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|area_served = Worldwide
|area_served = Worldwide
|key_people = [[Victor Muller]] ([[Chairman]]) ([[CEO]])
|key_people = [[Victor Muller]] ([[Chairman]]) ([[CEO]])
|revenue = [[Swedish krona|SEK]] 6.301 billion <small>(2009)</small><ref name="Saab Automobile AB - Allabolag">{{cite web|url=http://www.allabolag.se/5562588912/bokslut|title=Bokslut & Nyckeltal - SAAB Automobile Aktiebolag|accessdate=2010-08-13|publisher=Allabolag}}</ref>
|revenue = [[Swedish krona|SEK]] 6.301 billion <small>(2010)</small><ref name="Saab Automobile AB - Allabolag">{{cite web|url=http://www.allabolag.se/5562588912/bokslut|title=Bokslut & Nyckeltal - SAAB Automobile Aktiebolag|accessdate=2010-08-13|publisher=Allabolag}}</ref>
|operating_income = {{loss}} [[Swedish krona|SEK]] -3.126 billion <small>(2009)</small><ref name="Saab Automobile AB - Allabolag" />
|operating_income = {{loss}} [[Swedish krona|SEK]] -3.126 billion <small>(2010)</small><ref name="Saab Automobile AB - Allabolag" />
|net_income = {{loss}} [[Swedish krona|SEK]] -3.009 billion <small>(2009)</small><ref name="Saab Automobile AB - Allabolag" />
|net_income = {{loss}} [[Swedish krona|SEK]] -3.009 billion <small>(2010)</small><ref name="Saab Automobile AB - Allabolag" />
|num_employees = 3,355 (2009)<ref name="Saab Automobile AB">{{cite web|url=http://www.saab.com/global/en/start#/home/?/information/about/company|title=Saab Data Sheet|accessdate=2010-08-31|work=Saab Automobile AB}}</ref><ref name="Reuters Factbox">{{cite news|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/bondsNews/idUSLJ61068320090519|title=Factbox - Key facts about Saab|accessdate=2009-05-19|agency=Reuters | date=2009-05-19}}</ref>
|num_employees = 3,355 (2009)<ref name="Saab Automobile AB">{{cite web|url=http://www.saab.com/global/en/start#/home/?/information/about/company|title=Saab Data Sheet|accessdate=2010-08-31|work=Saab Automobile AB}}</ref><ref name="Reuters Factbox">{{cite news|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/bondsNews/idUSLJ61068320090519|title=Factbox - Key facts about Saab|accessdate=2009-05-19|agency=Reuters | date=2009-05-19}}</ref>
|parent = [[Swedish Automobile|Swedish Automobile N.V.]]
|parent = [[Swedish Automobile|Swedish Automobile N.V.]]

Revision as of 14:52, 13 September 2011

This article is about the car manufacturer. For the aerospace and defense company, see Saab. For other uses, see Saab (disambiguation).
Saab Automobile AB
Company typeAktiebolag
IndustryAutomotive
FoundedTrollhättan, Sweden (1937)
FounderSvenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget
HeadquartersTrollhättan, Sweden
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Victor Muller (Chairman) (CEO)
ProductsAutomobiles
Production output
32,048 units (2010)[1]
RevenueSEK 6.301 billion (2010)[2]
Decrease SEK -3.126 billion (2010)[2]
Decrease SEK -3.009 billion (2010)[2]
Number of employees
3,355 (2009)[3][4]
ParentSwedish Automobile N.V.
WebsiteSaab.com

Saab Automobile AB, better known as Saab (/ˈsɑːb/, or SAAB, an acronym for Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget),[5][6] is a Swedish car manufacturer owned by Dutch automobile manufacturer Swedish Automobile NV, formerly Spyker Cars NV.[7] It is the exclusive automobile Royal Warrant holder as appointed by the King of Sweden.[8] Originally the automobile manufacturing division of Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget (English: Swedish Airplane Limited), later known as Saab AB, Saab Automobile was acquired by General Motors in 1990 who sold it to Spyker Cars N.V. (now Swedish Automobile) in 2010.

Company history

Saab 92001

Saab was originally a division of Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget (English: Swedish Airplane Limited), which had been created in 1937 in Linköping. The company had been established in 1937 for the express purpose of building aircraft for the Swedish Air Force to protect the country's neutrality as Europe moved closer to war. As the war drew towards a close and the market for fighter planes evaporated, the company began looking for new markets in which to diversify.

