Pre-travel snippets
Two hours and fifty minutes until I arrive at the airport - and counting…..
——
For emails over the next week, please send to swade99-at-gmail.com as I’m more likely to read them there while I’m away.
——
I had a great chat last night with another Saab enthusiast, though this guy’s a little different as he’s one with a design background. He doesn’t work with cars, but design language is design language, and being a Saab enthusiast means that he’s got a good grip on Saab design, so his thoughts on the 9-4x were most interesting.
I’ll hopefully bring more of the conversation later, but my impression after that conversation is that whilst this vehicle will likely appeal to a generic SUV crowd, there’s a number of things from a Saab design standpoint that are slightly worrying for the future.
Want a quick and easy example?
Take a look at the Saab 9-4x concept from side on and note the number of horizontal lines.
——
Saab sales in 2007, on a global level, were the second-lowest in number so far this decade. Saab sold 125,015 in 2007, and this was despite SaabUSA spending the most on incentives in Saab’s largest market.
They spent nearly 20% of the car’s sticker price on incentives in December.
Despite the drop in worldwide sales, CEO Jan Åke Jonsson remained optimistic, claiming that the company never expected to reach the record heights of 2006.
“Our order books look good coming into 2008. We are hoping for at least the same level as 2007,” he told TT.
I’m not sure that hoping to match the second-worst year this decade can be classed as ‘optimistic’.
——
I’m saving Saab around $4,500 this week.
When I received my itinerary a few weeks ago I was perusing it, wincing at the long flight times, when I noticed that they had me booked in Business Class!! My eyes nearly popped out of my head at the price, which was well over $8,000!
I figured it must have been a mistake, so I emailed Saab Oz (they did the arrangements) pointing out what could only have been an error and said something like “I’m just happy to be going and will be fine with flying econcomy”. For a laugh, I added “If you really want to spend some money I’ve got a long list of Viggen parts you could send me”.
I got a revised itinerary in response, but the parts are yet to materialise 
——
First stop is LA, where Gripen and I will be going up to Bob Sinclair’s place to say Hi and have a chat.
Should be awesome. Then on to dinner with some Saab guys there.
——
Dinner plans in Detroit have been shifted to lunch on Saturday 12th.
If anyone’s interested in joining us, it’ll be a small affair, then let me know.
——
Two hours and twenty minutes until I arrive at the airport - and counting.
I better go and pack!
More from this category
- Automotive Rites of Passage
- Friday Snippets (well, it’ll be Saturday when you read them)
- Thursday Snippets - rumours of my demise have been greatly exaggerated, for now…
- In defence of the Pontiac Aztek, and other Snippety things
More from this author
- Automotive Rites of Passage
- Friday Snippets (well, it’ll be Saturday when you read them)
- Edmunds provide puzzling Saab Turbo X road test
- Thursday Snippets - rumours of my demise have been greatly exaggerated, for now…
Subscribe to this author
Recent Comments
- zippy on EnG Weekend Snippets
- Andy Rupert on Automotive Rites of Passage
- eggsngrits on In defence of the Pontiac Aztek, and other Snippety things
- eggsngrits on Automotive Rites of Passage
- SaabLance on Edmunds provide puzzling Saab Turbo X road test
- Jeff on Friday Snippets (well, it’ll be Saturday when you read them)
- No.9 on Friday Snippets (well, it’ll be Saturday when you read them)
- James on Automotive Rites of Passage
- BrianL on Friday Snippets (well, it’ll be Saturday when you read them)
- eggsngrits on EnG Weekend Snippets
Swade… Mate! Are you kidding!? All journos are flown business class by the automakers, it’s part of their image-making! What were you thinking turning that down!?
Well, what’s more interesting: plastic-wraped political-correct junk food in Business Class, or new bumpers for the Viggen?
I agree with Kroum: while you’re trying to do the right thing in saving Saab Oz some money, it’s part of their marketing budget, I’m sure, and is just a drop in the bucket. They wouldn’t be sending you if they didn’t think they’d get equal or greater income as the result of your coverage. They’re not a charity.
