To say that Saab is back is actually a misstatement. Saab was the only one of the General Motors divisions that never went out of business. Production was halted, but while Pontiac, Hummer and Saturn were shut down, Saab continued to sell cars in North America. Only the factory in Sweden was mothballed.
In Canada, Saab was only dead in the media. Dealers had been encouraged to keep their buildings, special tools and not to dispose of their parts. Now there are 13 dealers across Canada on a mission to let Canadians know that Saab is still a player in the Canadian Market. As of February 2010, Victor Muller who started Spyker Cars and continues to own that company, completed the purchase of Saab. In effect, Spyker took over Saab.
Muller has stated that he believes Saab must get back to its Swedish, aircraft design roots to make the company an independent niche player like it used to be. Interior styling will be cockpit-oriented, with displays including an optional heads-up display oriented to the driver. Exterior styling will be modern, and in Muller's words, "stunning".
Although a few dealerships are already open and selling off an existing inventory of new 9-3 models, 2011 Saab automobiles are officially arriving in Canadian dealerships as we speak, where the lineup will include of a brand-new 9-5 sedan. A wagon version was on display at the Detroit Auto Show, but specifications were for the sedan only.
In 2012, the all-new 9-3 will arrive, but until then, previous-generation 9-3s will be available according to the new website www.saab.ca. Muller also talked about the new 9-4X crossover that is on schedule to be introduced in late 2011. Prices have not been finalized in Canada, but Muller sees Audi as the main competitor and stated that "prices will be slightly under Audi's comparable models".
In Canada, Saab was only dead in the media. Dealers had been encouraged to keep their buildings, special tools and not to dispose of their parts. Now there are 13 dealers across Canada on a mission to let Canadians know that Saab is still a player in the Canadian Market. As of February 2010, Victor Muller who started Spyker Cars and continues to own that company, completed the purchase of Saab. In effect, Spyker took over Saab.
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| Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com |
Muller has stated that he believes Saab must get back to its Swedish, aircraft design roots to make the company an independent niche player like it used to be. Interior styling will be cockpit-oriented, with displays including an optional heads-up display oriented to the driver. Exterior styling will be modern, and in Muller's words, "stunning".
Although a few dealerships are already open and selling off an existing inventory of new 9-3 models, 2011 Saab automobiles are officially arriving in Canadian dealerships as we speak, where the lineup will include of a brand-new 9-5 sedan. A wagon version was on display at the Detroit Auto Show, but specifications were for the sedan only.
In 2012, the all-new 9-3 will arrive, but until then, previous-generation 9-3s will be available according to the new website www.saab.ca. Muller also talked about the new 9-4X crossover that is on schedule to be introduced in late 2011. Prices have not been finalized in Canada, but Muller sees Audi as the main competitor and stated that "prices will be slightly under Audi's comparable models".