Svenska Aeroplan AB (1948–1969)

File:1958saab92b.jpg
Saab 92
File:Saab93f gt750.jpg
Saab 93B
Saab 96
Saab 99

In 1944, Project 92 began, with the goal of creating the first Saab passenger car. The result, the Saab 92001 (or Ursaab), was unveiled three years later, with a design that highlighted the company's roots in aviation. Notably, the car's drag coefficient of 0.30 was the lowest of any production car of the time.

Three years into Project 92, a company site in Trollhättan was converted to allow automobile assembly and the project moved there. The company has remained headquartered there since.

In 1949, Saab was ready to bring the car to market, and the Saab 92 went into production, selling 20,000 examples through the mid-1950s.

The 92 was thoroughly redesigned and reengineered in 1955, and accordingly was renamed the Saab 93. The car's engine gained a cylinder, going from two to three and its front fascia became the first to sport the first incarnation of Saab's trademark trapezoidal radiator grill. A wagon variant, the Saab 95, was added in 1959.

The decade also saw Saab's first foray into performance motoring with the Saab 94, the first of the four Saab Sonetts.

1960 saw the third major revision to the 92's platform in the Saab 96. The 96 was an important model for Saab: it was the first Saab to be widely exported out of Sweden. It proved very popular, selling nearly 550,000 examples.

Even more important to the company's fortunes was 1968's Saab 99. The 99 was the first all-new Saab in 19 years, and unlike its predecessors, severed all ties with the 92. The 99 had many innovations and features that would come to define Saabs for decades: wraparound windscreen, self-repairing bumpers, headlamp washers and side-impact door beams.

The design by Sixten Sason was no less revolutionary than the underlying technology, and elements like the Saab "hockey stick" profile graphic continue to influence Saab design.

Saab-Scania (1969–1989)

Saab 99
Saab 9000
Saab 900

In 1969, Saab merged with the Swedish commercial vehicle manufacturer Scania-Vabis AB to form Saab-Scania AB.

The 99 range was expanded in 1973 with the addition of a combi coupe model, a body style which quickly became synonymous with Saab. Owing to its great success, the millionth Saab was produced in 1976.

Saab entered into an agreement with Fiat in 1978 to sell a rebadged Lancia Delta as the Saab 600 and jointly develop a new platform. The agreement yielded 1985's Saab 9000, sister to the Alfa Romeo 164, Fiat Croma and Lancia Thema; all rode atop a common Type Four chassis. The 9000 was Saab's first proper luxury car.

1978 also was the first year for the 99's intended replacement: the Saab 900. Nearly one million 900s would be produced, making it Saab's best-selling model. A popular convertible version followed in 1986, all of which were made at the Saab-Valmet factory in Finland, making up nearly 20% of 900 sales. Even today, the "classic 900" retains a cult following among enthusiasts.

General Motors ownership (1989–2010)

Saab 900
Saab 9-5
Saab 9-3 sport combi
Saab Aero-X
second generation Saab 9-5
second generation Saab 9-5

In 1989, the Saab car division of Saab-Scania was restructured into an independent company, Saab Automobile AB, headquartered in Sweden; General Motors and Investor AB controlled 50% each. GM's investment of US $600 million gave them the option to acquire the remaining shares within a decade.

GM's involvement spurred the launch of a new 900 in 1994. The new car shared a platform with the Opel Vectra. Due in large part to its success, Saab earned a profit in 1995 for the first time in seven years. However, the model never achieved the cult following of the "classic 900" and did not achieve the same reputation for quality.

1997 marked Saab's 50th anniversary as an automaker. The company used their jubilee owner's convention to launch a replacement for the aging 9000: the Saab 9-5. The 900 received a facelift and renaming complimentary to its new larger sibling: it would now be called the Saab 9-3. The 9-5 was the first Saab without a combi coupe bodystyle option in twenty years. Filling that space was a wagon variant, introduced in 1999.

GM exercised their option to acquire the remaining Saab shares in 2000, spending US $125 million to the turn the company into a wholly owned subsidiary.

The newly close relationship yielded its first product in 2003's all-new 9-3. The new model, marketed as a sport sedan, dropped Saab's iconic hatchback in favor of a more conventional four-door approach. The model shared a platform and components with the Vectra again, but the relationship was much closer than had been in the past.

