Saab to Offer Hirsch Performance Products for 9-3 and 9-5 Models in the USA

Current and future Saab owners in the U.S. looking to tune their cars with factory approved upgrades will be happy to learn the Swedish automaker announced today that Hirsch Performance aftermarket products will be available for its 2007-11MY 9-3 and 2010-11MY 9-5 cars through select Saab dealers in the States starting in spring 2011.

The Switzerland-based tuning firm has a longstanding relationship with Saab and already offers dealer-installed performance upgrades in other parts of the world including Europe.

Hirsch Performance's aftermarket offerings include a variety of products ranging from software tweaks that boost output by 30HP and sports springs, to comprehensive aero kits with carbon fiber parts, alloy wheels and interior appointments such as aluminum pedals, leather sets and carbon trims.

John Anderson, director of aftermarket sales and new business for Saab Cars North America, commented:

"Saab has had a long relationship with Hirsch in Europe and now we can offer performance enhancements for Saab customers' vehicles in the US. The advantage to Hirsch Performance parts is they are installed at authorized Saab dealers, do not affect the warranty or emission system performance of the vehicle and are high quality systems designed especially for Saab cars. Installation of the Hirsch Performance parts within 60 days of sale of the new vehicle will give the consumer the same warranty as a new vehicle, an advantage for our customers."

Saab said pricing information and participating dealers for the Hirsch Performance parts will be available on the firm's US website in the near future.

*All photos are from Hirsch Performance's European lineup

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Saab Officials Confident that 2011 will be a Turning Point in the Company’s History

Saab sold just 31,696 cars globally in 2010, after having cut its sales target from 45,000 to 30,000-35,000 vehicles, due to the restructuring of the brand’s supplier base. However, with fourth quarter (2010) sales up 129% compared to 2009, Chairman Victor Mullen believes that Saab “is firmly establishing itself as an independent car manufacturer”.

Last year was especially difficult for the Swedish automaker, as the low inventory decimated sales figures.

“One of the largest challenges in 2010 was to restock our dealers around the world to normal levels again, especially in a market like the United States, where you need dealer stock in order to be able to sell cars”, Muller said in a statement on Wednesday. “For instance, when we acquired the company, there were a mere 500 cars left on the ground in the United States. Normal inventory levels in this market should be at 6,000-7,000 units”.

Optimum inventory levels are still a long way from reality, but, during the past 12 months, Saab did pick up some momentum, which, coupled with the launch of new models, should help the maker achieve the projected sales volume of 80,000 units for 2011.

Saab will invest US $1 billion into its recovery plan, with the focus being on new models. The 9-4X crossover, set to debut in May, is of them. Next up is the ageing 9-3 due for replacement in 2012. Furthermore, Saab wants to revive the 92 model of the ‘50s, in the form of a modern compact car, which, if priced correctly, should add much needed volume to sales.

The Trollhättan-based manufacturer will continue to expand its dealer network as well, targeting markets like China and Russia and it expects to be profitable in 2012, with sales projected to reach 120,000 units.

By Csaba Daradics

Source: Autonews [sub. req]

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China's BAIC Working with Pininfarina on Saab-based Model, Confirms Interest in the Italian Design House

Photo: BAW C71 from 2010 Beijing Show

Yesterday, we brought you photos and details about a new and very Mercedes-Benz B-Class-like model from BAIC or Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Corp. Today, we have more news on the Chinese automaker as a media report citing an unnamed executive from the company claims that BAIC is working with Italian engineering and design specialist Pininfarina on a new vehicle based on the underpinning of a previous generation Saab model.

Last year, BAIC purchased the intellectual rights for Saab's older 9-5 and certain 9-3 models from General Motors, which then still owned the Swedish firm.

"I just came back from Italy last week and have communicated with the technical staff at Pininfarina about the design proposal of the Saab models," the BAIC executive said. "Pininfarina is the most successful overseas car design company in China. BAIC has been collaborating with it on development of models based on the Saab technology and will display an all-new concept car with the Saab genes at next year's Shanghai auto show, while Pininfarina will be responsible for the contour design of the car."

We'll remind you that BAIC's subsidiary BAW (Beijing Auto Work), showed a Saab 9-3-based model called the C60 along with a larger sedan based on the 9-5 named C71 (pictured here), at the Beijing Auto Show this past April.

