First Saab 9-4X Rolls Off Assembly Line in Mexico
February 14, 2011
It's been a rough ride for Saab's 9-4X, but the very first production model has now rolled off the assembly line at General Motors' Ramos Arizpe plant in Mexico, just three months after the compact crossover was unveiled last November at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show. “This is a great day for Saab,” said Jonsson. “The arrival of the 9-4X is another important step in the fulfillment of our business plan. This sporty and distinctive product will significantly broaden the appeal of our brand and give us access to an important new vehicle segment that is still growing, particularly in the United States.”
Read more »Saab Officials Confident that 2011 will be a Turning Point in the Company’s History
January 6, 2011
Saab sold just 31,696 cars globally in 2010, after having cut its sales target from 45,000 to 30,000-35,000 vehicles, due to the restructuring of the brand’s supplier base. However, with fourth quarter (2010) sales up 129% compared to 2009, Chairman Victor Mullen believes that Saab “is firmly establishing itself as an independent car manufacturer”. Read more »
Saab Signs Deal to Return to China Market in 2011
December 21, 2010
Maintaining a presence in China is vital for any automaker these days, even more so for a company like Saab that is struggling to make a comeback after almost going down this year. The Swedish automaker signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with China Automobile Trading Co. LTD (CATC), which will allow the firm to re-enter the Chinese market after a three-year hiatus, as Saab's previous owner, General Motors, had pulled the brand out of China in 2008. Read more »
Saab Targets Chinese and Russian Markets, Unlikely to Develop a Diesel 9-4X
November 26, 2010
Saab has revealed plans to begin distribution to China and Russia. Deals for both countries will be signed before the end of the year, while Saab is also pondering the assembly of cars in the Far East. In other news, the Swedish maker also said that it's unlikely that we'll see a diesel-powered 9-4X any time soon.
In regards to China, Saab CEO Jan Ake Jonsson, told reporters on the sidelines of the Los Angeles Auto Show: "Until we launch the new 9-3 at the end of 2012, it will be just a couple of thousand units (annually), all based on imports. As we lead up to this, we have to make a decision if and when we are going to introduce local manufacturing in China."
LA Show 2010: All-New Saab 9-4X receives its World Premiere [with Videos]
November 18, 2010
Saab chose the city of Angeles to hold the world premiere of its second all-new model after the recent 9-5 sedan and the company's first compact crossover vehicle, the 9-4X. The Swedish automaker says the new 9-4X is aligned in looks and size between the 9-3X crossover and new 9-5 sedan.
Read more »
2011 Saab 9-4X SUV Revealed: High Res Image Gallery and Full Details
October 18, 2010
Saab's rejuvenation continues with the presentation of the production version of the long-anticipated 9-4X ahead of its world premiere at next month's Los Angeles Auto Show. One of the last projects developed under the ownership of GM, the 9-4X shares its Theta platform and major drive components with the Cadillac SRX, and like its American brethren, it will be built at GM's factory in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico.
The 9-4X's shape and styling will familiar to most as the crossover model was previewed by the 9-4X BioPower concept at the 2008 Detroit Show. On the outside, changes over the 2008 study concern some minor details such as the smaller front fog light openings, mirror caps, tail lamp color combos and smaller (and less impressive) alloy wheels.
The same can be said about the interior, with differences limited to the air vent designs and the less flashy decorative trim.
Saab 9-4X Crossover Spied in Production Form Prior to Los Angeles debut
September 28, 2010
Here are some snapshots of the next Saab vehicle to help justify the brand's survival, the 9-4X crossover. Seen here in production guise before its LA Auto Show debut in November (unless Saab surprises us in Paris...), what we've got is a nice, safe, smart step in the right direction for the brand.
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New Saab 9-4x Crossover: LA Show Organizers Confirm November Debut
August 17, 2010
The event planners of the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show made good use of their Twitter page today by confirming the world premiere of the long-awaited Saab 9-4X compact crossover. This year's edition of the LA automotive get-together, which is said to host more than 20 world debuts, will run from November 9 to 28.
