12 responses so far ↓

• 1 Tompa // Jan 22, 2009 at 8:27 pm

  Would it not be better to launch the NG9-5 a the Saab Festival? The car would get enormous amounts of press and at the same time Saab dealers could get even better deals on the current 9-5 priced for the general consumer to make the last ones leave the salesfloor and help dealers to reach a descent numer of sales during the summer months. When autumn comes the 2010 new 9-5 take over as the companies have to invest for a new stock of cars for the new year. By then, and because of the Saab Festival, companies will now enough to invest in new Saabs instead of Passats, V50´s etc

• 2 Robin M // Jan 22, 2009 at 8:49 pm

  I agree with Tompa, I’d love to see the car launched where the worlds Saab fans with be all together. But great news anyway.

• 3 Tompa // Jan 22, 2009 at 8:53 pm

  There have been speculations wether a Saab festival will take place or not. I believe this to be something that should take place in light of recent events. Saab starting up “on their own” like a new start for them and Trollhättan and as Volvo Aero (Fighter engines) are laying of hundreds of employees this could also help them to feel that something new and exciting is happening. In light of these facts I believe the the Trollhättan Municipality would be more than willing to do their bit to make the people of Trollhättan feel at home and trusting. If Saab get to produce the 9-5, 9-3 and 9-3 Convertible at home, there would also be need to reemploy. Something positive in these times. And something that would get loads of attention to Saab.

• 4 JB // Jan 22, 2009 at 9:01 pm

  I have heard that their will be even better deals on the 95 during Q2, at least here in Sweden.

• 5 Dippen // Jan 22, 2009 at 10:19 pm

  from Reuters:

  STOCKHOLM, Jan 22 (Reuters) – Sweden’s government said on Thursday it had given the National Debt Office authority to grant emergency loans to the Nordic country’s top struggling vehicles companies.

  The government said in a statement the loans aimed to help larger companies in the auto sector in Sweden which are in dire need of funding.

  The Nordic country is home to Ford-owned (F.N) Volvo Car Corporation and Saab, owned by General Motors (GM.N), which like their U.S. parents are suffering from a sharp fall in sales.

  Small- and mid-sized auto companies would be able to seek support with Almi Foretagspartner, a government institution, the government said.

  The Swedish government said last month it would provide up to 25 billion crowns ($3.1 billion) in credit guarantees and emergency loans to its ailing auto industry.

  The package included 20 billion crowns in collateral-backed credit guarantees, directed towards the manufacture of more emissions-friendly vehicles, as well as “rescue” loans of up to 5 billion crowns.

• 6 albert // Jan 22, 2009 at 11:34 pm

  Returning to the topic:
  Last week Autovisie published an interview with mr. Simonsson and this is what was being said about the introduction of the 9-5:
  “first concrete example for us Europeans of our new Saab had to be the new 9-5. This year the saloon, the estate in 2010. The 9-5 is 99% done. At this moment we are busy winter testing in northern Sweden. Quite important for a Swedish car. Not all engineering is done, but this is the last phase before production. We can get it ready for production this year.”

  So the only logical place of introduction would be the Frankurt Autoshow, although introduction during the festival or even at the international Saab Meeting would be a nice thing.
  But I guess there wouldn’t be too many journos attending.

• 7 ctm // Jan 22, 2009 at 11:46 pm

  The need all the attention they can get for their most important product unveiling the last seven years, so I guess an enthusiast meeting is out of the question…

• 8 Bjoern // Jan 23, 2009 at 12:00 am

  MMm….so I have to do my best to get a press pass for the frankfurt motorshow IAA this year.

• 9 Mailr // Jan 23, 2009 at 12:27 am

  Introduction at the Saab festival versus Frankfurt: They did introduce the 9-3 facelift at the 2007 Saab festival, and I don’t think that hurt business, on the contrary; I think introducing it when somebody else might steal the show (as in Frankfurt) instead of when you have all the attention on your own and a positive among yur attendees, especially of your primary target group (loyal customers), is not the best of ideas. And this is Saab, WHY should they do an introduction the way everebody else does? The job is to gain maximum future customer attraction, not competitor envy. Introducing it at the Saab festival is almost guaranteed to get positive mainstream news coverage here in Sweden (and with a some luck even the main news story of that day, as this is in the holiday season here), a market that accounts for about 25% of Saab sales.

• 10 ctm // Jan 23, 2009 at 12:48 am

  Mailr,

  It was a facelift. It was nothing compared to a long overdue new 9-5 that must make a big splash, especially in the situation they are in now.

• 11 zippy // Jan 23, 2009 at 12:54 am

  Well lets put it this way, I am most definitely NOT going to even contemplate a visit. Grrrrr!

• 12 Dan9-1 // Jan 23, 2009 at 3:59 am

  Zippy: I on the other hand am thinking about a trip to Frankfurt… I haven’t been to any shows yet and seeing as the British one is off this year (i think its bi-annually?). The 9-5 being there could be an added bonus.