Warranty, parts, services and new Saab cars in the UK

When Saab Automobile on December 19th 2011 filed for bankruptcy, the subsidiary Saab Automobile Parts (Saab Parts) was not included in the filing. Saab Parts is in fact a very profitable company. In 2010 the company had a turnover of SEK 1,697 million, made a profit (after tax) of SEK 391 million and the operating margin was 33.6 percent. Which is of course a very good result. The result for 2011 is expected to be about the same.

Following the bankruptcy in its parent company, Saab Parts has been busy making the transition from being a subsidiary of a much larger company to being a stand alone company. Earlier Saab Parts could of course depend on its parent company for a lot of purchase and sale, financial and technical services. Now Saab Parts is on its own. New deals with parts suppliers have been entered into and a global distribution network has been established. And in Trollhättan, Saab Parts has hired 50 new employees to work with purchasing, sales, marketing and technical information.

To take care of parts supply in Great Britain, which previously was Saab's third biggest market, Saab Parts established the subsidiary Saab Automobile Parts UK Ltd on January 1st. The subsidiary is managed by Corin Richards and has ten or so employees. Saab Parts UK continues to operate as normal and all 87 Saab authorised repairers in the UK still offers a full range of services.

"Following the sad demise of Saab Great Britain Ltd at the end of last year, Saab Parts UK was set up to continue to provide a parts and customer care facility for the 188,000 Saabs that are on UK roads. Saab Parts UK has now established itself with its first successful month of trading and coupled with the on-going partnership from the network will continue to provide high quality vehicle care," Corin Richards said in a press release last month.

Saab Parts UK has also set up a warranty product, Saab Secure, for the Saab owners in Great Britain. According to Saab Parts UK, Saab Secure offers Saab owners great value for money with up to five years cover priced from under £500. In addition, Saab Secure can also be applied to Saab vehicles that are already outside the original manufacturer three year warranty period.

"Saab Secure is a very competitively priced warranty package that can be tailored to the individual requirements of owners, whether they are recent or historical purchasers. In light of the continued uncertainty surrounding the new vehicle warranty, Saab Parts UK provides customers with an alternative solution for their warranty needs."

And for those owners who bought their new or used Saab with a complimentary free of charge servicing plan provided by Saab Great Britain Limited, Saab Parts UK is now pleased to confirm that these service plans will be honoured.

For those who craves a new Saab but have been in doubt due to the warranty issue, this new warranty product could be the message they have been waiting for. And to make things even better, just one month ago 200 unregistered new Saab cars remained for sale in the UK through the established network of Saab authorised repairers. I bet many of these cars are still sitting in the lot just waiting for its new owner.

Saab sales in December 2011

If the Saab brand is not miraculously saved, then I guess this will be the last update on sales of new Saab cars.

Sweden
According to Bil Sweden, there were 18 new Saab cars registered in Sweden in December, compared to 1,111 cars in December of 2010. For the year 2011 as a whole, 3,482 new Saabs have been registered in Sweden, compared to 8,683 the previous year.

USA
According to Automotive News, 270 new Saab cars were sold in the USA in December 2011, compared to 1,074 the previous year. For 2011 as a whole, 5,610 Saabs were sold, up 3 percent from 5,446 in 2010.

UK
According to SMMT, there were 8 new Saabs registered in the UK in December, compared to 750 in December 2010. For the year as a whole, 4,138 new Saabs were registered, compared to 5,898 the previous year.

Norway
TBA

Ireland
TBA

Saab sales in November 2011

Sweden
According to Bil Sweden, there were 35 new Saab cars registered in Sweden in November, compared to 1,119 cars in November of last year. So far this year 3,464 new Saabs have been registered in Sweden, compared to 7,577 the first eleven months last year.

USA
According to Automotive News, there were 356 new Saabs sold in the USA in November. In November of last year, 397 Saabs were sold. So just a 10 percent decrease! But the November 2010 sales were also of course way too low. So far this year, Saab has sold 5,340 cars in the USA. Last year there were 3,764 Saabs sold the first eleven months.

UK
According to SMMT, there were 24 new Saabs registered in the UK in November. Last year 594 Saabs were registered in November. So far this year 4,130 new Saabs have been registered in the UK, compared to 5,148 last year.

Norway
According to Opplysningsrådet for veitrafikken AS, not one single new Saab was registered in Norway in November.

Ireland
TBA

Saab sales in October 2011

Even in the roller coaster of uncertainty month October people bought new Saab cars.


