Saab reportedly planning $150M ad blitz for new 9-5, including iPad app
Filed under: Sedan, Marketing/Advertising, Saab, Luxury
2011 Saab 9-5 - Click above for high-res image gallery
Except for a few very low volume manufacturers, it’s almost impossible to sell any significant number of cars without spending some dollars on advertising and promotion. Yet that’s exactly what Saab has been doing in the months since it was sold by General Motors. Apparently, that’s all about to change in a really big way as Saab prepares to start selling its all-new 9-5. Because the 9-5 is at the heart of the company’s efforts to reclaim the sales volume it has lost in the last several years, it makes sense that Saab would wait until the new car was ready for customers.
Saab is planning to spend $150 million on marketing its handsome large sedan, starting with its home-market introduction in Sweden this weekend and continuing through the U.S. introduction in August. According to BusinessWeek, Saab also plans to cut its worldwide dealer body by up to 10 percent by the end of next year to cut costs as it aims for profitability in 2012.
Since this is 2010, the marketing push will go well beyond the usual print and broadcast advertising with a major online and mobile push that includes applications for the Apple iPad and iPhone. Later this year, we can probably expect a similar effort for the introduction of the 9-4x crossover.
Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Saab 9-5
Photos by Chris Paukert / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: BusinessWeek]
Saab reportedly planning $150M ad blitz for new 9-5, including iPad app originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Jun 2010 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Tags: 2011 saab 9-5 marketing, a-few-very, apple, audie-trondetroitconcept, audir4, electric, introduction, its-home-market, saab 9-5, sweden, until-the-new, while-the-high
Volvo reportedly considering poaching Saab boss for CEO post
Filed under: Saab, Volvo, Spyker, Geely
With Volvo forever separated from Ford, the Swedish automaker needs of a new leader, and a report from Automotive News shows that that search may start and end in the country’s own back yard. Swedish Business daily Dagens Industri claims Jan Ake Jonsson, the current CEO of Saab, is on the short list of names who could one-day run Volvo. Volvo’s current CEO, Stephen Odell, will reportedly leave the Swedish automaker for a post as head of Ford Europe.
The Swedish paper reports that Jonsson has already been contacted for the position, though the current Saab boss told the news outlet that he promised Spyker CEO Victor Mueller that he’d stay on a while longer. That doesn’t sound like a long-term commitment to Saab, but it doesn’t say that Jonsson has his bags packed, either. We’re sure, though, that new Volvo owner Geely would calm a lot of nervous Swedes by appointing the native Jonsson to the top Volvo spot.
[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]
Volvo reportedly considering poaching Saab boss for CEO post originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Jun 2010 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Tags: a-new-leader, a-while-longer, country, current, dagens-industri, devices, mini-or-micro, saab, sweden, victor, victor-mueller
Contemporary furniture designer Thonet takes on Volvo C70 gearshift duties
Mar 18, 2010 Object
Filed under: Convertible, Volvo, Design/Style, Luxury
Thonet shift knobs for Volvo C70 - Click above for high-res image gallery
We’ll be honest - when we heard that a European contemporary furniture designer would be creating something specifically for Volvo, our first thought was, well, IKEA. (Very funny, we know.) However, the folks at Thonet (based in Germany, not Sweden) have created special wooden gearshift knobs specifically for the 2011 C70, in partnership with Volvo tuner Heico Sportiv.
The shift knobs, made out of oak, beech or walnut, are said to reflect the design language of Volvo’s floating center console. Thonet has a long history of creating wood furniture designs, so it was a natural fit for Volvo to select them to create this special gearshift specifically for the Heico Sportiv C70. Hit the jump to read more in Thonet’s press release.
Gallery: 2010 Volvo C70
[Source: Thonet]
Continue reading Contemporary furniture designer Thonet takes on Volvo C70 gearshift duties
Contemporary furniture designer Thonet takes on Volvo C70 gearshift duties originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Mar 2010 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Tags: 2011volvoc70, a-friend-via, c70, gearshift, heico sportiv, luxury, mp4 12c, shiftknob, sweden, toyota-tundra, volvo, volvoc70
Introduction to Ice Racing: Part 5 [w/video]
Filed under: Motorsports, Etc.
