Saab Fans Rally Across the World

The Saab brand has historically cultivated a cult-like following, and in its troubled times, supporters are rallying. Though not much has been heard from Saab since the automaker filed for bankruptcy late last December, brand loyalists haven’t been as quiet. As the company begins to wind down and negotiate the restructuring process, enthusiasts are ramping up efforts to promote the ill-fated marque. 

Fan site SaabsUnited.com has launched a campaign called "We are Many, We are Saab" and has organized caravans and rallies across the U.S. and the world in a final show of support for the troubled company and its vehicles. It's reporting that 39 countries hosted or plan to host more than 100 events this January, many in the U.S. 

2012 Chevrolet Sonic, Volkswagen Passat Earn Five-Star NHTSA Ratings

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released another batch of 2012 model-year crash-test ratings today. Under the stricter guidelines, the 2012 Chevrolet Sonic compact and the new 2012 Volkswagen Passat sedan earned five-star composite scores.

NHTSA’s composite scores are composed of five-star ratings for frontal, rollover and a combined side pole and barrier tests. The side pole test, which is new, simulates a 20-mph side-impact crash into a 10-inch-diameter pole or tree at a 75-degree angle just behind the A-pillar on the driver’s side.

Saab Stops Covering Warranties

As it falls into liquidation, Saab confirmed today that will no longer honor warranties on any models. This includes not only cars still on dealer lots, but all 2010 and 2011 models already sold. If you bought a Saab while the automaker was still part of the GM stable, warranty work will be covered, GM told Kicking Tires this afternoon. The sale was completed in February 2010.

The bankrupt Swedish automaker told dealers yesterday it would stop covering its policies, according to Automotive News. Warranty booklets were to be removed from cars on lots, and all cars should be sold "as is," according to Automotive News.

All warranties have been suspended, regardless of model year, Saab spokeswoman Michele Tinson said, but "Saab owners should be advised to keep receipts of all related warranty work done or services performed until further notice." A service representative at True Saab, a dealership in suburban Chicago, confirmed the news, saying the dealership was charging customers for all Saab repairs and maintenance. The dealership had no immediate provision to offer its own replacement warranty, a sales representative told us.

What Saab's Liquidation Means to You

As the automotive industry digests the news that embattled Swedish automaker Saab filed for bankruptcy liquidation this morning, current Saab owners and prospective buyers likely have serious questions.

Breaking: Saab Stops Covering Warranties

Saab is seeking a true liquidation, meaning there will be no future buyers, and Saab will no longer make new cars. GM sold Saab in 2010 to an independent firm in Sweden. At the time, GM said it would honor any Saab warranty because the cars were still built with GM technology and parts.

A Saab representative told us there are no details at this time about future warranties and who will honor them.

2011 Saab 9-4x Earns IIHS Top Safety Pick

The 2011 Saab 9-4x received the Top Safety Pick designation in the midsize luxury SUV category from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

To earn the award, a vehicle must receive the top rating of Good in front, side, rear and rollover crash tests. To pass IIHS’ roof-strength test, a vehicle’s roof must be able to withstand the force of four times the vehicle’s weight. The 9-4x can withstand 4.14 times its own weight.

The Saab 9-4x and Cadillac SRX are structural twins, and the Cadillac is also a Top Safety Pick. Neither the 9-4x nor the SRX has been tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The 9-4x is already on sale, with a starting price of $33,380, though it’s not widely available yet.

Saab Developing Three New Vehicles

Saab is working on three new car models to be named the Saab 9-1, 9-6x and 9-7, according to the automaker.

While the car company didn’t announce specifics, the company said in a statement that the 9-1 would be an entry-level car aimed at urban customers. We translate that to mean it will be small, perhaps the size of a Mini Cooper or Audi A3.

The Saab 9-6x would be an SUV or crossover because of the “x” nomenclature. A seven-passenger car-based crossover had been planned at one time. The 9-6x and 9-7 were referred to as the "key to enhancing the prestige of the Saab brand." The above photo shows most of Saab's current lineup, including the 9-3, 9-5, 9-4x and the PhoeniX concept.

The announcement is a part of a new joint venture with Chinese carmaker and retail distributor Youngman and Pang Du. Under the agreement, Saab is in charge of designing, testing and developing the above vehicles, while Youngman is responsible for funding.

