1980: Saab introduces Automatic Performance Control (APC), and an anti-knock sensor that allowed higher fuel economy and the use of lower grade fuel without engine damage.
1981: Saab introduces the split-field side mirror. This reduces the drivers blind spot.
1982: Saab introduces asbestos-free brake pads.
1983: Saab introduces the 16-valve turbocharged engine
1985: Saab pioneers direct ignition, eliminating the distributor and spark plug wires.
1991: Saab introduces a ‘light-pressure’ turbo.
1991: Saab is the first manufacturer to offer CFC-free air-conditioning.
1991: Saab develops its ‘Trionic’ engine management system, equipped with a 32-bit micro-processor.
1993: Saab introduces the ‘Sensonic clutch’ and the ‘Black Panel’, later to be called the ‘Night Panel’.
1993: Saab develops the ‘Safeseat’ rear passenger protection system.
1994: Saab introduces the ‘Trionic T5.5’ engine management system, its processor is a Motorola 68332.
1995: Saab presents an asymmetrically turbocharged V6 at the Motor Show in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
1996: Saab introduces active head restraints (SAHR), which help minimize the risk of whiplash.
1997: Saab introduces Electronic Brake-force Distribution
1997: Saab fits ventilated front seats to their new 9-5.
1997: Saab introduces ComSense; an alert delay feature that reduces the risk of distraction by briefly postponing lower priority alerts when the brakes or indicators are activated
2000: Saab introduces Saab Variable Compression, an engine in which the compression ratio is varied by tilting the cylinder head in relation to the pistons.
2002: Saab developed ReAxs System provides crisp steering feedback and contributes to enhanced driving stability in curves
2003: Saab introduces CargoSET; automatic storage well retraction for the convertible, a two-step tonneau action for quicker soft-top deployment
2008: Saab introduces Cross-wheel drive, an advanced all-wheel drive system with eLSD.
And for what it’s worth:
Saab drivers have the highest level of “psychological involvement” with their cars. They are more than 10 times more passionate than the average Volkswagen driver. ( Why the Saab inspires intense feelings )
Some of these homilies touched on what Struebel described as the other main quality of Saab – and that is to do with design. If rallying got the cars noticed by the world’s mechanics and serious drivers in the 1960s, then it was their bubbled bodies and uncompromising functionality that made them fashionable among European and American product designers and architects in the 1970s and 1980s. The Saab aesthetic, from the first prototype onwards, was determined by Sixten Sason, a great Swedish industrial designer, who also helped shape the Hasselblad camera and Electrolux kitchen appliances. Although he died young, in 1967, Sason’s work was carried on by his apprentice, Björn Envall, who continued as Saab’s head of design until the 1990s. Saabs from those years are the work of subtly alien minds. Everything you would expect to find in a car is there, just not where you would have thought of putting it. This quality of surprise – from colour schemes such as my grandparents’ beige, to unusual gearboxes – attracted many people for just that reason, and they, in turn, celebrated the cars’ oddity. Saab stories are often celebrations of the absurd, or of non-conformism: of the original 16 men who built the Ur-Saab, people like to say, only two knew how to drive.
nice (ctrl + V) job, engio. Now take the time and look up what
of the above was an industry first at the time.
The head restraints where brought to market by SAAB. One could applaude that.
The black panel as well, but there is a lot of Marketing Blow in that list.
Speeking of that, I just downloaded that Power Point about Chryslers future.
If that was my CEO’s presentation I’d run. I am genuinely shocked. They don’t need to hire better
graphics people. The form exactly reflects the content. (or lack thereof)
Well I agree there weren’t many user centric innovations on that list, not to mention revolutionary ones. But engineering can be creative too, no? I won’t bother looking up what was industry-first - I don’t care enough. I’ll trust there was something unique about all those things since they are officially claimed as SAAB innovations.
Still, every car manufacturer has a list like that and most will probably be way way longer and more impressive, so I actually agree with you.
Saab was always taking a different design road. Like their waffle A/C vents, their night mode speedometer, the key in the centre console, the locking gear shift. It was such a breath of fresh air compared to the cookie cutter stuff from the big makes (I include Merc, BMW, Audi here). I`ll miss them.