Sweden
According to Bil Sweden, there were 42 new Saab cars registered in Sweden i October, compared to 887 cars in October of last year. So far this year 3,429 new Saabs have been registered in Sweden, compared to 6,453 the first ten months last year.

USA
According to Automotive News, Saab sold 337 cars in the US in October, compared to 741 in October last year. So far this year Saab has sold 4,984 cars in the US compared to 3,367 last year.    


UK
According to SMMT, there were 60 new Saabs registered in the UK in October. last year 377 Saabs were registered. So far this year 4,106 new Saabs have been registered, compared to 4,554 last year.


Norway
According to Opplysningsrådet for veitrafikken AS there were 4 new Saabs registered in Norway in October. So far this year 296 new Saabs have been registered in Norway. Last year 244 were registered the first ten months.

Ireland
According to Motorstat, there were 1 new Saab registered in Ireland in October, compared to 10 in October of last year. So far this year 138 new Saabs have been registered compared to 79 last year.

Saab sales in September 2011

Correction misprint in the USA paragraph from 1,127 in August 2011 to 1,127 in September 2010

Sweden
According to Bil Sweden, there were 87 new Saab cars registered in Sweden i September, compared to 1,022 cars in September of last year. So far this year 3,387 new Saabs have been registered in Sweden, compared to 5,566 the first nine months last year.

USA
According to Automotive News, Saab sold 429 new cars in the USA in September. The comparable figure for September 2010 was 1,127 cars. In other words a decrease of 62 percent. But still not too bad given the circumstances. So far this year 4,647 Saab cars have been sold in the USA compared to 2,626 the first nine months of last year.


UK
SMMT reports that there were 272 new Saabs registered in the UK in September, compared to 1,212 in September last year. So far this year 4,046 new Saabs have been registered in the UK, compared to 4,177 in the same period last year.

Norway
According to Opplysningsrådet for veitrafikken AS, there were 10 new Saab's registered in Norway in September, the same number as in August. In September of last year 23 new Saabs were registered. So far this year 292 new Saabs have been registered, compared to 197 from January to September last year.

Ireland
According to Motorstats, 2 new Saab were registered in Ireland in September, compared to 10 in September of last year. So far this year 137 new Saab's have been registered in Ireland, compared to 69 the first nine months of last year.


For more Saab sales data, please check out Stefan's overview. 

60 years selling Saab - so far

Tingsryds Autoverkstad, which must be one of Sweden's oldest Saab dealer, will be very sorry if Saab goes under.

"We do not stand or fall with Saab, but we would be very sad if we drive into the future without Saab," says Sven-Olof Carlsson (picture), CEO of the company to Smålandsposten.

Sven-Olof was only one year old when Tingsryds Autoverkstad started selling Saab cars back in 1951. The first Saab cars were produced only two years earlier in 1949.

"My father Henry and his brother John started Tingsryds Autoverkstad in November 1936. Around 1947 Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget in Trollhättan started designing the first Saab. The production started in 1949 and we started selling Saab cars in 1951," Sven-Olof tells Smålandsposten.

Over the years the company has also started selling both Opel and Chevrolet, but when people in Tingsryd talk about Autoverkstaden they mean Saab, and when they talk about Saab they mean Autoverkstaden.

On Tuesday next week all Swedish dealers have been called to Trollhättan for a meeting, and Sven-Olof is of course going.

"I will go to the meeting. So far it has not been canceled."



Here's hoping you will go there with renewed confidence in Saab's future, Sven-Olof!

Saab sales in August 2011

Sweden
According to Bil Sweden, there were 63 new Saab cars registered in Sweden i August, compared to 527 cars in August of last year. So far this year 3,300 new Saabs have been registered in Sweden, compared to 4,544 the first eight months last year.


USA
According to Automotive News, Saab sold 363 new cars in the USA in August. The comparable figure for August 2010 was 290 cars. In other words a increase of 25 percent. Not bad given all the bad press reports about Saab's future lately! So far this year 4,218 Saab cars have been sold in the USA.


UK
SMMT reports that 92 new Saabs were registered in the UK in August. The comparable figure last year was also 92 cars. So far this year 3,774 new Saab cars have been registered.


Norway
According to Opplysningsrådet for veitrafikken AS, there were 10 new Saab's registered in Norway in August, which was actually 3 more than in July! But still 23 less than in August of last year.


Ireland
According to Motorstats, 4 new Saab were registered in Ireland in August, compared to 9 in August of last year.

Saab dealers standing up for the brand

"We want to show a little more decency and patience than some other dealers. It is after all a Swedish brand one should stand up for and be proud of," says Lars Dahlensjö, CFO at the Swedish Saab dealer chain BIVA, as a comment to the recent news about one Swedish Saab dealer dropping Saab and one removing Saab from the show rooms.