Under GM's direction, the badge-engineered Saab 9-2X (based on the Subaru Impreza) and Saab 9-7X (based on the Chevrolet Trailblazer) were introduced in the American market in 2005 with the hope of increase sales. Both models were a critical and commercial failure and were scrapped a few years after production. GM also delayed the 9-3 wagon by three years, canceled a 9-5 replacement in 2005 and announced a planned shift of production away from Saab's historic home in Trollhättan to Opel's factory in Rüsselsheim. GM used some creative bookkeeping with Saab like declaring the profit of cars sold outside Europe in GM and not in Saab[9] and leaving development costs to Saab for their own brands.[10]

Owing to fading fortunes across their entire business, GM announced that the Saab brand was "under review" in December 2008, a process which included the possibility of selling or shuttering the carmaker. Reportedly, 27 potential buyers emerged, including BMW, Fiat, Geely, Hyundai, Magna, Renault and Tata Motors; serious talks progressed with three bidders: Koenigsegg, Merbanco and Renco Group.

As the talks progressed, GM's support receded, and the company went into administration, the Swedish equivalent of America's Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Saab's managing director Jan-Åke Jonsson said that this was "the best way to create a truly independent entity that is ready for investment".[11] For its part, the Swedish government was reluctant to become involved, with Maud Olofsson, industry minister, saying: "The Swedish state and taxpayers in Sweden will not own car factories. Sometimes you get the impression that this is a small, small company but it is the world's biggest automaker so we have a right to make demands."[12]

On 16 June 2009, Koenigsegg, the Swedish supercar maker, announced their intentions to purchase the brand from GM.[11] The bid was backed by a group of Norwegian investors and the Chinese carmaker BAIC. The following month, both parties announced that GM had consented to the deal. There were outstanding financial details, but a loan from the European Investment Bank was expected to cover them. The loan was approved in October, but on November 24, Koenigsegg announced that it had "come to the painful and difficult conclusion that it could no longer carry out the acquisition."[13]

It was announced on 14 December that the Chinese automaker would acquire the intellectual property rights and production equipment for the previous generation Saab 9-3 and Saab 9-5 in a deal worth about US$197 million, which was enough for the company to run for three months.[14][15] BAIC has expressed their intent to create a new brand around the purchased technology and admitted to the purchase of "three overall vehicle platforms, two engine technologies and two transmission systems."[16]

Following the collapse of talks with Koenigsegg, GM announced that the brand would be eliminated in 2010 if it failed to secure a buyer before the close of 2009.[17] As talks with several firms failed, including the Netherlands-based boutique supercar maker Spyker, GM formally announced their intention to wind down the Saab brand.[17]

Undeterred, a new offer round materialized. Earlier bidders Spyker and Merbanco revised offers and were joined by a submission from Luxembourg-based Genii Capital, who boasted the support of F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone.[17] GM continued accepting bids until a self-imposed deadline of January 7, 2010. Acknowledging that the chances for reaching a deal with any party were very slim, they pledged to evaluate each offer with due diligence.[18][19]

Swedish Automobiles ownership (2010-present)

2010

On 26 January, General Motors confirmed that Spyker and General Motors had come to an agreement allowing Spyker to purchase Saab,[20] subject to regulatory and government approval; the sale was completed on February 23, 2010.[21] General Motors will continue to supply Saab with engines, transmissions and also completed vehicles in the shape of the new Saab 9-4x from GM's Mexican factory.[20] The deal includes a loan from the European Investment Bank, guaranteed by the Swedish government. It comprises $74m in cash up front, payable to GM by July 2010, and shares in Spyker to the tune of $320m (US).

