of Saab’s 218 U.S. dealerships, General Motors Co. said today.

GM said in a letter received by dealers today that Saab’s buyer, Swedish exclusive sportscar maker Koenigsegg, selected the surviving stores. Koenigsegg will operate the brand here through a new entity, Saab Cars North America Inc.

The target date to close the sale of Saab is Nov. 30, but it could take until year end, says Mike Colleran, COO of Saab Cars North America in Detroit.

“SCNA did make its selection of (go-forward) dealers based on our business plan and the needs of that plan,” Colleran says. “Essentially, we’re looking for strong dealers who have good profitability and good throughput.”

Location also factored into the decision, he said.

GM sent letters out through Federal Express on Wednesday to rejected dealers, GM spokeswoman Ryndee Carney said. Saab will have 137 U.S. dealers after the sale.

All Saab dealers signed a termination agreement in June when GM entered federal bankruptcy protection, Carney says. The terms of those termination agreements will go into effect for rejected dealerships.

If the deal to sell Saab falls through — as GM’s deal to sell Saturn to Penske Automotive Group did — GM would close Saab and all the dealerships would be terminated, Carney says.

The surviving dealerships will remain under their current dealer contract with GM until it expires in October 2010, Colleran says. Then they will get new franchise agreements with Saab Cars North America.

You can reach Jamie LaReau at jlareau@crain.com.

Photo Credit: Saab China

According to the Trading Markets website, Saab Automobile is evidently planning on doubling their dealerships in China/

This news comes after learning that the old Saab 9-5 production will be continued in China, for China, after the BAIC announcement made earlier.

At this time, there are 16 Saab dealerships in China, so I guess that would bring it to 32?

BEIJING, Sep 23, 2009

Beijing Automotive Industry
Holding Co., Ltd. (BAIC) is considering the local production of Saab brand in China, according to an insider of the leading Chinese automaker, saying that the final result depends on bilateral negotiations.

A consortium headed by Swedish sports car manufacturer Koenigsegg is buying Saab from General Motors Corporation (NYSE: GM), while BAIC has inked an agreement with Koenigsegg on the purchase of the latter’s minority stake.

Saab Managing Director Jan-Ake Jonsson has also disclosed the intention to have local production in China, saying that the company plans to double its dealer number in the country.

Currently, Saab cars are imported into China and sold through the sales network of Shanghai General Motors Co. Ltd. (Shanghai GM), the joint venture between Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (Group) (SAIC) and GM.

As the agreement with SAIC will gradually expire, Saab is looking for new partners in China. BAIC General Manager Wang Dazong reveals that his company hopes to form an alliance with Saab just like Renault-Nissan.

Source: www.nbd.com.cn (September 23, 2009

It is an honor to welcome Tynan’s Saab of Fort Collins, Colorado as a sponsor of Saab History. Tynan’s Saab, dedicated and locally owned Saab dealership, also a sponsor of the 2009 Saab Owners Convention, also in Colorado is excited about the future of Saab with Koenigsegg behind the wheel.

After many years trying to acquire the Saab franchise, please give it up for Tynan’s Saab for their 10-year anniversary this month as a Saab dealership!

Here is their company history below:

Photo Credit: Tynan’s Saab

The Tynan’s Family has been a locally owned group of retail automobile dealerships in Colorado dating all the way back to 1963. That year on St. Patricks Day, Ed Tynan Senior opened Tynan Town, a Chrysler Plymouth Dealership on East Colfax in Denver, Colorado. Ed Sr passed away in 1994 and he and the Dealership Group that he began are survived by his 4 Son’s Tim, Sean, Ed and Matt as well as many other Family members. Since those early days the Tynan’s Family of Auto Dealerships have grown to include Volkswagen, Nissan, Kia Isuzu and many other brands. Over the years Tynan’s Volkswagen became known locally for offering very nice preowned Saabs. Ed Sr would have loved to have had the Saab Franchise in Denver, but he was a very close personal friend of local Saab Dealer Dick Deane, and out of respect for Mr. Deane he never pushed that agenda.

In July of 1999, after many years of trying to acquire a Saab Franchise, Tynan’s purchased the rights for the Fort Collins Saab Dealership from a local competitor. Since that time Tynan’s have been passionionately involved in the promotion of Saab products and services! While not the largest volume Saab Dealer in Colorado, “we feel we have the largest Saab Soul and Heart”, said Sean Tynan. Over the last decade Tynan’s have donated many New Saab vehicles to multiple needy Charities in the State of Colorado. Back in 2000 they donated a Brand New Lightning Blue Saab Viggen to Mount Saint Vincent Children’s Home. Subsequent years have seen other Saab vehicle donations such as a Saab 9-7x to Colorado State University for use in a raffle to raise funds for Athletics.

To see the proof of Tynan’s Love and belief in Saab one does not have to look very far. Many of their employees are loyal Saab Owners. Cameron in Parts, JK our Saab Master Tech and Brendan the Assistant Service Manager are all proud Saab drivers. Ed Jr and Sean Tynan each have three children of driving age and yep you guessed it, they all drive Saabs!

