To Saab (part 1) - What could have been
If there’s one thing I regret about resigning my post as a Saab blogger, it’s knowing what could have been with a resource like this. The internet is the new frontier as far as car research is concerned and whilst Saab think they have it covered by producing a microsite here and some fancy Flash graphics there, they couldn’t be further from the truth.
As it is, I’d confidently suggest that you’d need three figures to count the number of Saab sales that have been assisted by this website over the years. And Trollhattan Saab wasn’t even close to everything it could have been as a resource.
Let me pose an example of where Saab are going wrong on this whole thing. Do a google.com search for Saab Turbo X. Trollhattan Saab comes up fourth on that list. SaabUSA are the first official Saab domain and come in several places behind. Remove “Saab” from the search term and search only for Turbo X (which many people will do) and Trollhattan Saab comes in at #1.
In this internet age you need to own your critical search terms. You do that by getting in first and becoming the site that people read, the site that other sites link to. With the help of some insiders who believed in the mission of this website, Trollhattan Saab was able to do that. I think having Turbo X information come in a comprehensive, exciting manner from a passionate, enthusiast’s website has meant more to a lot of searchers than the saccharine standard writeups you’ll see from Motor Trend, Edmunds, or any of the other RWD-worshipping sites.
Trollhattan Saab covered this brand with honesty, with passion, and with an unwavering belief that the Saab philosophy was the right philosophy. The cars could get better but conceptually speaking, Saab has so much to offer. That was the message that I tried to bring on this website, day in and day out.
I wanted so much for Saab as a company to leverage that and support it and whilst they did support it to an extent, their support generally led to greater time pressure and in the case of my recent trip to Detroit, it led to worse coverage than I’d have otherwise prepared, not better.
Right now, whilst Saab have an official online presence that’s nice to look at and informative if you dig past the arty stuff, there’s little or no interaction there and for a brand that’s so reliant on a community of people, it seems like an incredible disservice.
I know that at some level they had discussed the notion of sponsoring or supporting this site in a tangible manner. When I asked about that in Detroit earlier this year the response was - as many of you think - that the site would lose credibility. I still maintain that that’s not necessarily the case (dependant on the editorial policies they’d insist on, of course) but the alternative is far worse.
What that means, of course, is that they were happy with the work that was being done on their behalf and were happy to have it continue. Well, I was in a position very close to burnout even back then and told the Saab rep I was speaking to that that was the case. And here we are. One of their voices is gone.
What Saab are left with, of course, is their own internet presence and one other lone voice writing in the English language in an interactive, blogging format. That voice is Saab History, which I personally find to be a passive, subservient and passionless voice. For a brand like Saab, that’s got to be just about the biggest crime you can commit in the publishing business. I’m not the greatest writer in the world but I can string a few sentences together in a manner that at least makes you think.
I’ve written before on the things that I think a well-backed brand-focused motoring website could do for its community. I believe in all of them. I think Saab will miss a tremendous opportunity in the next year or so if they don’t take some sort of action and start to “own” their community.
I’m knackered. I can’t do it. It’s up to them, now.
——
Note: This post has been edited to remove the personal nature of some of the later references. I stand by all of them, but realise after a few hours of sober thought that they’re not part of the legacy I want left here.
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mmm, if they can’t get their flagship vehicle delivered correctly, what hope do we have of asking them to support the one thing they can get right?? It’s only a matter of some cash, no management required.
Bit of a no brainer I’d say.
If I had a passionate user of our software out there, spending countless hours researching and reporting on the product I’d be VERY keen to support them.
A micro-site cost anywhere up to 100k, Swade’s blog cost well under that.
I think you should refrain from personally attacking individuals, it lowers your credibility and many of us now think much less of you now that you are mudslinging others who you are jealous of.
I am an avid reader of both sides and enjoy both perspectives, EQUALLY.
Question is, Swade, if you would quit your ordinary day-time job for an almost 24/7 TS job? If your answer is yes, Saab /GM should unconditionally pay you monthly invoices you bill them without a blink, IMO. Come on Bob Lutz, Steve Shannon or Jan-Åke or whoever of you guys can pull that string. Talk is nice. Acting is stronger. As Swade has shown during the past 3 years. Respect!
