Updated March 3, 2010
SAAB AUTO AB - GLOBAL CORPORATE
Q: Who are the new owners?
A: On February 23, 2010, Spyker Cars NV completed the purchase of Saab Auto AB from General Motors Corporation.
Q: Where are the headquarters of Saab Automobile AB?
A: In Trollhättan, Sweden, where we will concentrate all our operations, including management, sales, marketing and aftersales operations, design, technical development, purchasing, staff functions and production facilities.
Q: What are the vehicle development capabilities of the new Saab?
A: The new Saab has full and comprehensive vehicle development capability, including styling, powertrain, engineering and manufacturing.
Q: Will Saab partner to develop technology in the future?
A: Saab is focused on delivering sporty driving and responsible performance. In this pursuit, Saab will seek out high quality solutions that are also cost effective. Partnering is a smart, flexible way Saab can meet customer needs.
Q: What will be Saab’s relationship with GM going forward?
A: Agreements are in place with GM for technology sharing in the future, and also for supporting a smooth transition to a stand-alone company
SAAB CARS NORTH AMERICA - BRAND/CORPORATE
Q: Will there be any impact to current customers?
A: Our goal is a seamless transition for current and future customers.
Q: What is the situation with dealers in the USA?
A: All current Saab dealers have been invited to become franchise dealers of Saab Cars NA.
Q:How many dealers does Saab NA have?
A: Currently, Saab has approximately 218 dealers and 10 service points.
Q:Who is leading the NA organization?
A: Mike Colleran is the President and COO of Saab Cars NA.
Q:Will Saab sell vehicles in Canada?
A: Saab Cars North America is in advanced discussions with an interested party. We are pleased with the progress made and hope to announce a new distributor for Canada soon. Our goal is a seamless transition for current and future customers.
Q:Do you have Saab Dealers in Canada now?
A: Currently, Saab customers are receiving service through a limited number of GM dealerships.
SALES AND LEASING
Q: Will Saab begin leasing again?
A: Yes. Saab dealers will offer several financing options, including leasing in the near future.
Q: Have you chosen a finance partner?
A: We are in the final discussion stages with a finance partner to provide a variety of financial services.
Q: My vehicle lease has just ended and my dealership is closed. What should I do?
A: Please call or visit your next closest Saab dealership, and they can help you with a vehicle return and new vehicle purchase. If you are not sure where another Saab dealership is located, you can go to the Dealer Locate feature on saabusa.com. Or you can contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 800-955-9007.
SERVICE AND WARRANTY
Q: I've heard that Saab is under new ownership. What happens to my Saab vehicle warranty and no-charge scheduled maintenance?
A: Saab vehicle coverage will be unchanged. Saab vehicles will continue to be covered by current warranty and service plans, and customers should continue to have their vehicles serviced at Saab dealerships.
Q: If the dealer I used to go to is no longer in operation, where should I go for service?
A: The Dealer Locate feature on saabusa.com will help you locate the nearest authorized service locations. You can also contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 800-955-9007 for guidance.
Q: If my dealer is no longer in operation and the next closest Saab dealer is farther away, where should I go for service?
A: If your vehicle requires normal scheduled maintenance under the no charge maintenance program or warranty repairs, the Dealer Locate feature on saabusa.com will help you locate the nearest authorized service locations. If your vehicle cannot be driven, call Roadside Assistance at 800-852-9001.
Q: If my dealer is no longer in operation, can I take my Saab to a GM dealer for scheduled maintenance and warranty service?
A: No. If your vehicle requires normal scheduled maintenance under the no-charge scheduled maintenance coverage or warranty repairs, the Dealer Locate feature on saabusa.com will help you locate the nearest authorized service location. If your vehicle cannot be driven, call Roadside Assistance at 800-852-9001.
Q: Is Saab considering creating new service-only points?
A:Saab is constantly exploring ways to make the ownership process as convenient as possible for current and future Saab owners. Strategically located authorized providers who deliver only warranty and maintenance services are one of the ideas being investigated. Note: A few states have statutes that prohibit or restrict having service only points.
Q: Can I get copies of my service records?
A:Customers should attempt to contact the dealership via phone, written correspondence or in person. Service records are the property of the dealership and Saab does not maintain copies of repair orders.
Q: Will parts continue to be available for my Saab vehicle?
A:Yes, Saab genuine parts will continue to be available through your authorized Saab dealer and authorized service point. This includes models: 900, 9000, 9-2X, 9-3, 9-5, and 9-7X.
PRODUCTS
Q: What new Saab vehicles are coming?
A: Saab currently intends to launch 4 new vehicles in the next 16 months, products that are sure to resonate with our highly educated, progressive thinking customers:
The 9-3X, a versatile all-round XWD vehicle
The 9-4X, a compact luxury crossover vehicle
And of course, Saab’s new flagships, the 9-5 Sedan and the 9-5 SportCombi
Q: When will the new vehicles be available for sales?
A: We currently expect the vehicles to start sales:
9-3X in the spring of 2010
9-5 during the summer of 2010
9-4X in early 2011
9-5 combi in the first half of 2011
Q: Where will the vehicles be built?
