SaabWorld - Forum - New Salem Saab dealer in the US closes its doors after 50 years

There are hardly any words for news like this. Many of us weren't even born in 1961 and 50 years is a very long time for an independent Saab dealer to be in business. While I have never been at their dealership, they were a sponsor of many Saab events and actively supported the Saab community. August 12 will be a sad day in the history of Saab in the United States.

Exterior of New Salem SAAB on Central Ave. in Colonie Friday Aug. 5, 2011. (John Carl D'Annibale / Times Union)

From their website:

In 2011 Fred Carl’s New Salem Garage d/b/a New Salem Saab hit a huge milestone that very few other Saab Dealer’s in the Country can match. New Salem Saab celebrates its 50^th year as a Saab dealer, which is a monumental accomplishment and we are very proud to have achieved this mark.

However, I write you today with troubling news. On August 12, 2011, Fred Carl’s New Salem Garage, Inc. d/b/a New Salem Saab will be forced to close its doors forever. In the past four years the Saab Franchise has been experiencing the most challenging period of time since their inception and introduction in 1947, which troubles continue to this very day. This fact has dramatically altered the ability of our exclusive Saab dealership to sustain a profit since 2008 when the financial, housing and automotive industries collapsed.

As a result and by no fault of my dealership, or its personnel, the unthinkable is about to occur; we must close. We are beside ourselves in disappointment and frustration. As all of you know, my team has feverishly tried to reduce expenses and the size of our operation and its business plan for the last several years. Although this allowed us some additional time, the continual disruptions of the Saab brand and its operational difficulties put us at a disadvantage that is uncorrectable with Saab’s current state of affairs. We are sorry and saddened to express this news to you.

The Carl family truly appreciates your friendship and business over the years. We have successfully maintained your Saab for your family for a very long time. We still love the Saab brand and would like nothing more for them to recover from their difficulties and continue to grow; Saab is still a Swedish wonder. Although we have lost our personal battle, we will continue to cheer and support the brand in hopes Saab’s resurgence is long, strong and soon.

Every great book has an ending. This is ours. Neither by intention nor plan was this the ending I had envisioned. There is not much I would have done differently if I had to do it all over again. The knowledge and experience I have gained over the last 20 years and especially the last 5 will serve me well in the future. For this experience and knowledge will again be applied to our personal future endeavors. We hope to see you all in the community in the very near future.

Sincerely and truly yours,

Darryl F. Carl
President
New Salem Saab *** 1961-2011 ***

Article on timesunion.com:

New Salem Saab officials decided they could wait no longer for a corporate turnaround.

"My team has feverishly tried to reduce expenses and the size of our operation," Carl said. "Although this allowed us some additional time, the continual disruptions of the Saab brand and its operational difficulties put us at a disadvantage that is uncorrectable."

The shutdown of the dealership -- which opened in New Salem and passed through locations in Slingerlands and Halfmoon before settling in Colonie in 2007 -- leaves the region with one Saab outlet: North Country Imports in Queensbury. It also does little to assure Saab fans that the brand they love is on the upswing.

Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/business/a...#ixzz1UGUtdwKD

Please continue reading in the forum thread for more pictures and heritage information about New Salem Saab: link