Saab Spyker Automobiles NV will launch an all-new 9-3 in 2012 as part of the firm’s business plan to revitalise the company.
The company will investigate the possibility of launching the entry-level 9-1 in due course, although this would require additional funding to the $1 billion (£627 million) currently set aside. Saab Spyker will also make a 9-5X in addition to the saloon and estate models, and the 9-4X will be added to the range early in 2011.
Saab Spyker will pitch itself as an “independent, performance-orientated niche car company with an industry-leading environmental strategy”. It has also confirmed it intends to remain as a direct rival to BMW and Audi.
Trollhattan will be used to produce all models except the 9-4X, which will be built by General Motors in Mexico, and Saab Spyker will produce and sell between 100,000-125,000 vehicles per year.
GM will continue to provide support to Saab Spyker with funds and supplies, although the company intends to rely less and less on this support in the future. Saab and Spyker cars will share components in future models.
Spyker cars will be sold throughout Saab’s 1100-strong worldwide dealer network and the two will also share marketing, sponsorship, promotion and sales activities. They will be run as separate brands, however.
Saab Spyker intends to return to profit by 2012. It has managed to secure a 400m euro (£350m) European Investment Bank loan, which has been guaranteed by the Swedish government.
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Re: New Saab 9-3 confirmed for 2012
By September last year the next generation 9-3 was already in stage 2/4 of development. SAAB have already confirmed that the new 9-3 will be smaller than the current version which means more than likely GM's Global compact architecture. The next generation 9-3 will go up against the Audi A3 and not the A4. Reports of a 210hp e85 compliant 1.4Turbo matted to a replaceable battery Hybrid propulsion system is apparently in the works but this will still not be SAAB's range topper.
According to Simon Padian now in charge of SAAB advanced design, we should expect a very bold presence for SAAB's post GM products. Funding is already in place for the new 9-3 and with so many manufacturers eager to sell their architectures SAAB will have no problems finding the right donor for a new 9-1 without the huge development costs. However; a certain amount of funding will still be required to bring the baby SAAB to fruition.
Re: New Saab 9-3 confirmed for 2012
True but can you recall the discounts on offer.....at one point there was over 10K off a new Saab! everything sells for a price after all.....
I wish Spyker and Saab all the best, but lets be realistic about things. They have a REAL challenge to bring this brand back to life.
Re: New Saab 9-3 confirmed for 2012
Spiker could readily utilize Lotus aluminum modular chassis design that is for sale to any manufacture- you know the platform that the evora is based upon- thats actually very good and can be configured into front engine applications? Or will it be the same box every one else makes. JL