2010 Saab 9-5 to be reborn in the US as a Buick

By Matt Brogan | December 29th, 2009

As Saab struggles to cling to existence, a Swedish newspaper, Dagens Industri, has reported that GM is ‘seriously considering’ using the near-ready 9-5 model as its next Buick.

The 9-5 shares much of its development with the Opel Insignia, itself already used to underpin at least one Buick model, but in order to avoid overlap, the report suggests the 9-5 may present a more radical option for Buick buyers, and could possibly feature as the next LaCrosse, Regal or Excelle sedan.

With GM already treating Buick as a kind of testing ground for new designs, one of the most modern Saabs yet created could easily feel at home in the US if sold under the more familiar Buick nameplate. The move would also see the 9-5 finally achieve volume sales.

CarAdvice will keep you posted on any developments as they come to hand.

Shak

Thats good to hear but i thought that GM were winding down SAAB. So they kill off the compnay but reap the fruits of its labour. How is that fair in any way.
Jake02

What a stupid idea and it’s just press-talk. The Opel Insignia (on which the 9-5 is based on) is already sold in the US as a Buick, so why would they have two cars on exactly the same platform and with the same size and engines? See it’s stupid.

I love Reading all the crap on this Saab issue. Every single media outlet is as negative as the GFC on Saab, it’s all ‘Saab is to be closed’ and what would happen if that did happen, not what would happen if Saab was sold to Spyker and did survive. Another Australian motoring media outlet reported that, just because the Swedish government has set up funding for employees if Saab were to shutdown, that the deal is done and Saab is dead. How friggin ridiculous!?

Saab will be bought by Spyker, make the new 9-5 and 9-4X (which are practically production-ready) and over the years will start making money again. Best part is they won’t be part of GM anymore!!! See that, I’m being optimistic, something unusual on the internet, especially this website.

Baddass

As much as I hate bursting your bubble, it is unlikely to say the least that by Spyker buying SAAB it will become profitable again. One of the biggest and richest car companies (GM) couldn’t make Saab profitable over 20 years, so what hope does a Swedish, low-scale, specialist sports car maker (Spyker) have in making SAAB profitable in a few years? As much as I want to see SAAB flourish with success, and new models to come out, 20 years of debt and lack of innovation will prove to be to much for this (potential) new owner.

o

the reason saab never amde a product is that GM didnt know what to do with it. Add to that no new models and extremley long model lifespans.

Wheelnut

You’re right..

Ford are selling Volvo – however; Ford helped improve Volvos image as well as getting some benefit from their Swedish Subsidiary [XR-5 Focus] Whereas GM did nothing with Saab. As a result Saab have been left so far behind the times that they make Skoda’s look modern.

They didn’t sell that many Saabs because of their old designs; poor handling/performance as well as their short features/options list.. and I don’t think sales will improve by simply changing the badge

They made the Saab 9-X AWD SUV; which is the only Saab I would consider buying… but unfortunately it was too little too late

Chucky

Maybe if all the faux Saab lovers complaining about its demise actually bought one in the first place, this could have been avoided. But I don’t really blame them considering how expensive Saabs are in this country. If not for Volvo’s 4WD models, they would be in the same situation. Previously Saab had the prestige convertible market all to itself. but now with competitors like the VW Eos and BMW 1 series they got knocked off their perch.
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Welcome Saab, It is good to hear & what GM decide about he future of Saab. The relaunch in the market is not bad idea.