The future for Saab

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