Saab announced that it was going to build its US headquarters in Royal Oak, Michigan.[22] A new Saab 9-3 was confirmed for 2012,[23] while production restarted at the Saab plant in Sweden in March 2010.[24] Victor Muller, CEO and founder of Spyker Cars stated in an interview that the take-over was financed solely by Vladimir Antonov with the knowledge of General Motors.[25]

In July, the Company expected to sell between 50,000 to 55,000 vehicles in 2010.[26] As part of its expansion programme Saab announced plans to return to China after General Motors withdrew the brand from the Chinese market in 2008 due to the global financial meltdown, Saab plan to sell between 2,000 and 5,000 cars initially and should reception of the vehicle go well they plan to move production to China as well, the deal will see 10 dealerships opened. The deal will be signed with China Automobile Trading Co. Ltd.[27]

In October, the Company revised its production target for the year to 30,000 to 35,000 vehicles from 45,000 vehicles as a result of longer time was needed to recover from plant shutdown for two months at the beginning of the year and reverse liquidation proceeding. It was reported that it was the second time forecast was cut in less than three months.[28] Eventually Saab sold 31,696 cars in 2010.[29]

2011

On 25 February, Spyker Cars N.V. announced they had agreed to sell the sports car arm to focus on Saab.[30] They intend to change their name, in May, to include Saab.[31]

Beginning of April several suppliers halted shipment of components to the Trollhattan assembly plant because of unpaid invoices. As a result Saab had to stop production on 5 April 2011.[32] On 3 May 2011, Spyker Cars reached an agreement with Chinese automaker Hawtai Motor to obtain emergency funding for Saab aiming to restart production within a week.[33] However, the deal collapsed on 12 May when it failed to get the necessary approvals.[34] Spyker is still hopeful a deal can be made with Hawtai. Great Wall Motor, another Chinese carmaker, was also rumoured to be talks with Spyker about investing, this was however denied by Great Wall in 13 May.[35]

On Monday, May 16, Spyker announced that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with China's Pang Da Automobile Trade Co., Ltd that would give Saab the financing they need to restart production and would give Pang Da an equity stake in Spyker.[36] On May 27 it was announced that 'Saab Automobile today restarted production at its production facility in Trollhättan.'[citation needed]

On the 8th of June, Saab said it has stopped production due to a lack of spare parts only two weeks after resuming making cars following a seven-week halt. Saab will begin to produce cars again, starting on Tuesday, August 9, 2011.[37]

On the 23rd of June, Saab Automobile announced that they were unable to pay the June salaries to the entire workforce of 3800 employees due to lack of funding.[38][39] The trade union IF Metall gave Saab seven days to pay the salaries to their employees, otherwise IF Metall threatened to force a liquidation of the company.[40][41] On June 29, 2011, Saab employees were paid.[42]

In June, Youngman and Pang Da announced the intention to buy 54% of Saab for 245 million euro.[43][44] They also announced that they would finance three new models, Saab 9-1, Saab 9-6 and Saab 9-7.[45][46]

On July 26th, Saab announced that they are unable to pay the July salaries to the 1,600 white-collar workers. The company couldn't tell when the salaries will be paid.[47] However the entire workforce of blue-collar workers was paid on the 25th of July. On July 27th, it became known that the Bahamas-based Gemini Fund that would ensure the salaries to the employees did not pay out to Saab because of the uncertainty arose in securities that would protect the payment.[48] On the same day it was also confirmed by the russian businessman Vladimir Antonov´s swedish representative Lars Carlström that Antonov has close ties to the fund.[49] On July 28th the trade union, Unionen announced that if Saab not pay the salaries to the white-collar workers within two weeks, Unionen will force the company into a liquidation.[50] On the same day, European Investment Bank (EIB) announced that they rejected the request from Vladimir Antonov to become an part-owner of Saab.[51] In response to that decision, the director general of Swedish National Debt Office, Bo Lundgren criticized severely the EIB for their handling of Antonov in recent months.[52] On August 5th, Saab paid the salaries to the white-collar workers through equity issuance where the Gemini Fund bought five million shares in Saab.[53]

