philosophyonwheels.com

Earlier this month it was announced that Saab Automobile’s ownership was returning home to Scandinavia.  The stuff has hit the fan for GM and plans have been announced for Saab to be sold to a bunch of rich Norwegians and Koenigsegg (a swedish supercar maker).  Koenigsegg makes the vaunted CCX.  “It is so choice.  If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up.”  (Homage to Ferris Bueller.)

Saab has a rather narrow market here in the United States, and mainly in New England.  These cars are designed for gorgeous soccer mom’s who need to drive through four months of snow.  (These are very well balanced cars.)

Saab’s market share in the U.S. burgeoned in the early ’80s while Saab was importing a lot of high-end convertibles.  U.S. automakers were shying away from the convertible market because the political climate at the time hinted that regulators might ban convertibles, thus leaving some very low hanging fruit for Saab to pluck.  And they plucked with some very cool cars: stylish and coveted European convertibles with impressive sports packages, notably the SPG or Special Performance Group.  This trim was originally to be called the Aero, but G.M. controlled the trademark at the time.  (But today’s high-end Saab’s feature the Aero badge.)

Saab was first an aerospace and defense company producing airplanes for Sverige (that’s Swedish for Sweden) and eventually got into automobile design and production.  Hence the current slogan “born from jets.”  The aerospace connection is a huge component of the Saab brand.  The front grille on every Saab has always had the styling cues inspired from a jet intake.  And to celebrate the divorce from GM, Saab is toting a special 9-5 dubbed the Griffen Edition.  Griffen comes from the current active service fighter jet produced by Saab, the delta winged JAS 39 Gripen.  I’m sure executives decided the name had be be Anglicized to eliminate pronunciation confusion.  For example: “Is the ‘i’ supposed to be short or long, I’m confused and just want to buy an ostentatious SUV.”  

The Saab emblem actually has the head of the mythical Gripen (or Griffen) sporting a crown.  The Gripen is a component of numerous municipal emblems across the country of Sweden.  I’m hoping to see more Swedish culture blended into the Saab brand.  How about a nice and practical 9-5 station-wagon that includes universal health care for the owner, it will be called the Egalitärian edition.  Or the SUV, 9-7X, could be painted a mysterious matte black and each time the door opens ominous music can play, this will be known as the Bergman 9-7th X Seal.  I have my deposit in my hand already exchanged into Kronar.

But now a performance oriented company, Koenigsegg, has a controlling interest in Saab.  I am positive that a resuscitation of the brand will include joint development of some very cool cars.  Possibly even some homologated beauties intended for the track.  (Homologated means it will conform to standards and specifications to fit into a particular racing class.)  In my opinion the future is very bright for Saab and I can’t wait to see what happens.  Now excuse me while I hop on iTunes and download some Abba…