Saab News Blog

Some companies just seem to have all the luck when it comes to landing profitable deals. You can now add Saab to that list of companies. After successfully repairing and overhauling their Sea Giraffe 150 HC, the Canadian Navy awarded Saab with a six-year contract worth a whopping 16 million Euro. Saab already established a working relationship with the Canadian Navy by repairing their ships since the early nineties and the new contract given to them seems more of an extension of the previous working relationship. Now that is what I call trust.

For those who are wondering what so special about this Saab Sea Giraffe 150 HC, well, it’s an all-in-one radar system that provides the navy the ability to conduct air and surface searches and at the same time conduct target designation. The Sea Giraffe 150 HC radar is installed in sea vessels of all types and sizes ranging from navy’s fast patrol ships to its Halifax Class frigates.

Saab has expressed their enthusiasm over being chosen by the Canadian Navy to work on the overhauling of these radars. ”We are very pleased that the Canadian Navy has selected us to provide continued support, and with this we see further potential for strengthening our activities in Halifax”, says Johan Klintberg, Director for Saab Microwave Canada Ltd.

As part of the contract, Saab Micorwave Canada Ltd. will work on repairing and overhauling fourteen of the Canadian Navy’s Sea Giraffe 150 HC. Saab will provide the Canadian navy with the following services: individual radar repair, complete system overhaul, and technical support and management.

Sources: streetinsider.com, saabgroup.com

In keeping up with the technology of vehicle safety, Saab has distinguished itself as one of the car manufacturers who have been highly dedicated to safety. Recently, the 2008 Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan, SportCombi and Convertible have been awarded the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s Top Safety Pick Award in the Midsize Category for 2008.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) is a “nonprofit research and communications organization funded by auto insurers. The Institute’s research focuses on countermeasures aimed at all three factors in motor vehicle crashes (human, vehicular, and environmental) and on interventions that can occur before, during, and after crashes to reduce losses”.

This is the fourth consecutive period that the 9-3 Sport Sedan has brought home a luxurious award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. In 2005, the 9-3 Sport Sedan was awarded a Double Best Pick crash-test rating. In 2006, it received the Top Safety Pick – Gold Award and in 2007 it received the Top Safety Pick Award. The 9-3 Sport Sedan is only one of the two convertibles and the “one of two convertibles and the only soft-top convertible to earn a top spot”.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety president Adrian Lund, “The Saab 9-3 performed well in front and side crash tests and the Saab Active Head Restraints provide state-of-the-art protection against neck injuries. The addition of electronic stability control as standard equipment confirms Saab’s commitment to vehicle safety.”

Vehicles that undergo testing by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety were rated as good, acceptable, marginal or poor based on their performance and ability to deliver the necessary safety measures. The vehicles underwent high speed front and side impact crash tests. Seat and head restraints were tested for safety against neck and head injuries. The vehicle also has to have a good “electronic stability control”. The Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan passed all tests with remarkable results.

Source: 2008 Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan, SportCombi and Convertible