Saab News Germany: Saab notes from Germany

When I check my emails, the topic of Saab dealers in Germany comes up more and more. Some, and if I see it correctly, quite a few are leaving Saab. Many of these dealers run over to the Korea Chevy warehouse, which is punishment enough in itself, and see there an opportunity for economic survival. That is understandable, because a dealer lives from car sales and the resulting workshop turnover. However, the situation is not quite as black as it seems.

Because of other Saab dealers I also receive signals that one believes in the survival of Saab and continues to stand behind the brand. It is gratifying that these dealers are, in my opinion, the ones who have made themselves especially strong for the brand in the past. The Saab lighthouses, so to speak, in the ocean of automotive trivia. Presumably it is also those dealers who have made the main sales in the past.

The termination and closure intentions of many Saab partners relate to the end of the year. Until then, Saab Sweden must be in safe waters and production must be running. Or we are about to start production. In any case, by then Saab Automobile must be strong, secure and independent in the long term.

My hope is that some of these dealers could then, at the last minute, so to speak, revise the decision.

On the blog in recent days, an interesting discussion about the activity, or passivity of Saab Germany out. Even if sometimes the topic was completely over

A few Saab fans and readers have said the Internet is transparent, the current winter action of Saab UK. This goes through the press, because at Saab England has always been a particularly competent PR department.

Good, we have to be fair. Saab in England is an independent, profitable company. The reconstruction in Sweden is not affected.

Saab Germany is, unfortunately, a subsidiary of Saab Automobile AB. Thus, the possibilities are limited, one is directly affected by the reconstruction in Trollhättan and must wait for instructions from the administrator. That's a fact, we can not get over that.

Prior to the reconstruction, I had a brief conversation with Saab Country Manager Shoemaker on future plans for approval of the reconstruction request. In Frankfurt plans and ideas are in the drawer and Saab Germany, I am sure, make good use of the time until the start of production.

It will take some time, because Guy Lofalk the administrator, takes a few days to get involved. I worked closely with Saab when it came to designing and organizing the alternative IAA appearance. Saab has made the impossible (almost) possible quickly and with great commitment. The fact that it did not come to the Saab show in Frankfurt was due to the events in Sweden and not to Saab Germany.

So I'm optimistic about the Saab situation in Germany over the next few weeks and months. Saab chief shoemaker and marketing director Claesson will take advantage of the opportunities. You will be, perhaps, unconventional and creative. You will probably also communicate more directly with the Saab community. Because I cannot imagine “going on as before” for Saab.

At the end I really want to avoid the stupid “G” word because it haunts us.

Does not help. We still have patience.

Text: tom@saabblog.net

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Frank
Frank
12 years earlier

I also think that it does not have to be a glass palace. a competent, small workshop is more important to me than the gestlyte overkill. unfortunately, the trend is towards big performances, see audi, bmw and co.

Saab should take more care of the small and dedicated companies

frank

Püssel
Püssel
12 years earlier

I am curious to see how the dealer network will be built up in the future. My dealer is an hour's drive from me, but extremely nice and competent. Unfortunately, I keep hearing in my environment that SAAB builds great cars, but the dealer or, better, workshop network is too thin. I don't see it that way at all because - although I am a long-distance driver - I am very rarely in the workshop - you can certainly plan for that (mostly ...).

But maybe you build a network of workshops and dealers? Today there are already some small, fine workshops that are dedicated to SAAB, but have no ambitions to set up stylish showrooms. Maybe they should be included?

Regards

Püssel

mac9-5
mac9-5
12 years earlier

Addendum to 2. Saab dealer:
.. and I'm not even sure whether there is still a “real” Saab dealer in town or again.

mac9-5
mac9-5
12 years earlier

I would be glad if one of the first things the dealer list at saab.de on the Web is updated correctly.

I mean, for example, that at least one of the listed dealers from the (wider) area does not even look like car dealers anymore.
And if you look at the websites of some other dealers mentioned there, sometimes even only Opel appears.

And maybe even a better subdivision between new car dealer and possibly service stations or so would be possible ....