And his boss, Lars-Åke Sundén who is CEO at BIVA, concurs: "I have a hard time understanding the dealers that's now defaming Saab and stop selling their cars," he says.

Also the CEO at Svenska Bil, Jan Martinsson (picture), agrees. "Time is a problem, but I believe that they will succeed in restarting the factory," Jan Martinsson tells DI.

Majority of Swedish Saab dealers have no plans to drop the brand

Swedish Radio has been in contact with about half of the 40 Saab dealers in Sweden, and the message is clear: They have no intentions to drop Saab.


"We will continue to sell Saab if there is an opportunity to do so, we are waiting for an answer," says Johnny Schmidt, CEO of Järna Bilcentrum.


And even though the Trollhättan factory hasn't produced a single car for months now, people are still ordering new Saabs.


"We presently have an order book, it is not as big as it used to be earlier, but we have an order book which is primarily for the 9-5 SportCombi which people have been waiting for. There were people who ordered the car as soon as we had the facts and specifications this spring," says Björn Pettersson, CEO of Bil-City in Kristianstad.

Also Swedish newspaper Västerbottens Kuriren has spoken to a Saab dealer. They went to Carstedts in Umeå.

"We will continue with Saab whatever happens," says Pär Wennberg, site manager at Carstedts.

Swedish dealer BilPartner removing Saab from all showrooms

Last week Swedish dealer Holmgrens Bil decided to drop Saab. Today it is reported by Sydsvenskan that dealer BilPartner Skåne, present at ten locations in Swedish Skåne, has decided to remove all Saab cars from their showrooms until further notice.

"We have decided to take a time out concerning Saab. In the uncertain state that Saab is in, we will stop all new car sales. In the current situation it is impossible to give car buyers a clear indication of when or if they can get a Saab," says BilPartners Chairman Anders Carlsson.

"If we are to start selling new Saab cars again," Carlsson continued, "then we expect a clear message from Saab that they have solved the problems so that the production and the deliveries can be resumed."

Looks like time is starting to run out on Saab! This week we need some very good news!

BIVA in Norrköping on board with Saab till the bitter end

Lately we have read about one of the oldest Saab dealers in the USA, New Salem Saab, going out of business and one of the larger dealer networks in Sweden, Holmgrens Bil, dropping Saab. But there still remain hard core Saab supporters among the dealer base. For instance BIVA in Norrköping. The location manager, Conny Lingeby, tells Folkbladet that as long as the Saab manufacturing is only halted and Saab not closed down, there is still hope.

According to Conny Lingeby, BIVA in Norrköping has no plans to drop Saab.

  
"As long as the manufacturing plant in Trollhättan remains, we will not do what Holmgrens Bil in Småland did," Conny Lingeby says.

Conny Lingeby tells the newspaper that they still have new Saab cars on sale in Norrköping despite the fact that the manufacturing at Saab has been halted for half a year now. And they still believe in a future for Saab.

"Yes, we still have hope, even if it is difficult at the moment. So were are not making any decision about dropping Saab, not until they stop making Saab cars. We will be on board as long as the manufacturing plant lives on, so to speak."

Swedish dealer network Holmgrens Bil drops Saab

The Swedish dealer network Holmgrens Bil AB today announced that they have terminated the dealer contract with Saab. The dealer network is present on nine different places in southern Sweden and have been selling Saabs for 20 years. It is unclear if all these locations were Saab dealer. The group will however still offer to service Saab cars.

Sad news but not very surprising given that the CEO of Holmgrens, as reported here on Life with Saab, told SvD a few days ago that their focus was totally off Saab at the present. Also I do not appreciate what Holmgren writes in the press release about the situation for Saab recently. I would have expected more dignity and respect from a company that claims to be a professional business. 

Swedish dealers keep the faith in Saab?

Last week we was told by DI that several Swedish Saab dealers were on the verge on giving up on Saab. Now SvD has spoken to a few random dealers and asked if they are considering dropping Saab:

Fredrik Mård, sales manager Bilcenter in Nyköping: "The idea to phase out the brand has been mentioned but we are still optimistic. So far all the balls are in the air and the customers have not yet begun to cancel the cars that they have ordered but time is of essence."

Fredrik Mård, sales manager at Bilcenter

Michael Nordberg, CEO of Svenska Bil AB: "At the present we will keep Saab but we have plans to find other alternatives. Time is running out. New car sales have come to a standstill and people who have ordered a Saab are now starting to cancel the order."

