DETROIT, MI – Saab fans recently toasted the company’s 60th anniversary at a festival in Sweden and to keep the party going Saab owners and enthusiasts from all over North America and beyond will gather in Michigan to celebrate the birthday this coming August 23-26th.
The Saab Club of North America will hold its 25th annual Saab Owners’ Convention and commemorate the 60 years of Saab as a car manufacturer, as fans salute the highlights of “Saab’s proud past, present and future.”
“We are honored by the Saab Club of North America’s decision to choose Southeastern Michigan as the location of their Silver Jubilee convention,” said Steve Shannon, Saab Automobile USA general manager.
In 1947, when the company first entered the car market, Saab was known only as an aircraft manufacturer - the name is an acronym for Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget AB, or Swedish Aircraft Company Limited.
That first car, the Saab 92, looked like no other with its streamlined shape and innovative engineering. This isn’t surprising, since it was developed by a team of aircraft engineers who wanted to challenge that era’s conventional automotive design wisdom.
Now, more than four million cars later, Saab is a global premium car brand selling in more than 60 countries around the world. Enthusiasts from many of these countries are expected to arrive in Michigan to celebrate the Saab spirit of innovation and independent thinking.
Some believe that this perspective is driven by the values of Scandinavian culture and Saab’s roots in aviation. Over the years Saab pioneered numerous advances in car safety, driver ergonomics, environmental technology and enhanced engine performance through turbocharging. But the conditions that may prompt one aspect of Swedish culture – the brooding associated with Bergman films that may be partly due to the dark skies of the long winters – shouldn’t be a factor in August in Michigan.
Beyond exhibiting the flourishing Saab USA Heritage Collection and the latest array of products, including a number of special 60-Year Anniversary Editions, the company is promising to announce “important Saab product news at the event.”
Once can expect to see the Aero X concept car was and ponder how its styling influenced the new Saab 9-3.
The 9-3 styling delivers all-new front bodywork, lighting, new door panels and rear styling features, that give it a more “assertive stance” and the company says it will deliver “an even more rewarding experience behind the wheel.”
The new 9-3 range will include a Sport Sedan, SportCombi and Convertible models. Available as the 2.0T and 2.8 V6 Aero, the 9-3 is expected in United States showrooms this fall.
For more information on the 2007 North American Saab Owners’ Convention, including details on the exact event location, program activities and a link for online registration: www.saabconvention.org
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