The unnamed BAIC exec also confirmed reports from Italian media about the company's interest in taking over Pininfarina S.p.A.

"BAIC has submitted the bid for the Italian firm for several months," he said. "The successful acquisition of Pininfarina will be very favorable for BAIC’s development of future models. But BAIC does not have to win the bid, after all, the two sides are still under the cooperation."

Other companies said to be interested in the money-losing Italian design house include Canadian-Austrian parts supplier Magna International and India's Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.

Source: Eeo via: Gasgoo , Photos: Che168

Saab Signs Deal to Return to China Market in 2011

Maintaining a presence in China is vital for any automaker these days, even more so for a company like Saab that is struggling to make a comeback after almost going down this year. The Swedish automaker signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with China Automobile Trading Co. LTD (CATC), which will allow the firm to re-enter the Chinese market after a three-year hiatus, as Saab's previous owner, General Motors, had pulled the brand out of China in 2008.

Under the agreement, the Beijing-based and government-owned CATC will assume responsibility for the import of Saab vehicles and spare parts for the Chinese market. Saab said that a contract sealing the deal is expected to be signed in the first quarter of 2011, with official sales starting in July 2011. The Swedish firm plans to start with a small network initially

Announcing the agreement, Saab Automobile CEO Jan Åke Jonsson said: “This agreement is vital for Saab, as it will be the foundation to develop a stronger presence in what is now the largest car market in the world. I am confident that CATC will prove to be the perfect partner for us as we revamp our sales activities in the Chinese market."

“Saab sees strong sales potential in China and we are confident that our product offering will be attractive to both existing and new customers in the market. We look forward to re-establishing the Saab brand in China next year with exciting new products like the new 9-5 Sedan and the 9-4X crossover vehicle.”

Two 2011 Saab 9-5 Sedans Reportedly Burst in Flames in Sweden

Östgöta Corren, a Swedish daily newspaper, is reporting that two new 2011MY Saab 9-5 Saloons recently caught on fire in similar circumstances, in the same area and within a short time frame. The incident with the 9-5 pictured here with the burnt engine compartment and the large hole in the hood took place in Sweden last Friday.

According to the posters over at the SaabsUnited fan site, there has been some talk on forums about an aftermarket engine heater that may have been wrongly installed by the same dealer on both cars, but this has not been confirmed. If indeed there is a problem -and we're not saying there is - Saab should definitely send some people to look into the matter and sort things out because you know what they say about rumors spreading like wildfires...

Source: Corren , Via: SaabsUnited

Korean Designer Mixes Science and Nature in a Saab Sports Sedan Concept for 2025

Earlier this year, Swedish automaker Saab was saved from the scrapheap by Spyker and a loan from the European Investment Bank. In spite of this, nothing much has changed. The stylish new 9-5 has gone on sale overseas, with the 9-4X crossover following in Q2 2011. And the aging 9-3 trundles on, blissfully unaware that anything has happened.

Korean design student Youngho Jong is looking towards Saab’s future with his 2025 Advanced Warning System Vehicle concept: a rakish, four-door saloon with coupe-like styling. And no headroom, by the looks of it, but that’s a forgivable oversight. More interesting to us, however, is how he used his knowledge of nature and human psychology to come up with a vehicle that isn’t just smart, it’s downright sinister.

Jong’s goal was to design a vehicle that would warn other drivers of impending danger. With his research showing that 50% of vehicles accidents are caused by carelessness, excessive speed and tailgating, Jong wanted to create a car that would warn other drivers to back off and drive with care.

If you are following the 2025 concept too closely, for instance, slits open up in its rear panels revealing amber hazard lights. Patches of the car’s skin also darken, warning you that you are too close. The same amber slips are found on the front and sides of the vehicle. Jong took his inspiration from nature’s Fire Salamander, which uses its bright, menacing colours to ward off potential predators.

Jong also incorporate sharp edges and the colours red and yellow to further emphasises the possible danger. He also mentions that the vehicle’s skin is constructed of a soft, impact absorbing material that reduces pedestrian injuries and vehicle damage in collisions.

All in all, it’s a very clever, if far-fetched solution to a very real problem we face in the world today. The technology isn’t quite there yet, but it’s not too hard to believe that cars twenty years hence will use a system like this. As for the design, I leave the final verdict up to you, the readers.

By Tristan Hankins

Sources: Umea Institute & Cardesign

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