FORT WORTH, TX – EVCARCO, Inc. (OTC.BB: EVCA) (EVCA.OB), a Future Driven® Automotive Retail Group announced today that on May 8, 2012, it entered into a Share Exchange Agreement, for the acquisition of The Third Stone Corporation (TSC).

EVCARCO will acquire all of the common and preferred shares of TSC in exchange for 1,664,752,000 shares of its common stock and 1,000,000 shares of Class B Convertible preferred stock. The acquisition should be completed by May 25, 2012.

Mack Sanders, CEO of EVCARCO, stated, “We saw great potential in the products TSC is currently developing and decided to take advantage of the opportunity to acquire the company. We hope that the acquisition of TSC will not only diversify our business and add value to our shareholders, but also enable us to develop applications for the alternative fuel automotive market.”

Gary Easterwood, CEO of TSC, said, “We are a technology company seeking long term relationships with companies that share our passion. With EVCARCO, we feel confident our goals will interlock and technology will continue to drive us both to achieve shareholder value.”

For more information on EVCARCO, Inc., please view: www.evcarco.com. Shareholder inquiries should be directed to (972) 571-1624.

EVCARCO, Inc. is a Future Driven® Automotive Retail Group focused on deploying a coast-to-coast network of environmentally friendly franchised dealerships, vehicles, technologies and sustainable solutions. EVCARCO is bringing to market the most advanced clean technologies available in plug-in electric, alternative fuel, and pre-owned hybrid vehicles from multiple manufacturers.

For additional information on The Third Stone Corporation, please view: www.thirdstonecorp.com.

The Third Stone Corporation is a forward thinking software provider dedicated to improving and enhancing lives through innovation. The company is currently producing applications targeted at consumers who use technology to boost their daily productivity. Utilizing proprietary technology coupled with the latest available development tools and processes, The Third Stone Corporation is on the leading edge of new ideas and has the technical expertise to quickly convert those ideas to marketable applications. TSC has a diverse development portfolio of applications and services targeting sport, social media, finance, and home automation sectors.

Forward-Looking Statement
This release contains forward-looking statements that reflect EVCARCO, Inc. plans and expectations. In this press release and related comments by Company management, words like “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “objective,” “plan,” “goal” and similar expressions are used to identify forward-looking statements, representing management’s current judgment and expectations about possible future events. Management believes these forward-looking statements and the judgments upon which they are based to be reasonable, but they are not guarantees of future performance and involve numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company’s actual results, performance, achievements or financial position to be materially different from any future results, performance, achievements or financial position expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

Investor Relations
Jack Eversull
The Eversull Group, Inc.
972-571-1624
214-469-2361 fax

Small Manufacturers Get Noticed

While the major manufacturers seek to reposition themselves for the decade ahead, several smaller builders of electric cars are now getting started. Tesla Automotive built its beautiful Roadster and hopes to have a sedan on the market within the next year or two. Fisker Automotive rolled out is Karma sports sedan when production started just a few months ago.

Another manufacturer who is in the process of getting into the game is Coda Automotive. Based in Santa Monica, California, the company is developing a five passenger sedan that they hope to have on sale for the California market in Fall 2010, possibly beating the Chevy Volt to market which is set to appear around November 2010.

May Beat The Chevy Volt To Market

Unlike many pure electric models, the Coda sedan will be aimed to the average consumer and be much more affordable. With federal tax credits and possibly state credits the final price for a fully equipped Coda sedan should be even more attractable.

The Coda model is expected to have a range of 90-120 miles and be rechargeable in as few as two hours time to give drivers 40 miles of commuting range. That latter figure is noteworthy because the Chevy Volt, which will include a supplemental gas engine, is expected to travel some 40 miles on pure electric power before the gas engine kicks in. The Coda’s lithium-ion batteries will be sourced from China, though the company has promised to line up a US battery supplier down the line.

Well Equipped, Not Stripped

Coda says that factory-standard equipment will include a telematics package, navigation with turn-by-turn directions, a “green screen” that monitors driving efficiency, roadside assistance with an emergency button, a Bluetooth system with an embedded microphone, AM/FM/XM radio with Sirius satellite capability, iPod dock, MP3/USB connectivity, security system, aluminum wheels, and power windows, doors and mirrors. Safety equipment includes anti-lock brakes with electronic stability control and advanced airbags with an occupant detection system. The vehicle is backed by a three-year/36,000 mile warranty.

