As someone who spends a fair bit of time online and personally maintaining a Saab website, I’ve got to say it’s encouraging to surf around and see some of Saab’s national websites being cleaned up and modernised.
So many people use the internet to check out cars today that it’s essential to have a modern, clean site that provides information in an easily accessible and attractive manner. It seems Saab are winning on that front.
Many of you will have probably seen SaabWorld on the Saab global site by now:
It’s an attractive looking site, clean and modern and offering a wide range of Saab information. You can watch a wide range of videos and check out stories about a number Saab’s core values: turbocharging, responsible performance, sustainability, etc. You can also download great calendar wallpapers and view all of Saab’s recent press releases.
It’s well worth a look if you haven’t visited already. There’s news about the new 9-3 Convertible Special Edition there, too (thanks, Tim!).
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It’s not just the global site that’s seen a new lick of paint.
Saab Canada’s website looks a fair bit slicker than the last time I visited there:
Canada’s not a big market for Saab, but it’s good to see an efforts been made to really spruce up the presentation of the site prior to the new models coming online next year.
I guess that’s what this is all about, really. Saab know they have a limited range to offer now, but a fair bit of promise for the future. They can’t get the cars out there now, but at least they can ramp up some elements of the operation in readiness for when things (hopefully) heat up.
Whatever the reason, it’s good to see. Sort of like a soldier shaving whilst at war. Good for morale.
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By the way, the “Build Your Vehicle” section at Saab Canada allows you to build a 2.0T with XWD, though I couldn’t find any specific mention of eLSD there (regardless of whether I built a 2.0T or an Aero).
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8 responses so far ↓
1 99GL
// Oct 21, 2008 at 11:08 pm
Yes and did you see the Turbo Gene Test, which has now appeared in English on the Saab GB site, a month or so after it first came out on saab.se.
I like it because it’s quite cool but isn’t taking things too seriously. The best bit is definitely the disembodied hand waving at you, Addams Family style, as you’re invited to choose the glove that best represents the lifestyle you wish you had.
For what it’s worth, it told me to get a 9-3 Aero TTiD.
2 James brushwood
// Oct 22, 2008 at 1:24 am
http://img128.imageshack.us/my.php?image=saab932011midnightblueibu2.jpg
3 1985 Gripen
// Oct 22, 2008 at 1:49 am
I believe Saab Chile is currently updating their website as well!
As I type this I tried to go to saab.com (to link to Saab Chile) and I’m just getting a blank page. Anyone else?
4 Engström
// Oct 22, 2008 at 2:50 am
“The interior of the Saab 9-3 Convertible Special Edition features the Turbo X steering wheel, carbon fibre décor…”
-> View more images
That carbon fibre has to be fake. My dad has it in his 9-3 SC and it really annoys me. I hope I’m wrong, but I have never seen carbon fibre look like that. But the interior in the Turbo X seems to be real, would be very embarrassing if not.
5 Wulf
// Oct 22, 2008 at 2:55 am
Maybe some day Saab USA will have a great website.. Notes to Saab USA:
- the 800×600 window is too small. This may have been the standard display size 10 years ago but time moved on. 1024×768 is the minimum size these days.
- The website takes forever (3 minutes or more) to load on a 56K connection. It would be nice to have a low-speed html version.
- Flash makes it impossible to link to images or pages.
- It would be nice to be able to download brochures and price lists. I want it now and don’t want to complete a form so I can receive it in the mail 3 weeks later.
- Where are the 2009 models?? No details and no pricing yet..
- The few wallpapers are nice but why not make them available at 1600×1200 as well?
6 SaabKen
// Oct 22, 2008 at 5:12 am
I was quite pleasantly surprised by Saab Canada’s new site. It’s pretty ok.
7 wilfried
// Oct 22, 2008 at 6:16 am
Aha, Trollhattansaab relocated to Tasmania on world/enthusiast-sites/youniverse/.
8 Alex
// Oct 22, 2008 at 8:12 am
I’m with Wulf, I have no idea why Saab’s global sites can be so good while their US site is so terrible. All of that Saabworld stuff should be front and center on the US site so that the potential buyers checking out the site can actually see why they should buy a Saab. The global sites also look beautiful while the US site looks like it was made with a boring GM template, definitely ot whant you want when you’re trying to sell your modern, swedish cars.