Saab Automobile Parts North America PRESS RELEASE

Last week we mentioned an upcoming support program to complement the warranty program for 2009 and earlier Saab vehicles, called Saab Secure, directed at owners of 2010 and 2011 Saab cars that had warranty voided when Saab Cars North America closed. We are happy to present the following press-release from Saab Automobile Parts North America (SPNA), issued today:

Press Information

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 10, 2013

Saab Automobile Parts North America Launches Saab Secure Program for recent Saab Owners   

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•  Program makes available a Limited Lifetime Protection Plan on internal   engine components for 2010 and 2011 Model Year Saab owners for no initial cost.   
• Offers affordable extended vehicle service contract coverage, backed by     a respected industry partner.
• Program complements the recent agreement between Saab Automobile Parts North America and General Motors to provide warranty services on 2009 and prior model year vehicles.
• Saab Automobile parts North America has created an infrastructure to ensure Saab Owners have access to Saab Genuine Parts, Accessories and Service for many years to come.

Today, Saab Automobile Parts North America (SPNA) announced its Saab Secure program.  The program was developed to support those 2010 and 2011 model year Saab owners left without warranty coverage due to the bankruptcy of Saab Automobile AB in Sweden.

All 2010 and 2011 model year Saab vehicle owners are eligible to come in for a no charge initial oil change and service, which includes BG Products, Inc. engine oil additives.   This service initiates the Limited Lifetime Protection Plan backed by BG.  As long as the owner continues to service their vehicle within the required intervals and at a Saab Official Service Center, the protection plan will continue for the life of the vehicle. 

In addition to the Limited Lifetime BG Protection Plan, Saab Secure will offer 2010 and 2011 model year vehicles, with up to 70,000 miles, a menu of Saab Secure vehicle service contracts that provide extended coverage levels and terms at affordable prices.  Coverage is available from Basic Care powertrain coverage to Premier Care comprehensive component coverage, and is available in terms from 1 to 5 years from the date of contract purchase. These products are being launched in partnership with Pablo Creek Services, Inc.

“Just over a year ago the news was not good.  Saab owners in North America and globally had just learned of the bankruptcy of one of the world’s most cherished automobile brands,” said Tim Colbeck, President and CEO of SPNA.   “Today they are hearing some good news about parts, service and vehicle coverage.  It is news Saab owners and the Saab network deserve, and I'm pleased to announce our new programs and partner companies, who are all committed to serving Saab owners in North America.”

Today’s news follows the announcement last month that SPNA and GM entered into a Warranty Services Agreement that authorizes SPNA to provide warranty administration and related services through SPNAs network of Warranty Service Providers for model year 2009 and prior Saab vehicles still covered under the GM limited warranty. 

The Saab Secure program launch marks the culmination of a busy startup period for SPNA.  In the spring of 2012, Saab Automobile Parts AB in Sweden established SPNA as its North American subsidiary.  In early June 2012, SPNA purchased the remaining parts inventory from the Saab Cars bankruptcy estate and began operations in North America.  Since then, SPNA has:

• Established a network of 179 Official Service Centers in the US and Canada.
• Returned availability of Saab parts back to the high levels that existed prior to the Saab Automobile AB bankruptcy.
• Entered into an agreement with General Motors to administer warranty services on 2009 and prior model years, providing a seamless warranty experience for those Saab owners.
• Launched the Saab Secure program to support owners of 2010 and 2011 Saab models.
• Launched a North America Technical Assistance Center to provide technical help for Saab Service Centers in providing high quality repairs for Saab owners.
• Launched a North America Customer Assistance Center on January 7, 2013 to support all Saab customers in North America needing assistance with inquiries about parts, accessories, service and technical support.
• Launched a new SPNA website, Saab.com and Facebook page www.facebook.com/Saab to share up to date information about the company, service facilities and current promotions.

“The company has been working hard to build an infrastructure for the future.  It’s great that we are now able to launch these new programs, providing added support to Saab owners and the Saab service network.  We want to keep Saab cars and owners on the road well into the future” Colbeck concluded.