While the past couple of years has been really tough, Tynan’s is committed to Saab. Having just hit their 10 year anniversary this month as a Saab Dealer they look forward to Saabs very bright future under the New Koenigsegg led Ownership Group!

Tynan’s Saab

Tynan’s Saab
221 East Troutman Parkway
Fort Collins, CO 80525

Sales: (877)433-6292
Service: (888)497-0411
Parts : (888)364-6972
http://www.tynanssaab.com

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New Salem Saab of Albany, New York, who just renewed their sponsorship of Saab History, celebrates the Saab spirit of each of their 18 employees who combined, have racked up over 2 million miles on their personal vehicles!

It’s one thing to have a place to buy or service a car, it’s another thing for a competent staff that has personal experience with a wide range of Saabs from new to old and continue to maintain that appreciation and knowledge in-house to the benefit of the customer.

Great photos, thank you!

Here is the list of employees, their Saabs and of course their mileage!

Ok so here goes: New Salem Saab employees Saabs – daily drivers!!

From Left to Right
Eric Rothaupt – Saab parts Manager 95’ 9000 aero – 315,000 miles
Cindy Haight – Saab Receptionist 95’ 9000 aero – 210,000 miles
Doug Fuess – Saab Sales Master – 97’ 9000 CSE – 140,000 miles
Todd Kelly – Master Saab Technician – 96’ 9000 LPT – 140,000 miles
Greg Rockefeller – Master Saab Technician – 93’ 900S – 146,000 miles
Johnny Pena – Saab Technician – 93’ 900S – 205,000 miles
Darryl Carl – Owner – 91’ Saab 900S – 164,000 miles
Melissa Carl – Office Manager – 08’ 9-7x – 612 miles
David Madej – 07’ 9-3 2.0T – 38,000 miles
Will Dakin – Saab Sale Professional – 04’ 9-3 ss – 84,000 miles
Neil Hinds – Master GM/Saab Technician – 01’ 9-3SE – 219,000 miles
Liam Butcher-Regan – Saab Regeneration Specialist – 94’ 900SE – 180,000 miles
Harold Peragine – Saab Service Assist. Manager/Warranty Admin – 96’ 900S – 181,000 miles
Fred Hodgens – Saab Service Advisor – 95’ 900SE – 220,000 miles

So that’s 18 employees 15 Saab owned and driven daily by employees (one missing on site for pic)
We own several more that were not here….but this is what was for today.

Added up its 2,242,612 miles combined…..All driven daily, all by Saab employees of New Salem Saab.

Darryl Carl –
Yes, I drive a 91’ 900! (in the pics)

JMK Saab an exemplary Saab dealership in Springfield, New Jersey, also a Saab History sponsor, has recently relaunched their website.

The website itself connects you to the interior of a Saab 9-3′s integrated navigation system, a system well known and easy to use. It was this easy to use functionality that has been applied throughout the website.

The logic in this new design is that if Saab’s intuitive interface works well for consumers, why can’t the same good ideas be applied to the website? JMK Saab certainly thinks so, and it’s catching on. The theming throughout the website is very recognizable, and easy to use in my opinion, and should serve them very well.

As you may already know, JMK won the prestigious dealer of the year award last year, and if they continue to do what they do so well, I am sure they will be a candidate once again in the near future.

I encourage you to visit their website directly at http://jmksaab.com

Photo Credit: Albany Biz Journal

New Salem Saab of Albany, New York, a Saab History site sponsor and advertiser dealership has been covered in their local business journal.

Here is a snippet from the article.

The Carls have always been a one-car family: no Chevrolets, no Cadillacs, no other GMC products on the lot. Since 1961, the Carl family has made a living selling Saabs.

But Saab’s days may be numbered. Unless someone buys the division, General Motors Corp. will drop Saab in 2010.

And that leaves Darryl Carl questioning what will become of his family’s third-generation auto dealership.

“We have no idea what’s actually going to happen to Saab and the brand, and to me and my small group of people. You just hold on to your pants every single day, and you hold on to your pennies,” says Carl, president and owner of New Salem Saab in Albany.

Video Info: Click on the video for it to start playing, and please wait for the ad to pass first.

According to the Indiana Business Journal and Channel 8 in Indiana, two exclusive Saab dealerships in Indiana, one my younger brother visited back in 2000 on his way from Denver, Colorado, that being Indy Saab as well as Fishers Saab, are both closed. This reduces the Saab dealership count in the United States to 223 in total, with just 75 exclusives left.

I hope Falcone can turn around his now service-only facility (smart move keeping the lights on for Saab), so that when a new buyer comes, you can ramp things up again once the products come, how’s that for optimism?

I leave you with the piece below.

Dealer closes Saab locations, adds VW, Subaru
Chris O’Malley – comalley@ibj.com

Central Indiana’s only Saab new-car franchise has closed its stores in Fishers and Indianapolis.