Anders Carlsson, head of sales Bilpartner Skåne: "We will not phase out the brand. Last week we sold three Saabs, and in July we delivered seven or eight. Now we have 50 or so cars in order. Before the summer holiday a couple of customers cancelled their order."

Benny Holmgren, CEO Holmgrens Bil: "We have no focus on Saab today, instead we concentrate on things we can make money on. There are very few who order a Saab from us, so order intake is negligible."

Pär Wennberg, site manager Carstedts in Umeå: "It's not so long since we started selling Saab, so we are fairly new in terms of the brand. At the workshop everything runs as usual but on the sales side not much is happening. Now we await and hope for the best."

So can we say that four out of five dealers still have faith in Saab?




Also worth noting is that SvD claims that sources with insight into the process of the Chinese National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), which decides if Youngman and Pang Da will be allowed to invest in Saab, say that a decision can come sooner than we have expected. Maybe already within a month!

Saab dealers on the verge of giving up on Saab

Just a week or two ago we got reports that one of the oldest and dearest Saab dealers in the US, New Salem Saab, were closing down after more than 50 years due to several year without profit during Saab's troubled years. Their last day of business was yesterday.

"The continual disruption of the Saab brand and its operational difficulties put us at a disadvantage," said Darryl Carl of New Salem Saab to The Business Review.

Now Swedish DI reports that several Swedish dealers are on the verge of giving up on Saab. Almost five months without production of new Saab cars have taken its toll.

"Several of them will within one or two weeks decide to stop their dealing of Saab and move to other brands. They have to consider their own business," says Peter Hallberg, CEO of the Saab dealer association to DI.

DI continues by saying that Victor Muller is pressed on time and is currently negotiating with several parties on new funding of close to SEK 1 billion.

On source tells DI that Saab needs new money next week, or else it's over and out.

Saab USA COO to speak at Motor Press Guild tomorrow

According to a press release, Saab President and COO Timothy Colbeck is to speak at the Motor Press Guild (MPG) luncheon at The Proud Bird restaurant in Los Angeles on Tuesday, August 9, 2011, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Colbeck will focus on Saab's business strategy following its departure from General Motors and acquisition by Dutch niche carmaker Swedish Automobile, along with insight on why he joined Saab during such a tumultuous period in the company's history. 
 

"The automotive industry has its eye on Saab as it navigates through these tough times," said Laura Burstein, Motor Press Guild President. "As members of the press, we look forward to Mr. Colbeck's presentation and his take on what will become of Saab's future."

Colbeck's remarks will provide MPG members with greater detail on why Saab had to recently stop production, and also highlight what the company is doing to avoid such drastic circumstances again. "We are convinced that we are coming out of this crisis stronger than ever before, while at the same time realizing that we have to work hard to regain the lost confidence in the marketplace," said Timothy Colbeck, President and COO, Saab Cars North America. 

Saab sales in July 2011

Sweden 
According to Bil Sweden, there were only 100 new Saab registered in Sweden in July. In July of last year the figure was 801 Saab cars. Of the 100 registered in July this year, 83 were Saab 9-3 and only 17 were Saab 9-5. So far this year 3,237 new Saabs have been registered in Sweden, which is less than last year when 3,988 Saabs were registered from January to July.

USA
Automotive News reports that Saab sold 384 new cars in the USA in July. The comparable figure from last year is 471. In other words, a fall of 19 percent, but still a very encouraging sales figure taking the latest streak of bad news in consideration! So far this year 3,855 new Saabs have been sold in the USA, which makes the USA Saab's biggest market. Last year the figure was 1,209 Saabs January to July.

UK
According to SMMT, 173 new Saabs were registered in the UK in July. Last year the figure was 356.  So far this year 3,682 new Saabs have been registered in the UK, compared to 2,873 Saabs January to July last year.

Norway
According to Opplysningsrådet for veitrafikken AS, there were registered 7 new Saab's in July.

Ireland
According to motorstats there were 4 new Saab cars registered in Ireland i July. July last year the number was 9. 

Fox Saab of Grand Rapids is standing by Saab

Here's an encouraging story from The Grand Rapids Press. We all can only imagine how hard the last two years must have been for Saab dealers all over the world. But most of them are holding out, supporting their brand and believing in a great future for Saab. One of these dealers are Fox Saab.
 


“It’s been an interesting road with Saab over the past two years. Getting the public through the jitters of what the corporation is going through is hard, but we’ll make it through in the long run,” Fox Motors division director Pete Ricards tells The Grand Rapids Press.

Kudos to all dealers out there! 