On August 17th, the Swedish Enforcement Administration started a distraint process of Saab as a result of the company not settling its debts.[54] On 19th of August, it was confirmed that Enforcement Administration has more than 90 cases with claims totaling 169 million SEK ($25.5 million/€18.4 million) against Saab, of which 22 are currently in phase of distraint.[55] On the same day, the Enforcement Administration found an account at Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken, which they hope contains at least 5.1 million SEK ($0.8 million/€0.555 million) and that will be used to pay off Saab's debt to Kongsberg Automotive.[56] On August 23rd, the spokeswoman of Saab Automobile, Gunilla Gustav announced that there was a risk that the August salaries could not be paid because of lack of funding. One reason is that Saab has not received the money they were promised. The President of Unionen, Cecilia Fahlberg is highly critical of it happening a third time during the summer and will restart the process of liquidation unless the salaries will be paid. Saab's parent company, Swedish Automobiles shares plummeted by 20% after the announcement.[57] On 25th of August it was confirmed that the August salaries has not been paid to their blue-collar workers, and probably not to its white-collar workers, whose salaries should be paid on Friday, August 26th.[58] On the same day, Enforcement Administration announced that it has foreclosures on about 50 million SEK ($7.9 million/€5.45 million) and they are entitled to the money that comes into the company's payroll account if they not find the rest of the money before that. Saab must have around 100 million SEK ($15.8 million/€10.9 million) each month on the payroll account in order to remunerate the entire workforce.[59] On August 26th, Swedish Automobile announced that they have pushed forward the interim report until next week (week 35).[60] On the same day it was reported that Saab Automobile is preparing an application for reconstruction of the company because Saab has lack of funds to start the production, pay the salaries to their employees and the debts to the subcontractors.[61] On August 31, Saab released their delayed interim report in which it announced a loss of € 201.5 million with revenues of € 359 million for the first six months.[62] On the same day it was reported that Saab Automobile is preparing an application for reconstruction of the company because Saab has lack of funds to start the production, pay the salaries to their employees and the debts to the subcontractors.[63]

2nd bankcruptcy protection

On September 7th, Saab Automobile has filed for bankcruptcy protection for the second time in less than three years. The aim was to keep the company alive until Chinese government approval for a € 245 million deal agreed in June 2011 with Pang Da Automobile Trade co. and Zhejiang Youngman Lotus Automobile could be obtained.[64] On September 8th, Swedish courts rejected Saab's bankruptcy petition, expressing doubt that the automaker could secure the funding necessary to continue.[65] September 12th, Saab announced that they have signed a technology license agreement worth € 70 million with Zhejiang Youngman Lotus Automobile.[66] On the same day, it became known that the trade unions, Unionen and Swedish Organization for Managers (Ledarna) have submitted the application to request Saab into liquidation.[67] Saab Automobile confirmed through a press release that the trade unions has filed for bankruptcy of the company.[68]

Production

Saab's main production facilities in Trollhättan

Saab's total world production in 2008 was 90,281 vehicles produced in 3 countries.[69][70]

Country Cars (2010) Cars (2009) Cars (2008) Cars (2007) Models
Sweden
Trollhättan 		32,048 20,950[70] 75,073 102,915 9-3 Sedan, Wagon, and Convertible, 9-5 Sedan and Wagon
Mexico
Ramos Arizpe 		0 98[71] 0 0 9-4x (Q2 2011)
Total 32,048 20,905 89,086 125,397

Saab manufactured various models at the Valmet Automotive plant in Uusikaupunki, Finland, between 1969 and 2003, in a joint-venture established in 1968 together with Valmet. Since 2003, Saab no longer manufactures any cars in Finland as the production of the 9-3 Convertible was moved to Graz, Austria. In 2010 production of the 9-3 Convertible was moved to Trollhättan. This marked the first time that the Trollhättan facility manufactures the 9-3 Convertible.

Models

A common feature of Saab car types is the use of the number 9 in the model numbers. Current models are the 9-3 and 9-5, both of which are manufactured in Trollhättan, Sweden. Until 2008, the 9-7X was manufactured by General Motors along with the Chevrolet Trailblazer and its platform-mates. The exception to this naming rule is the Saab-Lancia 600, which was a rebadged Lancia Delta.