As much as I like our Saabs, we always had “our worries” with dealers and workshops:
- 1st Saab dealer (even on site) has unfortunately gone bankrupt (internal company and especially family reasons)
- 2nd Saab dealer (next big city) went bankrupt and so did I.
- 3rd Saab dealer (neighboring district town) has also gone bankrupt (despite Opel and other brands in addition)

After the bankruptcy of the 3rd dealer, our current car was only serviced in a “backyard workshop” (allegedly an official Saab partner) in a smaller neighboring town, before we briefly switched to dealers from the “wider area” (see above) are. But since that also seemed too “dubious” to us, we recently (after intensive internet research) switched to an independent workshop in another neighboring town, the owner of which was reported as a Saab expert in the network. And a free local workshop could / did not even want to repair something on the Saab once in between)

Of course I would like to continue driving Saab. But also just have a reliable workshop with dealers (and just like to look up as the current list at saab.de).
I do believe that there are more people interested in Saab cars. But very few are in the mood for such “workshop worries” as we have gone through and still do.

Marcus
Marcus
12 years earlier

hello leif,

The answer is quite simple: because I also have a job and it is absolutely adequate to work in a forum.
Besides, the whole thing really costs a lot of money. since i don't want to advertise with us, i pay for it. For this reason too, a forum is completely sufficient ...

chrisbeee
chrisbeee
12 years earlier

Yes, the G-word had to be strained in recent months. I have been thrilled for weeks, many thanks to the moderator Tom, who provides us with such comprehensive information!
But isn't it a bit like this: anticipation is the greatest joy! That's why I'm not even remotely thinking about canceling the order for my future TTiD4 convertible 'mit Hirsch'! After I don't know how many SAABs I've driven, I can't give up! The experience alone of sitting down in the new vehicle at some point and letting the two small turbines purr is worth the wait. I also like my SAAB dealer, by the way the best in the world ...; o), and that's why I don't like to let them down. Such a small brand stands or falls with the commitment of the customer. I prefer to drive a little more with my SMART (oops, but it's just the city car ...) until the time comes.
To date, SAAB builds technically and formally fascinating vehicles for individualists at a price that is not entirely out of the question in the face of other exotics. Also you have to clean up. It is a balancing act to keep such a company alive, of course. No mass market. If you know a little about the automotive industry, you do not have to be surprised that it was there with GM.
Now we keep our fingers crossed so that we can press the accelerator on our new SAABs again in the future. The glass is still half full ...!

Marcus
Marcus
12 years earlier

Hello Tom,

it is certainly the go of a bloogers to pretend the topics, that's what makes a blog different from a forum.
however, it is sometimes unavoidable to address other things as well. if the german-speaking saab forums weren't so “contaminated” by profile neurotics who don't like saab and stay forever in the past, there would certainly be a better platform for this. so i hope that someday someone will get up and start a new saab forum in germany.
until then, I ask for indulgence.
something else to saab germany:
I had requested a technical information on the hotline and was forwarded to a private company, which processes all technical things for saab Germany. this company also works for other companies.
this cannot be the future of saab - I don't want to write down what I experienced there because nobody would believe it anyway ...

Leif
Leif
12 years earlier
Reply to  Tom

@Marcus

I know the totally contaminated forums in D, especially a certain where every Saab after 1992 is a mortal sin. Do you think that someone with this clientele is going to open a new forum?

The Saab customer care is in need of much improvement. Call centers are nice. Between the lines, however, I read Tom's hopes for the future.

Marcus
Marcus
12 years earlier
Reply to  Leif

hello leif,

Man also lead a forum, without such we outgrow there. The whole thing has something to do with rules and leadership.
I have been running a forum myself for many years in a completely different area and we have no problems, as we have always been very insulting in insults, etc., otherwise it is not.
since we require the full postal address for registration, even the many anonymos who hide behind their anonymity are not with us, but in other forums to argue and even resolution of the forums.
While this may be a deterrent for some, it works.

Many greetings

marcus

Leif
Leif
12 years earlier
Reply to  Marcus

Hello Marcus

You are driving a new 9-5 and you are a fan. Why do not you make a forum? I'll just ask. It would be good for the brand. I see a need for the future.

LG Leif

Search Saab
Search Saab
12 years earlier

Hello Mister. Admin.,

what is the G… .. word?

LG

Marco