Saab cars have always held a special place in the hearts of automotive enthusiasts, known for their unique design and performance. In Taiwan, this love for Saab cars is not only alive but thriving, thanks to Scandinavia Asia Corporation (SAC), an exclusive Saab cars and parts importer and distributor. SAC, founded in 1981, has played a pivotal role in preserving and enhancing the Saab brand in Taiwan. In this article, we’ll delve into the extraordinary partnership between SAC and Maptun, a Swedish company specializing in Saab tuning and performance upgrades.
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SAC’s Remarkable Journey
SAC’s journey began in 1981 when they were entrusted with the exclusive import and distribution rights of Saab cars and parts in Taiwan. Over the years, SAC has sold a remarkable 22,574 units of Saab cars from 1981 to 2012. Their dedication to the Saab brand has been unwavering, with 3 operational SAAB showrooms in major cities and a network of 6 direct workshops and 10 contract workshops.
As of today, there are 6,668 registered Saab cars on the roads of Taiwan, and SAC proudly retains 3,231 loyal customers within their service network. The commitment to keeping Saab cars in good condition and enhancing their performance has driven SAC to search the globe for top-quality products that satisfy customer needs.
Quality is of utmost importance to SAC, and it is their duty to ensure the excellence of every product they supply. This commitment to quality led SAC to introduce Maptun to the Taiwanese market in early 2022 after extensive discussions and testing.
Maptun’s Arrival in Taiwan
Maptun, based in Sweden, has established itself as a leading expert in Saab tuning and performance upgrades. This was a turning point for Saab enthusiasts in Taiwan. The collaboration between SAC and Maptun brought a wealth of options for Saab owners in Taiwan looking to enhance their cars’ performance and extend their lifespans.
Within a year of Maptun’s introduction to Taiwan, nearly 400 Saab cars received Maptun software upgrades—an astonishing number for a relatively small market, especially considering that many of these cars have been on the road for over a decade.
Maptun’s owner, Fredrik Bengtsson, and business manager, Thomas Hellberg, visited SAC from October 17 to 25. During their visit, they had the opportunity to explore SAC’s operations, including its dealers, warehouses, and even had a meeting with SAC’s president, C.S. Chen.
3 new service centers exclusively for Saab cars in 2021 and 2022
The Swedish representatives were deeply impressed by SAC’s efforts. They were astounded by the fact that SAC had consecutively built three new service centers exclusively for Saab cars in 2021 and 2022, not to mention the refurbishment of signboards for many dealers. Additionally, they were taken aback by the sheer volume of Saab parts stocked in the SAC warehouse.
and Thomas Hellberg of Maptun provide essential training for SAC’s team.
The Enthusiast Community
SAC’s commitment to Saab enthusiasts in Taiwan extends beyond sales and service. The company organized fans’ meetings in the north, center, and south of Taiwan, attracting many Saab enthusiasts eager to gain knowledge about tuning and even get their engine covers signed by Maptun representatives.
During these events, Maptun showcased its new products and outlined its vision for the future of Saab cars. Maptun demonstrated a high level of professionalism in immediately adapting their software for cars equipped with unique hardware, meticulously analyzing power maps, and assisting customers in realizing their tuning aspirations.
A Taste of Taiwan
Apart from the business aspects of the visit, Salo Yang, Vice President of SAC, introduced Maptun’s representatives to the rich culture and flavors of Taiwan. They sampled traditional Taiwanese street food, including stinky tofu and bubble tea, and had the chance to explore various cultural sites.
These excursions included visits to the National Museum of Taiwan History, a trip to Taipei-101, Taiwan’s tallest skyscraper, and experiencing the serene beauty of Taiwanese temples and the breathtaking views of high mountain camping.
Maptun’s Evolution
Maptun’s history is also a testament to the brand’s evolution and commitment to excellence. What began as a small company specializing in enhanced Saab software has now grown into a full-service tuning facility. Instead of relying on third-party suppliers, Maptun undertakes much of its work in-house. This approach allows them to meet the high demands and unique needs of both themselves and their customers.
Maptun offers a wide range of services, from basic engine overhauls to highly advanced custom builds where every component, from the bottom end to the gearbox, is tailored to the customer’s unique requirements. In addition to standard services, Maptun undertakes complete transformations, including engine and transmission swaps, and custom-built solutions.
While the core of Maptun’s business is Saab tuning, the daily work they perform on modern Saabs has given them unparalleled expertise. This expertise extends beyond just servicing cars, as they often confront diagnostic situations that challenge even brand-specific service centers.
In recent years, Maptun’s growth has enabled significant investments in facilities, technical equipment, and a skilled workforce. This expansion has allowed them to diversify their services to encompass a wide array of car brands. Notably, they have dedicated considerable effort to enhancing Saab’s BioPower models and converting newer Saabs to run on ethanol.
Maptun – The Ethanol Specialist
With their advanced expertise in ethanol tuning, Maptun proudly refers to themselves as “MapTun – the ethanol specialist.” This title reflects their deep knowledge and experience in optimizing Saabs and other cars for ethanol use.
Revitalizing Saab: A Remarkable Partnership Ensuring Satisfaction for Owners in Taiwan
The partnership between Maptun and SAC in Taiwan is a testament to the enduring passion for Saab cars and the efforts of dedicated companies to preserve and enhance this iconic brand. SAC’s unwavering commitment to Saab in Taiwan, coupled with Maptun’s expertise and high-quality tuning services, has breathed new life into these beloved vehicles. As Saab enthusiasts in Taiwan continue to cherish and maintain their cars, the collaboration between SAC and Maptun ensures that the legacy of Saab endures for years to come.
Saab enthusiasts in Taiwan can rest assured that their vehicles are in the hands of dedicated experts who are committed to preserving and improving the Saab brand, making their ownership experience all the more enjoyable. This remarkable partnership is a testament to the enduring appeal of Saab cars and the dedication of companies like SAC and Maptun in ensuring that these iconic vehicles continue to thrive.
Too bad this car is no longer manufactured
I do have to say, I have seen a lot of Saabs on the road in Taipei and Hsinchu over the past couple weeks. Every single one of them looks brand new. You go TW on keeping Saabs alive!!!
Look I have a 2006 Saab 9 7 x my frames rusted out how can I fix
Hörde från Alan Tsao f d servicechef för Saab/SAC att nu Maptun satsar på Saab i Taiwan! 🤗
Alan kör fortfarande sin limegröna Saab 9-3 Cabb i mint condition!