Current models

Future models

Historical models

1956 Saab Sonett I
File:1959saab93b.jpg
1959 Saab 93
1975 Saab 96
1995 Saab 900SE NG convertible

Concepts and prototypes

Innovations

  • 1958: The GT 750 is the first car fitted with seatbelts as standard.[72]
  • 1963: Saab becomes the first volume maker to offer diagonally-split dual brake circuits.
  • 1969: Saab creates an ignition system near the gearstick - instead of behind the steering wheel like most cars - in an attempt to reduce the very common serious and permanent knee injuries during collisions, caused by the knee impacting the key.
  • 1970: Saab introduces a world-first - headlamp wipers and washers.
  • 1971: Heated front seats are introduced, the first time in the world they are fitted as standard.
  • 1971: Saab develops the impact-absorbing, self-repairing bumper[citation needed].
  • 1976: Saab was the first manufacturer to produce a turbo engine with wastegate to control boost.
  • 1978: Saab introduces another 'world-first,' the passenger compartment air filter (pollen filter).
  • 1980: Saab introduces Automatic Performance Control (APC), and an anti-knock sensor that allowed higher fuel economy and the use of lower grade fuel without engine damage.
  • 1981: Saab introduces the split-field side mirror. This reduces the drivers blind spot.
  • 1982: Saab introduces asbestos-free brake pads.
  • 1983: Saab introduces the 16-valve turbocharged engine
  • 1985: Saab pioneers direct ignition, eliminating the distributor and spark plug wires.
  • 1991: Saab introduces a 'light-pressure' turbo.
  • 1991: Saab is the first manufacturer to offer CFC-free air-conditioning.
  • 1991: Saab develops its 'Trionic' engine management system, equipped with a 32-bit micro-processor.
  • 1993: Saab introduces the 'Sensonic clutch' and the 'Black Panel', later to be called the 'Night Panel'.
  • 1993: Saab develops the 'Safeseat' rear passenger protection system.
  • 1994: Saab introduces the 'Trionic T5.5' engine management system, its processor is a Motorola 68332.
  • 1995: Saab presents an asymmetrically turbocharged V6 at the Motor Show in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
  • 1996: Saab introduces active head restraints (SAHR), which help minimize the risk of whiplash.
  • 1997: Saab introduces Electronic Brake-force Distribution
  • 1997: Saab fits ventilated front seats to their new 9-5.
  • 1997: Saab introduces ComSense; an alert delay feature that reduces the risk of distraction by briefly postponing lower priority alerts when the brakes or indicators are activated
  • 2000: Saab introduces SVC; a Variable Compression, an engine in which the compression ratio is varied by tilting the cylinder head in relation to the pistons.
  • 2002: Saab developed ReAxs System provides crisp steering feedback and contributes to enhanced driving stability in curves
  • 2003: Saab introduces CargoSET; automatic storage well retraction for the convertible, a two-step tonneau action for quicker soft-top deployment
  • 2008: Saab introduces Cross-wheel drive, an advanced all-wheel drive system with eLSD.

Safety

Safety has a high priority in the design of Saab cars. The cars are subjected to the Älgtest (elk test) as elk are a common cause of accidents in Sweden. Saab have compiled a database containing over 6,100 real-life accidents with Saabs. The first recorded event was in 1948 where Julian Shermis had an accident.[73]

All modern Saabs (except the 9000 and 9-2X) have a floor-mounted ignition. This is for many reasons, some of which follow:[citation needed] Saab believes this is a safer position in case of an accident. The driver's knee often jerks upward in a collision; the compact and dense ignition module on the steering column of many other cars has shattered many kneecaps. Saabs have bolstered dashboards for both front seat occupants. Also, the floor-mounted position yields more space, allowing modern Saabs to have a metal bar that rotates over and up into the ignition when the key is turned to the "Lock" position. This makes Saabs very challenging to hotwire. Ergonomically, the ignition's location next to the parking brake lever, gearshift, and seatbelt, saves time. Last of all, the ignition is located on the floor because, in the aircraft that inspired Saab automobiles, the throttle controls were all located on the floor. Originally Saabs also had the key located on the right side of the steering column, but when they changed from a column shifter to a floor shifter, the ignition key followed along, except in the Sonett III and 9000.

Endurance records

In October 1986 the Saab Long Run took place. Three standard Saab 9000 Turbos set 2 world records and 21 international records at the Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Alabama, USA. 100,000 km (62,137 miles) were covered with an average speed of 213.299 km/h (132.537 mph) and 50,000 miles (80,467 km) with an average speed of 213.686 km/h (132.778 mph).

Ten years later, in 1996, three standard Saab 900 (NG) Turbos driven by factory test drivers and two standard naturally aspirated Saab 900s driven by journalists set new world records on the same speedway.