A TRACK DAY WITH SNOWBANKS
This week we’re taking a bit of a break from the on-ice action that we’ve been covering so far this season, trading wheel-to-wheel antics for something more controlled. Way up north in the wilds of Quebec there’s a facility called Mecaglisse that runs driving schools all year round. In the winter it hosts snowbound track days, events where people (generally in Subarus) show up and strut their stuff on a perfectly groomed ice surface bordered by tall snowbanks. It’s like a stage plucked out of WRC Sweden, coiled around such that its end and beginning meet, and then presented for you to just keep on rallying over and over until you run out of gas — which we very nearly did.
A track day at Mecaglisse was an opportunity for low-grip practice that we couldn’t pass up, and we’ll take you along with video of a hot lap on this frigid circuit. You’ll also find some discussion about shifting technique below, so if you’ve ever wondered how to cover all three pedals in a standard car with only two feet, you’ll want to click on through.
Gallery: Winter Track Day at Mecaglisse
Continue reading Introduction to Ice Racing: Part 5 [w/video]
Introduction to Ice Racing: Part 5 [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Feb 2010 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Tags: a-break-from, a-standard-car, cranks-out-193, feature, nitrous-oxide, nos mississippi, some-discussion, sweden, winter, winter-it-hosts, winter-track
Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 2.11.10
Feb 11, 2010 Object
Spy Shots: 2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS
The all-new Mercedes-Benz CLS is caught cold weather testing in Sweden, but outwards appearances are deceiving.
Chicago 2010: Bad Timing Dept. - Prius MotorWeek Drivers’ Choice winner; Toyota declines JDM award
Despite a recent rash of recalls, the Toyota Prius was awarded MotorWeek’s Driver’s Choice award. Whoops.
Gilles: Fiat 500 on sale in U.S. by the end of 2010
Chrysler’s design chief confirms that the Fiat 500 will go on sale in the U.S. later this year.
Also of interest:
- Chicago 2010: Volo shines the light on some famous movie cars
- Chrysler offering 60-day return policy with “Minivan Pledge”
- State Farm alerted NHTSA to Toyota issues in 2007; KBB lowers resale values
- Next-gen Saab 9-3 to see return of five-door bodystyle?
- Cosworth getting its magic mitts on Subaru Impreza WRX STI
Browse our archive of Daily U-Turn posts or subscribe to the RSS feed
Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 2.11.10 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Feb 2010 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Tags: a-friend-via, a-recent-rash, choice, daily, light, mercedes, next-gen-saab, porsche 911, prius-motor, sweden, unit-on-the, weather-testing
Video: Sweden’s Acme Advertising creates arresting green motorcoach marketing
Filed under: Etc., Europe, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Work
50 Cars or 1 Coach ad campaign in Sweden - Click above to watch video
Sweden’s Flygbussarna Airport Coaches asked Acne Advertising to make the case for travelers to take a coach to the airport instead of a car. Instead of leading with price, comfort, or ease, Acne went for hot air and green - as in CO2 and the environment.
To vividly illustrate that one Flyggbussarna coach can hold about 50 people - as opposed to the typical Swedish passenger car, which averages 1.2 occupants - while emitting the pollution of just four passenger cars, Acne built a coach out of fifty crushed cars - primarily expired Volvos and Saabs.
The installation was placed next to the road to Sweden’s largest airport, and what ensued was lots of public awareness. And traffic jams. Which would have increased CO2, ironically. Follow the jump for a video on the campaign. Even if the resultant congestion made the earth a bit warmer, it’s still very cool.
[Source: Acne Advertising]
Continue reading Video: Sweden’s Acme Advertising creates arresting green motorcoach marketing
Video: Sweden’s Acme Advertising creates arresting green motorcoach marketing originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Jan 2010 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Tags: a-friend-via, advertising, airport bus, earth, entry, flygbussarna, sweden, videos
News & Rants: Detroit Auto Show: Volvo C30 Electric Concept
Jan 13, 2010 Object
At the 2010 Detroit auto show, Volvo introduced a C30 electric concept car. The gas-powered C30 is a car that many of my MotherProof.com colleagues have raved about; in fact, our Chief Mama Kristin Varela owns one. While the exterior hasn’t changed on the electric model, the interior receives some small adjustments to accommodate the concept’s lithium-ion batteries.
