Saab Announces Partnership with Gary Fisher Bicycles
15 February 1999
Saab Announces Partnership with Gary Fisher Bicycles; Two Brands with a Passion for Breaking the Rules Join Forces
NORCROSS, Ga., Feb. 15 -- In 1947, Saab Aircraft engineer
Gunnar Ljungstrom broke the rules of conventional automotive design by
creating a car with the aerodynamic shape of an airplane wing, proving that
form and function weren't mutually exclusive in a passenger car. In 1974,
Gary Fisher broke the rules of bicycle racing by designing the world's first
"all-terrain" bike, proving that bikes didn't just have to go down the hill --
they could go up, too. While separated by nearly three decades, the birth of
these two brands signaled a challenge to the status quo. Today, Saab and
Gary Fisher Bicycles continue their quest to bring new ideas and insightful
solutions to the art of four- and two-wheeled transportation. Effective
immediately, the companies will also join forces in bringing their shared
philosophies and world-class products, to rule breakers around the world.
"Breaking the rules, challenging the status quo, is what Gary Fisher is
all about. That attitude, along with the company's innovative line of
products, has tremendous appeal to us," said Sal Gatbonton, manager,
promotions, Saab Cars USA. "At Saab, we've always believed that conventional
wisdom doesn't provide the best answers, and we actively seek out brands like
Gary Fisher Bicycles who share this philosophy." Gatbonton emphasized that
the relationship isn't a traditional sponsorship. "We're very much interested
in helping each other pinpoint new opportunities for growing our respective
brands."
Saab Cars USA is Gary Fisher Bicycles' exclusive automotive marketing
partner for the remainder of 1999 as well as 2000. For the 1999-racing
season, Saab will have a prominent presence at both national and World Cup
mountain bike events -- both on the sidelines and on the off-road course. The
Gary Fisher Saab Race Team, which includes 1996 Olympic Gold Medal and
1997 World Championship winner Paola Pezzo and top World Cup racer Michael
Rasmussen, will be competing in exclusive team wear featuring the Saab logo.
The Saab name will also be featured on team bicycles and accessories, as well
as all team promotional materials. In addition, approximately 300 grassroots
riders will be sporting Gary Fisher Saab Race Team jerseys, and thousands of
additional jerseys will be retailed to local riders. The full line of team
wear will also be featured in the Saab accessory program.
1999 Saab 9-5 Wagons will serve as the team's four-wheeled transportation.
"The Saab 9-5 Wagon is the ideal car for people who want a high level of
performance, safety, long-distance travel comfort, and maximum versatility,"
said Nate Tobecksen, media director, Gary Fisher Bicycles. "Innovative
features like CargoTracks(TM), which give us optimum flexibility when we're
strapping down the volumes of stuff we need to transport from race to race,
are invaluable. And, because the 9-5 Wagon has the coolest styling out of any
utility vehicle on the market, as well as incredible off-the-line torque, our
racers usually battle for the car keys."
Gary Fisher bicycles are being featured in all national Saab auto show
exhibits, and company founder Gary Fisher is starring, along with a Saab 9-5
Wagon and Saab designer and mountain bike enthusiast Simon Padian, in the
upcoming General Motors annual report. In addition, Gary Fisher bikes will
play an active role in the April Saab 9-5 Wagon press launch. Conversely,
Gary Fisher will host Saab owners and prospective buyers at a number of
exclusive events, ranging from recreational bike tours with team members to
mountain bike riding clinics and trailhead parties. Web site links, private
label bicycles, employee product discounts and sweepstakes are some of the
additional benefits of the partnership.
Gary Fisher Bicycles is one of the world's leading brands of performance
bicycles sold through specialty retailers. As chief designer, Gary Fisher
continues to be one of the most creative forces in cycling, with a bicycle
line that includes highly engineered, American-made aluminum alloy and steel
mountain, luxury and children's bikes. In addition to his innovative concepts
in bike design, Fisher also creates a full line of helmets and accessories.
Saab Cars USA, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Saab Automobile AB,
Trollhattan, Sweden, is the U.S. importer and wholesaler of Saab 9-5 and
Saab 9-3 automobiles. Since the 1947 debut of Saab's first passenger car, the
superbly aerodynamic Saab 92, Saab has continued to build on its heritage as
an aircraft manufacturer by introducing numerous engineering and design
innovations. Featuring such world-first technologies as the Saab Active Head
Restraint system, and an asymmetrically turbocharged V6 engine, Saab's
1999 model line continues to exemplify Saab's spirit of independent thinking.