Posted on February 4, 2010 – 19:16 in Features | Stephan
Nulla tenaci invia est via – the story of Saab
TRC: After the purchase by Spyker, what should Saab do next? Which strategy do you see? Where do you see the brand in about 5 years?
Swade: a) In the very near term, Saab need to get car produced and sent out to dealers and they need to make sure leasing is available for customers once again.
b) Victor Muller indicated today in a Spyker press release, a product plan that I think is perfect for the near-medium term.
c) In 5-years – profitable and contemplating the release of a Saab-Spyker Sonett after the successful launch of the 9-1 hybrid a year earlier.
TRC: What was your main intention to find Trollhattansaab/Saabsunited?
Swade: I love Saabs and I love to write, so it was natural to combine the two. There was no other site like it at the time, though a few have followed since. I think SU still does a good job and can stand proud in any company.
TRC: How do you manage to put that massive amount of work into the site? Who is in your team?
Swade: I do most of the writing. I have a friend in the United States who also contributes from time to time, whenever he feels he has something to say. Also, an author from the UK by the name of Lance Cole sends in a feature article every now and then.
It has been a massive time commitment, especially over the last 12 months with the sale of the company going on, but it’s a rewarding hobby and I’ve been able to do great things and meet great people because of it.
TRC: What are the future plans for Saabsunited?
Swade: We wait and see……but there’s still plenty to write about.
Thanks to Swade for sharing his thoughts and answering our questions.
All the best to the people working at Saab and Spyker.
The final move for the sale is expected for February 15th 2010.
We keep our fingers crossed. Griffin up!
Some additions:
- That car on the photo on the frontside-slideshow is actually Swade’s former Saab Viggen. Thanks for letting us use the photo.
- “Null tenaci invia est via” is Latin for “For the tenacious, no road is impassable” which is the motto of Spyker Cars.