About Saab Automobile Parts North America

Saab Automobile Parts North America was founded to ensure Saab owners in North America are supported with Genuine Parts, Accessories, Technical Support and Repair Service for years to come.  SPNA is a DBA for North America Distribution Services, a new company, separate and independent from the Saab Automobile companies that entered bankruptcy in 2011 and 2012.

The company is headquartered in suburban Detroit, Michigan; and operates a 153,000 square foot parts warehouse in Allentown, Pennsylvania.  There are approximately 40 employees and contractors in the company.

Ownership

SPNA is a wholly owned subsidiary of Saab Automobile Parts AB, a global spare parts and logistics company, headquartered in Sweden.  Saab Automobile Parts AB in Sweden was part of the Saab Cars family of companies.   However, unlike Saab Automobile AB, Saab Automobile Parts AB did not enter bankruptcy.  The company’s shares are now fully owned by the Swedish government, who recently formalized their ownership interest.  The company has been placed with the Ministry of Finance which currently runs about 36 companies out of the 55 companies wholly or partly owned by the Swedish government.  The government has stated their intention is to be a stable owner and develop the company further.

Network

SPNA currently has 179 Official Service Centers throughout North America, many of whom are former Saab dealers.  The network continues to expand as the company identifies areas where Saab owners could use more support.  A full listing of Saab Official Service and Parts Centers is available on Saab.com.

Products and Services

SPNA is the exclusive authorized distributor to the North American market of the full line of Genuine Saab Parts and Accessories.   In addition, they are the exclusive provider of Genuine Saab Service through its network of Saab Official Service and Parts Centers.

For further details, please feel free to contact us here at Springman's. We'll be happy to help!

2013 Has Arrived (We Knew it Would!) - Happy New Year!

Well, the Mayan calender not withstanding, 2012 has passed and 2013 is underway. Christmas has come and gone for another year, the old year has been ushered out of the building and once again, New Years Resolutions are already dropping like flies.  Everyone is settling in and getting back to routine.

Looking into the future of Saab, things are looking well.  Work continues in the areas of hiring and putting together a team in Sweden to lay the groundwork for restarting the factory and preparing for production of the next Saab model.  Progress has been made in many areas regarding Parts and Warranty coverage and there is talk that Saab is looking at the feasibility of building a car in the interim based on the current 9-3 for sale earlier than the full electric model.

As far as North America goes, good news came on December 20th for many current Saab owners in the form of convenience and having their Saab's repaired.  A new agreement between SPNA and GM means that any of the 179 Saab Parts North America authorized Official Service Centres can now directly do warranty work on the previous GM era cars, 2009 and prior.  This means you do NOT have to return to a GM dealer to have warranty work completed.

The agreement also calls for the establishment  of a North America Customer Assistance Centre, benefiting ALL Saab owners.  This service is set to begin in early 2013.

Also set to start in 2013 is something called "Saab Secure".  It will be designed to provide limited support to 2010 and 2011 model year Saab cars.  A welcome development indeed. Details are still being determined but be assured that as soon as we know, so will you!

We at Springman's wish to thank all of our valued customers for their support in the past and are looking forward to some exciting news in 2013.  If there is anything we can do for you or someone you know, whether it is body shop, service or parts help on your old (or not so old!) Saab or other family car or you are searching for another vehicle, we have you covered.  Visit or call us today!

Who Needs Winter Tires?

Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice WRT Winter Tire 

With the onset of winter, the rush to buy or install snow tires is about to hit high gear. Whether buying from a reputable tire dealer or from someone selling snow tires through the classifieds, there are always a few questions that come up. We hope to be able to answer a few of the more common questions and make a decision easier for you!

The decision to buy snow tires is usually made for one of two reasons: Travel to or through snowy or icy areas, or peace of mind - If that bad winter is going to hit us like they say every few years then best be prepared right?