In early December 2006, a Wisconsin traveling salesman donated his 1989 Saab 900 SPG (Special Performance Group) to the Wisconsin Automotive Museum after amassing 1,001,385 miles (1,611,573 km) on the original factory engine. This mileage was verified by Saab.[74]

Marketing and ownership

Saab Performance Team at Linköping, in 1997 (Saab 91 Safirs in background)

Dating back to 1937, Svenska Aeroplan AB (SAAB) created airplanes, introducing their first car, the Saab 92001, in 1947. Currently, Saab AB is separate from Saab Automobile (which is owned by Swedish Automobile, formerly Spyker Cars), and is probably best known for its Saab 37 Viggen (the Viggen badge would be shared by a 9-3). This has led to a ad campaign, "Born From Jets", evoking the days when Saab produced both aircraft and automobiles. Saab is imported into many countries. Each company has a president to the subsidiary or importer. In the case of the U.S., the first president was Mr. R. Millet.

In 1987, Saab created a TV advertisement called "Saab suite" (subtitled Ballet in 3 acts for 8 Saab 9000 Turbos). In the film, stunt drivers show incredible driving with stock cars, such as one-wheeled burnouts, bumper-to-bumper driving through a slalom, cars slaloming from opposite directions on the same course, two-wheel driving, sliding in full speed, and jumping over passing cars—all on a closed airport runway with classical music playing in the background. Click Here to view the video.

To commemorate its 40th anniversary, Saab formed a Performance Team in 1987, which laid on exhibitions of automobile acrobatics and formation driving. Initially this was done with Saab 9000s, as above, then later models, such as the Saab 900 (NG) were used. All of the team's members have previously competed in rallies, but what's unusual is that all 5 Performance Team members hold regular jobs at Saab: there are two engineers, a quality controller, a technician and the head of Saab's photo studio. The picture shows these vehicles on display at the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of the Saab Aircraft Company, at Linköping, in 1997. Click here to view one of their videos

A Hewlett-Packard CPU-support chip features a Saab 900 Turbo 16 Cabriolet etched into its structure.[75]

Ownership and brand loyalty

As the brand has an unusual image in most markets, Saab owners tend to be correspondingly offbeat: intellectuals and enthusiasts.[76][77] In his studies of brand communities, Albert Muniz, professor of marketing at DePaul University in Chicago, found significant characteristics of Saab owners which he called Snaabery.[78] These included ownership of an original, pre-GM Saab; camaraderie with other Saab drivers and contempt for other brands such as BMW. Writer John Crace characterised the typical "Snaab" as a creative advertising executive with large spectacles and an asymmetric hairstyle.[79] Rüdiger Hossiep, a psychologist at Ruhr University Bochum, found that Saab drivers have the highest level of psychological involvement with their cars, being over 10 times more passionate than the average Volkswagen driver.[78] Saab's main three markets are Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States.[79]

Slogans

Saab Troll Sticker
Saab Made in Trollhattan by Trolls sticker, 1970s
  • Built by Trolls in Trollhatan (Decal - 1960s/70s Works 96 Rally Cars - side windows)[80]
  • Go Swift - Go Safe - Go Saab (Advertisement Page - 1970s FIA Year Book)[81]
  • The most intelligent cars ever built. (1980s)[82]
  • Find your own road. (1990s)[83]
  • Welcome to the State of Independence (early 2000s; United States)[83]
  • Born From Jets. (2007–09; United States, Canada)[83]
  • Move Your Mind. (Current Global Slogan)[citation needed]
  • People Who Test Drive a SAAB, Usually Buy One[83]
  • We don’t make compromises. We make Saabs.[83]
  • Saab. It's what a car should be.[83]
  • The Command Performance Car.[83]
  • The Well-Built Swede[84]

Literature and the arts

The Saab 900 Turbo was James Bond's vehicle of choice in many of the John Gardner Bond novels of the 1980s, beginning with Licence Renewed. In the second novel, For Special Services, the 900 was dubbed the "Silver Beast".[85] The car is Bond's private vehicle that he had outfitted with various gadgets by the real-life company Communication Control Systems, Ltd. (CCS). In conjunction with the release of Licence Renewed, Saab had a real "Silver Beast" created that was virtually identical to the specifications in the book. The car is currently located at the Saab Museum in Trollhättan, Sweden.

In an essay originally published in In These Times in November, 2004 entitled [http://www.inthesetimes.com/site/main/article/1726/ Have I Got A Car For You, writer Kurt Vonnegut recounts his experiences as the owner/operator of a Saab dealership in West Barnstable, Massachusetts and humorously claims that his criticism of Swedish engineering is the reason he was never awarded a Nobel Prize in Literature. The essay also appeared in the 2005 anthology A Man Without A Country.

See also

References

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