Who cares where the money comes from !!

My favourite profile photograph. This goes to show what the last 13 months has done.
I have used this on the odd occasion for the last 10 years and it still makes me smile. At least its better than the one on GM Peoplefinder where I look as miserable as sin which I probably am.

Not satisfied having lost the last battle over SAAB the analysts are again out in force to have one last stab at crucifying SAAB.
Having read so many news articles over the last few months, it has become crystal clear that SAAB the Swedish banks and certain investment / life insurance companies are the targets for their venom. Are they considering the public interest or are these really the targets that stir public emotions.
In the case of banks they duly have the reputation of robbing you blind which indeed they do, and pay themselves big fat bonuses in doing so !!!.

In the case of SAAB though who the hell should care. What has SAAB a small manufacturer of great cars ever done that should create the types of headlines and targeted hatred.

SAAB in the last few months has stirred enormous emotions within the faithful and has in fact created a " nuvo SAAB " following. People who had almost never heard of the quirky iconic brand. Incidently " ICONIC " is the new in word. There have been several high and mighty leaders using it in the last week particularly relating to SAAB being sold to Spyker Cars.

Turning to Victory Victors cash pile.

The press and analysts here in Sweden are " demanding " to know where Vickies cash comes from.

The government on the other hand having sent in SEPO, the FBI,KGB and not least 007 to investigate seem quite cool and satisfied......for now.
It will take just one little sh** journalist to uncover the dirt on Vicky and it will be blown wide open.
This holier than thou attitude is mind boggling and pathetic to say the least.

I for one have some ( not many ) morals but when Vicky says its private then its private, notwithstanding drugs, prostitution etc etc. are no go

Write about the banks and the fat bonuses or whatever you like but give Vicky and SAAB a chance to make this happen

OKSAAB

That was the week that was

Here is a photograph of me ( middle )with some of my team at Saab Design 2005

I am not sure whether this was a good week or not.
There is no question that it will be one to remember.
Decision made, it was a fantastic week.

This is going to be an enormous flywheel that could be difficult to get going at first but the inertia that will be created will make it difficult to stop.

Plans B,C& D are now on ice. Sorry Trollhattan no fish & chip shop just yet. You'll just have to make do with Pizzas and kebab.

Back in 2005 GM announced that Saab Design would close and move to Russelsheim which it did in 2006.
Both my studio colleagues and I went through exactly the same agony.What were the alternatives ?? Russelsheim was not an option, A dark grey city in the middle of a country that I have never been particularly fond of living. ( My apologies but I miss the elements that makes Sweden special for me )

All possibilities were open for future career opportunities.
Within my team we discussed it almost every day.
More as a joke than anything else I got locked on two ideas.

1. A fish & chip shop - As I mentioned in an earlier blog Pizza,Pizza & Pizza is on the Trollhattan take away menu.I have a friend from my childhood whose parents had a F&C shop close to where I lived. Eventually he took over and created a chain of F&C shops and made a fortune. It was called Pete's Plaice. I could do this over the whole of Sweden and maybe compete with Ronald Macdonald. The one thing that deterred me was that I didn't fancy the idea of smelling of old frying oil.Prada and Versace are more in my line.
I will continue this story as it is connected to idea number 2


2. Idea number 2 was an internet launderette. For those who are not familiar with launderette's it is where you can do your laundry.
The concept came to mind as Trollhattan high school was become a university.
An influx of 10000 new students mostly from 18 - 22 were to descend upon the town.

The concept was to offer a cafe with internet connection where the students could sit while doing their laundry, chat,mingle,surf or whatever.
This was a sure winner as here in apartment dominated Sweden you need to book a time in the communal washing room. I figured students would find it difficult to work with this concept preferring more to " drop in "


The reason these two ideas are connected is that one of the guys who worked for me ( Erik ) was one of life's wonderful characters.I have my arm around Erik in the photograph. The whole team had hours of fun at his expense. Never cruel he enjoyed it,he felt loved and wanted which he was.
I teased him that he would be the ideal person to run my two money spinning ventures.
Erik is a jolly good natured man who can talk and laugh for Sweden. If laughing was an officially recognized sport in the Olympic games he would win gold for sure.
Erik would be the perfect front man to success.

In addition I teased him about running the launderette.

The design of the cafe would be such that it could take 20 washing and 10 drying machines. There would be a room or passage way behind the row of machines that when people put the money in it would go straight into Erik's pocket..black money.

Erik's bonus I assured him was that he would get the additional benefit of dealing with attractive young girls and their various forms of ( minute ) clothing

Pure fantasy but we had a lot of fun.

This journey has not been at all the same. Much more serious and much more concerning, but today I feel great. It is both Friday and I can put the last 13 months behind me.
This definitely was that was the week that was.

OKSAAB

Happiness is an understatement

I took part yesterday in the welcoming home of Jan-Åke Jonsson and Victor Muller at the Saab Museum.
What an event !!
It is difficult to estimate exactly how many Saab emplyees had left their workplaces to join. It certainly appeared that the vast majority were in attendance.

We were encouraged to car share, park away from the museum in side roads and extra public transport was layed on.
The carnival atmosphere was charged with goodwill,happiness and relief.
I could here similar conversations using the same adjectives.
It was freezing cold and snow but nobody cared. This was the day that we had all been waiting for for so long.

A sound stage had been set up, a new 9-5 and a Spyker C8 were on display ( Spyker really need to do somthing about that design )
The press were in full attendance.
I am unsure whether either Jan-Åke and Victor Muller new anything about the event as they were ferried directly from " Trollhättan International Airport " having flown in directly from Stockholm.
Needless to say the standing ovation they received was overwhelming especially for Jan-Åke who had some difficulty in composing his speech. Totally understandable.
Here is a man who has really travelled the year long roller coaster.


