Comments on: Project Cheetah – Your say…… http://inside.saab.com/project-cheetah-your-say/ Lorum Ipsum tagline Tue, 27 Dec 2011 02:03:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.1 By: Anonymous http://inside.saab.com/project-cheetah-your-say/#comment-4150 Anonymous Tue, 04 Oct 2011 14:07:00 +0000 http://inside.saab.com/?p=3178#comment-4150 What about volunteering work? There is a lot of talent and knowledge in the community, and maybe people would be willing to do some work for Saab. E.g., I am a patent attorney and could fancy devoting some time (maybe 15 debitable hours per year) working on Saab patents without charging. What about volunteering work? There is a lot of talent and knowledge in the community, and maybe people would be willing to do some work for Saab. E.g., I am a patent attorney and could fancy devoting some time (maybe 15 debitable hours per year) working on Saab patents without charging.

]]> By: Anonymous http://inside.saab.com/project-cheetah-your-say/#comment-4149 Anonymous Tue, 04 Oct 2011 14:02:00 +0000 http://inside.saab.com/?p=3178#comment-4149 Well, I bought my 9-3 I for its transportation qualities, big trunk, tailgate decent rear seat space, 1600 kg towing mass. According to your assumption, I should look somewhere else then? Well, I bought my 9-3 I for its transportation qualities, big trunk, tailgate decent rear seat space, 1600 kg towing mass. According to your assumption, I should look somewhere else then?

]]> By: Anonymous http://inside.saab.com/project-cheetah-your-say/#comment-4145 Anonymous Tue, 04 Oct 2011 10:47:00 +0000 http://inside.saab.com/?p=3178#comment-4145 If that saves cost for Saab: relaxe the brand image measures at the dealerships. There is no sense in corporate identity in this. No more printed broschures. If a customer insists, print it on a colour laser at the dealership. Ah, and save the money on adverting firms doing this. I strongly believe that if Saab's engineers wrote the broschures, they would be much more authentic, more informative and more honest. Directly and bidirectionally connect the plant with the customers, sending out information via email (including safety advisories for particular models) and receiving feedback from the customers, e.g through email adresses like powertrain@saab.com etc. Do you use electronic ballasts for the fluoscent lamps? Consider those; there are even some avaiable as adapters for T8 sockets to receive the improved T5 lamps. Thyl Engelhardt If that saves cost for Saab: relaxe the brand image measures at the dealerships. There is no sense in corporate identity in this.
No more printed broschures. If a customer insists, print it on a colour laser at the dealership.
Ah, and save the money on adverting firms doing this. I strongly believe that if Saab’s engineers wrote the broschures, they would be much more authentic, more informative and more honest.

Directly and bidirectionally connect the plant with the customers, sending out information via email (including safety advisories for particular models) and receiving feedback from the customers, e.g through email adresses like powertrain@saab.com etc.

Do you use electronic ballasts for the fluoscent lamps? Consider those; there are even some avaiable as adapters for T8 sockets to receive the improved T5 lamps.
Thyl Engelhardt

]]> By: Norm Stern http://inside.saab.com/project-cheetah-your-say/#comment-4032 Norm Stern Wed, 28 Sep 2011 03:50:00 +0000 http://inside.saab.com/?p=3178#comment-4032 I believe the same cool, conscious design that enthralled early MAC fans is true too o SAAB fans; engineering. If APPLE were to attach itself, as co-owner and co-developers of a new vehicle; a consummate interactive 'green' vehicle. A modified onstar/google embracing iCAR would rock the world - and gain enough $$ momentum in Year One china sales to get other markets up to speed and meet production quotas and profit targets. If Steve Jobs were to bless this vision.....WIN - WIN - WIN I believe the same cool, conscious design that enthralled early MAC fans is true too o SAAB fans; engineering. If APPLE were to attach itself, as co-owner and co-developers of a new vehicle; a consummate interactive ‘green’ vehicle. A modified onstar/google embracing iCAR would rock the world – and gain enough $$ momentum in Year One china sales to get other markets up to speed and meet production quotas and profit targets. If Steve Jobs were to bless this vision…..WIN – WIN – WIN