Saab has had some difficulties funding its operations since the car company spun off from GM last year. The company hasn’t been able to produce cars since early April, according to Reuters.  With new sources of funding, unrelated to this deal, the car company hopes to restart production sometime next week.

Related
Saab Confirms Next-Gen 9-3 for Fall 2012 Launch

MotherProof.com Car Seat Check Recap

The 2011 Saab 9-5 is a large family sedan that has some trouble fitting child-safety seats despite its girth. The high-back booster seat, convertible and infant-safety seats were tough to install compared with the other large sedan we tested recently, the 2011 Chrysler 300C. Check out the latest Car Seat Checks at MotherProof.com:

2011 Saab 9-5: Car Seat Check 
2011 Chrysler 300 and 300C: Car Seat Check 
2011 Nissan Murano: Car Seat Check 
2012 Mazda5: Car Seat Check

2011 Saab 9-5, 2011-12 Volkswagen CC Earn IIHS Top Safety Pick

The 2011 Saab 9-5 and the 2011 and 2012 Volkswagen CC received the Top Safety Pick designation in the midsize luxury/near-luxury category from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

These cars had previously earned the title, which is awarded to vehicles that receive the agency’s top rating — Good — in front, side and rear crash tests, and have electronic stability control. But that was before IIHS implemented its tough roof-strength test, making it harder for new cars to be named Top Safety Picks. To pass the test, a vehicle’s roof must be able to withstand the force of four times the vehicle’s weight. The VW CC’s roof can withstand 4.4 times its own weight; the 9-5 can withstand 5.85 times its own weight.

The Top Safety Pick designation on the CC applies only to the front-wheel-drive model because the heavier all-wheel-drive model was rated Acceptable in the roof-strength test.

Neither vehicle has been fully tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, whose tests include more side impact test data.

Altogether, IIHS recently completed roof-strength tests for eight midsize/large family and luxury cars. The 2011 Lexus ES 350 earned a Good rating in roof strength, but it was rated Acceptable for rear crash protection. The 2011 BMW 3 Series, Chevrolet Impala, Infiniti G series, Lexus IS and Saab 9-3 all earned Acceptable ratings in the roof-strength test.

Chinese Partner Throws Saab Another Lifeline

Saab used up another of its nine lives today as the company announced a new partnership with a small, private Chinese car company, according to USA Today. Hawtai Motor Group bought a 30% interest in Saab in exchange for $223 million.

Saab has been shut down for nearly a month because it lacks money to pay for the parts it needs to build its vehicles, USA Today reported. Before the recent turmoil, Saab was threatened by the bankruptcy of former owner General Motors before the big American carmaker reached an agreement with small Dutch boutique carmaker Spyker. Ever since, Spyker has struggled to keep the lights on.

Along with the new money from Hawtai and a short-term loan from an investment fund, Saab will now have enough money to restart production of 9-3 and 9-5 vehicles. Despite the lull in production, Saab has plenty of inventory in the U.S. Cars.com is showing some 2,602 new Saabs at its estimated 130 dealerships. That’s equivalent to 141 days of inventory, the highest in the industry, according to Ward’s Automotive. A new 9-4x crossover was supposed to go on sale this month, but we don’t know if that model has been delayed. A Saab 9-5 SportCombi is scheduled to come to the U.S. this fall.

The deal still needs to be cleared with European and Chinese authorities, but Saab expects the agreement will clear regulation hurdles in six to 12 weeks.

Saab Buys Time by Selling 30% to Tiny Chinese Carmaker (USA Today)

Saab Confirms Next-Gen 9-3 for Fall 2012 Launch

In a going-away blog post, Saab’s former CEO confirmed that the automaker will launch a redesigned Saab 9-3 on or before October 2012. By that time, Saab’s entire vehicle lineup will consist of new models, including the new 9-5 SportCombi and 9-4x crossover. The current generation 9-3 is shown above.

There have been growing concerns surrounding the sustainability of the recently formed independent Saab because the CEO recently resigned amid new financial losses.

The 9-4x will go on sale in May with a starting price of $34,205. The 9-5 SportCombi will go on sale this fall. Saab confirmed earlier that the underpinnings of the Saab PhoeniX concept we saw at the Geneva International Motor Show will underpin the new 9-3.