Photo Credit: Dimitri Baumgartner & Frederic Demaret Saabhuy.Net

Here are the photographs from Dimitri Baumgartner & Frederic Demaret that are in attendance at the first of the two days at the Geneva Motor Show.

Today is the first day at the show and tomorrow, there will be a press conference at 3:30pm.

For more photos, please click here.

Photo Credit: Dimitri Baumgartner & Frederic Demaret Saabhuy.Net

1 March 2010

Saab at 2010 Geneva Motor Show

All New Saab 9-5 Sedan Opens New Chapter in Saab History

The all new 9-5 Sedan, due to go on sale later this year, is the centerpiece of the Saab stand. It celebrates the start of a new chapter in the history of the Swedish premium brand as an independent car manufacturer.

Main Geneva highlights:

Start of a New Era for Saab
Saab Automobile attends Geneva only days after its future as an independent premium car-maker was secured following the completion of its purchase from General Motors by Spyker Cars N.V. This transaction signals the start of an exciting new era for the brand with the launch of three new products – including the new 9-5 sedan – planned over the next 16 months. Spyker Cars N.V. – the Amsterdam Euronext-listed parent company – is committed to securing Saab’s future success under the direction of Saab Automobile CEO Jan Åke Jonsson and the current management team.

All New Saab 9-5 Sedan
Showcasing ‘stand out’ Scandinavian design backed by an array of high-tech functions, Saab’s distinctive new flagship brings a fresh, alternative choice to the premium sedan segment.

The clean, ‘organic sculpture’ of the bodywork, with elements inspired by Saab’s award-winning Aero X concept, heralds the introduction of a bold, more expressive design language for the brand. The spacious, driver-focused cabin features a new iteration of Saab’s signature cockpit layout.

Packed with advanced driving and comfort technologies, the new 9-5 features an all-turbo powertrain starting at just 1.6 liters and carries forward Saab’s rightsizing engine strategy. A 190 hp, 2.0-liter turbo, with two-stage turbocharging, leads the diesel line-up and will be available with two-wheel drive and Saab XWD, the industry-leading all-wheel-drive system.

Saab 9-3X
This versatile sport wagon is a rugged all-rounder equipped to handle rough terrain with a raised ride height and sure-footed grip from Saab’s XWD all-wheel-drive system. It is distinguished by unique bumpers and a protective lower body finish. Offering an attractive alternative to heavier Crossovers or SUVs, the Saab 9-3X is powered a 210 hp 2.0-liter turbo engine, also available with Saab BioPower flex-fuel technology. A 180 hp, two-stage 1.9-liter turbo diesel option has two-wheel drive.

Saab 9-3 Convertible
Saab pioneered the concept four season, four seater, top-down motoring and the latest 9-3 Convertible is the product of more than 25 years’ experience in designing soft-top cars that are as stylish as they are practical. Now being built for the first time at Saab’s state-of-the-art production facility in Sweden, more than 250,000 Saab Convertibles have been sold worldwide.

Saab Dealerships in the United Kingdom are hosting an independence day event beginning this Friday, February 26th through Monday, March 1st.

“With new independent ownership to luxury Dutch carmaker Spyker in place, this really is an exciting time for us and all our customers. So over the weekend of Friday February 26th to Monday March 1st, we’re celebrating Saab independence. And you can celebrate too.”

For more details on this event, please click here.

Saab Automobile will be holding a press conference at the Geneva Motor Show on March 2nd at 3:15pm.

It would seem obvious that they will be using the conference to showcase their new ownership as there won’t be any new product launches.

Saab History actually already received a press pass for the conference from the event coordinators at the show, but will not be attending the event due to real needs and costs.

If you are you going to the show, please let Saab History know, because even our European correspondent, Etienne won’t be making it this year either due to the same reasons.

For more information on the Geneva Motor Show (Geneva Salon),

Please visit this link here: http://www.salon-auto.ch

I have compiled this video for our reference, to reflect on all of the hard work the global Saab community put into the Save Saab campaign.

Thanks to a brilliant idea by the saabforum.nl in the Netherlands, over 30 countries and 50 locations worldwide over the course of 3-weeks, took part in this historic and important event.

It is important to acknowledge each and every one of you who participated and/or supported the Saab convoys around the world. Due to all of our efforts, we showed our true Saab spirit

There will be a “SAVE SAAB” event in San Francisco, California this Friday.

Here are the details below as e-mailed to Saab History today.

WHAT: SAVE SAAB RALLY AT SF CITY HALL FRIDAY JANUARY 29 at NOON

The Rally consists of Saab owners circling City Hall between Noon-1pm to displaying their save saab signs and honking their SAAB horns to show solidarity with SAAB. We will also have speakers at the East City Hall entrance beginning at 12:30pm. We expect to be colorful and passionate.

WHEN: Friday January 29 NOON San Francisco City Hall

CONTACT: Bram Goodwin @ 415-505-3686, email bram@embarcaderoauto.com

LINKS WITH RALLY INFORMATION: Embarcadero Automotive Web Site: www.embarcaderoauto.com, Embarcadero Automotive on Twitter: https://twitter.com/savesaab

Read more »

There was a “SAVE SAAB” event in Toyko, Japan this weekend, not directly tied to the Saab Club of Japan.

There were apparently 29 Saabs and 1 other Swedish model present.

More details to come.

Saab owners in Chicago held their SAVE SAAB gathering today beginning at the local IKEA.

It’s looking like IKEA around the world continues to be one of the best meeting spots for Saab owners.

Please continue to send your comments, photos and videos if you attended this event.

Here’s a great article covering this event by the Chicago Tribune.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/paul_sallie/4302283907/sizes/l/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bmv_DKY568o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nz_-qoBcAQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8Tht6WYGhk

Photo Credit: Greg Abbott

The Minnesota Saab Club has held their “Save Saab” gathering today. There were 36 Saabs that turned out!

The event was held from 1:00 to 3:00pm at the American-Swedish Institute. A great job by everyone. That’s a lot of SAVE SAAB signs!

Please continue to send your comments, photos and videos if you attended this event.

Saab History has just received photos from some of the participants in the SAVE SAAB event in New York City today. It looks like there was quite a turnout of well over 75-100 Saabs!

It was really impressive to see all of the variety of Saabs in the photos from driving through Times Square (impressive), to their group photo with the nice large Saab banner by JMK Saab, previously used in Detroit.

Here’s a summary from Steve G., a Saab History frequenter with his comments as well as the organizer below.

Please continue to send your comments, photos and videos if you attended this event.

Saabs with their flashers on as far as the eye can see going through Times Square and the crowd that made it to Liberty State Park. Unfortunately due to misty weather and some logistical issues we didn’t get the photo op at the statue itself, but the turnout was between 50 and 60 cars at the finish point.

Folks were pointing and cheering throughout Manhattan and especially through Times Square. Without a police escort, keeping everyone together through the streets of NYC was a challenge but kudos to the organizing team for doing a great job

–

Here’s a quote from the organizer, Meg.

What a great day, and I’m exhausted. Total people that signed in was 54, but we may have missed a few. It was totally organized the drive thru NYC trying to?keep everyone together. There were Tag Cars that leap frogged out of line to coral us up. Many thanks to Nathan and Shane for doing such a great job.It was great meeting new Saabers and putting faces to names from those I knew from the internet and making new friends.

Saab; a car not for the masses but for people who show their individuality and uniqueness for a brand by being loyal to it and driving Saab.

Please watch this space for more details.