Saab and the Toronto Auto Show

[SaabScott]

The Brand Manager for Saab Canada asked the Saab Owners' Club of Canada Inc. to participate in the Saab display at the auto show.

Without much (OK ... any) hesitation, we agreed.
Quite willingly as a matter of fact!

The show runs from Friday February 17 to Sunday February 26.
I was there on the opening night (from 5-9), back again on Saturday (from 11:30-5), and I'll be back there on Thursday night (5-9).

Saab has a good display set up (even if it is tucked away behind Saturn).
There are:
9-3 Aero (SS, SC, and Vert)
9-3
9-5 (SS, SC)
9-2X
9-7X 4.2i

The 9-5 sedan (in black) is on the raised display ... but the 9-3SS and 9-3SC Aero models are what you get to first!

I am (pleasantly) surprised by the amount of attention the 9-7X is getting ... everyone wants to take a close look at it ... and (other than 1 person who didn't fit in it) no one has had anything negative to say!

The other thing that is getting people is the 9-3SS.
For 2006, Saab Canada has dropped the 175hp 2.0L lpt engine and added both ACC and 8-way power drivers seat ... and lowered the price!
It is getting a lot of attention and a lot of consideration that Saab was not getting before!

The 9-3SS and SC Aero models have been great cars to talk about ... and the conversation always ended with "go into a dealer for a test drive ... you'll be able to see (and feel) for yourself ...".

More to come ...

[Willy Wonka]

It's ok that your post is 4 days late. No one here from the hinter lands anyway !

[jetman]

There's an auto show on right now in this city?

[SaabScott]

Originally Posted by jetman

There's an auto show on right now in this city?

I expect to see you at the exhibit on Thursday night ... it's just a walk down the street from your office ... and I'll even give you a lift home afterwards!

[SaabScott]

Originally Posted by jetman

There's an auto show on right now in this city?

I didn't see you!

===================================

I was there last Thursday evening.

Another interesting time.

I met people who:
own Saabs
have owned Saabs
own multiple Saabs
own Saabs and have new ones on order
own Saabs with more km's than I have!
were looking for a new car and had not considered Saab
were looking for a new car and had considered Saab
did not know that Saab provided as much value for the dollar as they do
did not know that SOCCI existed

From the moment I got there until just after 9:00 I was busy with one person after another.
I spent a lot of time with one gentleman who was looking for a new car and had actually driven the 9-3 Aero.
But, based on a limited experience with the car, he was not planning on giving it another shot ... until I spoke to him.
He was very impressed that the club was being represented at the show and was even more impressed with the information I gave him on the car and the passion I showed towards the brand ... enough so that he will be taking a 9-3 out again and giving it some serious consideration.

I spoke to many people about the 9-7X ... most were not even aware that Saab had an SUV in their line up.
I spoke honestly about the vehicle and even had one customer with 3 Envoys very interested in it!
Most people who visited the Saab booth were very happy to see the expanded line up and were even more happy with the starting price of the 9-3!
Many people showed up asking about the changes to the 9-5 and were quite happy with what they saw.
But it was the SportCombi that really attacted the attention ... pretty much everyone that came by wanted to take a look and I don't think many were disappointed.

In all, I firmly believe that having the club at the show was not only good for the club, but great for Saab itself.
Everyone I talked to was very surprised to learn that I didn't work for Saab or GM ... and were even more surprised when they realized that I was there on a volunteer basis!

I would like to think that I may have persuaded as many as 10 or 12 people to stop in at their local dealer for a test drive ... the rest is up to the Saab dealers!
Good luck guys!

[jetman]

I actually had no idea the auto show was on until I read this thread. I could have come and helped. I love to talk.