Saab fans and enthusiastic owners from all over the world are gathering in the Swedish town of Trollhättan today (7 June) to start celebrating Saab’s 60^th anniversary as a car manufacturer.

Four days of events and festivities will culminate in a huge gathering of historic Saabs outside the Saab Car Museum on Sunday, 10^th June – exactly 60 years to the day after the first Saab car was revealed.

Back in 1947, Saab was known only as an aircraft manufacturer - the name is an acronym for Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget AB, or Swedish Aircraft Company Limited. That first car, the Saab 92, looked like no other with its streamlined shape and innovative engineering. Hardly surprising, of course, since it was conceived by a team of aircraft engineers not bound by the conventional automotive design wisdoms of the day.

Now, more than four million cars later, Saab is established as a global premium car brand selling in more than 60 countries around the world, many represented by enthusiasts coming to Trollhättan, Saab’s home town. Much has changed in the automotive industry since those post-war years, but the same spirit of innovative, independent thinking behind the Saab 92 continues to inspire the Saab brand and the development of its products today.

It is a perspective driven forward by a unique brand heritage, reflecting the values of Scandinavian culture and Saab’s roots in aviation. It was Saab who pioneered numerous advances in car safety, good driver ergonomics, environmental responsibility and, of course, enhanced engine performance through turbocharging.

Today, while most manufacturers have followed Saab’s lead in adopting turbocharging, the company has again ‘moved the goal posts’ with its innovative BioPower technology. This unleashes the potential of turbocharging to deliver more performance, as well as greatly reduced fossil-based CO2 emissions, when using E85 fuel (85% bioethanol/15% gasoline). It is technology that has propelled Saab to the forefront of Europe’s emerging market for ‘flex-fuel’ vehicles.

Turbocharging is typical of the ‘less is more’ Scandinavian mind-set and, in an era when the need to save energy and achieve improved efficiency has never been greater, it continues to be a cornerstone of Saab’s future development.

More than 30,000 visitors are expected to attend the 60^th Anniversary Festival. They will celebrate the people, the cars and the events that have shaped a unique brand. It is a rich heritage of which Saab is justifiably proud and one that will ensure the next 60 years of independent thinking are just as exciting.

To learn more about activities at the Saab 60^th Anniversary Festival, visit www.saabfestival.se