I want to wish everyone attending the 10th anniversary of Saabs@Carlisle this weekend, a great time. It should be good weather and a good turnout!

Every year the Central Penn SAAB Club hosts North America’s largest regional Saab event as part of Carlisle Events’ Import & Kit Nationals.

It’s called SAABs@Carlisle and for eight years running, owners of new and vintage Saabs have brought home the event Participation Award for the greatest number of any single make of automobile in attendance. Last year, 183 Saabs were present — more than 2nd place Volvo and 3rd place Audi combined. This is quite an achievement when you see just how many cars of all makes are present at this show every year.

2010 marks SAABs@Carlisle’s 10th anniversary, and with Saab now virtually assured of a bright future, the Central Penn SAAB Club is optimistic that even more Saabs will show up than ever before. It looks like the club has set up a great event for this year, with the standard People’s Choice awards, the classic SAABarbecue dinner on Saturday night, and an all-new Drive In Movie Night. Popcorn is even included!

As an added incentive, Carlisle Events is giving away a car on Sunday. Upon entry to the event, you’ll be given a “Giveaway Car” ticket and you must be present on Sunday at 3pm to win. SAABs@Carlisle is also a great place to find parts or even a deal on a whole car.

Photo Credit: © Saab Automobile AB

Saab Enthusiasts to Flock to 2010 Saab Festival

Saab Festival to be held on 15-18 July in Trollhättan, the home of Saab
Focus on newly-launched 9-5 sedan and 50th anniversary of Saab 96
Trollhättan, Sweden. Thousands of Saab enthusiasts from all over the world are expected to attend the 2010 Saab Festival in Sweden between 15 – 18 July, the first to be held since Saab became an independent company earlier this year.

The biennial festival is traditionally the world’s largest gathering of Saab fans. Based around the Saab Car Museum in Trollhättan, the home of Saab, this year’s event will focus on Saabs past and present, including the newly-launched Saab 9-5 sedan.

In addition to factory tours, parades, presentations and automobilia sales, the festival will include a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Saab 96, the car that took Erik ‘Mr Saab’ Carlsson to the first of a hat-trick of RAC Rally victories in 1960.

“This year’s event has special significance as it comes at the start of a new era in our company’s history,” said Saab Automobile CEO Jan Åke Jonsson. “Many Saab fans around the world demonstrated great support for Saab during the sale negotiations and we are delighted to take this opportunity of showing our appreciation.”

Note to Editors:

Saab Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget (Swedish Aircraft Company) – was founded in 1937 as an aircraft manufacturer and revealed its first prototype passenger car 10 years later after the formation of the Saab Car Division. In 1990, Saab Automobile AB was created as a separate company, jointly owned by the Saab Scania Group and General Motors, and became a wholly-owned GM subsidiary in 2000. In February 2010, Spyker Cars N.V. of the Netherlands, acquired the company from GM as an independently-run business.

Saab cars reflect the brand’s unique Scandinavian design ethic, which is fused with its aircraft engineering heritage. The company is a global premium car maker with a distinguished history of innovation. It is recognized for its pioneering role in turbocharging, as well as occupant safety and the introduction of flex-fuel technology through Saab BioPower. Saab Automobile AB currently employs about 3,400 staff in Sweden, where it operates world-class production and technical development facilities at its headquarters in Trollhättan, 70 km north of Gothenburg.
Contact:

Saab Automobile Press Office
Tel: +46 (0)520 279797

Photo Credit: Saab History , 2005

Saab History has just learned via the curator of the Saab Car Museum’s twitter feed, that the Saab Festival will take place this year July 15th-18th, 2010

Having attended the Saab Festival in 2005 & 2007, which is typically every two years, I like many of us was hoping to see one again in 2009, but of course it was not possible given what was going on at that time for Saab.

Now that there is clarity with Saab now owned by Spyker, this year should be absolutely incredible, perhaps better than the 60th anniversary festival in 2007!

More details are expected soon, although no details on the Saab Festival website yet.

Photo Credit: Seth D. Bengelsdorf

The Saab Club of North America (SCNA) welcomes Saab-Spyker Automobile CEO Victor Muller, Saab CEO Jan Åke Jonsson and Mike Colleran, President and COO, Saab Cars North America to the 2010 Saab Owners Convention.

Check out their website for more details on the convention, the website looks great!

Photo Credit: Matt G

Saab History frequenter, Matt G in Minnesota, managed to attend the Minneapolis Auto show recently where he took some good photos and provided us with a summary of his experience.

SAAB had an awesome floor spot – right at the main entrance when people walked in – you couldn’t miss them. The people at the booth were very nice.

I asked if they could open up the 9-5 or the 9-3X and unfortunately they could not. They said the 9-3X would be available later this spring and the 9-5 this summer.

The 9-5 in person is an awesome looking vehicle. Even my fiance said it was one of the best looking cars at the show. The interior looks really high-end in person. Even though I couldn’t get inside, I got the feeling that it has a real premium, high-quality feel, a big step up from the current 9-5. All in all, I was really impressed with their display, it was one of the nicest, if not the nicest, at the show.

The people seemed excited for the future, that’s for sure. BMW was not there, which was a surprise.

For more photos click here.

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 everyone, 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

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

BACKGROUND MATERIAL:

Saab owners ask “Why allow a cherished brand such as SAAB perish when there are buyers that want to keep it alive?” Valerie Gomez Walker put it another way today at Embarcadero Automotive Inc in San Francisco “Saab owes it to those of us who have kept their cars running and on the road as long as we have. They should be able to keep their company alive!”

Valerie speaks from experience. This San Franciscan still drives her 1973 9-6 V4 that she bought on July 24, 1973, though she admits her husband Will Walker is more likely to be driving it these days.