Come on GM/Saab. Surely a sometimes disagreeing voice and sometimes angry voice is better than no voice! There MUST be another option?
I have always enjoyed reading the articles here on Trollhattansaab. But this one I don’t like. Partly because of the resignation, but mostly because I can sense some bitterness, anger and disrespect. A sad end to a great blog.
Arild, James. I can understand your thoughts and I’m sure you won’t be the only ones. I know this will upset some people, but if you knew the stuff that went on behind the scenes sometimes, you’d understand a little better and maybe you’d see the restraint that went into this. I’ve been writing here for three years so you’ve got to know me a little. Do you think I’d show anger in a way that would get people such as yourself off-side without reason?
And James, jealous is the last thing you’d use to describe my feelings in this instance.
send this to gm/saab? I think that could be the only way….
Dan9-1,
Great gravatar. First time I see it (I could be blind)…
Classy.
What I think here now, is that I´m supprised by the lack of bitterness and negative feel while reading “the end” and “to Saab” posts. In my opinion Swade has “right” to say what he stated here. Even thouhgh I don´t know the background and so on, I´ve always been amazed by the way how he (SW) has handled the negative comments, misbehaviour from other sites/blogs..
It´s really up to Saab/GM now.
I mean, how much was it, 140000 individual visits last month? Come on!! Is there a better way to support Saab???
I´m really disappointed and sad to see this end. It´s been best automotive blog, with a great writer and very good resources.
Yes Saabhistory is an interesting place to visit , well informed of course and documented BUT there’s no life .Nobody comment the articles , almost never .It’s a sad place .
TS is the opposite : a lot’s of contributions , a lots of exchange of point of views , a good atmosphere with sympathics participants .
Shortly I’ll miss TS , Swade and the team here .
I hope you’ll be back soon in a way or another .
And I hope we’ll meet one day ?
Don’t you want to come to live in Europe with your family .?
Bye bye my virtual friends !
See you
Jeff
I agree with Swade
Saab really needs some sort of online community where those who drives a Saab or those who are simply interested in the brand can discuss and develop ideas that Saab can implement in their next generations of cars.
They really need to involve Saab enthusiasts and drivers from all around the world in order to make a better product.
That’s why it’s a sad day for Saab, since TS, the only true online Saab community, has stopped.
Catch a few hours of Z’s and I missed the good stuff (pre-edited comments). Sober thought is overated. The truth will set you free brother Swade.
“Aye, fight and you may die. Run, and you’ll live… at least a while. And dying in your beds, many years from now, would you be willin’ to trade ALL the days, from this day to that, for one chance, just one chance, to come back here and tell our enemies that they may take our lives, but they’ll never take… OUR FREEDOM!”
I really don’t see this post as bitter or mud-slinging in any way. Golfhunter, I agree with your comment about Saabhistory. It’s somewhat interesting, but there is no life there at all. It’s like visiting a Saab memorial before the death has occurred, and I think it’s a sad place too!! Apparently GM thinks that “Saab-i” and “fastlane blog” are replacements for things like Soundings magazine (and TS perhaps), but I think we all know what an insult that is. TS was one of (or perhaps the last) resource for Saabers which was positive and full of life. The rest is a barren wasteland…
Swade, What I’d like to see:
If Parveen Batish has done a good job in Australia, Saab should send him off to the USA where we need help, and then make you (Swade) Director of Saab Australia. Then maybe you could make changes from within Saab and get some of what you’re looking for.
Or, better yet, make you Director of Saab USA.
Would I have to live in Detroit? - SW
haha thanks ctm, yep I only put it on there a couple of days ago, so u might no have seen it. Tis a shame it wont be used much.
Anyway what to do about the lack of Trollhattansaab? start a new fan-run forum where we all equally chip in or in some way try and get saab/gm to hire swade? I totally agree with you Golfhunter- Saabhistory is the morgue of Saab sites
Steven,
This is a pretty pathetic way to close things down. The Saab community has given you so much, whether it be support, donations or even giving your site out as a reference. Hell, my local newspaper even referenced your site as a source for Turbo-X pricing instead of Saab USA’s site.