In a large metropolitan area, like where we are, the absolute need for winter tires is fairly low.  Most people live near a well-traveled, well-maintained road network that is usually cleared on a timely basis after a snowfall.  There are spots within these areas that can be harder hit, but sometimes two or three days is all we get and then it's back to normal Vancouver winter weather. In other words, wet, windy and dull.  The people that go skiing, travel the province's highways and the mountains or are on the road for their jobs on a regular basis are more likely to put snow tires on in the fall and take them off in the spring.

Whether winter tires are right for you or not is really your decision (here in B.C. at least). There are chain and winter tire regulations on our highways at different times of the year but for the most part the onus is on the driver.  If you can stay at home when it snows, you can save some money.



Mountain and Snowflake
symbol

So, what is a winter tire?  For all intents and purposes, a winter tire is one marked with the mountain/snowflake symbol as shown to the right.  This symbol indicates that the tire is specially constructed to a certain standard to handle cold, snowy and icy conditions using a different rubber compound and tread design suited especially for this use.  All-season tires do not meet these standards and cannot be relied upon in poor winter driving conditions to provide control and stability.

As to the question of whether two or four winter tires are required, the answer is that while two will technically work, four are always recommended.  This is to ensure that all four corners of the car have equal traction for acceleration, braking and maneuvering in all types of situations.  Proper grip from a snow tire helps the traction control, anti-lock brake and skid controls systems all work correctly by providing the best friction between the tire and the driving surface.

One consideration when shopping for snow tires is budget, of course.  Is a cheap winter tire any good?  A less-expensive tire may work just as well as a more expensive one.  As long as the mountain and snowflake are there, the tire is certified to work to the winter standard. A more expensive name-brand tire may benefit from more durable construction and more advanced design and handling characteristics but in any case an inexpensive set of proper winter tires is better than an expensive set of used all-seasons for secure winter driving. 

Another consideration is the cost of putting the tires on and taking them off every season. Costs can vary for mounting and balancing but on average a price of about $100 per season can be expected.  This involves taking the summer tires off and installing the winter tires onto the same rims in the fall and the opposite procedure in the spring.  Another option is to purchase an extra set of winter rims, usually plain steel, to mount the snow tires on full-time.  It is a higher upfront cost but some handy people can then swap their own tires over in the driveway.  This saves money and wear and tear on the tires themselves.  Can winter tires be used all year?  Yes, but they will neither last very long nor be good for handling in dry conditions.  That is not what they are designed for.  The rubber compound is too soft and the tread design is not meant for year-round driving.

Ultimately, snow tires can be a large expense, but one that can be spread out over many years.  It is not unusual to have a set of winter tires last three or four seasons (years).  This means longer life for your regular all-seasons as well!

If you are in the market for new winter tires, give us a call and let us help you make the right choice.  We carry a wide range of Goodyear and other brands to make sure you get the tire that's best for you.

How Early is Too Early for the Christmas Season to Start?

Let me start off by saying, I like Christmas.  Much like the saying "Everything in its place" though, I think that "Everything in its time" also applies.  A while ago, while wandering through our local "wholesale warehouse" store, I was reduced to shaking my head at the display I saw before me.  Christmas trees and decorations, wrap and other assorted seasonal goodies were out in full glory, ready for the upcoming season.  Sadly, the upcoming season was still over two months away!  It wasn't even Hallowe'en yet.  I understand the retailers motivations - we are after all a retail business ourselves - but surely there must be limits?

Earlier and earlier, the stores have been forced to outdo each other in a race to earn your dollar.  This in turn pushes advertising to start each "season" earlier to promote them, like we might forget Christmas is in December.