]]> By: Manvendra Kumar http://inside.saab.com/project-cheetah-your-say/#comment-4029 Manvendra Kumar Wed, 28 Sep 2011 03:25:00 +0000 http://inside.saab.com/?p=3178#comment-4029 Hi Swade, This is indeed a great initiative and a step reflecting everyone's willingness to save this brand. I own 2004 Saab 9-3 and resides in IL, USA and like everyone here love Saab. One thing that I have witnessed constantly during last 4+ year of ownership of Saab is concern about the awareness about this brand among supplier group in IL, USA (if not entire USA). Stores like Pepboys and Autozone etc don't know what components/parts are for Saab. Saab do share some parts from GM and what comes more of a surprise that they are not even aware that Saab was ever owned by GM. Being competitive requires creating and maintaining appropriate awareness across entire supply chain and I feel that is lacking. I know Saab is unique and Saab cannot be a Saab without its uniqueness but one thing that can be done is building quality local spare part market. Any such initiative can add value in numerous ways: a) Creating and building awareness in local market that Saab drastically lack. b) Reducing spare part cost, thus, lowering maintenance cost and making Saab a more attractive buy. c) Helping global economy by providing entrepreneurial opportunities. This is just a thought not quite sure how viable it is given the financial condition of Saab. Hi Swade, This is indeed a great initiative and a step reflecting everyone’s willingness to save this brand. I own 2004 Saab 9-3 and resides in IL, USA and like everyone here love Saab. One thing that I have witnessed constantly during last 4+ year of ownership of Saab is concern about the awareness about this brand among supplier group in IL, USA (if not entire USA). Stores like Pepboys and Autozone etc don’t know what components/parts are for Saab. Saab do share some parts from GM and what comes more of a surprise that they are not even aware that Saab was ever owned by GM. Being competitive requires creating and maintaining appropriate awareness across entire supply chain and I feel that is lacking.

I know Saab is unique and Saab cannot be a Saab without its uniqueness but one thing that can be done is building quality local spare part market. Any such initiative can add value in numerous ways:
a) Creating and building awareness in local market that Saab drastically lack.
b) Reducing spare part cost, thus, lowering maintenance cost and making Saab a more attractive buy.
c) Helping global economy by providing entrepreneurial opportunities.

This is just a thought not quite sure how viable it is given the financial condition of Saab.

]]> By: Anonymous http://inside.saab.com/project-cheetah-your-say/#comment-4028 Anonymous Wed, 28 Sep 2011 02:50:00 +0000 http://inside.saab.com/?p=3178#comment-4028 I agree on the newsletter as a virtually free way to connect with clients. I believe that Saab is tops in the auto industry. When a client owns a Saab, do what noone else does, send a birthday card. What better way to breed brand loyality than to show Saab cares, next to quality.   As  far as the advertising fund as mentioned by Alyeska2112, It is very odd, but honestly I think there are plenty of saab lovers out there who would give, I would! If thought out and stayed on top of, could be a very good thing, post videos of those giving and the loyality of Saab clients, Sure to raise eyebrows and curiousity to take a test drive.  My other thought is that a Saab is a well crafted and quality vehicle and should demand the same type of representation from their dealers. The dealers should respond to every inquirery in a timley manner, associates trained about saab, quality, features etc. Another thing that worked for me in the past is when someone comes into the showroom offer coffee soda or water. You wouldnt believe how many smiles and wows you will get, sticking a good saab memory in their mind. Another is have a client appriciation day where saab owners are thanked and new models are available for viewing, inviting the owners to invite a friend to come too. Once people see and experience the Saab differance, things would take off like wildfire. People want to be appriciated, for a company to appriciate their clients is rare these days. Set yourself apart in the auto world. I know Saab is the best, now we must become effecient and show everyone what Saab is made of and that Saab is here to stay! I agree on the newsletter as a virtually free way to connect with clients. I believe that Saab is tops in the auto industry. When a client owns a Saab, do what noone else does, send a birthday card. What better way to breed brand loyality than to show Saab cares, next to quality. 
 As  far as the advertising fund as mentioned by Alyeska2112, It is very odd, but honestly I think there are plenty of saab lovers out there who would give, I would! If thought out and stayed on top of, could be a very good thing, post videos of those giving and the loyality of Saab clients, Sure to raise eyebrows and curiousity to take a test drive.
 My other thought is that a Saab is a well crafted and quality vehicle and should demand the same type of representation from their dealers. The dealers should respond to every inquirery in a timley manner, associates trained about saab, quality, features etc. Another thing that worked for me in the past is when someone comes into the showroom offer coffee soda or water. You wouldnt believe how many smiles and wows you will get, sticking a good saab memory in their mind. Another is have a client appriciation day where saab owners are thanked and new models are available for viewing, inviting the owners to invite a friend to come too. Once people see and experience the Saab differance, things would take off like wildfire. People want to be appriciated, for a company to appriciate their clients is rare these days. Set yourself apart in the auto world. I know Saab is the best, now we must become effecient and show everyone what Saab is made of and that Saab is here to stay!