Tags: 2012-or-2013, a-crossover-won, automotive, colleagues-have, darlings-on-the, family, fully-recharged, how to buy, life, motherproof, sweden
News & Rants: Detroit Auto Show: 2011 Lincoln MKX
Jan 13, 2010 Object
With the entrance of the 2011 Lincoln MKX onto the Detroit auto show stage, the face of Lincoln is undeniable, with all models showing off similar, shiny grilles. Modifications to the MKX’s rear set it apart from its predecessor, resulting in a balanced face-lift as a whole.
Beyond the cool lights, fab grille and glittering paint finish, the five-seater’s interior is a standout. As the first Lincoln to showcase MyLincoln Touch — Lincoln’s version of the MyFord Touch interactive controls — the MKX was pulling people in — literally.
During the media preview, journalists stood in line at all four doors, eagerly waiting for their first glimpse of this new method of constant connectivity and easy-to-use touch-screen surfaces. Even the stereo system’s volume and air-conditioning vents are controlled by whisking your finger across a smooth surface. No knobs, no dials.
Drivers can use voice commands, five-way button controls (similar to cell phones and iPods) or the touch surfaces to make hands-free phone calls, change the temperature or track vehicle maintenance needs. The amount of technology is a bit overwhelming, but it’s also exciting.
With the MKX, it seems we’re at that place where consumers’ wants and needs are being met. I look forward to test driving the MKX — with some help from my two backseat drivers.
Continued here:
News & Rants: Detroit Auto Show: 2011 Lincoln MKX
Tags: 2012-or-2013, a-crossover-won, also-exciting-, beyond-the-cool, driving-the-mkx, eagerly-waiting, first, five-way-button, its-predecessor, life, make-hands-free, sweden, temperature
Dutch Carmaker Still Pushing to Buy Saab
Jan 12, 2010 Object
G.M. is winding down the Swedish carmaker, but Spyker says it has an offer on the table and wants a decision.
More:
Dutch Carmaker Still Pushing to Buy Saab
Tags: a-fallow-period, and-wants, fallow-period, its-vehicle, netherlands, says-it-has, spyker, sweden
Mysterious Dutch billionaire behind Spyker’s renewed Saab bid?
Dec 22, 2009 Object
Filed under: Europe, GM, Saab, Earnings/Financials, Spyker
Saab: A history in pictures - click above for high-res gallery
Too bad Saab couldn’t get this much ink while they were fully-alive. That’s right folks, another day, another story about the undead Swedish brand. Just-Auto.com is reporting that a mystery Dutch investor is behind Spyker’s 11th-hour bid for Saab. As we’ve learned, it’s best not to do any Saab reporting of any kind without first checking in with the crazy kind folks over at Saabs United.
And guess what? They’re pointing to an article in Holland’s Telegraff that states the mystery billionaire is (maybe) none other than… Marcel Boekhoorn. We’ve never heard of him either, but apparently he’s quite rich. Boekhoorn, for his part, denies any such deal, stating, “All not true. It is invented.” However, Mr. Boekhoorn is a Spyker investor and reportedly acts as an adviser to Spyker owner Victor Muller. Let’s not forget that Spyker’s stock price swelled 23.5% after their renewed bid for Saab. Mr Boekhoorn’s also an investor in Telegraaf…
Reportedly, one of the eleven qualms that General Motors had with selling Saab was over some of the Russian investors tied up with Spyker - fears of Saab’s technology falling into Russian hands and all that. As it turns out, Spyker’s main investors, Vladimir and Alexander Antonov who together own a 29.3 percent stake in the Dutch sports car maker, are not behind the renewed deal. Nor is the Abu Dhabi state investment fund Mubadala Development, which owns 22.7 percent.
Could it be that GM is only talking to Spyker and the Swedish government because of this maybe-mysterious Dutch billionaire investor? Short answer, yes. Besides, it’s not December 31 yet, GM’s original deadline for offloading Saab. We’ll keep you posted.
Gallery: Saab- A History in Pictures
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[Sources: Just-Auto; Saabs United; Telegraaf]
Mysterious Dutch billionaire behind Spyker’s renewed Saab bid? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Dec 2009 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Tags: a-friend-via, but-apparently, general-motors, hyundai-genesis, like-the-sound, main-investors, marcelboekhoorn, mcchip-dkr, pictures, renewed, saab sale, spyker, sweden, victor-muller-