Putting aside for a moment all of the people who don't celebrate Christmas, the problem as I see it though is that nowhere do we really see the sales and deals that people crave until, at the earliest, November (Black Friday) and more common (in Canada anyway), Boxing Day.  Even Boxing Day now starts before Christmas, with "Boxing Week" sales.  For those readers not in Canada and other parts of the world that don't know, Boxing Day is the day after Christmas.  It is a nice day to relax with the family, let the kids play with their new toys, moms and dads get to sit back and think enjoy some time off and go STAND IN LINE AT SOME UNEARTHLY HOUR TO POSSIBLY BUY SOMETHING THAT MAY ALREADY BE OUT OF STOCK BY THE TIME YOU GET IN!  These shopping seasons blur the lines between holiday and gotta-get-it-days and no one relaxes.  Online Boxing Day sales now happen (and websites everywhere crash in unison with the amount of people willing to give up hours of their time) on Christmas Eve to get that last minute deal on a mixer! And around it goes.  I like a good deal as much as the next person, but to answer the earlier question, Yes, there are limits.

Oh, and another thing... I actually enjoy Christmas music.  I like the mood that it sets when putting up a tree, wrapping gifts and decorating.  I like the sound of a good Christmas song mixed with the various smells and activities of the Christmas season at home.  Whoops! Christmas season.  Christmas.  Last time I checked, Christmas was in December (See?  I didn't forget!), not November.  Our local stores started playing the odd song in late October. Now a local radio station (one that is set for background music here at work) has begun playing Christmas music non-stop, actually 24/7.  Over a month before Christmas and not even in December yet!  I halfway think that the retail marketing people must pay big money to get this to happen!  I kid but it does seem like all of the holidays and seasons blend together and it's stressful for many people.

As December approaches, and the real blitz begins to separate you from your money, remembering what the season means to you is ultimately what matters.  If shopping and standing in line makes you happy, then good for you.  Go do it.  If, on the other hand, relaxing the week before Christmas with a fire in the fireplace, a cup of (insert favorite beverage here) in your hand and the soothing background of Christmas tunes while conversing with family and friends is your thing, then enjoy yourself.  We all deserve to enjoy the season as we like.

Merry Christmas!  Uh-oh, was that too early?

What do you think?  Is there a point when it's too early?  We'd love to hear from you! Post your comments below.

Saab Warranty

When the subject of Saab comes up in conversation in many circles, another of the most asked questions is What about warranty?  Unfortunately, the answer is not exactly a simple one.

For many years, while Saab was part of General Motors, Saab vehicles carried the same warranty as any other GM car.  At the end of GMs tenure as owner, the warranty was a very strong 3-year/60,000km basic and 5-year/160,000km powertrain warranty including roadside assistance and many other benefits. Those cars are again covered by GM, provided it was sold while GM was still producing Saab cars.

When GM sold Saab to Spyker, the warranty reverted to a more premium-segment standard 4-year/80,000km full vehicle warranty.  This was sufficient for the majority of buyers and being somewhat of an industry standard, was accepted.

Then came the bankruptcy.  We at the dealer level were informed that all warranty was suspended pending the outcome of the proceedings.  This meant that several of our customers were essentially cut loose from a sinking ship and left adrift.  We are still waiting for the final word from Saab Parts North America as to whether or not they we be following the lead of the European side of things and honoring warranty here.  There is no obligation to do so, but there is a certain amount of goodwill to gained by offering this.

At that time, we were still able to cover our newest Saab drivers by providing 3rd party warranties on all of our remaining new Saabs.  For the ones that got "caught in the middle", we were also able to provide reduced costs on coverage, even though the car had already been in service for some time.

Today, we still have access to some of the best aftermarket and 3rd party warranty programs available.  Even buyers of our premium pre-owned Saab vehicles (and other makes) can benefit from these extended coverage plans.

When it comes to protecting your vehicle (and your bank account!), we have many options to help!  Call us today for information about extended warranties and what they can do for you!

Tis' the Season... to Shop?

When the US celebrates Thanksgiving, it means that we north of the 49th are subjected to a barrage of Black Friday promotions from electronics to cars to flooring sales.  

The term "Black Friday" was originally coined in association with a financial crisis in the US in the late 1800's. Later, it was used to describe the mess of traffic and crowding on the day after Thanksgiving when many people were taking advantage of an extra day off and shopping for the upcoming Christmas holidays.
Eventually the term evolved more towards the idea that is signaled the time of year when retailers finally "got out of the red and into the black", referring to finally turning a profit.  Ultimately, it became a day that, to our friends south of the border, begins the month-long frenzy of the Christmas shopping season.

