Saab News

[SaabWorld]

Filed under: Saab, Spyker

Eduard Gray's Saab 92010 Sixten concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Saab has already talked up its hopes for entering the forthcoming 9-2 in a future installment of the World Rally Championship. But before it can, the 9-2 needs to exist. And before that can happen, Automotive News reports that Saab needs the technology and money from a partner automaker. A recent rumor surfaced that Saab was talking to BMW about building the 9-2 on the Mini chassis. At the same time, another rumor came to light that Saab was discussing using Mini engines for the next 9-3.

Now word has it that Spyker's Victor Muller is in talks with three companies about getting the help necessary to build the 9-2. Muller hasn't disclosed the companies' names, but we assume one of them is BMW. The hook is that the cost of the 9-2 wasn't included in the turnaround plan, so Saab needs its chosen partner to injects some cash as well. The model has yet to be officially confirmed, of course, so at this point, it isn't even clear that a teardrop Saab will get off the ground at all.


Gallery: Saab 92010 Sixten Concept by Eduard Gray



[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]Report: Muller in talks with three automakers about Saab 9-2 revival originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.



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[nordwulf]

http://www.arvato.co.uk/media_centre...ews.php?id=463

London, 23 August 2010 - Saab Automobile ("Saab") has appointed arvato, a leading provider of customer relationship management (CRM) services, to design and manage a new UK-based multi-lingual customer contact solution, consolidating activities from seven European countries from 23rd August.

Designed to improve customer experience and reduce costs, the new strategy encompasses Saab's sales, marketing, loyalty and customer service activities. Campaigns will use multiple channels, including SMS, internet, voice and email, and will focus on existing customers and prospects, as well as Saab's 600-strong dealer network across Europe.

Activities were previously managed separately, with customer service centralised and marketing programmes managed by local partners in each European location. In a consolidated approach, the UK solution will now be delivered by an arvato team operating from Saab's UK headquarters in Cranfield, with non-UK activity co-ordinated by a new multi-lingual European Customer Interaction Centre established at arvato's site in Twickenham, London.

Niclas Medin, Head of Customer Interaction Centre Operation, Saab Global Sales and Brand Operationals, said: 'Our strategic partnership with arvato is critical to improving our customer experience across Europe. Through this new approach, we aim to improve customer satisfaction while also reducing our costs by up to 30 per cent.'

'Key to this strategy is harnessing the power of the data from the contact centres to inform our sales and marketing activity, enabling us to build long-term relationships with our customers.'

He added: 'arvato's credentials in the automotive sector, international footprint and best practice approach were key factors in our decision. arvato has demonstrated the capabilities and flexibility to help us truly innovate our contact strategy and take Saab customer service to the next level. This partnership is about setting a new benchmark for the Saab brand.'

Mark Brown, Managing Director of Arvato's CRM and loyalty services business, said: 'Saab enjoys an iconic status in multiple European markets and is committed to building on the brand's presence.'

'Our solution has been developed in partnership with Saab to provide a more consistent, coordinated and compelling customer experience to capitalise on new product launches and sales efforts.'

He added: 'A growing number of international brands like Saab are consolidating their customer contact activities through a single solution to improve customer satisfaction, proactive revenue generation and realise significant cost savings.'

[SaabWorld]

Saab Automobile and American Axle Manufacturing (AAM) today announced the formation of a jointly-owned company for the engineering, development and marketing of innovative electric all-wheel drive systems, as well as electric and hybrid driveline systems. The new company, called e-AAM Driveline Systems, will be based in Trollhättan. The joint venture will commence operations on October 1.

e-AAM will develop and market an innovative electric all-wheel drive system in a full service package. This electric all-wheel drive system can be easily integrated into existing platforms, minimizing vehicle architecture changes. Saab will become a client of e-AAM Driveline Systems, purchasing components to be used in next-generation Saab vehicles from 2012. The new company will also market its expertise and advanced products to other car manufacturers on a global basis.

Announcing the formation of e-AAM Driveline Systems, Saab Automobile CEO Jan Åke Jonsson said: “For Saab, the announcement of this partnership is a major step towards a successful future as an independent company. Saab is currently class-leading with its innovative Cross Wheel Drive system (XWD). The new electric all-wheel drive system will secure a leadership position in its next generation Saabs. This joint venture will bring together Saab’s world-class vehicle engineering expertise and AAM’s extensive engineering, production and marketing capabilities, which leads to a powerful combination.”

