Comments on: Saab staff driving Saabs

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 08:13:00 +0000

Sorry for the delay in replying Frank with regard to test drives and the disabled driver in the UK.
OK, if you only need an automatic gearbox and no further adaptions then you get a test drive like every able bodied customer. You turn up at the showroom and select which car you would like to drive.
IF however you need an adoption ie, hand controls, etc then you turn up at the showroom choice which vehicle you like and become a passenger in that vehicle.
Now, I know of no manufacturer that has a vehicle model that you as a disabled person can book to test drive, this I feel should change, even if its only one model.
I understand the vehicle manufacturers think its a waste of money BUT when Motability put one a Roadshow(normally two or three a year in different parts of the country) and lots of manufacturers put on stands to encourage disabled people to either lease or buy their vehicles you still only get maybe one vehicle you can test drive, two if your really lucky.
On the other hand you go to a national vehicle event and the able bodied may get a chance to drive lots of different vehicles, so much for a level playing field.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 00:13:00 +0000

This is a great idea. But it begs the question: why do “many of them have some down time at the moment”? I don’t know about Sweden, but here in the UK it would be pretty unusual for employees not to have in their contracts that they must perform “any other duties which the employers may from time to time require”.

If the production staff can’t make cars, why can’t they clean up the factory, or do maintenance works in the local community, or some charity work in Saab shirts? Or something else entirely of benefit to the company, or the community. It does seem mad to have them all being paid to do nothing!

By: Frank Ingster-Gonda

Frank Ingster-Gonda — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 22:38:00 +0000

Isn’t it so that pretty much all vehicles for de disabled are individually adapted because most disabilities are unique? How large a stock of adaptions would a dealership need to keep in order to facilitate a handicapped person? I quickly swept through some pages of UK Motability Scheme, but did not find any details pertaining to this. Does a disabled person have to give advanced notice for a test drive, and the dealership can borrow the appropriate adaptions from somewhere? Or does UK Motability take care of all this for the disabled? How does it work?

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 12:31:00 +0000

Swade, it looks like the Griffin has standard front bumper but Aero seats which is kind of interesting.
As the two have difference manual transmissions have you had the pleasure of trying them both and any opinions to share?

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 08:39:00 +0000

That red low emissions 9-3 is gorgeous inside and out. It’s a shame Saab wouldn’t be able to sell it out here in the States. And even if they could, it would only be in a few specific areas. It looks great, cost effective (depending where you live, I guess), and is better on the environment. Such a shame.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 02:15:00 +0000

Thanks JB & Peter,
JB you are correct that hand controls are normally fitted after you order your car as an adaption.
I just wish a car manufacturer would have one vehicle in the UK that was available for people like myself to drive, that would be a novelty.
IF all Saab employees get to drive Saabs for the next couple of weeks, I’ll have Swade’s job…NOW!!!!

JB your just a jammy personage… managing to get 9-5, so are you Peter.

I fancy the 9-5 Estate myself so my carer could load my wheelchair in the car without stripping it down every time,
But untill I win the lottery or Motability allow us to order Saab’s again I’ll just drool at ever Saab that passes my present Motability car….

By: Rémi B.

Rémi B. — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 19:24:00 +0000

I think I know this great Red 9-3 Griffin… In fact I have tested – and enjoyed – it very much this summer… I have made a couple of photos (no copyright!) and more to come

By: Peter

Peter — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 19:23:00 +0000

Martin Hi,

After donating my million mile SPG to the museum Saab contacted me about which model I wanted to be awarded. I was just recovering from knee surgery from a very bag head on crash.

The
2007 9-5 Combi was the perfect choice because of the egress and ingress. When I alight from the car, it is so easy to swing round in the seat and lever myself out of the car by placing my arms on the door opening. this takes all my weight off my legs. I also bought a BackJoy orthotic and now I can swivel on the drivers seat.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 16:13:00 +0000

I have to confess that I would be very curious to test-drive the 9-4 myself …

By: J B FLODMAN

J B FLODMAN — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 15:12:00 +0000

I`ve just looked at the Motability (GB) site and it is a fact that SAAB have disappeared from the list of manufacturers. I`m also sure this will be rectified once cars are rolling off the production line again. Fortunately, I got in in time and took delivery of my 9-5 Vector SE auto in September after a six-month wait.
I`m sorry you cannot get a test drive through any manufacturer because you need hand controls. I was under the impression that adaptations are only fitted after a vehicle has been ordered.
Is there any nation covered by SU where manufacturers do offer pre-adapted cars for test drives?
P.S. I ordered my 9-5 auto through Motability as I have only one leg.