Saab dealer Bob Falcone, however, has acquired the former Duke Gold Speedway Volkswagen Subaru dealership at 1930 W. 16th St. in Indianapolis, which will also service Saab cars. The VW-Subaru dealership closed abruptly last November after Gold’s death.

Falcone closed Indy Saab, 2444 W. 16th St., and Saab of Fishers, 13417 Britton Park Road, last Friday. He took over the Indianapolis dealership in 1990 and opened the Fishers location in 2001.

Falcone said he transferred all of his 45 Saab employees in Fishers and Indianapolis to the former Duke Gold facility, and has hired some key employees who worked for Gold.

The Saab brand has been put up for sale by General Motors Corp., which is nearly bankrupt. GM couldn’t provide enough direction about the future of the division, Falcone said, leaving his franchise vulnerable. He said he held $4 million in inventory.

Falcone said that although he terminated his Saab sales agreement, he will continue to operate a factory-authorized Saab repair facility at the new location.

The VW sales, parts and service business is scheduled to operate fully on May 11, and the Subaru line on May 18.

I have recently received yet another e-mail from an inside source lately stating that Saab Automobile is looking at sending a transition team to the United States to help get things running smoother again for the 225 Saab dealerships later this year.

Apparently, there have been numerous ideas on the table for a while, but this one continues to be brought up.

“Saab Automobile AB is thinking about having a transition team travel to the United States from Sweden to relaunch the stateside efforts with very little overhead operating out of a few offices from within a few Saab dealerships”

I have discussed this with others for some time and really wonder if a transition team working out of dealerships will really be the best even short-term solution to the current lack of direction in the United States for the Saab Automobile company. I am hesitant in this idea, but would like to know why this idea was proposed along with some additional details.

I still believe that the best solution will be to bridge gap and reconnect Saab Automobile with their historic roots in the United States and get some property leased in Portsmouth, New Hampshire by June, so that a new Saab Automobile North America or Saab Automobile of America, Inc. team will be able to become quickly assembled.

If you are a prospective buyer and/or investor or even someone at Saab Automobile AB in Sweden reading this, please consider this. There needs to be an effort shortly, in assembling that new “dream team” that will lead the United States operations and I am offering my assistance in doing so. As you should know, I am in touch with a number of individuals that should be brought to the team that span a wide range of backgrounds, some former Saab USA employees, some not, many with vast experiences that are literally waiting on the sidelines for the go ahead to return back to work at Saab USA, and some for the the first time.

I encourage you to contact me here at Saab History for more details as to my suggested plan and strategy in relaunching this renewed effort for a new Saab Automobile North America, Inc.

From the words of a former Saab USA employee, “We’re hear, we’re waiting and we’re excited!”

Photo Credit: Saab History

On Saturday morning before I headed out to the Springtime in Sweden event, I noticed a beautiful Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan purchased at Saab History site sponsor, Shaw Saab in Norwell, Massachusetts!

This sighting with the Portland Museum of Art in the background was a good qualifier for this week’s Saab Sighting of the week!

If you are interested in buying a new or previous owned Saab at Shaw Saab, please check out their website directly http://www.shawsaab.com

Photo Credit: Saab USA (left) / Saab History (right)

The Saab USA “Jet Into Spring” sales event ends on the last day of April.

The Jet Into Spring event offers 0% for up to 60 months for qualified buyers on the entire 2009 Saab 9-3 lineup (sport sedans, sport combis and convertibles.

If you are in the market for a new Saab, check out the prices on the Saab USA website directly.

I also encourage you to, if logistically possible, to go through the Saab History’s Saab dealerships sponsors directly as indicated on the banner ads on this website, as they will surely take care of you in your market!

Photo Credit: New Salem Saab @ Albany Airport

New Salem Saab of Albany, New York, long time Saab History supporter and oldest continually family owned and operated Saab dealership in the North East, has chimed in with their history of servicing the 1986 Saab 900 Turbo Saab Friction Tester at Albany Airport.

I guess Burlington, Vermont and Boston, Massachusetts aren’t the only airports with the Saab Friction Testers here in the North East region of the United States! While Buffalo-Niagara Airport used to have a 1983 Saab 900 Friction Tester, it’s good to hear that it has been restored and is in safe keeping at the Saab USA Heritage Collection!

Darryl Carl, President and owner of New Salem Saab describes their first encounter with the 86 Saab 900 Turbo Friction Tester from nearby Albany County Airport.

“At first we thought it was just another Saab…then we realized it was much more involved, thankfully we have a very competent staff that has been trained to service Saab Friction Testers”..

It’s no surprise that a dealership like this with leadership that ensures proper service training can take care of the nearby Airport’s Saab Friction Tester. After all, this is same dealership that also outfitted Saab 9000 and Saab 9-5 police cars to their local sheriff’s department as well!

In the meantime, I understand that Albany Airport continues to use this 1986 Saab 900 Turbo Friction Tester, they also now own a Saab 9-5 Wagon Friction Tester in service as well! I have sent some inquiries over to them, so I hope to receive some more details and photographs in the near future.

A thank you goes to New Salem Saab for providing this information to Saab History.