Today starts the beginning of a new era in Saabs history. The challenge is enormous , to change the tide of public perception will not be easy

I plan to buy shares in Saab Spyker Automobile NV as the new company will be called.

Not many but enough to vote and have my say. Enough to show commitment to an independent SAAB ( Spyker )

I will order a new SAAB 9-3 SC next week and I truly hope that many many more will do the same.I will lobby the Audi BMW and Mercedes owners that I know to change to a great brand with spirit and determination. Determination enough to fight and

SAVE SAAB

Now the campaign begins

This is truly FANTASTIC news and I cannot find enough adjectives to describe how I feel.
I watched the press conference from Stockholm live and was enormously impressed with the commitment and passion of both Jan Åke and Victor Muller

I received a number of mails yesterday evening including one from the RESCUE SAAB.COM
campaign.
Having heard the news this morning I was a little surprised.

The mail headline was " Saab Rescued-Mission accomplished ". I guess that I understand their message but in my book the " Mission " has only just begun.

The mission is now to turn the tide of negativity surrounding SAAB. To challenge the Swedish analysts and pundits who as was on the news this morning questioning Saab's long term viability.They gave SAAB 2-3 years at most.
What are these people like !!!!
As I mentioned in an earlier blog edition, the Swedish media have no idea how to be positive and supportive.

My son who is 10 years old is pretty smart.

At exactly 17.33 he called me on my mobile as I was on my way to a course that I am taking.
" Your job is safe you do not have to worry anymore , Saab is sold to Spyker "

I had not realized that he was even really aware of the situation we as a family were facing. Clearly I underestimated him. He had heard the discussions, he was listening to the news and in all probability understood to some extent that closing Saab whould have some impact on his life too.

The campaign begins in earnest.
To launch and develop new vehicles, move faster and more efficiently and more importantly to challenge the media.Improve the brand image and sell more Saab's.

For those supporters out there who have campaigned so hard to " SAVE SAAB " ( for which we will be eternally grateful )

Keep the nostalga in the garage and take them out on fine sunny days.

Order your new SAAB from your dealer now !!! and encourage your BMW / AUDI freinds to do the same !!! -

OKSAAB

Mr. Whitacre's press conference

I left work yesterday and rushed home specifically to watch the press conference live on GMtv.I had sent the link as we are unable to view this at Saab.
Fresh coffee in place I eagerly waited for the 17.30 slot.This had to be it.
After a day of positive reports started by SVt's RAPPORT this was the news SAAB fans the world over had been waiting for.........SAAB had been sold to Spyker...........WRONG !!!

This was not the press conference subject matter at all. This was a typical back slapping what a great team GM is type of Press conference.

I have to say at this point that I am not a great fan of Mr. Whiticare, his mannerism's and his style .........then who am I to judge.
I tried to count how many times he mentioned what a great leadership team he had around him but was distracted by two of my kids and gave up at somewhere between 11 and 13.

Strangely enough a song from the musical ' EVITA' came into my head. I have no idea why but over and over again I kept thinking " oh what a circus , oh what a show ".

Circus pretty much describes this whole situation.

Over the last 2 or 3 months I have not seen my colleagues as positive as they were yesterday afternoon.....The deal was DONE !!, plans were being made, we could move forward with determination and speed.
As the afternoon progressed it became quite clear that SVt's article was far from accurate. The Swedish government very quickly came out with statements denying that they had approved the EIB loan guarantee's.......What a bummer !!!

A note to SVT
Yesterday due to sensationalism and inaccurate reporting the emotions of thousands of people once again travelled the roller coaster ride just as they thought they could get off.Pretty poor taste I would say.

Today I guess we will travel a similar journey

OKSAAB Nervous beyond belief

Every news wire in Sweden is reprorting that the deal is DONE.

I feel butterflies in my stomach I am so nervous

Is it really true ????????????

Press conferences at 14.30 today by the Swedish Government and what is the betting that GM hold one at the same time ( not announced yet )

I think the whole company must have every news wire open. I currently have 7

Got important things to do

Come back later

The SAAB Community and a great weekend

At first glance the titles are not linked but indeed odly enough they are.

First to the weekend which as I mentioned on Friday was my birthday weekend .

My wife had farmed out the kids and the dogs ( 3 of each ) and took me to a surprise spa weekend atVarberg a resort on the south west Swedish coast.
( Thankyou Lena it was wonderful !! )

I can most definately recommend it.

A couple of very relaxing treatments later combined with saunas, etc. great food and drink ( you know the type of thing ) I returned home having not read a newspaper looked at TV or logged into mail.
I was news-less and totally relaxed.
It was not only the spa treatment but the resolute refusal to think or worry about SAAB and the future.

Naturally as soon as I returned hope on went the computer scanning for the latest ...........Shame on me !!

That takes me to the " SAAB Community "

I logged into mail both private and SAAB's and was absolutly astounded that I had received birthday greetings both from old freinds and past colleagues but also people who I had never met and am not likely to. An enormous amount. For which I am extremely apreciative.
Thankyou very much indeed.

The reason that I highlighted this is that the main thread in the greetings were " fingers crossed " and " good luck "

Was the meaning fingers crossed and good luck that I would survive my birthday.
Of course not it was for SAAB, that the iconic brand itself had created a common cause ..a community.........The SAAB community.......My Community

News this morning is so positive that the champagne is getting colder. Lets wait and see shall we.

Rumour has it that a Spyker car was spotted at the museum yesterday.

Both Spyker and GM are in Stockholm.

Today I am going to keep my fingers crossed and figure out the subject matter for the next blog. Clearly it can be nothing to do with saving SAAB.......If the deal goes through.

OKSAAB