Tag Archives: saab

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A book featuring me

Did I ever tell you I’m featured in a book? Yes, one of those thick things you read before falling asleep. If you didn’t know, it’s ok, because neither did I until just a few months ago when I walked into a bookstore in Sweden and picked it out by chance.

The book is called “Kampen om Saab” (the struggle for Saab) and was written by Svenska Dagbladet reporter Jonas Fröberg. Like I said, I spotted it whilst browsing through Akademibokhandeln in Stockholm. I had heard about the book previously but never felt inclined to buy it for whatever reason. I decided to have a quick read there and then.

To my surprise I discovered that the very first chapter, entitled “heart and soul”, read (translated):

He made up his mind on Christmas Eve 2009. The 24 year old shop assistant David Blumberg from Skärholmen, outside of Stockholm, started composing a song, which he would put on YouTube to support his favourite car brand.

I almost fell off my chair! Did I read that correctly? Is that Griffin Up! he’s talking about? Sure enough, an excerpt of the lyrics followed and some impressive YouTube stats for my video. Obviously I had to keep reading. Convinced of its quality I purchased the book about ten minutes later and continued reading at home.

This book is definitely a good read and offers some very interesting views and insights I hadn’t known about previously. It details Saab’s struggle between 2009 and 2011, with a quick introduction to the brand and its history.

I enjoyed reading it a great deal and devoured its content in just three weeks. I’m not usually a quick reader but the thriller-like intensity of it kept me hooked through out. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in Saab.

My edition of the book ends on a bit of a sour note, in june 2011, when things weren’t looking good at all, just six months before Saab’s bankruptcy. Of course, that’s all history by now and, as we all know, NEVS picked up the pieces and is set on an electric future for Saab.

So there you have it. My effort to help Saab when it was needed the most made it into a really cool book, without me even knowing about it. That’s pretty rad if you ask me :-)

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Why EV Saab is cool

I would like to present four reasons why I think EV Saab is cool. In fact, not only cool, but down-right awesome.

1. EV Saab 9-3 Sedan

The classic sedan.

2. EV Saab 9-3 Combi

The practical, versatile and very handsome family car.

3. EV Saab 9-3 Crossover

Go off-road in style with this Swedish mountain goat.

4. EV Saab 9-3 Convertible

The icon of Saab’s fleet: an all-weather four seater convertible.

So why is this so cool? Because NEVS has the ingredients to release all four of these models, making it the world’s foremost producer of electric cars.

Very few car manufacturers today offer electric vehicles, and those that do, carry only a single model. We already know that Saab developed an electric version of the 9-3 convertible well before the sale to NEVS, so that’s model number one in the bag. It seems plausible that the engineers thought ahead and designed the electric drivetrain so it could easily be fitted to any of the 9-3 models. That’s model number two, three and four.

Result: NEVS could offer customers four times as many models as anyone else, including the first ever EV convertible and crossover. That would unquestionably propel NEVS and Saab to the forefront of cutting edge EV technology and position itself years ahead of any competitor. And that’s not even including the next generation EV vehicles based on the Phoenix platform…

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With Saab and Tesla into the future

Saab has been sold, to National Electric Vehicle Sweden, a Swedish-Japanese-Chinese consortium headed by Kai Johan Jiang. As the name suggests, this is a company interested in electricity. And in fact, NEVS has some serious ambitions. The aim is, through use of Saab’s expertise and Japanese technology, to become a leading manufacturer of electric vehicles. What a statement!

Saab has always stood for innovation and unconventional thinking. Wind-tunnel testing in 1947, engine right-sizing through turbo technology in the 70s, and safety standards years ahead of the competition. Electricity therefore feels like a logical next step, a natural evolution of the Saab way.

There is no denying that burning dirty fuels is insane. It is damaging to our planet, our health and our future. And worst of all, it is completely unnecessary. There are better alternatives available today, so it just doesn’t make any sense to continue burning dinosaurs.

