Largest Ever Gathering of North American Saab Owners To Take Place in Waterville Valley, New Hampshire, July 31 to August 3
21 July 1997
Largest Ever Gathering of North American Saab Owners To Take Place in Waterville Valley, New Hampshire, July 31 to August 3
Over 1,500 Saab Enthusiasts Will Celebrate Half a Century of Saab Spirit
NORCROSS, Ga., July 18 -- Since the first Saab passenger
cars arrived on North American shores in 1956, Saab enthusiasts have forged a
strong bond with the brand, the company - and the community of fellow Saab
owners. As early as 1962, hundreds of Saab aficionados met to share in the
spirit of Saab, and these owner gatherings have become an annual tradition
ever since. This summer, as Saab marks 50 years of automotive heritage, the
largest-ever gathering of North American Saab owners takes place
July 31 through August 3 in Waterville Valley, New Hampshire. Over 1,500
dedicated Saab customers from all corners of the continent have made plans to
celebrate five decades of automotive innovation and Saab spirit.
Special guests are always part of a Saab owner convention lineup, but the
1997 gathering brings a surprise first-time visitor. Saab will host the
first North American unveiling of the 1999 Saab 9-5 luxury sedan, scheduled
to go on sale in the spring of 1998. This will mark the all-new Saab 9-5's
very first appearance-months before its debut at the 1998 North American
International Auto Show in Detroit. Saab will also take the opportunity to
conduct customer focus groups throughout the weekend, soliciting input from
both long-time and first-time customers on current and future Saab products
and programs.
Throughout the weekend, owners can choose from a fun and informative range
of activities, designed to appeal to all levels of driving skill and
automotive know-how. Some owners will test the limits of 1997 Saab 900
Turbos on the banks of New Hampshire International Speedway, with the help
of professional instructors. Others will join in autocross and driving
skill competitions, a road rally through New Hampshire's scenic White
Mountains, a mountain bike tour, and educational seminars and technical
sessions.
An annual convention highlight is the Concours d'Saab, where hundreds of
lovingly maintained vintage and current-model Saabs compete for Best of
Show, People's Choice and other awards. Convention attendees can also find
the latest performance accessories or rare Saab memorabilia at numerous
vendor displays, test drive the newest model Saabs, or match their Saab IQ
against 16 Saab master technicians, who will be competing for top Saab
technician status during the convention. Owners will also meet with Saab
senior management team members throughout the weekend, as they host many of
the events.
While customer loyalty is the marketing buzzword of the moment, Saab
owners have defined the term since they first began blinking their
headlights whenever passing one another on the road. This strong sense of
camaraderie hasn't waned as Saabs have become a more familiar, albeit no
less distinctive sight on North American roadways. To the contrary,
although today there are nearly half a million Saabs in operation, the
enthusiasm that connects Saab customers continues to grow-globally. Saab is
now active in virtually all of Saab's 48 international markets, and annual
owner's gatherings happen in most major markets like the U.S., Sweden,
Great Britain, Germany, and other European countries.
However, for a cross section of North American Saab culture, there's no
better place to be than Waterville Valley, N.H., this summer.
SOURCE Saab Cars USA
