Saab Automobile Appoints New Portuguese Importer

Saab Automobile is continuing to restructure its international sales organization with the appointment of a new importer for the Portuguese market, Hipogest Group.

Effective from 1 September, Hipogest’s automotive division will take over all marketing, sales and distribution responsibilities from General Motors Portugal, following the purchase of Saab Automobile by Spyker Cars N.V. of the Netherlands five months ago.

Lisbon-based Hipogest is a Portuguese company with many years experience in all areas of the automotive business and will be responsible for supplying and maintaining a national network of dealers in Portugal.

Announcing the appointment, Saab Automobile CEO Jan Åke Jonsson said: “We are delighted to welcome Hipogest to our organization. The company has a solid track record and shares our vision for success through an absolute focus on customer service and a long term approach to business partnerships.

“The Portuguese market is an important part of Saab’s representation in southern Europe and we look forward to enjoying a long and fruitful relationship with Hipogest. With the introduction of the new 9-5 sedan and other new products imminent, we are at the start of an exciting product offensive for Saab. It’s a perfect time for Hipogest to be joining our new organization.”

Hipolito Pires, Chairman of Hipogest, said: “Hipogest are delighted to represent Saab in Portugal. We are joining the sales organization at the beginning of a new chapter in Saab’s history and greatly look forward to supporting the company’s development as an independent business backed by a great brand and new products.”

Back

Leave a comment:

Comments (5) TAGS Trollhättan

Comments

Andrew

My congratulation to International Sales Department!
But I'm slightly worried, when will an Importer be appointed for Russian market? And will be at all? Current dealers (under GM brand) don't answer any questions about future sales of Saabs.

# 1

September 2, 2010
Andrew

Actual dealer don't inform about sales and still no information in our market for Saab brand. This information pause continues quite long time, what is not in favour of future of the brand in our market.

# 2

September 2, 2010
Nick

This is fantastic! Its great to see the new Saab be received around the world. However there is one destination I'm eagerly waiting for Saab's arrival- Australia!

# 3

September 3, 2010
Associate Professor Craig Austin

So many loyal to the SAAB brand globally...yet not one single word to any of us who comprise customer and dealer loyalty (if only we had one!) in Australia. Hard to believe that silence would be so loud. I have owned several SAABs and currently have 2 x 9.5 Estates sitting in our driveway. Now I have to ask whether you want me to switch to another brand?

# 5

September 14, 2010
Gary Noble

Yes, Professor, the silence is deafening. I live in leafy Chapel Hill in QLD Australia. It is SAAB central in Australia. 4 SAABs in a street of 16 houses but alas all we get are brochures from BMW and Volvo saying "Abandon SAAB. They think Australia joined Germany in the Anschluss in 1938."

I must trade my 9-5 soon. It may already be too late for SAAB down under but if you don't agree, at least reply to your posts.

Regards

Gary Noble .

# 6

September 21, 2010