It’s too late now, but if you’d flown business class on the 13-1/2 hour flight between Sydney and L.A. you might be a bit more refreshed and not as jet-lagged, it being easier to sleep on the plane and all.
Oh well, I guess I’ll see you in a while!
…and please please
tell us more about that conversation about Saab’s design!!!
It should helps us understand some of those blury bad feelings we have about the 9-4x, but can’t really explain why…
The other interesting question is…perhaps you were seated next to someone else in business class on purpose….
Even if you weren’t, that’s another great thing about business class, it’s a great place for networking. You never know.
Exactly right on the side view. It looks like the Ford Edge from the side. I like how the greenhouse squeezes toward the back but I think they missed on the execution of the trademark check mark shape. I think it doesn’t convey the sweeping motion it did on previous models.
yeah, i’m looking forward to hearing more about the design conversation.
Maybe CUVs and SUVs are not quite what we expect from SAAB, but looking at that side view reminded me of the 9X concept car. That’s not a bad memory in my book.
Swade,
just a tip if you read this in time. When you check in - just ask if there are any free seats in business. If you’re lucky, polite etc…they may upgrade you FOC. FOr this length of flight, the overall difference in physical effect on you is worth it.
Nonetheless, I think you made a nice gesture and it may come back to you sometime as well. Possibly not as Viggen parts though.
PS.
The trip sounds great as does the design discussion. The 94x has yet to gel for me - although the profile is probably its best angle so far. There’s a bit too much Jeep/Dodge in it for my liking and thats due to the straight lines I guess.
Judegment reserved.
Bon Voyage!
Swade, you “need your bumps feeling” turning down business class! Have a great trip!!
have a great time over here. and i hope at some point you get a chance to come out east. lots of crazed saab fanatics in the northeast, and crazed in a good way.
Swade, have a safe flight.
On a side note, we are still waiting on the 9-3 crossover…. right?
I think that we have to be reasonable. The 2 models most resently introduced are the 9-7 and the 9-2, and this is plenty better. I agree with many of you that the car is similar to both the ford edge, maybe the tribeca, and crossovers from nissan/infinity etc, but maybe that is a good thing? Maybe that will make the car sell - and the interior is unique.
Look at the new MB CUV. IN my humble opinion it looks like a younger sibling to the gelande wagen, which I do not think will sell very much.
Its just to accept, first you have to sell alot to be able to produce exciting stuff, and hopefully that road have just started.
Further proof that honesty pays…
Have a nice flight.
Looking forward towards your further 9-4X-posts.
Have a lovely flight, Swade. Have we mentioned how much we all appreciate you doing this?
How the hell is a bloke your size going to survive economy crass!
Turning down a Business Class- man- you have been smelling too much Saab!
Suggest you get Saab to bump you back up for the retunr trip!
Rgds and have a great time Swade
Swade,
While you are in the states you might as well try a 9-7X Aero. Then you can say you have driven the most powerful Saab there is (so far
We have a couple at our dealership if you want to make a looooong loop to South Central PA.
For those keeping track, I am leaving tomorrow morning (Friday a.m. here in the US), to drive to Detroit for the show.
“For those keeping track, I am leaving tomorrow morning (Friday a.m. here in the US), to drive to Detroit for the show.”
See ya Saturday!
Have a great trip Swade…I wish I could make the trip over from Boston to say hello!
Is the Detroit meeting this Saturday or next? I might be able to make it.
Does it feel quiet to you?
I think a USA clock should have been added.
This Saturday. Lunch at 12.
E-mail me for the location.
greg@gregabbott.org
Robin, your right it is a bit quiet.
hmmm, it’s been more than 12 hours. Surely there’s at least some news that Swade has safely arrive in USA
It’s currently 730pm here in southern California. Swade and Gripen should be sitting down to a Mexican food dinner with some guys from the SoCal Saab Club right about now…
So he has not been detained by the C.B.P at LAX?