Saab History

I have recently read a report from Car Guides as a translation from Sweden’s MiljöRapporten on the future of Saab Automobile’s hybrid products as well as the other automobile manufacturers projects in the short-term.

This recently translated article is, in my opinion, a great follow-up to the long-term piece about the Scandinavian Hybrid collaborative between Saab Automobile, Volvo & Sweden’s energy company, Vattenfall as well as the Swedish Hybrid Vehicle Center projects at a number of Swedish Universities.

For the record, we have at this time, two concept vehicles, both the Saab 9-3 BioPower Hybrid Convertible Concept in 2006 and the Saab 9-X BioHybrid Concept this year. These concept vehicles are a great start, however, knowing that technologically speaking these are just concept vehicles and maintain more of the “theory” of what’s to come opposed to the “reality” of what is currently available.

So here is the question: When exactly will we see a Saab Hybrid in production that customer can actually buy? The customers want them, the dealerships want them, and other manufacturers already have them. Since Saab has historicall been about innovative industry firsts, what is holding them back from the hybrid at this time?

I hope that they get on board with this one and fast, because time is moving fast these days.

Here is the report below:

As we said, Volvo and Saab will put ten PHEVs on the road by 2009 to create a strong Swedish plug-in market, with vehicle testing to begin next year. Using vehicles from these two automakers, technical know-how from Vattenfall and lithium-ion batteries from ETC Battery, the plug-in hybrid project will have a budget of 62 million Swedish crowns (around $9.6 million U.S.) The vehicle models that will be used and other details are being kept quiet. Continue after the break for more.

AutoblogGreen reader Stefan N.’s translation (slightly cleaned up) of this article:

Saab and Volvo in large plug-in project

Saab and Volvo will begin a large scale project on plug-in cars. In the project the two car manufacturers will test 10 plug-in cars in traffic during the next year. “We will be testing larger Volvo models working as PHEV,” says Klas Niste at Volvo Cars.

There is a lot of hush hush around this project. But in the corporations’ request for subsidies from the energy department, the goal is clear. The corporations wants to create a Swedish market for plug-in hybrids. Or as they write themselves, “Demonstrate how a simple customer-attractive total solution for plug-in hybrids could look like”.

Included in the project are Vattenfall and battery manufacturer ETC AB in Nol, Sweden. And what the different corporations are supplying is obvious. Volvo and Saab will provide ten PHEV cars. Vattenfall will provide technical solutions for loading the cars in a efficient way. ETC Battery will provide their lithium-ion batteries.

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This morning, Saab Automobile USA has responded to my inquiry on the Saab 9-5 recall I indicated earlier.

A thank you for their prompt response, here it is below:

Hi Ryan,

NHTSA has determined that the A-pillar trim in the 2002-2008 Saab 9-5 does not comply with their crash test requirements. Saab Automobile USA is responding with a voluntary recall, offering owners a replacement of this part free of charge at the dealership. Installment typically takes no more than 30 minutes. Customers will be notified as soon as sufficient new parts are available.

Hope this helps. Thanks,

Jan-Willem

I hope that one of Saab History’s dealership site sponsors can send some photos of this installation process so that we know what is involved, as it looks quite simple.

Photo Credit: Saab Automobile

The Saab 9-5 is now in it’s 10 year (1998-2008) anniversary. Having recently test driven an aero anniversary edition this past fall, I can attest that I truly felt safe in the time tested and proven Saab 9-5. Furthermore, the Saab Audio Troll wizard, Carl Levine also indicates, the Saab 9-5 still maintains a true connection to Saab’s past while embodying progressive technological advancements far ahead of other manufacturers including safety.

The safety record for the Saab 9-5 has been nothing but stellar over the years and that is why it is important to provide you some good crash tests in order to contextualize this record as a follow-up to the recent recall notice which was simply due to the government deciding to modify their safety requirements. Saab Automobile of course, always a leader that other manufacturers always try to follow, now need to comply with the federal government with the United States.

The crash tests below involve two films, one produced in 1999 as well as another produced in 2002 showcasing the Saab 9-5 at both 75 and 40 miles per hour at specific crash test facilities both outdoor in Sweden as well as indoor in the United States.

Following the films, I have also included a press release from 2002 on the IIHS stating that the 9-5 earned a “best pick” honor, again furthering the claim that the Saab 9-5, is and always has been, an extraordinarily safe vehicle.

1999 Saab 9-5 Crash Tests at Saab test facility in Sweden

2002 Saab 9-5 Crash Tests at IIHS facility in Northern Virginia

2002-06-03

Saab’s Real Life Safety philosophy earned the 2002 Saab 9-5 a “Best Pick” honor from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Norcross, Ga. - The most recent IIHS report rated the Saab 9-5 as one of five best picks in the midsize car category for its performance in a frontal offset crash test. The crashworthiness test evaluates vehicles on three primary elements:
* Ability of the structural cage to protect the occupant compartment
* Risk of occupant injury
* How well occupant movement is controlled by the vehicle?s restraint system.

The Saab 9-5 received the highest rating of “good” in all three categories.

“We are pleased with the findings of the most recent IIHS test,” said Dan Chasins, President of Saab Cars USA, Inc. “In this test, the car performed exactly as designed - maintaining the integrity of the occupant compartment to help reduce the risk of injury.”

