Spyker’s plans for the future of Saab revealed

By Tim Beissmann | February 03rd, 2010

One week out from the General Meeting of Spyker shareholders, more information on the Dutch supercar maker’s plans for the future of Saab has come to light.

Operating under the Saab Spyker name, both brands will retain independent model lines, with Saab to continue as a niche, premium range.

Three models – 9-3, 9-4 and 9-5 – are all as good as production certainties.

The 9-5 (based on the same platform as General Motors’ Opel Insignia) is due to go on sale from mid-2010. The range will feature sedan, sports estate and X variants (similar to Volvo’s XC70) and is expected to compete against the Audi A6 and BMW 5 Series.

The 9-4X crossover is scheduled to follow in early 2011 after its debut at next month’s Geneva Motor Show. To be produced in Mexico, the 9-4X shares the Cadillac SRX’s Theta Premium architecture and will be sold in both European and North American markets.

The saviour could be the higher-volume 9-3, which will be all-new and “all-Saab” in 2012. Returning to its roots, Saab plans to offer the 9-3 as a hatchback again, as well as expanding the range with a sedan, sports estate, convertible and X model to rival Audi’s A4 and BMW’s 3 Series.

Also in the pipeline is the “9-1” small car, although a fourth model line does not currently fit into the Saab Spyker business plan.

Production from both Mexico and Trollhättan, Sweden, is expected to rise to pre-GFC levels of between 100,000 and 125,000 vehicles per year, with Spyker ambitiously anticipating a profit by 2012.

Nankano

I don’t want to be a doomsdayer, but my gut feeling is that the whole lot is going to implode, 100,000 [which they firstly need to sell] is simply not enough for profits.

If GM cannot make it work, FIAT checked it over and laughed, dont know how a Spyker car-co [who has never made a profit] can think they can turn it around.

The biggest issue will be finding buyers, esp. when they are the same prices as Benz, BMW, Lexus etc etc.The name is totally ruined.

Sorry it will be all over in ~ 24 months, the $400 million will be burnt and back to square one.

I for one LOVE choices for customers, but we need to deal with reality….

Myke

GM mismanaged Saab. They neglected it too long and sold it too late. Considering its Spyker’s only “mass” production car company, they may to able to give Saab the attention it needs to succeed. I believe niche car companies can exist as long as they have decent products and a high profit margin (think Jaguar or Porsche).

COUGS

the third pic looks like a stretched mini ?? minus the grill…
Dino

Saab needs to drop their prices significantly and permanently to lure back some customer interest.

The Saab name isn’t worth the money they are asking.

Besides, their current lineup and crazy number of model varieties are rubbish.
Baddass

I still maintain that a premium light car like the 9-1 is a licence to print money, especially now the Mini, 500 and C30 are such successes. But it is good news that they are making a 9-3 hatch, as it should be a somewhat replacement
bob

All you people saying Saab need to drop their prices have not looked at Saab prices in a long time. The 9-3 is much cheaper than any equivalent BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 or Mercedes C Class. The 9-5 isnt currently on sale, but which 5 series or E Class starts at $59,990 + Orc??? (Price for old model 9-5 TiD)
. People who say Saab are over priced a misinformed.
Captain Mainwaring

This whole scenario is starting to look like a turbocharged Titanic accelerating toward an exploding iceberg.
Sounds like it’s funded by the Russian underworld. Oh, so was the ‘rescue’ of tiny British sports car maker TVR, and what happened to that?
The word ‘implosion’ springs to mind.
Word to owners: If the Saab you paid $90,000 for four years ago was worth $15,000 in October, it’s now worth $1.50.
Shak

Lets not quit on SAAB right now. We have seen brands rise from the ashes with new product the main cause. A new 9-4, 9-5 and 9-3 should definetley stir interest. The only thing lacking last time was marketing. Only hardcore fans new about them last time. They need to show everyone how good their product line up is.