A Trip to the birthplace of SAAB
I am now on my third SAAB, two 9-5 estates (diesel of course) and now a 9-3 TTID. To some I am a relative newcomer to the marque and I refer specifically to one gentleman, who is on his 27/28th, and like other owners I was concerned when GM decided to dump SAAB, but there was a guardian angel on the sidelines, thank goodness. I began to look around at other makes, but to be quite honest I couldn't see one which had the same uniqueness, sound construction and all round wonderfulness.
My wife and I planned a trip to Scandinavia, having already driven to most of the other 27 European countries through the years and decided to try and get a factory tour at SAAB, Trollhättan, Sweden, but of course due to the turmoil over the past months a factory tour was uncertain, still undeterred I Emailed SAAB and was informed that a tour may be on the cards in mid to late June 2010, so we planned to arrive in Trollhättan on the 17th June having been informed a couple of weeks prior that the tour would most probably be on.
Before our trip I spoke with Paul Gaskell (Sales Manager at Bay Horse SAAB Garage) and found out that he would be at Trollhättan on the same day as us, how spooky was that?
On 13th June we boarded the Hull to Rotterdam ferry (blooming great way to get in to Europe for us Northerners) and after a couple of stop over's in Hamburg and Copenhagen we duly arrived at the SAAB Museum.
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| I want this model next Paul |
I didn't realise that SAAB had made so many different models, but clearly remember some of the Rally winners. Anyway a bombshell was dropped on us, the Factory Tour was off because all the dealers were on trips to be introduced to the New 9-5 and a tour was not possible. "Hang on" I thought, "I'm ‘The Customer' and the customer is always right". If there is anything I really hate, it's not getting my own way that is of course unless "her who shall be obeyed" says I can't have it. Undeterred we went to the factory and spoke to a very nice young lady called Elin and told her our "friends" were on the dealers viewing trip and explained our sob story ‘travelled all the way from Blighty, etc, etc". She asked us to come back the following morning at 08.40hrs (not a time I'm used to on holiday) but sure enough we did and as we walked in with Elin, Tim Hird, Paul Gaskell and Peter Duckworth from Bay Horse SAAB came over and greeted us. Whether it was because I keep spending money with them or not I can't be sure. We were treated to a trip in a road train in and around the factory, FANTASTIC, they really are put together well and I have been involved with the
motor trade since I was 16 some ?? years.
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| Convoy of new 9-5's with dealers onboard. |
Unfortunately, photographs were not allowed in the factory so you have to take my word for it. The factory was spotless, well organised and what's more the guys and gals putting the cars together looked happy, what more can you want? The whole trip was great and I went away like a little boy having just been in Santa's grotto.
Paul, I must have one of the new 9-5's when my car is due for renewal.
Following that we continued to Stockholm and continued our tour before returning home on the Rotterdam to Hull ferry. Incidentally for anyone who is thinking of travelling around Scandinavia diesel is about 90p per litre in Sweden and approx £1 in Denmark, BUT don't buy coffees €12 (about £12) for two cups.
Have fun and cherish your SAAB.
Thanks to all at Bay Horse SAAB, but especially Tim, Paul & Peter.
Paul Brooks M.I.M.I., I.R.T.E., M.S.O.E., L.C.G.I.