Saab bosses have strongly denied Swedish newspaper reports that the car maker could be sold. Dagen Industri reported last week that GM was looking for a buyer for its loss-making subsidiary and was talking to ‘several Chinese firms’. Renault/Nissan was also mentioned as a potential purchaser.Saab chief executive Peter Augustsson said ‘this is unreliable speculation. GM stands behind Saab all the way’. Assuming GM sticks with Saab – its only truly global premium brand – the Swedish firm’s operations will speed towards full integration into GM’s global platform strategy. This plan will enable Saabs to be built in Germany, Sweden, the US and even Korea.At a recent styling clinic customers were shown a 9-1 three-door hatch (above - based on a future Vauxhall Astra), a 9-4x compact 4x4 and a radical replacement for the 9-5.If the line-up is given the green light, the 2009 9-1 should be built on the same platform as the next Astra. It could be built both in Germany and in the US.
The 9-4x is said to be a version of the forthcoming Korean-built Chevrolet SX3 compact 4x4.
The 9-5 replacement – due in late 2008 – will almost certainly be based on the new Zeta platform, which offers both rear- and four-wheel drive. Saab’s Trollhätten factory could become the European home for all Zeta-based production, potentially turning out various big Saabs, Cadillacs and Opels.
The 2008 replacement for the 9-3 will be made by GM’s Opel factory in Russelsheim, Germany and, potentially in the US by Saturn. Meanwhile, Trollhätten will continue to build the Saab 9-3 and forthcoming Cadillac BL range for another three years or more.
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