Google Saab right now, and one of many first hits you’ll get is a protection operation manufacturing airplanes, torpedos, and different technique of “safety” equipment. There’s even a devoted web page on their web site that, other than including some historical past in regards to the model, notes that the automotive division filed for chapter in 2011 after it was forsaken by GM.
However, whereas the loss of life of Saab was accepted by most because the unhappy destiny of a as soon as progressive Swedish automaker, one vendor in Taiwan wasn’t prepared to shut the chapter and has as a substitute continued to function a thriving enterprise.
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Scandanavia Asia Company (SAC) represented the Swedish model since 1980, and took it upon themselves to proceed to serve their clients lengthy after the Saab signage was faraway from forecourts world wide.
And we’re not simply speaking a couple of small however plucky mom-and-pop outlet both. SAC owns and operates six service facilities throughout Taiwan which are solely devoted to Saabs, with an extra 12 licensed workshops elsewhere.
Much more spectacular is that their latest location was opened simply final yr. Gross sales proceed, too, though, with no new vehicles to be discovered, SAC is constricted to buying and selling used fashions.
“We now have been doing our greatest to maintain Saab alive on the street in Taiwan,” says Salo Yang, president of SAC. “Providing service for Saabs is our accountability as a result of all Saab vehicles in Taiwan had been bought by SAC. Maintaining the model alive is our responsibility.”
SAC continues to function with the remaining elements which are obtainable from GM and different suppliers comparable to AC Delco and Orio, who proceed to supply choices for impartial retailers. In some instances, we’re informed that SAC has remanufactured their very own elements to maintain clients’ vehicles ticking. Sadly, if not unsurprisingly, Saab’s Taiwanese presence is stored alive with none help from the Saab Group or Basic Motors.