Valerie bought this beauty from the VW dealership in Metairie Louisiana in 1973 for $3,422 plus tax. Her monthly payments were $31.50. She keeps the paperwork in the glove box. Valerie knew she was moving to California that summer and needed a car to get her here. She intended to buy a Volkswagen but one look at the spunky, but unusual white Saab and she was sold. Well, there’s more to that story. The practical reasons she picked it out were because it was small but heavy…she didn’t want to be blown around on the highway in a light-weight car. The other side of the story is that “the salesman was very cute” with an unusual sales pitch; “that if this car were stuck in mud in Africa on Safari she could roll it over onto its roof and push it out of the mud like a turtle, right it, and drive away.” She never forgot that story and says that has not happened yet!

Valerie and Will have been taking her car to Embarcadero Automotive in San Francisco since the day they opened in San Francisco November 1979, thirty years! The owners, Peter MacLaird and Michael Land, have been looking after her prized car all this time. She now brings it into the shop once a year for its annual oil change.

While they admit to not driving this 36-year old car as much any more they say they will be participating in whatever demonstrations are planned for San Francisco in the weeks to come. The international grass-roots fan club called “SAVE SAAB” has been promoting actions that have taken place, and continue to take place, all over the world to save the brand; everything from bake sales to full blown demonstrations. And there is move afoot of a horn-tooting drive around City Hall in San Francisco in the week to come. For more information as it develops, visit www.embarcaderoauto.com.

So if there truly are three active offers for this step-child brand of General Motors, why would GM choose to close down the brand rather than allow it to be bought and kept alive? If it is worth nothing to them, then give it away! It means the world to many of us. To follow what’s happening with GM and the sale of Saab, go to the sidebar at www.embarcaderoauto.com or their Twitter account “save saab” for their up-to-date listing of links to articles from around the world.
- – -
Embarcadero Automotive Inc. has been serving Bay Area Saab owners since 1979. Owned and operated by Peter MacLaird and Michael Land, the business is located at 655 Bryant Street , San Francisco , CA 94107 . Phone 415-541-8500.

Everyone at Embarcadero Automotive is hoping the Saab brand will live to please many more generations of Saab owners!

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.

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.

Photo Credit: Daniel Purvis

The “SAVE SAAB” event in Washington, D.C. has just finished and here’s one of the first photos from the event. Great to see so many Saabs in front of the Capitol building and the coordinated gathering in front of the House of Sweden! There were apparently 35 Saabs and 40 people!

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

For more photos, the organizer has provided two links for additional photographs from the event here:

Brian: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sugonaut/sets/72157623277642926/
Leigh: http://www.flickr.com/photos/minxx/sets/72157623151752279/

Photo Credit: David Zemon

Here is the initial photo from the SAVE SAAB event today in St. Louis, Missouri.

A Saab club in St. Louis, Missouri is organizing a “SAVE SAAB” event this weekend on the 24th.

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

Here’s one of their local tv stations in St. Louis covering this event. -

Photo Credit: George Ong

The Saabstance club in Singapore, Saab History’s previous home, many years ago, hosted their own “SAVE SAAB’ event on Saturday.

The event began at Trans Eurokars and it involved parking at a nearby airstrip where the photograph was taken. I believe even a breakfast was provided!

For additional photographs, click here.

Photo Credits: Hanspeter Müller

The Saab Club of Switzerland held their SAVE SAAB event this weekend on the 24th at a former military airfield in Interlaken.

Please find some impressions of our SAVE SAAB event in Interlaken. Nearly 200 SAAB fans and enthusiasts in 117 SAAB came to the air field to show their solidarity.

There will be more details as they come in.

The North East Florida Saab Club in Jacksonville held a “SAVE SAAB” event on Saturday.

This was interesting location in Jacksonville, Florida, given it was one of Saab’s first ports in the United States besides Hingham, Massachusetts, starting in 1959.

They had a decent turnout as you can see in the photo. For more photos, please visit this link.

Saab History has learned that the Saab Club in Portugal have recently gathered for their own SAVE SAAB event.

Great job!

Photo Credit: Ryan/North Carolina Saab Club

Saab owners in North & South Carolina held a SAVE SAAB gathering. This was one of their first formal meetings since the club relaunched. Great to see them out there doing this with their newly relaunched club already!

For more details, please visit their website here:

please visit their facebook page here.

Photo Credits: Scott Hutchings

Christian of Aktiv Motors has gathered a total of 57 Saabs and over 100 people at their recent SAVE SAAB event today in Toronto!

Great job, impressive work with the signage and large banner! Click here for more photos!

Photo Credit: Tim Jackson

The Rocky Mountain Saab club, who hosted the incredible 2009 Saab Owners Convention are doing their own “SAVE SAAB” event in Denver, Colorado at Mile Hi Auto, and have just returned from an incredible turnout.

This was a pretty incredible turnout. Here’s a very brief summary of what took place today. I will keep updating this space with text, photos and videos as they arrives.

Here is first photo from Denver Save Saab rally on the west steps of the Colorado Capitol….

We had 60+ cars and 120+ people.

Here’s a link to local TV coverage of our event.

http://www.9news.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=131342&catid=222

Here’s hoping that they can provide more details shortly as to the where and when. I suspect those details however, are on their website below.

We are organizing a SAVE SAAB event in Bangkok, Thailand. The SAAB Club of Thailand (http://www.saab-scot.com) is gathering for this worldwide phenomenon.

Thailand SAAB Support Convoy event will be organized on 31th January in Bangkok, Thailand. We are in the progress to setup the event. The convoy route will be around Bangkok and drive passing SAAB Headquarter (Autotechnic) on New Petchaburi Road.

Number of participants are not yet confirmed as we just start registering but expect to be at least 20 cars circle through Bangkok on that day.