Richard E. Dauch, CEO, Chairman and co-founder of American Axle Manufacturing, said: “AAM is pleased to be launching this exciting new business opportunity with Saab. e-AAM will leverage the outstanding competencies of both our companies in the development of state-of-the-art electric and hybrid driveline systems needed by global OEMs to improve the fuel efficiency, ride and handling performance and overall capability of their products. The new and innovative products to be engineered by e-AAM, as well as the new customers to be served by this joint venture, solidly support AAM's strategic initiative to expand and diversify our business.”

Source: Saab September 24, 2010

[SaabWorld]

The dynamic business acumen of Saab Automobile Chairman Victor Muller was recognized last night when he received an Entrepreneur of the Year award at the 2010 Eurostars Awards ceremony in Paris, staged by trade publication Automotive News Europe. This award was specially created to acknowledge Muller’s outstanding achievements.

The Dutch businessman showed extraordinary tenacity during protracted negotiations to purchase Saab Automobile from General Motors, working closely with Saab’s executive leadership team. The future of Saab Automobile was eventually secured when its takeover by Muller’s company, Spyker Cars NV, was confirmed on February 23.

“I feel incredibly honoured and proud to receive this award,” said Muller, as he was presented with the accolade. “However, this is not just for me, but for all the Saab employees and Saab’s excellent management headed by Jan Åke Jonsson, who have shown tremendous commitment and dedication during a challenging but exciting period in the company’s history.

“Saab has already achieved a great deal in a short space of time. We have strengthened our global organization, successfully launched a new flagship model, forged exciting new business partnerships and ramped up the development of future products and technologies.

“Over the next 12 months Saab will launch two more premium cars, in addition to the new 9-5 sedan, and will enter at least one new market segment. These vehicles will be engineered and designed as true Saabs. All this activity shows Saab is firmly on track to deliver on its business plan.”

[nordwulf]

[FONT=Verdana]Automotive News -- [/FONT] September 29, 2010 - 10:21 pm ET

PARIS -- Saab Automobile CEO Jan Ake Jonsson says it will take longer than anticipated to gain the hearts, minds and eventually the wallets of U.S. car buyers. The automaker has reduced its U.S. sales target this year by at least 33 percent to below 10,000 units. “The U.S. is a huge country,” Jonsson said. “There are many areas where they still believe we are gone. It will take time.”

The redesigned 9-5 sedan arrived in the United States in late August, a month later than originally planned, hurting sales, and 2011 Saab 9-3 models will not reach dealers until mid-October. In June, Saab predicted 15,000 cars would be sold this year in the United States.

“We are estimating sales at slightly under 10,000,” Jonsson said Wednesday in an interview aboard a plane en route from Sweden to the Paris auto show. Global sales are expected at about 48,000 this year, down from a range of 50,000 to 55,000 forecast in June. Jonsson estimates Saab will sell 80,000 vehicles globally next year, of which 16,000 to 20,000 will be in the United States.

August U.S. sales were dismal, with only 290 vehicles sold nationally. For the eight-month period through August, Saab sold 7,942 vehicles. That includes 6,444 under its previous owner, General Motors Co., and it current owner, Spyker Cars N.V.

New incentives

After months of delays and uncertainty over whether the brand would survive GM's restructuring, Spyker completed the purchase of Saab from GM in February. Jonsson said sales were considerably better in September. He did not reveal details. Saab offered three separate incentive programs in September to woo buyers. They included a $2,000 loyality incentive, $3,500 to $5,000 in customer cash, and a conquest program offering $1,000 to customers new to Saab. The conquest program targets Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Infiniti, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo owners.

“Having all these tools in place is resulting in the great month we are having nationally,” said Fred Shaw, owner of Fred Shaw Saab in Norwell, Mass. “We are on a roll.” Shaw did not provide any national sales numbers. He is a member of Saab's national marketing and advertising council. Saab will expand its model lineup next year with the addition of the 2012 9-4X crossover in April and the 9-5 wagon later in the year. The 9-4X shares a platform and mechanicals with the Cadillac SRX.

“I hope that when we are at the point to deliver the 9-4X that awareness is significantly higher,” Jonsson said. “That people, really at that time, judge that Saab is here to stay and they can rely upon Saab being a player in the future. “But I think it will take until the middle of 2011 in the U.S. until we really see that people are really comfortable” with Saab.

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dl...100929802/1130

An employee prepares the Saab Automobile AB stand prior to the start of the Paris auto show on Wednesday

[SaabWorld]

Saab Automobile today announced an important next step on the road towards becoming a successful independent company by posting strong sales on its Swedish home market. Saab Sweden’s sales registrations in September amounted to 1,022 vehicles, representing a +106% increase compared to the same month in 2009, and were the highest for a single month since 2008. After September, Swedish sales for the first nine months of the year surpassed last year’s figure for the same period.

