Saab (under new ownership) targeting Audi. NEW models and a turbo diesel!!!

[Dover]

Saab (under Spyker) just set up shop in a new North American hub in Michigan and wants to breathe new life into this classic brand, while maintaining all its best qualities. It IS going to be a contender. :woohoo:

First new Saab 9.3 exclusive sketch-


The new 9.3. will have design characteristics of the 1949 Saab 92 (top photo)


Victor Muller, CEO of Spyker Cars N.V. and now the boss of Saab AB — the beloved, beleaguered Swedish auto company — is nothing if not an optimist. The high-flying Dutchman was working the press in earnest on Wednesday at the New York Auto Show discussing the process by which he will resurrect– in the manner of a tall Nazarene — the decrepit Swedish brand.

Among the bullet points:

•Return all manufacturing to Sweden: “It’s actually very favorable,” said Muller. “Average hourly costs are 20 percent below Germany . Because of the product cycle, the upcoming 9-4x — a compact lux crossover due April 2011 — will still be built as planned in Mexico. but six years hence, all Euro and American market Saab’s will be built in Trollhatten.

•The North American market is crucial to Muller’s turnaround plans. Saab recently announced its North American headquarters would be based in Royal Oak, Mich. For the next three months or so, until the new 9-5 sedan (key competitors, BMW 5-series, Audi A6, Mercedes E-class) starts arriving in showrooms, Saab’s network of 202 dealers will be reaching out to longtime Saab loyalists with the message: “We’re still here.”

•As the 9-5 reaches market, Saab will spend $200 million on marketing in the U.S. in 2010.

•Saab’s would-be, kind-of China partner, BAIC (Beijing Auto), owns the tooling and technology for the previous generation 9-3 and 9-5 and will be bringing the Saab brand “very economically” to the Chinese market. Muller said it seems reasonable for BAIC to build next-gen Saab’s for the Chinese market but would not import Chinese-built Saabs from China to Western markets, in keeping with his belief that Saab’s American and European buyers want a car with European provenance

Cont'd

http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2010/04/01/the-next-saab-9-3-world-exclusive-first-picture/






Beeeeautiful 2010 9.5 model


Saab will focus on expanding models in both price directions; Audi is “Target”
Published March 30, 2010 by Zane Merva


Meeting with a small group of journalists from the New England Motor Press Association, Mike Colleran, President and COO of Saab Cars North America gave more details into how he and Saab management will steer the newly independent Swedish automotive brand. The automaker plans on launching four new models during the next year; The 9-3X, a new 9-5, a 9-4X crossover, and the 9-5 SportCombi.

One of the first steps the automaker will take under Spyker ownership will be to expand its product range. Between now and spring of 2011, Saab plans to introduce four new models. In April the company will start selling an Audi All-Road like 9-3X. The new model will sport unique sheet metal over the standard 9-3, Saab’s XWD system for gas models, a new 1.9L turbo-diesel for 2WD models, and raised ride height.

In July, the heavily anticipated and completely new 9-5 sedan will start landing at dealerships. In early 2011 the Saab 9-4X, a new crossover based on the Cadillac SRX, will go on sale. Finally, in spring of 2011 the 9-5 will be available as a SportCombi (wagon).

The second step for the brand will be to reinvigorate the Saab message. A new brand slogan, “Move Your Mind” will be launched in the US. Mr. Colleran expressed the brand’s previous “Born From Jets” campaign didn’t work and was quickly ditched. Acknowledging that current pricing was too steep to be competitive, Saab-Spyker management has also dropped the MSRP on the 2010 9-3 from between four and twelve percent. “Audi is a target for Saab”, Colleran noted as he explained the new strategy.

Management isn’t focused on just expanding the brand up. Smaller and cheaper models, like a potential 9-1, are also very much under consideration. At the same time, Colleran does not rule out the possibility of a high end sports car. New Saabs going forward will carry more style and refinement without losing any signature Saab quirkiness. Fans of the center console mounted key rejoice; It’s not going anywhere....cont'd

http://www.autoinsane.com/2010/03/30/news/business-finance/saab-will-focus-on-expanding-models-in-both-price-directions-audi-is-%E2%80%9Ctarget%E2%80%9D/



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[CountAllVotes]

1. gee the 2012 Saab looks like the c. 1965 VW bug

:dunce:

Such creativity not!

:kick:

[Dover]

2. Actually it will draw from a very early Saab model, the 1949 9.2 >>>

[OKIsItJustMe]

3. It looks like a 1950's era Saab 93 to me

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saab_93

---

(Notice the date of the story.)

[Dover]

4. That's my favorite model. I owned a 1965 Saab 96 and was crazy about it.

It was my first car and nearly my last - I drove it forEVER. It was solid.
Bought it used for $800.
Best car I ever owned....and the cutest!

[OKIsItJustMe]

5. I'm currently driving a '92 900 convertible

It's got over 175,000 miles on it, and it's still solid.