What’s this? This is the new Tesla Model S, an all-electric full-size 5-door hatchback, set to be released in just a few days. It goes from 0-100 km/h in 5.6 seconds and travels 480 km on a single charge. Oh, and it looks absolutely amazing! Now, imagine a slightly different design, maybe a hockey-stick side line, some ice-block headlights, two pairs of 3-spoke wheels and perhaps a Griffin logo… Does that not excite you?

Looking at this Tesla I realise just how possible the electric car is. And not in a distant future kind of way, but right here, right now. It’s already here, ready for the eco-revolution. And Saab absolutely needs to take a leading roll in this revolution, because that is what Saab has always done best.

With this post I would like to welcome Saab’s new owners and wish them the best of luck in realising their visions. When the electric Griffin is ready, count me in as one of your customers!

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Encouragement from Trollhättan

TTELA yesterday published a very encouraging interview with Hans L Bergqvist and Anne-Marie Pouteaux, the two main actors responsible for overseeing Saab’s bankruptcy. It covers in a well-written and balanced way where Saab is at the moment. What caught my attention is the following:

  • Their main focus is finding a buyer who will launch Saab’s current models, including the new 9-3.
  • Hans and Anne-Marie are very impressed with the new 9-3, upcoming technology  and future Saab models.
  • Their image of Victor Muller has changed considerably after having met him, and they fully understand why he’s so eager to find a solution.
  • Several foreign and Swedish parties are interested.

This is very uplifting news. It is still my firm conviction that Saab is up for a revival. The cars are there, the people are there and, most importantly, the spirit is there. All that’s needed is a parent with the necessary resources and a proper vision for the future. No one throws away a company with 64 years of experience, 4 new models, and the most loyal following in the world (well, except GM of course).

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Griffin Up! :: We are many, we are Saab

In two weeks time, us Saab fans will organise massive get-togethers in every corner of the world to show our support for our favourite car. Potential investors need to see how beloved Saab is, and we need to show them. If you haven’t already, join a meeting in your area or create one!

Meanwhile, two years ago I released the song Griffin Up, which was my contribution to the struggle we faced back then. Unfortunately, we now face a new struggle. I have therefore decided to re-release Griffin Up as a free download. I know it’s a relic by now, but it might just give us that extra bit of encouragement needed!

Please download Griffin Up here (Right-click > Save As) and spread the song around to everyone who wants it!

Let’s show the world that Saab is a vital part of the automotive industry and that it has the best fans in the world!

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Saab is NOT dead

So, Saab and Victor Muller finally succumbed to the beatings of the ignorant, the pessimists, the greedy and the paper-pushers. Saab declared bankruptcy on Monday after having failed to break through the many barriers erected by GM, the Swedish Government and the EIB et al.

Not surprising.

I’ve been a fan for 13 years and have had to watch for most of that time this beautiful company being beaten down, mistreated and chained up. And for what? For being different? For thinking outside of the box? For innovating? For daring to ask questions no one else asks? For building cars that don’t look like Camrys?

GM was already content with terminating Saab two years ago. And they would’ve succeeded had it not been for all-around champion Victor Muller. He stepped in, rolled back the imposed wind-down process and forced Saab back on the right track, one of innovation and individualism. The only track Saab should walk.

And now? The whole world cries out that Saab is dead, that the end of the road is here, that the inevitable has happened. This was predicted. It couldn’t have been any other way. What a lot of BS. Saab has never been more alive than now!

Saab was dead during 20 years of GM ownership. It had the largest automotive entity backing it and yet only managed to release two new models during the first ten years, followed by two badge-engineer fake-Saabs and finally one new 9-3.

During the last two years however, Saab released three new models, established strategic partnerships, released an entire range of sub-119g CO2 engines and shone with a new-found vibrancy not seen since the early 80s.

The only thing Saab needs to succeed is a parent with money and UNDERSTANDING. GM had the money but absolutely no understanding. Spyker had a world full of understanding but no money. I know the right owner is out there, and I know they’re dying to save what can be saved.

I am convinced that Saabs story has only just begun. It is the greatest company in the world, producing the best cars in the world, followed by the greatest fans in the world and it is more eager than ever to show the world what it can do.

What more do you need?

Griffin Up!!!