What You Can Do
These are challenging times for all Saab enthusiasts but we are confident that there is still a chance that our marque will survive. There is currently a global E-mail campaign underway to persuade GM to sell Saab instead of wind it down.
Steven Wade of saabsunited.com has articulated it perfectly:
"We have one chance only to put across our point of view as Saab owners and enthusiasts. Saab have a business plan, new vehicles and an efficient factory to produce them. They have a passionate base of supporters and the right cars to win new customers to the brand.
The time is now.
The email address for Ed Whitacre, the Chairman and CEO of GM is eewjr [at] gm [dot] com
If you care about the future of Saab then I invite you to write a brief, polite and passionate message to Mr Whitacre, outlining why you think Saab should be sold, rather than closed.
I can't emphasise this enough: make your message passionate, but polite. A passionate message that clearly states a point of view will be read and considered. An angry message will only find its way into the trash."
- Gizago's blog
- Login or register to post comments
That's it??
I visited the club's site to determine what types of activities you are undertaking to show support for the sale of Saab instead of its closure. I was disappointed to find this latest entry on the home page to be nine days old. Moreover, it is merely a repetition of Steven Wade's call for emails to GM's Ed Whitacre Jr.
Have you considered a rally of Saab owners to meet at GM Canada's headquarters in Oshawa?
Has the club's President written letters to any of the participants in the negotiations besides Whitacre Jr.?
Have you posted any supportive comments on saabsunited.com?
Have you asked your members what THEY think can be done?
Surely Canada's national Saab club can do more?
I have done lots ... what have you done?
I have spoken to press in Canada ... some of whom didn't even know there was anything going on.
Others do and this means nothing to them.
I have also forwarded my letter on to every media organization (around the world) I could think of and even sent it to the White House.
As for writting letters to potential buyers ... do you have their personal addresses?
I know I don't.
Dropping them a line at their corp head office won't do anything anyway ... they WANT to buy Saab NOW.
They don't need any encouraging for that.
GM Canada dropped Saab Canada months ago.
What do you think a dozen Saabs meeting in their parking lot is going to do?
By the way, have you got time for this?
Unfortunately, I haven't, not during the standard work day.
28 meeting at GM corp headquarters in Michigan barely got their notice.
I am active on most of the Saab forums out there (and have been for over 6 years) and post when I feel I have something to say.
I am also in touch with several Saab folks in Sweden and various other places around the world reminding them that we Canadians are behind them and are supporting them in any way we can.
As for asking the members what they think, what they could do ... well, the club members know what has been done so far and many of them have taken up "the fight" if you will themselves.
I would challenge you to become an active member of the club (e-mail or fax in your application form) to see.
Anything you would like to organize would be welcome.
Any time out of your day to put something together would be appreciated.
I am doing what I can.
I know others are as well.
And given that I personally spend over 60 hours a week working to keep as many Saabs running and on the road as I can, I think that my dedication to the brand is second to none.
I also spend a fair amount of my own time working for this club.
Just how many hours in the day do you think there are?
You think we can do more?
I'm all ears.
My e-mail and personal phone number are all over this site.
Drop me a line ... give me a call.
Do something other than posting a comment complaining about ... well, what you are complaining about.
Surely, YOU can do more!
Scott Hutchings
President, The Saab Owners Club of Canada
President at SaabClub.ca
Saab Support Convoys
Simultaneous Saab convoys around the world on Jan 17th, with the main event in Sweden at the Saab Car Museum. Contact me at christine [at] armcomm [dot] net if you are interested in participating in Tonowanda, NY (outside Buffalo). We're trying to organize a successful media event to show the strength of Saab enthusiasts.