This strong sales performance reflects an excellent response to the all new Saab 9-5 sedan from consumers and media alike and indicates Saab’s resurgence in both the private and the corporate sectors in Sweden. Model year improvements for the 9-3 range, including diesel engines with CO2 emissions of just 119 g/km, are also driving customer orders at the highest pace for Saab Sweden since 2008 and fuelling continued good registration numbers for October and November.

Magnus Hansson, Regional Director Saab Sweden & Nordic at Saab Automobile, said: “These figures prove that Saab continues to gain traction in the market place of our important home market. As one of Saab’s three largest markets, Sweden is extremely important for the success of Saab overall and together with our dealers we will continue our efforts to promote the new 9-5 and 9-3 updates. Behind our brand and all product news we are confident that Swedish consumers will respond well and that we will build on this good sales momentum for Saab in Sweden. ”

Jan Åke Jonsson, CEO of Saab Automobile, added: “Saab continues to deliver on its business plan, and we expect our sales to increase still further as we continue to bring new cars and updates to the market. With the recent enhancements to our current range combined with the introduction of new cars in the near future, we fully expect Saab Sweden to build on this success over the coming months.”

http://newsroom.saab.com/news/news/s...iftoffinsweden

[nordwulf]

There are quite a few minor news items or just interesting bits of information about Saab that don't really need their own thread. Perhaps one general thread will be easier to follow and discuss? If you find anything worthwhile to share, please post it here.

[nordwulf]

Watch your Saab being built online

14 October 2010

• Saab plans cameras in factory from 2011
• Customers will also be able to collect from Sweden
• Saab refocus on bespoke cars after GM ownership

Saab buyers will be able to watch their cars being built online – and then collect them from the company's Trollhattan factory in Sweden. Saab wants to put more focus on the customer experience now it is no longer owned by General Motors (GM), and plans to start installing cameras on the production line from next year.

Initially, buyers might get a text message and image showing them significant parts of the production process, such as the marriage of drivetrain and body, but Saab’s global product manager Christopher McKinnon said live feeds could eventually be used.

McKinnon said customers will also be able to collect their cars from the factory next year. The personal attention to detail will rely on a shift to building cars to order, rather than building them first and then looking for buyers as Saab did under GM, something that McKinnon is keen to see happen.

http://www.whatcar.com/car-news/watc..._campaign=news

[SaabWorld]

Filed under: Car Buying, Plants/Manufacturing, Saab



Thinking of buying a 2011 Saab? If so, you'll soon have the ability to watch it come together before your eyes; Saab is installing cameras in its Trollhättan factory. Customers will receive text messages with photos of their cars as they reach certain points in the assembly line. Eventually, Saab plans to add a real-time video feed of the cars being built. This sounds way more interesting than most reality television shows.

In addition to the cameras going in, Saab will soon offer customers the opportunity to take delivery of their cars right from the factory. The automaker says it is moving back towards building cars with a more personal touch, by manufacturing cars to order rather than churning out a steady stream of vehicles.

[Source: What Car]Report: Saab to let buyers watch their cars get built online originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 16 Oct 2010 12:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.



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[nordwulf]

• Saab GB is based at a new headquarters in Cranfield, Bedford
• The UK is Saab's largest European market outside Sweden
• Saab is currently reinventing itself

Saab’s UK arm is celebrating its 50th anniversary this week with increasing sales and a high level of expectations, as the Swedish automotive producer is entering a new era.

Saab Great Britain was founded 50 years ago to import and distribute Saab vehicles as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Saab-Scania group. Now, the division represents the company on a market which has become Saab’s largest in Europe outside Sweden.

Saab GB is based at a new headquarters in Cranfield, Bedfordshire and is enjoying growing sales, as last month over 1,200 Saab cars were sold in the country, a figure that can be translated into a year-on-year increase of 11 percent.

“These are very exciting times for Saab,” said Jonathan Nash, Saab Great Britain’s Managing Director. “We have new products entering the market and new owners who are committed to the spirit of independent and innovative thinking on which our brand has been built.”

“Our 50th birthday coincides with a strong increase in UK sales as confidence returns among our customers and dealers following the successful purchase of Saab Automobile. The company has a fully-funded business plan in place and we are looking forward to the next 50 years with as much enthusiasm as we are celebrating this historic milestone for Saab GB,” the executive added.

Saab is now busy reinventing its model range. The company has already presented the new 9-5 and introduced a new engine range for the 9-3 line-up and is preparing to offer the 9-4X crossover next year.

In addition to that, the company is establishing new business partnerships. We’ll remind you that BMW will supply engines for the Swedish carmaker and American Axle Manufacturing will provide advanced driveline transmission systems for future Saab electric vehicles.