Living green, save the planet and Earth Day. These are all phrases that we have become familiar with over the past couple of years. A few more words that you may have heard that just started to evolve might include hybrid diesel, Peugeot, electric cars, and Volkswagen. Why are these words so prominent in today’s society? It is because gas prices are on the rise and so is air pollution. We are striving to find vehicles that offer the best gas mileage as well as the healthiest choice for our earth. So, what exactly is a hybrid diesel? Hybrid diesel is a vehicle that is eco-friendly and will soon be in the top spot of the green-car market. A hybrid diesel is a mix between diesel fuel and electric to power the vehicle.

You can find many vehicles that offer this type of power. Trains, towing trucks, and everyday drivers are offering hybrid diesel. Some manufactures that produce these vehicles are Volkswagen followed by Peugeot. Peugeot is the number one manufacturer of mopeds and scooters in Europe today. If you just need to travel a short distance to get to your destination you might want to consider a moped. Peugeot is also attempting to produce a hybrid diesel car that can get up to 82 mpg. How would you like to drive one of those cars? Volkswagen has been known for many years to produce vehicles that have high fuel mileage.

Even if you do purchase a Peugeot or Volkswagen, you still need to do your part in maintaining your vehicle. Routine oil changes are a must. You want to check the oil every time you fill up at the pump to make sure your not burning any oil. Check the air filters to make sure that the filters are not clogged with dirt and other debris. A clogged air filter will cause less air to enter the engine with will prevent your engine from running properly. You will also want to rotate the tires when needed and check the PSI in each tire every time you fill up the fuel. If you are able to get 82 mpg you might want to check the tires when your tank is half full as well as when you fill up. Why is this so important? If your tires are low on pressure then the car has to work over time to spin the tires. This causes more fuel to be burned up. Check the fluids in your car whenever you are filling your car with fuel, also.

You can also increase your gas mileage on your hybrid diesel by the way you drive. Driving with extreme road rage can reduce your gas mileage as well as put you in danger. Aggressive driving puts extra pressure on the engine which causes your engine to work extra hard and burn more fuel. Driving the speed limit and using cruise control can help you get the most mpg. Avoid braking fast and flooring the accelerator pedal. Try to do every transaction as smoothly as possible. When you are driving you will want to put your vehicle in overdrive or in the highest gear possible if you have a manual transmission. Just drive your car the way it was meant to be driven and you will have the results that are promised to you.

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EcoTek Lighting, a division of Expotrans, Inc., has developed energy efficient, ultra-bright outdoor LED light boxes for award-winning, premium green auto manufacturer Fisker Automotive, Inc. at two company locations. The high-powered direct backlit outdoor LED light boxes were installed at Fisker Automotive corporate headquarters in Irvine, CA and at the Fisker Automotive engineering facility in Pontiac, MI. EcoTek Lighting manufactured two outdoor LED light boxes for each building, which included custom routed aluminum face plates and translucent vinyl graphics adhered to digitally routed acrylic sheets. Each Fisker Automotive building now features two brilliant outdoor LED light boxes: one light box with a 30″ diameter and the other light box with a 24″ diameter.

The translucent graphics and acrylic sheets of the Fisker Automotive outdoor light boxes are illuminated by EcoTek Lighting’s LED Backlit Array technology. The rugged, durable light boxes are designed and engineered to provide more than 12 years of maintenance-free illumination. The installation of the backlit LED outdoor light boxes in the diverse climates of Irvine, CA and Pontiac, MI was an acknowledgement of the fail-proof adaptability of LED lighting to wide temperature ranges.

