Imagine the dread felt by Saab fans when their favorite car brand came this close to being shut down. "What?! No more Saab Festival?!"
That came very close to happening, too. Fortunately, Spyker->ke84 came to the rescue, saving Saab->ke75 from fading into obscurity by taking the Swedish brand off of the hands of General Motors.->ke1024. Now that Saab is alive and well, the 2010 Saab Festival is likewise healthy and ready to blast-off.
For the first time since switching parent companies, Saab will be hosting the 2010 Saab Festival at the brand's stomping grounds in Trollhättan, Sweden, from July 15 to 18, 2010. Among the scheduled events expected to take place in the four-day affair is the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Saab 96, including the three RAC Rally triumphs it enjoyed during its peak in the 60's. In addition to giving Saab fans a chance to take a trip down memory lane, Saab will also afford them the opportunity to catch glimpses of the future of Saab, including the all-new 9-5 sedan, which is expected to be one of the event's highlight displays.
According to Jan Åke Jonsson, CEO of Saab Automobile, this year's event is especially important given that the brand is starting with a clean slate under a new parent company. "Many Saab fans around the world demonstrated great support for Saab during the sale negotiations and we are delighted to take this opportunity of showing our appreciation," he said.
If you're a Saab fan, we suggest you mark your calendars and should time and money permit, hop on a plane to Sweden to enjoy the festivities with your brethren. It should be a lot of fun.
Press Release after the jump
Press Release
SAAB ENTHUSIASTS TO FLOCK TO 2010 SAAB FESTIVAL
Saab Festival to be held on 15-18 July in Trollhättan, the home of Saab
Focus on newly-launched 9-5 saloon and 50th anniversary of Saab 96
Trollhättan, Sweden. Thousands of Saab enthusiasts from all over the world are expected to attend the 2010 Saab Festival in Sweden between 15-18 July, the first to be held since Saab became an independent company earlier this year.
The biennial festival is traditionally the world's largest gathering of Saab fans. Based around the Saab Car Museum in Trollhättan, the home of Saab, this year's event will focus on Saabs past and present, including the soon to be launched Saab 9-5 saloon.
In addition to factory tours, parades, presentations and automobilia sales, the festival will include a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Saab 96, the car that took Erik ‘Mr Saab' Carlsson to the first of a hat-trick of RAC Rally victories in 1960.
"This year's event has special significance as it comes at the start of a new era in our company's history," said Saab Automobile CEO Jan Åke Jonsson. "Many Saab fans around the world demonstrated great support for Saab during the sale negotiations and we are delighted to take this opportunity of showing our appreciation."