COO of North America believes in quick profitability

COO of Saab Cars of North America, Tim Colbeck, told journalists at a recent press briefing that he believes that Saab can turn the negative trend of lately quickly into profitability.

"I think we're in a position where we can have strong cash flow and reach profitability pretty quickly," Colbeck said and continued "Remember we have a very low break-even."

This low break even point should be around 80,000 cars. Last year Saab sold about 30,000 cars. This year the goal was to sell 80,000, but with the manufacturing plant stopped for three months so far and no restart before August, reaching 80,000 this year will be impossible.

But Colbeck still has a strong belief in Saab. "I'm more convinced now than ever the brand will survive," Tim Colbeck said.

The troubles in Sweden of lately have also affected the US with delayed deliveries of the 9-5 and 9-3. But according to Colbeck, sales are expected to increase now that dealers are taking delivery of the new Mexico built Saab 9-4X.

Colbeck forecasted that US sales could easily jump to 30,000 units in the next couple years.

Saab sales in June 2011

June is over and it is time to take stock of the sales last month. With the production down the last three months, I do not expect the sales to be anything but miserable. But as soon as the production is up and running again, we can look forward to good sales figures. And the reason is that Saab actually has an order bank of more than 10,000 vehicles! Eric Geers of Saab said that they hope to restart production within two weeks.

Sweden
BIL Sweden reports that in June there were 221 new Saab cars registered in Sweden. 182 were Saab 9-3 and 39 Saab 9-5. In June last year the number was 838. So far this year 3,137 Saab cars have been registered, compared to 3,187 last year.

"As long as we do not build any cars, we can not deliver any, as is reflected in the figures, it is that simple. It is a tough and regrettable situation for both our dealers and customers who are waiting for their cars," says Magnus Hansson, head of Saab Sweden, in a press release.

"When production restarts, our first priority is as soon as possible to get all pre-ordered cars to waiting customers. Then we will together with the dealers start promoting and highlighting the strongest model program in Saab's history."

USA
Saab sold 323 cars in the US in June according to Automotive News. This was in 50 percent increase compared to the 216 cars sold in June last year. But as CurtInFalcon says in the comment section, the June sales is of course not good enough. But under the current circumstances, it is unfair to expect a miracle fro the US. So far this year 3,471 new Saabs have been sold in the US.

UK
SMMT reports that 265 new Saabs were registered in the UK in June. Last year the figure was 704. A decrease of 62 percent. So far this year 3,509 new Saabs have been registered in the UK. The UK is still Saab's biggest market so far this year, but the US is not far behind.

Norway
There were 19 new Saabs registered in Noway in June according to Opplysningerådet for Veitrafikken AS. The was the same as in June of last year.

Finland
According to TraFi there were 16 new Saab vehicles registered in Finland in June.

Ireland
According to motorstats there were 9 new Saab cars registered in Ireland i June. June last year the number was also 9.

Random picture of ordinary people shopping for Saab in the US

Now let's hope the production can quickly resume, Antonov can be approved and the Chinese deal can get positive signals from the Chinese government. Saab deserves some luck now!

Pang Da buys more Saab cars

When Saab entered a deal with Pang Da Automobile Trace Co last month, the deal comprised of three possible transaction. First a EUR 30 million down payment from Pang Da to Saab for 1,300 Saab cars to be delivered from September this year. Then if certain conditions were fulfilled, another EUR 15 million payment for 630 more cars. And finally a EUR 65 million investment in Spyker Cars (parent company of Saab) for a 24 per cent ownership share.


Today Saab has issued a press release saying that Pang Da has decided to process with the second payment and thus buy 630 more Saab cars to be delivered in the fall this year.


“I am delighted that Pang Da, as previously planned, has ordered an additional 630 Saab vehicles. This not only shows the potential for the Saab brand in the Chinese market, but also that in Pang Da, we have found the right partner. I look forward to the next step in our business relationship when we set up joint ventures for distribution and, at a later stage, production in China together with a still-to-be-named manufacturing partner,” Victor Muller, CEO of Spyker and Saab Automobile, says in the press release.


Mr. Pang Qinghua, CEO and Chairman of Pang Da, adds: “Our visit to Trollhättan last week has further strengthened our belief that we made the right decision in entering a partnership with Spyker and Saab Automobile. This additional order is the result of my firm conviction that Saab has the right product program for the Chinese market and our large distribution network will be an important asset in unlocking the potential of the brand."


In other words, Saab's order book just got 630 cars thicker! In total Saab's order bank should now be close to 9,000 cars, where 1,600 are Saab 9-4X to be built in Mexico.