Hot News: New Plan for Saab

Freshly formed Saab Spyker automobiles will launch an all-new 9-3 in 2012 as part of a wave of new models.

The company is promising to completely overhaul its range with up to four models, including the possibility of a 9-1 premium compact to take on the Audi A3.

Soon after the 9-5 saloon and hatch go on sale in early summer Saab will also launch a 9-5X with beefed-up looks and off-road capabilities.

A more traditional SUV/crossover, the 9-4X, will appear in 2011. The BMW 3-series challenging 9-3 will be “all Saab”, said the company, and will be new from the ground up. A 9-3 convertible, estate and X model
will join saloon and hatch version.

Saab’s Technical Development Centre in Trollhättan will be used to develop and build all of the models except the 9-4X, which will be assembled in Mexico, and the company aims to sell between 100,000 and 125,000 models a year.

“Spyker believes that through the purchase of Saab it has a rare opportunity to acquire and rebuild a global car brand which will be repositioned towards an independent performance-oriented niche car company with an industry-leading environmental strategy,” the company said in a statement.

The Saab Business Plan needs roughly billion (£628m) to return to company to profitability, forecast to occur by 2012. Extra funding will be needed if the 9-1 gets the green light. Spyker and Saab will share technology and will be sold through Saab’s 1,100 dealers worldwide.

A £350m loan has already been secured from the European Investment Bank for certain R&D projects at Saab. For more details click here.

Thanks to: Auto Express