You’re correct, Carl. The community has given me a great deal of support, and I’ve worked my butt off for it for over three years.
I read this post before you sobered up… writing while under the influence of anything: anger, lack of nicotine, alcohol, etc. is not professional to say the least. Frankly, this post took away all the respect I had for you as a blogger when you personally attacked one of my best friends for doing what he loves. If it’s SUCH a problem that Saab History is going to be the “one other lone voice writing in the English language in an interactive, blogging format”, then why give up? If you’re so passionate about the brand and making your opinions felt, your nicotine driven tantrums shouldn’t stop you from keeping this cesspool of regurgitated press releases, homophobic banter (Even as a straight guy, I was deeply offended by what you’ve said about gaywheels.com), and unrequited cries for a bygone era of automotive design up and running.
I have recently been appointed as a contributing editor to Saab History and if this is how you’re going to be, Steven, I will personally make sure that the accuracy of the content and relevance to the everyday Saab owner exceeds that of “what could have been” by a mile. Good luck with your Alfa Romeo or whatever.
If this is the standard of reportage that we can expect Carl, then I’m sure Saab History will be better for it. One day you and I might sit down and discuss all the little backdoor things that Ryan’s done to undermine this site over the last 18 months or so. I’ve never brought one of them up here, though it would have been my right to do so. Maybe you’ll be surprised when you hear them. Maybe you won’t.
I’ve never said a bad word about Gaywheels, by the way. I know I have a number of gay readers here and whilst I’ll treat the subject with humour occasionally, I’ve never been disrespectful and never would be.
You called me unprofessional for writing under the influence of a big decision. Pot, kettle, black, all that sort of stuff.
I don’t think SaabHistory was meant to be an up-to-date daily news website. It’s more about documenting the “history” of everything Saab related, as well as providing and archiving very many videos. While I don’t agree on how SaabHistory approaches certain things all the time, I still find it an incredible internet resource and I know the owner puts in a lot of time and money. I never saw SaabHistory and TS as competitors. Both had their strong and weak points and I thought they complemented each other rather nicely.
Writing under the influence of red Smarties isn’t a good idea either, Carl.
Who am I going to take the Pi55 on without this site? I’m heading outside to have a good fart in your hnour, Steve.
Good luck with your Alfa Romeo or whatever. Just dye that hair black, add a few gold chains and some grease, and you’ll really look the part.
Pfffft
Drew
I’m gonna be doing reverse donuts on your lawn, Mr B!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Sorry, that was supposed to be ‘honour’.
Back inside now.
Drew
What a nonsense DB, the workshop is clearly where releases take place!
SW, I have a 99T with nice shiny new black wheels that needs a run. Maybe a silver aero, a grandad-sled and any other piece of vintage swedo-trash could join it?
A responsibility free spin in the country is called for I think.
Swade, I have felt this decision of yours coming for a while. In recent months your reporting has become slightly more “negative” as if you were about to “give up”. It’s very sad for us who have enjoyed this site so much, especially now that SAAB is getting new (albeit GM based) cars by the bucket load. Take care of your family, your health, your job and your love for SAAB (and Alfa, I’m an Alfa fan also). I for one, especially enjoys the djup strupe stuff (which I hope you can still provide, perhaps through AMS in Sweden?). I’m sure SAAB also does actually appreciate what you do (although they will never admit to it). What better way to “leak” information about the “great” future than to an enthusiast community, which in turn brings it to other potential buyers, in time for new car releases.
For SAAB and GM, if they read this: Pay Swade US$100.000 a year (+ free use of any SAAB from SAAB Australia) to keep this site going. That’s petty cash compared to your marketing budgets.
PS Don’t use Prozac (too many negative side effects, take it from a medical expert), take a ride in a SAAB (or Alfa) instead!
Bill, sounds like a good plan. You can even take a silver Aero home if you let me take a 99T, preferably one in good nick an with silver wheels. Just an idea, but regardless of the idea, a cruise is called for. Been too long.
Hold on, you’ve got the 99 registered now?????
hahahahahaha, me part with a 99? Yes I have a 99T with shelbys fitted registered. But not your old car which is about to have ronal 8-spokes fitted.