A: Production of most Saab cars has being consolidated in the Trollhattan, Sweden manufacturing complex. All 9-3 and 9-5 models will be built in Trollhattan. (9-3 convertible production was moved from Graz, Austria in early CY2010) The future 9-4X luxury crossover vehicle will be built in Mexico.
Q: When will MY10 9-3 cars be available for sale?
A: A limited number of convertibles will be available for sale in late-March / early April. Larger volumes of sedans, combi wagons and convertibles are currently expected to be available in late April.
Q: Will Saab continue to offer OnStar in its vehicles?
A: Yes
Q: Will Saab continue to offer XM in its vehicles?
A: Yes
Q: When will the next generation 9-3 be launched?
A: We are already hard at work on the next 9-3, and expect it to launch in 2012.
Q: When will we see a small car from Saab?
A: Of course, it is interesting to evaluate the potential for a small car and we are always looking at the possibilities. We’re afraid you will have to wait and see what happens!
Q: Will the US get a diesel powertrain? When?
A: We are monitoring consumer interest and investigating the commercial feasibility of bringing a diesel to the US.
Q: When will Saab get a hybrid? Electric car?
A: Electrification is an important part of our future product line-up, either to complement the existing turbo engines or as a stand-alone solution. We are combing our own expertise together with several outside partners on potential electrical solutions.
Timeline: Spyker clinches last-minute Saab buy (Reuters) - Tiny Dutch sportscar maker Spyker clinched a last-minute deal on Tuesday to buy Sweden's Saab, in an audacious attempt to turn around a money-losing brand that only days ago was headed for oblivion.
Following are key events in Saab since GM took over the carmaker:
2000 - GM takes 100 percent ownership of Saab.
January 11, 2009 - GM says it has been in talks to sell Saab.
January 12 - Sweden says it will not take a stake in Saab or give more aid.
February 20 - A Swedish court grants Saab protection from creditors as it tries to find a new partner and raise fresh funds.
February 23 - Sweden says it can guarantee a European Investment Bank loan to Saab if a new owner emerges that can cover half the necessary financing.
August 18 - Swedish sports carmaker Koenigsegg agrees to terms with GM on a deal to buy Saab.
September 9 - Chinese state-run company Beijing Automotive Industry Holdings (BAIC) inks deal to take a minority stake in Koenigsegg as part of the deal to buy Saab.
November 24 - Koenigsegg says it has pulled out of talks to buy Saab. Sweden effectively rules out a state bailout.
November 25 - BAIC says it is reviewing its options.
November 27 - GM says it is talking to possible buyers of Saab, four days before a GM board meeting considers whether to attempt to revive a sale process or close the 60-year-old firm.
December 1 - GM's board says it will consider offers on the brand until the end of December and will then decide whether to close Saab if it appears the unit cannot be sold.
December 2 - Dutch luxury car maker Spyker says it is talking to GM about buying Saab.
December 7 - GM in talks with BAIC about a partial sale of Saab assets, including tooling and technology.
December 14 - BAIC says it has acquired some Saab assets, including intellectual property for the 9-5 and 9-3 model platforms and some production equipment.
December 18 - GM says it will start an orderly wind-down of Saab, saying the Spyker deal could not be completed in reasonable time.
December 20 - Spyker submits a new, fast-track bid for Saab and, separately, GM says it will evaluate several new expressions of interest.
December 30 - GM extends a December 31 deadline for bids for Saab, which will restart production lines in January after a shutdown, Saab says. Spyker CEO Victor Muller says GM has extended the deadline for a final offer from the Dutch carmaker until January 7.
January 4, 2010 - Spyker says it will submit a final bid for Saab assets before a 2200 GMT deadline.
January 6 - Saab enthusiasts rally in Detroit, gathering with their beloved cars next to GM's headquarters, and holding "Save Saab" banners.
January 7 - A Swedish newspaper reports that two Swedish groups are likely to make last-minute bids for the GM unit.
-- GM CEO Ed Whitacre says there is little chance of saving Saab.
January 8 - Spyker submits an improved bid.
-- Formula One motor racing mogul Bernie Ecclestone teams up with Luxembourg-based private equity group Genii Capital to bid for Saab.
-- GM names a restructuring firm to manage the wind-down of Saab, even as it reviews bids to buy the unit.
January 12 - GM gives its clearest signal yet that Saab is doomed, as Whitacre tells journalists at the Detroit Auto Show "We're closing down Saab".
-- Spyker's Muller says he is "working around the clock" to clinch a deal for Saab, and hopes for a deal within days, not weeks.
January 13 Genii Capital says it has revised its Saab bid.
January 17 - Spyker's Muller denies a German media report that it will bid jointly with Genii Capital for Saab.
January 21 - Spyker's Muller says talks with GM are nearing an outcome.
January 25 - Spyker shares soar on speculation it is closing in on a deal.
January 26 - Spyker clinches a last-minute deal to buy Saab after exhaustive negotiations.
-- A source familiar with the matter says the deal was worth $400 million, $74 million of which is in cash, the rest in deferred shares.
Sources: Reuters/ www.saabusa.com (Writing by David Cutler, London Editorial reference Unit, and Helen Massy-Beresford, editing by Will Waterman)
