The future for Saab
23 March 2010
- Production restarts at Trollhattan
- New 9-5 prices tomorrow
- Compact crossover planned?
Saab has restarted production at its Trollhattan factory in Sweden with the new 9-5 saloon.
Work at the factory was halted seven weeks ago after General Motors announced that no buyer could be found and started to wind down operations – before Dutch supercar manufacturer Spyker stepped in and bought the company.
Saab boss Jan Ake Jonsson said: 'The resumption of production is a milestone in the history of our company – we are now up-and-running as an independent manufacturer.'
Future models
Initial plans are for five models to be built at the factory – the 9-3 and 9-5 saloon and estate, and the 9-3 convertible.
Along with a replacement for the ageing 9-3, the most likely expansion for the Saab brand is through a compact crossover and a smaller 9-1 hatchback.
The crossover would rival the likes of the BMW X3 and Volvo XC60, and would cost from around £25,000 and follow on from the 9-4X concept car first seen in 2008.
Saab is keeping its options open on the 9-1 hatch. If it goes ahead it would join the ranks of upmarket small family cars such as the Audi A3 and Volvo C30, and could look like the 9-X concept car.
9-5 prices
Prices for Saab's new 9-5 have been announced. Get the full story at New Saab 9-5 prices announced
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