EcoTek Lighting’s light boxes with Direct Backlit LED Array technology offer:* Energy efficient LED illumination* Highest levels of luminosity for easy viewing* Even illumination across graphics display area* Corrosion-resistant extruded aluminum construction* Architectural powder-coated surfaces with five year warranty on finishes* Compliance with Federal energy efficiency and Green manufacturing standards

The Fisker Automotive outdoor LED light boxes contain LED panels that last from 50,000 to 100,000 hours and provide 55% greater energy efficiency than fluorescent lamps. The high performance outdoor backlit LED light boxes feature grids of LEDs across the entire surface area to provide six times the brightness of traditional edgelit light boxes. All EcoTek Lighting LED light boxes meet Federal standards for energy efficiency, including UL, CUL and CE listings and European RoHS Standards, and contribute points to LEED-certification. They are fully recyclable at end-of-life, and contain no heavy metals or other hazardous components.

Fisker Automotive, Inc. is a green American premium sports car company based in Irvine, CA. The company mission is to create a range of beautiful environmentally friendly cars that make environmental sense without compromise. The Fisker Karma Sunset PHEV hardtop convertible coupe was recently named the 2009 Production Preview Concept of the Year at the North American Concept Vehicle of the Year Awards, which were held at the Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn, Michigan. The North American Concept Vehicle of the Year Awards recognize those vehicles most likely to shape the future of the automobile industry.

Said Russell Datz, director of public relations for Fisker Automotive, “EcoTek is helping Fisker green its operations beyond its cars. Now we can display our name around the clock and still be environmentally responsible.”

“We are honored to partner with such a dynamic and environmentally-focused company as Fisker Automotive to develop Eco-friendly products to help save the environment and reduce the Carbon footprint of our communities,” said Rick Farrell, president of EcoTek Lighting.

About Fisker Automotive, Inc.Fisker Automotive, founded in 2007 by Fisker Coachbuild, LLC and Quantum Technologies (QTWW), is a privately owned American car company producing premium green automobiles, with Henrik Fisker as CEO. Global headquarters are located in Irvine, Calif. The company is backed by Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Palo Alto Investors and the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA). More information is available at http://www.fiskerautomotive.com

About EcoTek LightingEcoTek Lighting, a division of Expotrans, Inc., is the leading provider of high performance light boxes, menu boards, poster frames and custom illuminated displays in the industry. Since 1984, we have set the standard for exceptional design, R&D, engineering, manufacturing and customer service. EcoTek Lighting was created with the mission of saving energy and producing Eco-friendly products. EcoTek Lighting received a 2009 Harvey Mudd College Green Engineering Certificate of Merit for energy efficiency at the TechAmerica High-Tech Innovation Awards.

The Yaris HSD concept makes its world debut at the Geneva motor show, marking an important step in the company’s strategy for rolling out full hybrid technology across its European model line-up.

Toyota’s goal is to offer full hybrid power in all its models in Europe as early as possible in the 2020s, a programmer which began in 2010 with launch of Auris HSD in the C-segment. Yaris HSD will bring Hybrid Synergy Drive to the supermini B-segment, which accounts for the largest share of the European new car market.

The current growth of the B-segment is one aspect of a shift in public demand. Customers are becoming more receptive to new technologies.

There is also a significant increase in the number of customers who are making engine type their primary purchase consideration. Public perception of hybrid has matured to the point where it now ranks as a clear alternative to diesel or petrol engines.

The number of people choosing hybrid is increasing steadily and has doubled in the past two years. This has created a gateway to the Toyota brand: customers looking to buy a hybrid are three times more likely to consider a Toyota.

Toyota’s proven Hybrid Synergy Drive is aimed principally at demanding, urban customers who expect a new driving and ownership experience from their car. Delivering low fuel consumption, emissions and cost of ownership with relaxed and quiet performance, HSD proves that environmental responsibility and low running costs do not have to compromise driving pleasure.

Among the first Auris hybrid owners, the majority quote relaxation, an engaging driving experience and the learning of new driving habits as the most rewarding aspects of their new car.

Exterior design a new direction for the next Yaris

The Yaris HSD concept inherits the clever packaging that has historically been a fundamental of element of Yaris, with a spacious and practical interior married to a more advanced and sophisticated exterior design.

The upper grille opening is shallow, flanked by highly contoured headlamps, promoting a smooth airflow over the upper body. The Toyota emblem is fully integrated into the front lip of the bonnet.

In profile, the cars monoform shape is emphasised by a long, sweeping roofline and single, crisp character line running the length of the vehicle. Short front and rear overhangs and a long wheelbase maximise the room inside for passengers and luggage.