Yes a drive,
mabuhay (live long and prosper)
Swade - you said this well, most of us cannot fatham the time and effort you have invested into this site, and now when you want a little help from the “product” they turn a cold shoulder and let it sink into a fond memory. This is a huge loss for SAAB, you can rack up my new 9-3 vector to your list. I will sorely miss this site, I am a TS addict, and will face my own withdrawal symptoms. If the itch gets to strong in the future, you can add me to your list of willing people to help you with a new site.
By the way, if you make it back up to Brisbane or the Gold Coast, drop me a line, I would love to meet you over coffee or something.
Well, nature abhors a vacuum, so I’ll venture that someone will assume this space, if not literally, then figuratively.
There are so many ways to respond otherwise to this thread, but time does not permit today.
For all of you that have criticized Swade’s parting shots here as overly negative, I’ll remind you that frustration is felt only by the one within the struggle. That is, until you experience the daily grind, you don’t feel the pains.
Having a small window into this world, I understand Swade’s feelings a little better now than I did two years ago. I have the luxury of pulling back when the sticks and stones are hurled my way. Swade doesn’t. I also don’t have the financial responsibility that he shoulders with this site. Those things wear on a body. They really do.
I truly wish that Swade hadn’t changed the software platform and lost a good portion of revenue. However, had he asked me (he didn’t), I would have advocated the change myself because I wouldn’t have foreseen the disaster ahead, either. If that one event could be reversed, I feel that TS would have lasted longer. I’m not sure that TS could continue without major support, but Swade would have a few more pennies today.
How many of you would have poured three or four years, thousands of your own money and a great deal of your drive into a project like this only to have it fall through your fingers slowly? It’s heartbreaking. I know this from a business venture that I started in the mid-1990’s with a partner that slowly and surely went down the tubes. My former partner still has the business; it simply couldn’t support the both of us and I was the one starting a family and I had to give up first. It was four years of the hardest work that I’ve ever done, and it was the bitterest of ends. The coup de grace was the crappy job that I had to take to right the ship. It was sometime before I could live without the resentment at suppliers, my partner, customers, everyone.
Swade, you almost made a grown man well up with tears.:( Someone at Saab needs to take note of what you have been doing for the brand over the past few years and realise they need you on their books, if thats what you want. Cheers - without TS my day will get a little less exciting.
zippy aka Paul
Carl: I agree with Swade — I don’t think that he’s said anything bad about Gaywheels. However, I’ve not read everything ever posted, so I could have missed something.
Wulf: That “SaabHistory” name leads one to that conclusion, but “history” is trending to current events.
Here’s my first signature for the “Change Swade’s mind” campaign. TS is a big reason why I am a repeat Saab customer. Steve, your contribution to Saab as a brand is immense. Please stay.
i wish it could have ended better for both sides, though i believe corporate is to dumb to realize what they are losing and will notice years down the road. yep ill lose my excitement over reading this blog and all the up to date info. ill never forget when i was calling my friend who knows nothing of saab one day while i was on the road to keep refreshing trollhattansaab.net on his computer to catch a glimpse of the 9-x.
now sadly i must change my home page now on safari.
Soon enough, if all continues on the current course, there will only be history to speak of. As an archive Saab History is outstanding. They have done an excellent job of digging through the archives and organizing and sharing the information with those who care.
As a source for up to date, relevant information conveyed in an objective fashion that one enjoys reading, TS is in a class all by itself.
This is directed to the other commenters here rather than Swade: while we’ll all miss TS and its ‘blogging format, if you’re looking for pure interaction with others in the Saab community there are various resources out there such as (but not limited to) SaabCentral, SaabNet, and The Saab Link. In fact, I first learned of Swade and TS back in 2005 (I think) at SaabCentral, formerly being a “regular” there.
It won’t make up for the loss of TS, but at least a lot of us can keep in touch at sites like that. Many of us have our preference for one reason or another, and I’m sure I’ll be spending more time back at the SaabCentral “lounge” and “Saab news” forums after this week.
