Car Throttle

The new 9-5 is a crucial vehicle for Saab.  If you're reading this site, you're probably aware of the financial troubles that the Swedish automaker, recently kicked to the curb by GM after 20 years of neglect, is going through.  It hasn't been pretty, and it still isn't going smoothly - no cars are rolling off the line at Tröllhattan at the time of this writing, because there still isn't money to pay employee wages.  It's dire times indeed.  What Saab desperately needs is a good car to sell. I can't call the current 9-3 a bad car, because it isn't - it's a good car, just like it was when it came out in 2003.  But 8 years is a very long time for a car

Although production at Saab's Trollhattan plant is stopped, the company is soldiering on. Another $36 million short-term lifeline has been thrown to the company via the Gemini Investment Fund. This is in addition to a order for 582 cars by an "undisclosed" Chinese manufacturer. Meanwhile, deals with Chinese distributor Pang Da and Youngman Automotive are pending regulatory approval. General Motors is also doing its part by continuing production of the highly-important 9-4X crossover at its plant in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico. Production there began in February. Saab is looking to restart production soon at the Trollhattan plant in Sweden, which produces the 9-5 and 9-3. A model enthusiasts have had a particular affinity for has been the 9-5 SportCombi. The 9-5 SportCombi has to rank among

Cat with nine lives? Its quite amazing that Saab is still here today, and kicking. It has pulled quite a few rabbits out of its hat (yeah we know, we'll stop with the cliches now) over the past few years. There was a deal with Hawtei that fell apart, followed by a distribution agreement with Pang Da. Chinese dealer network Pang Da provided a deal that was free of regulatory-approval and gave a short-term infusion of cash to Saab. Youngman Automotive is a third investment partner that will provide the company with additional cash as well as access to Chinese manufacturing facilities needed to compete in the Chinese marketplace. The deals involve distribution and manufacturing joint ventures. The MJV (manufacturing joint venture) will be

Just when you think the Saab saga is settled for just a little while, something gets thrown in the mix to mess things up. We've got to hand it to the guys at Spyker - they keep trying over and over. No one ever though it would be easy for a diminuitive company like Spyker to handle Saab, and that has proved to be just the case. The deal with Chinese manufacturer Hawtei Motor Group Company Limited struck earlier this month has fell apart. Automotive News reports new deal with Chinese automobile distributor Panda Automobile has been tentatively worked out. Rather than focus on an immediate stake in the company, the deal focuses on large purchases of Saab cars in bulk. These purchases will keep Saab's

At the Geneva Motor Show, Saab showed off its styling future with the PheoniX Concept. It appeared that with the new 9-5, 9-4X and refreshed 9-3 either on sale or going on sale, the brand's future prospects were improving. However, things aren't so rosy behind the scenes. While the company's business plan was said to be funded until next year, the company's finances are in bad shape. The financial situation has worsened to a point where Saab is unable to pay key components suppliers, resulting production shutdowns at the Trollhattan plant in Sweden. Russian businessman Vladamir Anotov is looking to invest in the company, helping to supply it with cash until sales recover and losses slow down. Bloomberg is now reporting that the Swedish government is

Saab is trying it's hardest to rise from the ashes of the "GM period." They brought a whole lot of new stuff to Geneva, including a really neat concept car (the PhoeniX) as well as an updated version of the aging 9-3 sedan with a new engine lineup.  Most significant for Saab's success in the market, though, is the new estate (wagon) version of the larger 9-5 executive Saloon. Mechanically, it's like a 9-5 sedan, only with more sheetmetal extending behind the rear seats.  The engine choices are the same - some diesels, a 1.6L and some 2.0L gas-turbo I4's, and a 2.8L gas-turbo V6 with either front or all wheel drive.  But that's to be expected. What's new is that... Saab is making a good-looking

At the Los Angeles International Auto Show last year, Saab debuted its new 9-4X crossover. The 9-4X is aimed at getting Saab a piece of the red-hot crossover segment in the United States. In Europe though, their more practical wagon counterparts are big sellers. As such, it is a critical part of Saab's sales growth strategy to introduce a wagon variant of the 9-5. Introduction of the new SportCombi, as it is called, is set to happen at the Geneva Motor Show in March. Saab has released a teaser photo of the new variant, shown below. It looks very similar to renderings and spy shots that we have seen. And boy is that a good thing - the 9-5 promises to be a very stylish

In this modern age of convenience and technology, consumers want their products now. That is particularly the case in America with our automobiles. Unlike other continents such as Europe, we buy our cars off the lot and don't do order to specification. To those with a bit of patience, placing an order to get exactly what you want is the best option especially with such a major purchase. BMW is one manufacturer aiming to show the benefits of that method with a new build-to-order campaign for the X3, and Saab appears to be aiming to make it more attractive as well. It works sort of like a tracking number for a package, tracking it all the way to delivery - only even better. According to What Car Saab

Saab is in the midst of a large-scale launch campaign for the new 9-5. A highly important product? No doubt. As such, Saab isn't about to rest on its laurels. The impressive sedan, launched for the 2010 model year, has already gotten more engine options for 2011 to broaden its appeal in the marketplace. The new 9-5 gets three new engine options to choose from  - a 1.6-liter turbocharged gas unit, a 2.0-liter turbo diesel and a 2.0-liter turbo BioPower flex-fuel engine. BioPower is unique in its ability to run on gas and E85 ethanol in any variety or blend. Saab says that regardless of fuel or the percentage, the BioPower engine produces 220 horsepower and  and 258 pound feet of torque. Nice!  The BioPower model is available with

The new Saab 9-5 is coming - after 13 years, we can finally say that. It's almost here in fact. So close, that Saab has released its new commercial debuting the car. The ad will remark the brand's return to television advertising as it hopes to make the new car a success. Gone is "Born from Jets" and in comes something far different. It shows nice shots of the car - and no voiceovers. How refreshing. It's upbeat and uniquely Saab. We like it! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je8Wv2crB7M&feature=player_embedded#!