There are a number of styling cues that identify the car as a Toyota full hybrid. Flat, vertical aero corners minimise air turbulence and house front foglamps and matching rear reflectors. Airflow is also managed by a large, integral rear spoiler, underbody covers and 18-inch aero wheels with enlarged gaps to promote cooling. Attention to detail extends to the aero-efficient shape of the door handles and rear side view cameras (featured in place of conventional door mirrors).

The hybrid-specific white pearl paintwork is exclusive to the concept car and shows off a new development of this finish, with sparkling blue metallic accents created using multi-layering application techniques. The cars Hybrid Synergy Drive is further indicated by hybrid blue Toyota badging, LED daytime running lights and synergy blue illumination of the rear-view camera housings and doorhandles.

Hybrid Synergy Drive in the B-segment

Fuel efficiency and low CO2 emissions are established attractive qualities in the B-segment. Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive will carry these forward with the additional benefit of offering fully electric driving capability a function that is particularly effective in urban environments.

In all-electric EV mode the system produces zero CO2, NOx and particulates tailpipe emissions.

Every Toyota full hybrid comes with low cost of ownership built-in. The high fuel efficiency and low emissions save on fuel bills, attract tax benefits and inner city congestion charge exemptions and keep running costs down. Moreover, Hybrid Synergy Drive is designed for low maintenance requirements and hard-wearing performance. The system has no starter motor or alternator, the timing chain is maintenance-free and there are no drive belts, which improves reliability and saves on upkeep bills.

Toyota engineers continue to focus on how overall system performance can be improved by capturing solar power. Yaris HSDs roof is entirely covered with solar panels, to provide independent powering of the cars air conditioning unit, thus reducing fuel consumption.

HSD powertrain downsizing the engineering challenge

Introducing full hybrid technology to the B-segment has presented Toyota with some unique engineering challenges. The powertrain design has to be tailored for installation within Yaris’s compact and extremely efficient packaging, without compromising its quality and performance, or detracting from the passenger accommodation and loadspace. Success in this task is essential to meet the growing demand for urban-friendly family vehicles, in which space and the benefits of hybrid performance are prime requirements.

European production

The production model which will follow the Yaris HSD concept will be launched throughout Europe during the second half of 2012. Cars will be built at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Frances Valencienes plant.

Full hybrid technology will become an increasingly significant part of Toyota’s mainstream vehicle production in Europe. With Auris hybrid already being built at Burnaston in the UK, Toyota is the only car manufacturer to be producing hybrid vehicles at more than one European factory.

Toyota Motor Corp. (NYSE: TM) raised its 2012 sales forecast for the U.S. due to improving consumer confidence, rising gasoline prices and strong pent-up demand on the back of aging vehicles on road (average age of a vehicle on U.S. roads is 10.8 years).

The Japanese automaker expects to boost sales by 15% to 1.89 million vehicles in the U.S. during the year. The company believes rising gasoline prices would raise the demand for its fuel-efficient lineups.

Toyota’s sales guidance is perfectly in line with the overall trend in the automotive industry. Last month, light vehicle sales in the U.S. grew 10% to seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 14.4 million units from the prior year, reflecting a fast recovery in the industry. According to Edmunds.com, this marks the best monthly sales in the U.S. since August 2007.

Toyota’s sales escalated 15.4% to 203,282 vehicles driven by impressive sales of Camry and the Prius hybrid that offset lower sales of Lexus luxury lineup. Sales of Camry surged 35.3% to 42,567 units while sales of Prius leapt 54.3% to 28,711 units.

Recently, Ford Motor Co. (NYSE:F) also raised its sales forecast for the year citing the same factors of growth. The company anticipates sales between 14.5 million and 15.0 million units in the U.S., which is higher than 13.5 million-14.5 million units projected earlier in the year.

Currently, Toyota is the No.3 automaker in the U.S. following Ford and General Motors Company (NYSE:GM). In the first quarter of the year, Toyota’s market share was 14.1% while GM and Ford held market shares of 17.5% and 15.5%, respectively.