On another note, I understand Swade edited-out some bitter comments regarding an ongoing feud being had behind the scenes. While I take it the frustrated language was strong I’d still be interested in getting a window as to what Swade was having to put-up with while running TS. Is there any way we might see an “open letter” in the future clearing the air of any rivalries? I’m obviously curious as to what was going-on behind the scenes.
Ditto
Well, as far as “rivalries” go, I don’t have much. Swade’s not aired his dirty laundry in my presence. Only by juxtaposition did I even catch wind of one little problem in that way.
When I talk about my experiences here, I’m talking about the daily interactions with readers, the conflicts of work and family life and the near-constant need to come up with something new to say that’s meaningful. Whenever any of these things got to me, I could leave TS for a few days. Swade wouldn’t.
Anything behind the scenes that are more than that I can’t help you with. That comes from Steven.
Swade & Eggs,
Have you ever considered seeking out additional writers to share the work?
Jesse:
Yes, I know that Swade has others write from time to time.
The issue at play here is greater than that. The dollars simply aren’t there for the infrastructure required. Swade may add to that, but I think that if the site made money, he’d still be doing this.
Carl,
Get off your high horse. Unprofessional is taking $179 from people and promising them month after month after month that the product was on the way - you used your early customers as your venture capital. Lame.
I think we would all like to know what was going on behind the scenes! I also am going to miss TS, it is my favorite blog and I agree “in a class all on it’s own”. I thought the gaywheels comments were funny and I don’t think they would offend anyone unless they were still in the closet and dealing with other stuff. Some people are just too sensitive! Swade and Eggs, you both do a wonderful job and for the 3rd time will be missed!!! My iPhone misses you all already!
How about asking Jerry Springer to do a show about the dirt behind the TS and SH scenes?
Pay Per View?
A friend and fellow SoCal Saab Clubber who has commented at TS in the past just told me in a private e-mail that the reason he bought his Blackberry was to view TrollhattanSaab’s RSS feeds! So not only was Swade helping sell Saabs but apparently RIM should thank him for some Blackberry sales as well!
Any truth to the rumour that Robert Farago has just ordered in a case of champagne?
I dont think so, Mark. Actually, I think if one had the time, one could do a Deathwatch series about TTAC. I think he’s got a lot of problems bubbling away under the surface there.
Sorry swade, I was just trying to lighten things up with the champagne bit!
I think I understand your fatigue and frustration. Last year was personally and emotionally the worst year of my life. I lost a close relative and I ended up giving up on a lot of things, probably myself included. I’d even given up on Saab! Then I bought the Monte Carlo and things have gradually looked a little brighter, but still difficult. Hell I even wrote an article for Trollhattansaab! (actually I had another one planned but I doubt it will see the light of day now, I won’t be able to finish it in time).
I’m sure we’ll still see you in the Saab fraternity
just in a different, less time consuming capacity. Keep the faith!
I am not sure which is sadder… the fact that life + passion != beneficial… or that you need to write a self-pontificating post such as this to drive that point home.
Maligning yourself against a group of people who’ve supported you, against fellow Saab enthusiasts and automotive bloggers, and to an extent perhaps even your sponsors, is not what your readers have come to expect of you over the past three years.
Nothing can change the circumstances under which you’ve chosen to cease operations and for that I’m sorry– I too understand all too well having to give up something that you’re passionate about because it’s no longer healthy for you to continue. But step out the door with some grace, ffs.
Thanks for this debut comment, G.
I haven’t maligned anyone in this post (and definitely not myself) except one site operator who has undermined me in various ways over the last 18 months or so, and all with no previous mention of it here. unless you’re him or one of a select few, you wouldn’t be privy to the details of that so you know not about what you speak. It may not be becoming, but it’s definitely not unwarranted.
And aside from the politics, do you have an opinion on the substance of what I suggested - i.e. that he doesn’t have an adequate enough command of the written word to represent the brand properly? Or if you run a company would you be happy to have him writing your press?
ffs.
Whenever I’ve looked at that other blog in question, it’s been virtually devoid of any comments. Why’s that?
It seems the argument that I was trying to make has been overshadowed by the fact that I had the temerity to make it in the first place.
Comments are now closed.