Press Release
Then as now: from Trollhättan to Manhattan
Fifty years ago, Swedish carmaker Saab jumped into the world’s biggest car market by introducing its unusual three-cylinder, two-stroke, front-wheel drive automobile to the American public at the 1956 New York Auto Show.
Today, at the same auto show, Saab is celebrating its 50 th anniversary in the U.S. by showing its most radical concept car ever, the Saab Aero X, as well as its full line of production cars. Saab is currently launching its most extensive product program ever; doubling its vehicle portfolio during the past two years.
The Saab display in New York show also includes a visual homage to its first five decades in the United States, featuring an original Sonett Super Sport roadster in a period setting that mimics the Saab stand at the 1956 New York Show.
“Building on our aircraft-inspired heritage, Saab will continue to deliver a distinctive interpretation of a premium European vehicle,” said Jay Spenchian, Saab Automobile USA general manager. “Then, as now, Saab is all about progressive design and driver-focused performance. At the same time, we’ll remain practical and safe. It’s no surprise that we attract the kind of well-educated, entrepreneurial and young-minded customers that we do – mostly people who are not satisfied with the typical automobile.”
The history of Saab as a carmaker is as unique as its products. In fact, the first Saab car wasn’t built by a carmaker at all. It was built in 1947 by a team of 16 aeronautical designers and engineers who were also designing planes for the Swedish air force through Svenska Aeroplan AB – the Swedish Aircraft Company – also known as Saab.
The first aerodynamic Saab 92 prototype automobile unveiled was ready for production in 1950. As the product of an aircraft company based in a country that extends far into the Arctic Circle, Saabs were engineered with an unconventional design philosophy. A distinctively streamlined body, performance with efficiency and unusually robust body construction for occupant safety were some of the initial design parameters that have endured to the latest models.
Saab’s first major evolution was the 1956 Saab 93, equipped with a 33-horsepower, three-cylinder, two-stroke engine. The new Saab made its U.S. debut at the New York Auto Show. Ralph Millet, who was the American buying agent for Saab aircraft parts, was persuaded to expand his business to include importing Saab cars. “On the first day of the New York Auto Show, I was an expert on spare parts for aircraft,” Millet said. “By the final day, I was in the car business with Saab.”
Millet founded Saab Motors, Inc., in 1956 in New York City. The company exploited the Saab’s 93’s front-wheel drive, excellent handling on snow and ice, its powerful heating and robust construction to concentrate on sales in the U.S. Northeast. Priceless publicity and great interest in the new Swedish import was generated when three Saabs entered and finished the three-day, 1,500-mile Great American Mountain Rally over snow-covered roads in 1956, with one Saab the overall winner.
For a half a century, Saab has combined engineering know-how, unique Scandinavian design, an unyielding commitment to real-life safety and a philosophy of finding the best, creative solutions to technical challenges. Saab introduced turbocharging to mass production in the late 1970s, using otherwise wasted exhaust gases to provide compressed air to the engine, boosting power and torque while still providing small-engine fuel economy.
At a time when convertible cars had all but disappeared, Saab launched its topless 900, which became an icon to the Swedish brand. Saab has a long list of world-first technical innovations, such as headlight wipers/washers, side-impact door beams, impact-absorbing and self-repairing bumpers, seat heaters, cabin air filters, CFC-free air conditioning, ventilated seats, active head restraints and more.
General Motors purchased half of Saab Automobile AB in 1990, and the remaining half in 2000. Saab has benefited greatly from leveraging GM’s manufacturing and marketing resources, while GM has tapped into Saab’s expertise in the areas of vehicle safety, emissions, turbocharging and advanced manufacturing. As recently as fall, 2005, GM has established a new regional R&D office at Saab’s headquarters in Trollhättan, Sweden.
Since becoming a wholly owned GM brand, Saab has initiated the most aggressive product development program in its history, introducing several groundbreaking concept cars and significant production vehicles. Today’s Saab lineup consists of four vehicle lines, the broadest portfolio ever.
The Saab 9-2X, introduced in 2004, is a premium compact five-door, the first-ever all-wheel drive Saab model. The Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan and iconic 9-3 Convertible expands for 2006 with a new five-door wagon, the 9-3 SportCombi. The 9-3 Aero models feature an all-new 250-hp Turbo V-6. The flagship Saab 9-5, available as a sedan or wagon, received a major update for 2006, with new front-end styling and more than 1,000 other revisions. Long desired by Saab dealers and customers, an SUV is now in the portfolio as the 9-7X. Competing in the fast-growing mid-luxury SUV market segment, the Saab 9-7X boasts all-wheel drive, a towing capacity of up to 6,500 lbs., and an impressive list of standard features.
For today and tomorrow’s models, Saab will remain true to the essence of its time-honored characteristics – design, performance, functionality and safety – while expanding its presence in the marketplace. “We need to grow our product portfolio into the ‘right’ segments,” emphasized Spenchian, as he describes Saab’s strategy for the coming years. “Beyond maximizing our product development investment and ability to conquest market share, this also means that we preserve and distill Saab’s brand essence. In that respect, the Saab Aero X concept car gives us a clear picture of exciting things to come.”