The Zacks #2 Rank (Buy) company posted an 8.3% fall in profit to ¥101.7 billion (.6 billion) in the third quarter of fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 from ¥110.9 billion in the same quarter of the prior fiscal year. On a per share basis, profits were ¥25.81 (67 cents) versus ¥29.86 in the third quarter of fiscal 2011, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 27 cents. However, revenues in the quarter grew 4% to ¥4.9 trillion (6.3 billion).

The continuous decline in profits was attributable to disruptions in supply of parts caused by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan on March 11, 2011 as well as floods in Thailand in the second half of 2011, and also due to the continued appreciation of yen against dollar.

However, Toyota upgraded its financial guidance for fiscal 2012 based on cost reduction measures and continued recovery in production. The company expects revenues of ¥18.3 trillion and net profit of ¥200.0 billion for the year, up from the prior forecast of ¥18.2 trillion and ¥180 billion, respectively.

Balqon Corporation (OTCBB: BLQN) developer and manufacturer of zero-emissions heavy-duty electric vehicles, lithium battery energy storage products and electric drive systems, similar to companies like Tesla Motors Inc. (NASDAQ: TSLA) and A123 Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: AONE), is well positioned to capitalize on China’s growth in electric vehicles.

China’s EV Market Could be the World’s Largest

China has a large problem with pollution. Approximately one third of 113 cities surveyed by the Environmental Protection Ministry failed to meet national air standards last year. According to the World Bank, 16 of the world’s 20 cities with the worst air pollution were located in China. In fact, only 1% of China’s city dwellers breath air considered safe by EU standards!

China’s electric vehicle market represents a solution to this problem. Last March, the country adopted its 12th Five Year Plan that called for a number of measures to promote EVs. The country will setup five businesses to produce batteries and electric motors within a few years and implement the supporting infrastructure for EVs throughout its major cities.

Pike Research believes that China will lead EV sales in the Asia Pacific by 2015. While Japan is currently the largest EV producer, expected to grow at 10% between 2010 and 2015, China is rapidly closing the gap with a CAGR of around 40% over the same period. And many analysts believe it’s only a matter of time before it becomes the world’s largest EV market.

Balqon Capitalizes on Chinese EV Demand

Balqon is a leading provider of electric vehicle technologies to China from the United States. In early 2011, the company received a .9 million order for 300 electric drive systems from Winston Global Energy. The order created 150 jobs in Los Angeles, CA and will be used to power a fleet of 15-40 passenger buses in Chinese municipalities.

Balqon CEO Balwinder Samra elaborated on this agreement in a Fox Business News interview:

The move could pave the way for many more orders in China, particularly with its agreement with Winston Global Energy. Winston Global Energy is a Chinese green energy company founded by Winston Chung, a leading lithium battery innovator and fuel cell research philanthropist based in China.

Teradata to improve database analytics, business insight, scale up as data volumes grow

The Hertz Corporation (NYSE:HTZ), the largest worldwide airport general use car rental brand, and Teradata (NYSE: TDC), the world’s leading analytic data solutions company, announced today that Hertz has selected a Teradata Active Enterprise Data Warehouse environment to provide a new, powerful and accelerated foundation for business critical reporting and decision making on integrated data.

The new analytic environment will enable real time access to fresh information, and smooth system scalability as requirements for data visibility rise.

“As our business continues to grow, we realized the need to upgrade our data warehousing systems to meet our internal requirements,” commented Joseph Eckroth, Hertz Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer. “We’re confident that the Teradata system’s performance in handling complex queries and providing us with real time access to fresh information will be beneficial in enabling us to quickly retrieve the most relevant information, while giving us the scalability we’ll need as our business grows.”

The world’s leading car rental brand selected the new Teradata 6650 and a Teradata Data Warehouse Appliance used for a data analytics test system. Hertz is also implementing Teradata products for backup and recovery, the logical data model for travel companies, which encompasses five Teradata products: Decision Experts, Profiler, Professional Services, Advanced Analytics Support and Managed Services.

Over the course of the next 30 months, Hertz plans on developing an analytical and operational global data warehouse in order to support customer relations, fleet operations, corporate analytics, and pricing/yield management.

The new Active Data Warehouse will provide an optimal environment for deep data integration and more timely and powerful analytics. The data infrastructure deployment will involve consolidating data from an assortment of data marts across the organization into one integrated, centralized data warehouse.