Complete details of the transaction have yet to be fully disclosed, but it’s understood to include Spyker giving GM $74 million up front, along with allowing The General to pocket a further $326 million in preferred shares from the new Spyker-owned entity. The deal requires that the Swedish government agree to guarantee a 400 million-euro loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB), a step that is expected to be consummated in February.
As part of the agreement, Spyker chairman Vladimir Antonov has agreed to step down, a move reportedly key to GM’s interests in keeping its intellectual property sequestered from Russian hands.
With Saab’s operations already partially “wound down” from GM’s liquidation moves following the collapse of the earlier Koenigsegg deal, it will be interesting to see how quickly Spyker can get the Swedish marque’s operations back up to speed, including delivery of the 2011 9-5 sedan, a promising vehicle range that was likely the linchpin holding the whole deal together.
Also of note: Saab never really closed. Production of the 2011 9-5 started, supposedly to “fill existing orders”. Last week, a 2012 Saab 9-5 wagon was seen winter testing. Also, the factory has produced 40-50 pre-production 9-4x within the last few months.
Less than a week after a 2.3 million vehicle recall, the announcement yesterday to it’s 1,200 US dealers of a stop-sale on eight of it’s current models (new and used) it may be Toyota that shuts down. Those models represented about 57% of total US sales.
RAV4, Corolla, Matrix, Avalon, Highlander, Tundra, and Sequoia. Plus certain 2007-2010 Camry sedans.
Those that don’t learn from history, are doomed to repeat it. Contained within are articles and opinions that further expose the issues around Toyota.
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A consolidated news source for Toyota Motor Corporation. This is a professional communications site to educate the public on the many issues associated with Toyota. Comments should remain professional.
I can only imagine that they are popping the champagne at Hyundai, Toyota and Honda headquarters. In the course of 2 years, all their American competition stopped. Easy sales!
It is too sad that cars are dying. I’ve complained for 20 years that no one is making a BMW 2002 anymore. Soon, I’ll be complaining no one makes a Chevy Cavalier anymore…
Cars are dying. It’s interesting to note that Ford has made another big improvement in the Focus and Fiesta, but only for the ROTW, not Americaland. However, it’s also of note that the Qashqai and the Tiguan are now in Europe’s top 10 and every company with a Euro focus is working like made to get small crossovers out. It’s only a question of time…
Moreover, who isn’t a “traditional car maker”? Tesla, maybe? 99% of cars sold are from traditional makes as far as I can tell.
The analysis revealed that instead of jumping on the SUV bandwagon, 42% of Cruze and Focus owners are choosing to stay in the passenger car segment. So far this year, 23% of Cruze owners and 31% of Focus owners who traded in their car for another car bought from a competitor.
Buyers are instead going for the Asian brands, which have kept up or even increased their small car lineups to pick up the slack. Ford and GM customers went for cars like the Hyundai Kona, Jeep Compass, Subaru Crosstrek, Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, or Kia Forte, all sensible options, so perhaps this is for the better for people actually buying the cars.
Of course the Hyundai Kona, Jeep Compass, Subaru Crosstrek are all cross over type things, kind of. More like tall hatchbacks, like a Toyota Matrix.
The brand loyalty of former Cruze and Focus owners has been steadily declining in the last three years. The percentage of Focus owners trading in their vehicle and buying another Ford has declined from 40% in 2016 to 33% through September of this year. The drop in brand loyalty is more pronounced among former Cruze owners: 45% elected to trade in their Cruze for another Chevrolet vehicle so far this year, compared to 57% in 2016.
If I had to trade my Focus for a brand new car, I would try the Elantra GT N-line and a GTI. Maybe an Accord / Mazda 6 with a stick shift. But, I don’t buy new cars, so it’s a mote point.
It will be interesting to see in 2029 when GM and Ford try to relaunch their cars if people will come back or if these customers have written them off permanently. As Audi showed us, it takes 20 years to turn a brand around…
guess they’ll just have to continue to build bitch’n aircraft.