Saab in China
 

Since Volvo sells car in China, I figured that the other major Swedish car manufacturer, Saab does as well. and they do. But placing this thread has been a problem. Saab is owned by General Motors who is trying to sell Saab off. So I don't know where to place this thread so I decided to place it under the 'Other' forum since the GM forum mentioned nothing about Saab.

http://www.themotorreport.com.au/wp-...group-shot.jpg

Saab sells three models: 9-3, 9-5 and Turbo X.

The 9-3 comes in Sport Sedan, Convertible or Sporthatch forms.
Prices:
Sport Sedan: RMB349,000 for baseline Linear trim to RMB529,000 for top spec Aero trim.
http://carbl.com/im/2007/07/210.jpg

Convertible: RMB635,000
http://www.zcars.com.au/images/saab-...vertible12.jpg

Sporthatch: RMB459,000
http://images.drive.com.au/drive_ima...aab9-3_m_m.jpg

Re: Saab in China
 

Saab flagship sedan: The 9-5. It comes in two forms, sedan and wagon

Prices:
9-5 sedan: RMB479,000 for baseline to RMB549,000 for top spec.
http://allworldcars.com/wordpress/wp...5/saab_9_5.jpg

9-5 wagon:RMB479,000 for baseline to 549,000 for top spec.
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog....saab_wagon.jpg

Saab also sells a high performance model called the Turbo X, which is based on the 9-3 sports sedan.
http://www.edmunds.com/media/roadtes...turbox.340.jpg

It can come as a wagon and with Saab's "Crosswheel Drive"system. Also, the Turbo X can come in the 9-5 guise as well.

Re: Saab in China
 

Already DONE! Swedish Governmet is serching for a good player. If some body will buy Saab with an interesting crew plannig, They will put money on to close Saab debts.

Re: Saab in China
 

This is good news because Saab can now develop truely Swedish cars, rather than relying on GM handouts. I'll have some interior pics on soon.

Re: Saab in China
 

Re: Saab in China
 

Right, because your comment has so much weight. And by the way, sorry to tell you this, but stop talking about ur turkish cars, no one cares.

Re: Saab in China
 

where have you seen me talking about them???did you mean this:

https://www.chinacarforums.com/forum/...p?t=870&page=9

https://www.chinacarforums.com/forum/...?t=870&page=10

Re: Saab in China
 

It looks like Geely will buy Saab as Chery is entering the bidding to buy Volvo.
I don't know if this is a good thing or a bad thing. But then again, info from China Car Times says Geely will be buying Volvo and that Chery could be getting Saab.

I'm so confused. :confused:

Re: Saab in China
 

Re: Saab in China
 

Although I do think that both Kia and Hyundai have a lot more to offer than Saab or Volvo, in terms of practical automotive value.

Re: Saab in China
 

Yes, but Hyundai and Kia have been booming ever since they started. Saab has been running at loss basically since GM bought it and as such, hasn't had the funds to develop new and exciting models, which is why they've had to soldier on with what they've got. But with GM selling it could this mean a new dawn for Saab?

Re: Saab in China
 

Re: Saab in China
 

That might not be the case, Mehmet. Saab looks as though it might be pruchased by an Arab sheikh, not a Chinese auto manufacturer.

Re: Saab in China
 

Re: Saab in China
 

I like the way you think, Mehmet. if this Sheikh is rich enough, Saab might be given enough finances to develop and enhance thier current models and introduce new ones. Many Saabs at the moment are still using techology from the 90's under a revised skin. They desperately need something modern.

Re: Saab in China
 

Saab have released new pictures of new 9-5 to be shown at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September. The new car is based on the Opel Insignia platform and will be 14cm longer than the previous model with a heavier weight and a taller body. They have also changed the look so it has a coupe style rear which gives it a more sporty look.
http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/upload/...gi_1_560px.jpg
http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/upload/...gi_2_560px.jpg

Test Car
http://img.worldcarfans.com/2009/3/m...rototype_1.jpg
http://img.worldcarfans.com/2009/2/m...py-photo_1.jpg

Re: Saab in China
 

Re: Saab in China
 

Apparently, the new engines for the Saab 9-5 include a 3.6 litre V6 with 350hp available with AWD, a 2.0 litre mid range and a 2.8 litre V6.
Can't wait to see the final production version.

Re: Saab in China
 

Remember when Geely looked as though it was going to buy Saab? Turns out they never entered, nor had any plans to bid for Saab or for that matter, Volvo. So, who will buy it then?

Re: Saab in China
 

Well firstly Saab has made a profit at least once under GM ownership, but everyone knows why Saab has not made profits every year is simply because of a lack of funding. GM has canceled many very promising concepts and designs. When the revised 9-3 was launched in 2003 there was a Sedan, Convertible, Wagon, XWD Wagon and a Coupe in the pipeline, the xwd Wagon and the coupe were not far from getting the approval before GM sai NO. So thus the Sedan, Convertible and eventually the Wagon were introduced progressively between 2003 and 2006. Later this 2009 the XWD Wagon named 9-3x will finally be up for sale, this has taken far to long to come to market considering it was thought up in 2003.