“Specifically, Hertz was looking for ways to accelerate complex query processing, cut through the complexity of information management and move to a much more pro-active, effective analytical environment,” said Tony Palladino, Teradata Industry Vice President. “Teradata was able to provide Hertz with the complete package of query performance, user concurrency, rich functionality, and relevant experience.”

The power and scalability of Teradata platforms support businesses of every size whose increasingly complex business demands are driven by robust growth requirements and the emerging need for pervasive business intelligence.

About Hertz Hertz is the largest worldwide airport general use car rental brand operating from more than 8,500 locations in 146 countries worldwide. Hertz is the number one airport car rental brand in the U.S. and at 83 major airports in Europe, operating both corporate and licensee locations in cities and airports in North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. For more information please visit the Hertz website.

About TeradataTeradata Corporation (NYSE: TDC) is the world’s leading analytic data solutions company focused on integrated data warehousing, big data analytics, and business applications. Teradata’s innovative products and services deliver integration and insight to empower organizations to achieve competitive advantage. Visit teradata.com for details.

One of the main criticisms of wind and solar power is their nature as intermittent sources of energy. If the wind stops blowing on the plains of North Dakota, or clouds cover the desert in California, blackouts could occur across the country if these renewable energies were primary sources of power.

So the challenge for investors is finding who will supply the technology to smooth out those peaks and valleys. Some new technologies are now emerging that have the potential to play a big role in the future of renewables.

Battery storageA123 Systems (Nasdaq: AONE ) and Ener1 (Nasdaq: HEV ) have been testing battery storage in locations around the world with some success. Ener1 has a million deal with the Russian Federal Grid Company, and A123 Systems is on its second deal with AES Energy Gener in Chile for a total of 32 MW.

Inverter manufacturer Satcon Technology (Nasdaq: SATC ) has even talked about adding battery storage to their inverters to kill two birds with one stone.

The problem for battery storage is scale. Batteries may be able to charge quickly and release energy quickly, but right now they can’t store mass amounts of energy for the grid — something renewable power needs.

Pumped hydroStore energy by pumping water uphill and release energy by capturing the energy of it running downhill. Simple, cost effective — and so far, our best answer to energy storage. There are 21 GW of pumped hydro in the U.S. and 38 GW in Europe, but this isn’t a solution for all problems. Wind-heavy areas like North Dakota and offshore aren’t exactly conducive to this, nor are deserts where solar power is most effective.

Compressed air storageMaybe the more immediate answer is compressed air storage. Think of this as a huge compressed air tank that is filled during off-peak hours and released as needed to provide electricity. There are two sites online in Alabama and Germany, with Pacific Gas and Electric (NYSE: PCG ) and New York State Electric and Gas looking to get in the game.

The PG&E site in Kern County is 300 MW so the potential size of compressed air energy storage is much larger than battery storage right now.

Bottom lineEnergy storage roadblock that may decide how quickly renewable energy becomes adopted on a wider scale. With GW of projects in the works at solar leaders First Solar (Nasdaq: FSLR ) and SunPower (Nasdaq: SPWRA ) , the next challenge may be out of their hands. Southern California can only handle so much solar power before the lights start flickering when a cloud passes overhead. Energy storage is the key to make sure that doesn’t happen.

There are no sure-fire solutions, but batteries are sure to play a role in smoothing out energy supply. It may not be on a GW scale, but even on a much smaller scale, A123 and Ener1 are working to play a role in making the grid both cleaner and smarter.

Ever heard of the brand SAAB? I suppose you have. Ever seen the actual car recently? I suppose you haven’t. Neither have I. But what we do know of Saab is that GM owns the brand and due to the recent global economic crisis, GM needs to unload its under-performing brands from its stable and like its other Swedish counterpart Volvo, which is currently owned by Ford, Saab needs to be sold off to someone who is actually crazy enough to take control of it. Now why do I say crazy in this context?

