Saab AB Automobile has just appointed Avarto to help it to design, build and manage a brand new customer relationship management system for its dealers.

The new programme being designed by Avarto will consider Saab sales, marketing, loyalty and customer service activities.  The new programme will focus on new campaigns by using a series of communication mediums including SMS, Internet, Email and Voice.

Niclas Medin, head of customer interaction centre operation, Saab Global Sales and Brand Operationals, said: ‘Through this new approach, we aim to improve customer satisfaction while also reducing our costs by up to 30 per cent.’

‘Key to this strategy is harnessing the power of the data from the contact centres to inform our sales and marketing activity, enabling us to build long-term relationships with our customers.’

Mark Brown, Arvato’s managing director of CRM and loyalty services business states, ‘A growing number of international brands like Saab are consolidating their customer contact activities through a single solution to improve customer satisfaction, proactive revenue generation and realise significant cost savings.’

Saab GB is continuing its Marketing and PR offensive in the UK.  Only last week Saab GB announced their multi million pound national campaign to raise awareness of the brand and to introduce its new flagship 9-5 model.

Saab GB have announced the appointment of Jackie Allard as a new PR Manager.  Jackie brings with her a wealth of motor industry experience and joins Saab GB Ltd after nine years at Chrysler UK Ltd.  Reporting to Marketing and PR Director, David Pugh, Jackie will be responsible for all day to day PR activity including fleet loans.

Following the successful sale of Saab Automobile to Spyker Cars in May, the launch of the all-new 9-5 saloon in July and the relocation of Saab GB to a new head office in August, things are certainly moving fast for the newly independent company.  With a new product range in the pipeline, the next couple of years are going to be a very exciting time for Saab, the dealer network and most importantly for customers.

After a tweet by show organisers of the 2010 LA Auto Show in November, it has been confirmed by Saab that the 9-4X Crossover will be making its world debut at the show.  Motoring press is also awaiting confirmation that the new 9-4x shares its underpinnings with the Cadillac SRX.  The car is likely to hit the market in Spring 2011.

Furthermore its also expected that the new car will house the same powerplants seen in newly released 9-5.

Car maker Saab and its Swedish counterpart Volvo Cars have ramped up production.  Both car makers are saying there has been a surge in demand for their products.  Saab which was on the brink of closure re-hired 200 people during early summer.   The factory is due to re-open on Monday after a three week break.

Saab spokeman Eric Geers said ‘ Before the holiday we increased production from 28 to 39 cars per hour, or slightly more than 300 cars per day.’  Chinese car maker Geely is due to complete its purchase of Volvo by this month.

As from the beginning of next week, Saab Cars North America will offically be taking over GM on warranty and service for lates Saab’s from GM dealers in Canada.

The new model Saab 9-5, is due to arrive by the end of September. Officially Saab left the North American market in late 2009, after its import and dealer agreements expired, whilst Spyker was in negotiation to acquire Saab from GM.

Mike Colleran, Saab Cars North America president stated ‘So you’re really starting from scratch. For Canada, we figured we needed an independent importer.’  Saab will work with 20 dealers in Canada with the new 9-5 appearing at the end of September.  This will be followed by a facelifted 9-3 in October.  In spring 2011, the 9-4x crossover is due to arrive, which will be first Saab to be built in Mexico. 

Colleran also said, ‘Canadian Saab consumers are fiercely loyal’, and he gets letters on a daily basis to find out when is Saab coming back?

Since Spyker’s acquisition of Saab, the car maker hasn’t looked back since its reversal of fortunes.  Recently it was announced by Saab chairman Victor Muller, new product lines, new architecture and now it appears that the Saab are seeking new importers to enter new markets.

The car maker is looking for an importer for the Mexican, Brazilian and Argentine market.  As an importer they will be expected to import and distribute Saab vehicles and parts.  They will also be expected to establish a national dealer network and to offer marketing support.

 

In a press release Saab have confirmed, ‘As a first step in the recruitment process, Saab has engaged the services of the consultancy firm API LLC, based in the United States, who will begin evaluating potential candidates for an exclusive Saab distribution contract .’

With the release of all new Saab 9-5, followed by an estate variant and a 9-4X crossover vehicle, Saab believes it is at the right stage to consider its global expansion, coupled by new product launches. 

Saab is present in 53 countries and with a recent entrance into the South African market which scheduled to be completed in the next 3 months.

‘These are exciting times for the Saab franchise as we continue to restructure our international operations,’ said Adrian Hallmark, Saab Automobile’s Executive Director of Sales. ‘We are now seeking a long-term business partner with knowledge of the automotive market in Mexico. They must share our entrepreneurial approach to business and demonstrate a total commitment to customer service.’

Maybe  the Saab of the new Saab 9-5, may be of some discussion around dinner tables but following a recent test drive of the the new Saab 9-5 we were taken back by the much loved cupholder which first transpired in the 9-5 in 1997.  Whilst the new 9-5 has some cutting edge technology coupled with 21st century styling there is the absence of the much loved pop out cupholder.  This is not to say that the new Saab does not have a cupholder, it does in fact there is 2 beneath the armrest.  It is unfortunate if you decide to take a drink and wish to rest you arm at the same time. 

We suppose its fair to say, this is a short misgiving and who know maybe we will see the traditional cupholder make a re-appearence if not anytime soon.

Spyker CEO and Saab Chairman Victor Muller has annouced that the next Saab 9-3, due for release in 2012 will be based on a new platform.  Saab’s newly appointment design chief Jason Castriota it said to be styling the forthcoming 9-3.  Castriota is best know for designing the Maserita Gran Trusimo and Ferrari P4/P5 whilst working for design house Pininfarina.  Muller has confirmed that Castriota has already started working on the new 9-3.

Muller has also confirmed that new platform will be called ‘Phoenix’, the symbol of rebirth.  He also spoke about the platform being a proprietary platform designed by Saab as opposed to being inherited from GM.  Saab is now back up and running making about 1200 cars a week from what was chilling time for Saab with only 500 cars available for sale in the US. 

Rolling out a brand new model in just two years time is an ambitious plan, but Muller is convinced that they shall achieve this goal.  In 2012 the oldest car will be the brand new 9-5 which hit showrooms late last month.

There is some speculation that Saab may return back to The World’s Rally Championship peaking it at the highest level.  Saab last competed in the WRC back in 1979 and 2012 could be the year Saab makes a comeback to the sport.  The car could be based on the forthcoming 9-1 or 9-2, powered by a Mini engine.

 

It is understood that representatives from Spyker have already had talks with the sport’s organisers.; they are likely to be a second round of talks in October in the Rally of France.  Autosport magazine have confirmed their sources state, ‘The initial meeting (between Saab and WRC officials, believed to include both the FIA commissions and promoter North One Sport) has happened and there’s a huge amount of enthusiasm from all concerned. Like Mini, Saab has a great heritage in the sport and a return to the WRC makes a lot of sense.’

It’s Saab’s big push.  Since the official launch of the new Saab 9-5 there has been endless reviews by the global press.  Whilst there has been some mixed reactions about the new 9-5, mostly they have all been very positive and certainly in the advertising world there is no such thing as bad publicity.  Furthermore, at present Saab needs to get noticed, one dealer we spoke to even stated that some of their customers thought the company had closed down. 

Saab’s latest big push is its international site which has been dedicated to the new 9-5.  The site shows an aerial view of the new 9-5 surrounded by designers and you can click many of the interactive features.  Take a look at www.saab.com