Another mistake GM has made with Saab in terms of underfunding and poor management is the 9-5 model, this car was due in Saab's eyes to be revised from the ground up in 2006, however GM said NO and instead Saab's design team were put hard at work trying to make the existing 9-5 look brand new, in my opinion they did an incredible job considering their budget and time.

I forgot to mention yet another hiccup with GM's underfunding and poor management of Saab and that is the 9-2x. These cars were disasters from the start. The 9-2x came first in 2005, basically GM wanted Saab to get another model to market as quick as quick can be so they used Subaru's WRX Imprezza as its base. The 9-2x received very little exterior changes, the front received a cool new look however the back was pretty much untouched. The interior was also mostly untouched by Saab, however they did change the writing on the digital displays to Green on Black to give it a more 9-3 feel. The real changes from the WRX to the 9-2x are under the skin, Saab changed alot when it comes to road performance, they tuned the suspension to make it handle better on the road and more minor things like that. The car was aimed at the young businessman and at the American market only. There were only around 10,000 built so they are pretty rare. There was talk of bringing the model to Australia but Subaru admitted that the 9-2x would destroy the WRX!

Now to a more successful story about GM's money management, the 9-7x which came out in very late 2005, this car is designed of the GM 360 platform which is shared by the Chevy Trialblazer and the Oldsmobile Bravada! Saab really tried hard on this car. They moved the ignition to the centre to be like a true Saab as with the 9-2x they didnt bother. They used the 9-5's cup holder design and also the 9-5's distinctive wood grain in the dash board. The front of the 9-7x is very sporty and looks like a true Saab, as with the 9-2x Saab's designers didnt do allot to the rear, it looks identical to the Oldsmobile Bravada! The 9-7x is still on the market today and while it technically isn’t a Saab I think it looks pretty cool and it is currently Saab's second best selling car in the states behind the 9-3! I could chat all day about the 9-7x and the 9-2x so Ill leave it there but if you have any questions Id like to hear from you.

If you think Saab's 9-7x is badge engineered with other GM cars, then think, what is Acura to Honda, what is Lexus to Toyota? Lexus and Toyota have done 'badge engineering' on plenty of occasions and nobody has said anything but when a poor old car company that tries its hardest under tough conditions every one cries fowl!

Re: Saab in China
 

Well it seems that the Arab guy has fallen silent and all eyes are upon a few inetersted parties. There was a tour of the Saab facilities in Sweden recently for the potential buyers. It has been confirmed that Geely are very interested however they have not yet submitted a bid. Fiat are also interested however they have said there only intention is to buy Saab, close down Saab and use its dealer network to sell Fiats in America. I think that sucks and all the executives at Fiat should be lined up and shot next to the GM executives! There are also many interested private American investors who wouldnt mind splashing out a bit to save peoples jobs and bring the fire back into the belly of the angry Griffen.

Re: Saab in China
 

These photos of the 9-5 posted by KiwiGuy WERE NOT RELEASED BY SAAB! They were made by an enthusiast on photoshop. Saab have not released anything on the 9-5 however they are releasing many things by the day about the new 9-4x model. There is now a list of engines to be availible for the 9-4x out on the net.

Re: Saab in China
 

Thank you for your, uh, interesting opinon nzsaab. however, there are a few things that needed to be sorted out. NOBODY cares whether the pictures wer released by Saab or not, and Lexus is owned by Toyota, so the cars you see were not badge egnineered. And about that photoshop thing. This forum is about the Chinese auto industry. Almost everything is photoshopped!
Nice to see you online though my friend.

Re: Saab in China
 

Hello there well firstly this is a forum about Saab so it would only be natural that the people that view this page are somewhat inetersted in knowing factual information about the brand.

You say Lexus is owned by Toyota so the cars are not badge engineered, well Saab is owned by GM, Chevy is Owned by GM and so are alot of other marques, there is no difference. The only difference is that Toyota has less brands.

Re: Saab in China
 

Saab have been absent from the SUV market until they launched the 9-7x a few years ago. To replace it, they've come up with this beauty, the 9-4x.
http://image.trucktrend.com/f/indust...ee-quarter.jpg

No new on where it is sold though.

Re: Saab in China
 

Re: Saab in China
 

I really like the look of the 9-4x and if i had the money I would definatly be lineing up to buy one!

Re: Saab in China
 

Right. some interior pics of Saab 9-4.
General view
http://www.saabsunited.com/upload/im...ngInterior.jpg

Close up
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnV...0/Saab-9-4.jpg

It's interesting. First, Saab comes out with thier 9-4 compact SUV followed by Volvo with thier XC60. To be honest, I don't know who to go for.