The IIHS called out several safety features of the Saab 9-5 that contributed to its exemplary performance in the recent testing. These include:

* Adaptive side and dual-stage deployment front airbags
* Seat belts featuring crash tensioners to limit forward passenger movement
* Award-winning Saab Active Head Restraint system, found to decrease the risk of whiplash-related injuries by up to 75 percent
* Break-away brake pedal
* Electronic Stability Program

In addition to these safety features, the 2002 Saab 9-5 features new steering and suspension systems designed to help improve steering response and handling.

Saab Cars USA, Inc. is the importer of Saab 9-5 and 9-3 automobiles for Saab Automobile AB and is headquartered in Norcross, Georgia, near Atlanta. For more information, please visit www.saabusa.com.

Edmunds Inside line indicates that there are approximately 57,389 Saab 9-5 models from 2002 until 2008 that are being recalled by Saab Automobile USA that apparently do not comply with a new government regulation.

What I think is important is that while there is a new requirement mandate by the United States government on the Saab 9-5 models 2002 through 2008, it is my opinion that these vehicles are still superior in terms of safety and exceed all other vehicles in their class, period.

Here is what they have to say:

WASHINGTON — Saab is recalling 57,389 9-5 series cars from the 2002-’08 model years to install new A-pillar trim with “improved energy-absorbing capability.” The federal government reports that the affected vehicles failed to comply with one of the government requirements for occupant protection during “interior impact.”

The recall is not expected to kick off until September, according to the recall summary on the NHTSA Web site. Federal regulators say “in the event of a crash, personal injury to occupants may occur” as a result of the problem. “During compliance testing, one of the upper interior occupant protection test points exceeded the standard’s requirements,” said the NHTSA. Dealers will install the new trim free of charge.

Saab owners can contact the automaker at (800) 955-9007.

What this means to you: Even though the new trim probably won’t be available until late summer, it wouldn’t hurt to check with your dealer if you own one of the aforementioned 9-5s. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent

Photo Credit: Saab History

Today is Tuesday and that means, another installment of the “Saab Sighting of the week“.

This week I spotted a beautiful Saab 9-5 Wagon that contrasts well in front of an old New England style farm house complete with that quintessential red barn.

You wouldn’t believe just how many Saab sightings I have seen since Saab History has relocated to New England, it’s quite extraordinary, but understandably logical nonetheless.

Film Credit: Auto Motor & Sport

The Saab 9-4x BioPower Concept & 9-X BioHybrid Concept have been recently showcased by Auto Motor & Sport. During this filming, the concept cars were showcased in and around the falls in Trollhättan, where Saab Automobile’s project strategist, Andreas Eskengren was interviewed.

Enjoy the video that was filmed that showcases these vehicles in Swedish, above!

Photo Credit: Saab Automobile

I have recently written Alf Persson, believing that he was still Saab Automobile’s chief crash test engineer, and I have found that he began working in 1989 and has now left Saab Automobile in 2001 and has been working at the ANA Trollhattan dealership in concert with the SDCC spare parts ever since.

So here’s the question still awaiting response with Saab Automobile Sweden.

Who is their chief crash test engineer today and where do I get videos of their current crash tests?

I look forward to Saab Sweden’s response here.

Here is an e-mail sent to me by Dave Ross in the U.K. who is a frequent visitor of Saab History:

You mention Alf Persson- he now works for SDCC in Trollhattan, best known to most of us outside Sweden as organisers of the huge “spares sale” at the last two “Festivals”.

Here is a link to their website: http://www.sdcc.se/

If you click on “Foretaget” on the left sidebar, you will see a photo of Alf and his contact details.

Alf is not only very knowledgeable, but is a very nice, helpful chap.

Hope this information is of interest. If you need any further details please let me know.

(Saab History is a great site, by the way. Thanks for all the effort you put into it).

Regards

Dave Ross

Saab Automobile USA has recently commented on the recent story about Saab/GM Crash tests and how they are conducted:

Here are the words from Jan-Willem Vester of Saab Automobile USA Communications:

For your background information on this topic: Saab, nor GM have ever conducted any crash tests using “postmortem human test subjects” (politically correct term). We do not even have the facilities/capability in which to do so.

However, GM and other manufacturers are involved in partnerships in which funds are provided to conduct bio-mechanical research, usually through universities. Research data, often made public at conferences, is used by Saab and GM to advance our efforts in crash-test dummy technology to protect human lives.

Let me know if any further questions. Thanks,

Jan-Willem Vester
Manager, Saab Automobile USA Corporate Communications

Photo Credit: Saab History

The 1992 Saab 900 Turbo Project that began in December of last year will be receiving a paint job this week in the original Saab color, “cirrus white”, paint code 153B.

Just about everything has been removed in order to best paint the exterior car within reason, short of a naked shell, given that it had virtually no rust being a mid-atlantic car from Washington, D.C.

I am looking forward to seeing this vehicle in process and of course, the final outcome once complete!

The Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce in Philadelphia are hosting a Saab Automobile brand seminar in Philadelphia on May 23rd, 2008 according to the Phildelphia Chamber of Commerce.

What is interesting about this event is that the folks at this multi-brand Saab dealership will be discussing Saab Automobile USA’s european delivery program as well as the Saab Aero Academy, but presently, only the latter of these programs is presently active!

So here’s the question, why are they discussing Saab Automobile USA’s European Delivery program while it is still on hold? Furthermore, when witll the program go back online?

Please read below for more information on this breakfast seminar:

Brand Focus: SAAB
Breakfast Seminar Brand Focus: SAAB

INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM
Friday, May 23, 2008
8:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. Registration
8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Program

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