To some of us in Canada, it means a long wait at the border, longer waits at checkouts, possible hotel room and meals and wondering whether we really are getting the best deal when we go across the line.  More and more in recent years, Canadian retailers have been watching the masses go south and were unable to do much to stem the flow.  Now it seems these same folks are getting smart to the fact that if they offer the same or similar deals, more people would stay here.  To hear the various news reports, the tide is turning - slowly.  The prices are getting much closer to parity but is it enough?

In the automotive business, we have always had a larger difference between the US and Canadian prices.  It was always explained away as population differences, transportation costs, taxes and other similar reasons.  Much of this is true and it is difficult to sell a car in Canada on par with the US.

On the other hand, can a "big box" electronics retailer afford to mark down particular high-volume items, such as TVs, for a short period of time?  Certainly for a few days, one must think they can.  If they want to keep Canadian shoppers here, there really isn't much of a choice.  One does have to wonder though, does a Canadian division of an American company care?  If the money all goes to the same place, maybe not.  A fully Canadian company will have the added challenge of competing against that.

As mentioned earlier, more Canadian retailers are now having Black Friday sales. Prices are much closer to those down south, but is it enough to make up for sitting in border line-ups and dealing with crowds at the same stores there as you could shop at here?

Time will tell if the Canadian stores will be able to keep shoppers here.  Are you planning to go south to shop or not?  Let us know in comments below.  

In the meantime, the best advice from many so-called cross-border shopping experts out there is to check and double-check US and Canadian ads before going shopping.  We may even have a deal or two ourselves!  That new purchase may not be as expensive as you think right here at home! 

Parts and Service for Your Saab

Over the last few months, many changes have happened with Saab and its related businesses.  We can all agree, from employees to customers, that it has been a challenge to get parts to repair our Saabs in a timely manner.

When Saab Cars North America ceased operations, many questions were raised as to what it meant for parts supply, warranty and repair and service capability.

Speaking from our standpoint at Springman's, the answer was "Not much."  We were still able to service and repair Saab vehicles, order parts for the service department, body shop and counter-sale customers.  We still had the tools to diagnose issues and perform routine maintenance.  Warranty issues were partially resolved when GM stated that they would honor warranties on all Saab cars sold while they still owned the brand.  Anything after was a different story.  We will look at this in another post.

What we did have an issue with was timely delivery of parts from the warehouse in the US that serviced North America.  It could take awhile, sometimes weeks, to have the necessary parts in hand to do even a routine repair or replacement.  Can anyone say 9-3 key?

All that changed when Saab Automobile Parts AB assumed control of the North American operation for distribution of parts.  From immediately filling stock levels in the warehouse to cutting down delivery times, Saab Parts fixed much of what was wrong with the system as it currently was.  Part of the change included signing up dealers and repair facilities as Official Service Centres.  These OSC's are directly linked to Saab Parts North America and we are now able to much more quickly order and receive those much needed items to get your car back on the road.

From a communication from SPNA:

"Some highlights of our parts sourcing activities are out- lined below:

• Allentown fill rate is at 80% and rising, up nearly 30% in 2 weeks.
• Sweden fill rate is at 90% and rising daily.
• Received $2M in air orders (10 shipments).
• Received $2M in sea shipments (14 containers).
• $7M in additional inventory is on order and in transit.
• More inventory is arriving daily.
• Many of the highest demand parts are now in stock.
• Very large order of body panels is scheduled to arrive in September, be sure to place your orders now!

Our network continues to grow. Since opening our doors for business on June 7th, we have signed up 179 OSC’s in the U.S. and Canada. All OSC’s are listed on our website and are searchable in the geo-locator function."

As we can see, things have stabilized and are becoming more solid by the day. Parts for your Saab will be available for a long time to come!

We at Springman's are proud to be able to continue to be the one-stop shop for all your vehicle maintenance, repair and parts needs!  Contact us today!