Ever seen a Saab recently? Yes, I asked that question above and you’d note that you have not unless there’s one sitting in your garage and you’re the owner of that Saab. And that would be the only Saab in a 20km radius. This is the reason why I’m saying that the person who wishes to take over this company and brand is foolish or plain crazy. No one actually buys Saabs. Of course, we’re on a planet of about 6billion people or so (give or take a few billion) so somehow, Saab may have found a white knight in the form of Spyker, another Scandinavian car manufacturer which builds really outrageous cars for the obscenely rich and not so famous (as I still don’t know anyone or read about anyone who bought them). Talks on the sale and purchase have been going on and the conclusion is that it’s down to the price. It’s obvious if you want to take over an ailing company, you’d want it dirt cheap and without debts. Even the crazy entrepreneurs from Spyker would want to bargain until the cows come home. But for all you know, it’s a lost cause already and Saab is on the verge of extinction.

But enough on whether the deal is successful or not; the bottom-line is that Saab is a struggling brand that’ll go under if the deal with Spyker does not go through and it will be picked apart like that British manufacturer Rover and its engineering, blueprints, chassis designs will be sold to some Chinese company and rebranded as such. Imagine this; Rover is dead, from the ashes rose ROEWE. Close, but still no cigar. So imagine Saab as SAABE or BAAB.Or even SAAC (hey, isn’t that already a Chinese manufacturer?).

So you may now ask why Saab on the verge of going under? It has heritage, it built decent cars once but why isn’t anyone buying them, especially here in South East Asia? Simple; It has no brand awareness whatsoever. No one wants to buy an unknown car. Look at the uphill battle cars like Skoda, Seat, or Chery face. Some of these brands may be built like a tank, or even have the build quality of a croissant. But the reason why these cars are not selling is that they have no brand awareness. I can bet you that most of you don’t have a friend or a relative who owns a Saab or any of the cars mentioned above. In my 37 years of living, I’ve only met one person whose dad drove a Saab 900, and that was 15 years ago.

For their marketing plan and brand awareness, Saab wants us to equate its aviation and fighter plane heritage to their cars. But in all honesty, even if we bothered looking at fighter planes we’d all want F14 Tomcats and F22 Raptors instead of Saab Viggens. See? The same problem happens when it comes to their fighter planes. We all want something else rather than a Saab. I’ve never met anyone that was looking for an executive level car tell me that he recently went to a Saab showroom in Kuala Lumpur to look at the cars there. All I’ve met say that they’re looking for a Mercedes, BMW, Audi or even Lexus. I’ve never known anyone that even suggested looking at Saabs.

Saabs are quirky. They used to have their ignition keys beside the handbrakes. So that when you hop in the car, you place your hand near the handbrake, insert the key into a slot beside the handbrake, start the car and reach a few centimeters to drop the handbrake then reach for the gear stick right in front of the brake. Extremely logical, but do we honestly care for small details like that when we’re so used to finding a keyhole close to the steering wheel? If you look closely at the underneath of a Saab you’d see that it has another mud flap somewhere in the middle of the car in between the front and rear tires. Somehow this little thing works by keeping mud off the sides of the car. This company has thought of nearly everything. Except dashboard design. They think that their dashboard relates to the cockpit controls of a Saab Viggen. For Gods sake they’re wrong. A fighter plane’s cockpit is not the final word on ergonomics. It’s messy. Like having Swedish meatballs thrown together with jam and brown sauce. All these little things supposedly give Saab its character. It’s nice, but we all know that if we wanted Swedish, we’d go for a Volvo. At least it has an IKEA style sense of design. If we wanted quirky and character, we’d go Italian, go for an Alfa Romeo, as stylish as an Italian Suit yet with slightly sartorial or slightly silly touches that we’d love, and temperamental to boot.

Would I miss Saab if it went the way of the dodo? I don’t think so as I’ve never actually wanted one in the first place. It was the same as when MG Rover kicked the bucket – I couldn’t care less that it happened. However if Ferrari went bust and stopped making cars, I’d cry and wear black for a month or so.

And what does Saab give us that we can’t get from any other car? I still don’t know. If you do know, you must be a Saab owner and therefore you’re biased. If you’re a Saab owner and you’re feeling angry at this article, you shouldn’t. You should treat this as an early warning and sell your car as quickly as possible and buy something that isn’t a Saab before it is worth lower than the value of scrap. And don’t get any ideas that your Saab will be a collector’s item one day. If it isn’t a Ferrari or a Bugatti, it may be better if you actually sell it and save yourself the pain and suffering in the long run.