Re: Saab in China
 

And some spy pictures of next gen 9-5.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnV...Saab-9-5-1.jpg
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnV...Saab-9-5-2.jpg
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FoXyvaPSnV...Saab-9-5-5.jpg

Re: Saab in China
 

it seems your 9-5 pictures didnt come out!

I think you know who to go for. The Saab is just better. Face it. Its quirky, individual, scandanavian, sporty, powerful, durable and reliable?

Re: Saab in China
 

Attached are direct links to videos from old chinese Saab adverts!

Below is for the second look Saab 9-5:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPOia0cfbVg

Saab 9000:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGnWWlKPpIo

Saab 900:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSDvsxLVamA

Saab safety:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSncojOPaM8

Re: Saab in China
 

Heres a link to the Saab Performance Team in China:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFY-FN4aS3Q

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Heres an American review for the 2007 Saab 9-3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2mgL8DN3o4

Re: Saab in China
 

Heres an American review of the 2006 Saab 9-3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NOBOWx2KRM

Re: Saab in China
 

Heres another American review on the Saab 9-3 2008 aero model, its a really good review:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVeEJRFb_8k

Re: Saab in China
 

A chinese advert for Saab:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WIb55JcvGA

A modern chinese advert for Saab 9-5:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUfkkMQonNY

Re: Saab in China
 

Koenisegg may buy Saab
For all those who don't know who this manufacturer is, Koenigsegg is a Swedish supercar manufacturer which is behind the famed CC, CCX and CCR supercars that acheive record speeds. Koenigsegg is an independent company, not owned by any other foreign company.

From www.caradvice.au

Re: Saab in China
 

Hi there, Im sure you are all now aware that GM has been sucessful in selling it Hummer and Saturn brands and Saab is almost there as KiwiGuy has stated above.

Im sure Koenisegg and Saab will form a fantastic relationship. In the past every owner related ownership of Saab has been a disaster.
The ownership under the name Saab-Scania was very uncomfortable and tense for the entire Saab-Scania group comprising of Saab Automobile AB - Saab Aircraft AB - CombiTec - Enertec and Scania Trucks AB. Scania Trucks AB was reaping huge profits and saw Saab Autombile bleed millions of the groups hard earned SEK each year.

General Motors relationship with Saab has always been a oneway street. GM has always only been interested in Saabs advanced engineering capibilities and knowledge. It is not widely known but at the present time a large percent of the current engines availible in the GM model range are hugely influenced and designed by Saabs engineers. GM has depleated Saab of most of its culture and over the years has given Saab a number of tacky and sometimes shoty products. Also there have been many cockups such as the Saab 9-2x and to a lesser extent the Saab 9-7x, these cars seriously dented Saabs culture and brand appeal, rather than improve it as GM had hoped. GM has more than enything deprived investment in Saab. They did however make a huge attempt in building Saab in 2002 when over a billion was given to Saab to develop the 9-3 (which is still almost identical 8 years later). Saab designed a sedan, convertible, combi, combi xwd and a coupe hatchback. The sedan and the convertible went straight into production, the combi waited 4 years before it was released and the combi xwd waited until late 2009. The coupe hatchback was shelved then dropped. Between 2003 and 2005 GM also has Saab design the 9-2x and the 9-6x with Subaru. Only the 9-2x eventuated. The Oldsmobile based 9-7x went to production and has sold pretty well in North America.

The new ownership relationship between Saab Automobile AB and Koenisegg I believe will be a good one. Koenisegg has an electric car in the pipeline and so does Saab (commonly known as the 9-1 concept). Saab is committed to environmentally sustainable engines and has developed a 100% BioPower engine. It is working on a engine they call BioHybrid Technology whereby the engine runs of electricity and 100% BioEthenol.

As we all know, Saab has a few new models to come out within 4 years. First the 9-3x which was originally conceived in 2002 - 2003 but shelved by GM. Followed by the ALL NEW 9-5 (The current 9-5 is now 12 years old) and then the 9-4x CUV to be built in Mexico.

ITS EXCITING TIMES AHEAD FOR SAAB AND KOENISEGG!

Re: Saab in China
 

I like this idea. It keeps Saab Swedish and it looks like there will be plenty more Saabs coming soon.
BTW, Hummer has sold to a Chinese company and could you please, nzsaab, enlighten me on who purchased Saturn?

Re: Saab in China
 

Hi there KiwiGuy, well hot news is out across the world, actual pictures called CGI's of the 2010 9-5 sedan and 2011 9-5 wagon have have been leaked from Saab and posted on Saabs United, Saab requested Saabs United take the pictures down but it was too late, people had already copied them and pasted them elsewhere so Im going to keep with that trend!

http://www.trollhattansaab.net/wp-co...officialSU.jpg

http://www.trollhattansaab.net/wp-co...OfficialSU.jpg

Now they are pretty good, this is what they will look like. I must say Im in love with them. How do you Chinese feel? Will the Chinese market buy it? Its been said by people who have driven these cars in secret that BMW, Merc and Audi really have something to worry about with this new 9-5, they say finally Saab is a competitor!

More news soon.