]]> By: Joakim Nilsson http://inside.saab.com/project-cheetah-your-say/#comment-4014 Joakim Nilsson Tue, 27 Sep 2011 20:36:00 +0000 http://inside.saab.com/?p=3178#comment-4014 Another thought on cost cutting: 1) this blog is gold dust and the investment is close to zero 2) Nice looking marketing material is just that, nothing else 3) you're on to somthing here, something bigger than 20k photos from the French riviera, a community of net promoters > amplify our voice and curuate the content Another thought on cost cutting: 1) this blog is gold dust and the investment is close to zero 2) Nice looking marketing material is just that, nothing else 3) you’re on to somthing here, something bigger than 20k photos from the French riviera, a community of net promoters > amplify our voice and curuate the content

]]> By: Joakim Nilsson http://inside.saab.com/project-cheetah-your-say/#comment-4012 Joakim Nilsson Tue, 27 Sep 2011 20:31:00 +0000 http://inside.saab.com/?p=3178#comment-4012 Saab cars can be bought online only. Customers becomes retailers with their own affiliate code. Saab cars can be bought online only. Customers becomes retailers with their own affiliate code.

]]> By: R. Piereck http://inside.saab.com/project-cheetah-your-say/#comment-4005 R. Piereck Tue, 27 Sep 2011 19:33:00 +0000 http://inside.saab.com/?p=3178#comment-4005 Another one, bring SAAB to Brazil. I have been down in Rio for nearly two weeks now and I haven't seen one SAAB automobile yet. Nearly every European brand that matters is seling their cars here, the city is now flooded with mostly European brands. Sure, most cars are the cheap econo boxes made by PSA or FIAT, but there are still plenty of Volvo, Land Rover, BMW, Benz and Audi. Plenty of Brazilians can afford SAABs even with the stupidly high import taxes. Brazil is now the world's 4th largest car market, and has surpassed Germany (http://www.cnbc.com/id/44481705/World_s_10_Largest_Auto_Markets?slide=8), with an estimated 5% annual growth. Not selling in the largest markt South of the equator is a big loss for SAAB. Another one, bring SAAB to Brazil. I have been down in Rio for nearly two weeks now and I haven’t seen one SAAB automobile yet. Nearly every European brand that matters is seling their cars here, the city is now flooded with mostly European brands. Sure, most cars are the cheap econo boxes made by PSA or FIAT, but there are still plenty of Volvo, Land Rover, BMW, Benz and Audi. Plenty of Brazilians can afford SAABs even with the stupidly high import taxes.

Brazil is now the world’s 4th largest car market, and has surpassed Germany (http://www.cnbc.com/id/44481705/World_s_10_Largest_Auto_Markets?slide=8), with an estimated 5% annual growth. Not selling in the largest markt South of the equator is a big loss for SAAB.

]]> By: R. Piereck http://inside.saab.com/project-cheetah-your-say/#comment-4004 R. Piereck Tue, 27 Sep 2011 19:24:00 +0000 http://inside.saab.com/?p=3178#comment-4004 SAAB has always been a niche brand with a niche market. Stay with that, do not go after Audi, BMW and Benz. Strive to have the same quality as they do, but do not actively compete with them. Instead go for the hatchback and wagon market. Make it an enjoyable car to drive and own, with style, simplicity, utility and the SAAB quirkiness we all came to love. Stay true to what a SAAB really is. SAAB has always been a niche brand with a niche market. Stay with that, do not go after Audi, BMW and Benz. Strive to have the same quality as they do, but do not actively compete with them. Instead go for the hatchback and wagon market. Make it an enjoyable car to drive and own, with style, simplicity, utility and the SAAB quirkiness we all came to love. Stay true to what a SAAB really is.

]]>