Read more »
Spyker Details Strategic Plan for SAAB, Says New 9-3 with Hatchback Variant Coming in 2012, Smaller 9-1 Under Consideration
February 2, 2010
In anticipation of a general meeting on February 12 where Spyker shareholders will officially approve the purchase of Saab, the tiny supercar maker from Holland went ahead and outlined its future plans for the ailing Swedish automaker that include the presentation of a successor to the 9-3.
F
irst of all, Spyker confirmed that Saab will be a stand-alone niche manufacturer with three to four model lines and that the Swedish brand will continue to be positioned against other premium brand brands such as Audi and BMW.
According to the plan, Saab's product portfolio will be completely renewed over the next few years beginning with the launch of the all-new 9-5 sedan early this summer, followed by a station wagon version and an Audi A6 Allroad-rivaling 9-5X crossover variant.
In 2011, Saab will introduced the Cadillac SRX-based 9-4X Crossover that will be built in Mexico, while a year later, the company will launch the all-new 9-3 that will eventually grow to include sedan, sports estate, 'X' crossover, convertible and for the first time in many years, hatchback body styles.
Spyker added that it is also looking into the possibility of adding a fourth smaller model called the '9-1', which would compete in the premium C-Segment against the likes of the BMW 1-Series and Audi A3.
However, Spyker noted that such a car isn't currently included in the official Business Plan, so if the company decides to go ahead with the development, addition financing would be required.
With the exception of the 9-4X, all other models will be built at Saab's Trollhättan factory, with Spyker aiming to produce and sell between 100,000 to 125,000 vehicles per year.
The Swedish automaker will continue to collaborate with GM after the completion of the sale, but Spyker's plan is to gradually "reduce dependency and obtain improved access to other suppliers and the co-development of unique innovations."
Spyker business plan also makes word for Saab's current dealer network which will be re-energized with a new sales and distribution approach in certain markets, starting from this year.
The business plan that was drawn up by Saab management over the past ten months, is said to have been analyzed and supported by Spyker in assistance with the firm's advisers Booz & Co and KPMG Transaction Services, as well as several advisers to the Swedish Government and the European Investment Bank (EIB).
EIB will provide a €400 million loan -guaranteed by the Swedish government- to the newly formed company.
What Should GM do with SAAB's 2010 9-5 Sedan and 9-4x SUV?
December 19, 2009
Unless you have been living under a rock, you've probably heard about GM's decision to close down its SAAB brand after it became clear that the Spyker deal could not be completed in reasonable time - or so the Detroit automaker claimed.
Some say, there's still some hope left for the once innovative and quirky Swedish brand as during the wind-down procedure, a savior might come forward and express interest in Saab as a whole or a part of the company.
There's even talk about a second life in China as GM could sell more Saab assets to BAIC or another domestic maker.
In any case, one of the first questions that arose after GM's decision, which, let's not forget, will leave several thousands of workers without a job, is what's going to happen with the production-ready 2010 9-5 sedan and the almost-ready 9-4x crossover?
Bear in mind that the premium sedan is based on GM's Epsilon 2 platform, also used on the Buick LaCrosse and Opel Insignia / 2011 Buick Regal, while the 9-4x shares its underpinnings with the new Cadillac SRX.
Officially, General Motors has not said what it will do with these two cars nor with the current 9-3s.
In what concerns the two new models, we can think of several options that GM may have including killing them off entirely, rebadging the cars under a different name and even selling the rights / assets to another automaker - although, common sense says that the last option is probably the least likely to happen for obvious competitive reasons.
So, here's the question we would like to ask you, our readers: What do you think General Motors should do with the new SAAB 9-5 sedan and 9-4x Crossover?
PS: The photoshoped 2010 SAAB 9-5 sedan with the Buick snout was made just to prettify the article
2010 SAAB 9-5 SEDAN
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SAAB 9-4X BIOPOWER CONCEPT
