DETROIT — Saab dealers have been taking deposits for the company's first SUV, the 9-7X, a phenomenon that hasn't happened to the Swedish brand "in decades," according to Jay Spenchian, Saab USA general manager.
The 9-7X goes on sale later this spring.
In an April speech titled "The State of Saab," Spenchian said 5,000 people have signed up for a pre-sell offer on the 9-7X that includes three years of free XM Radio and the OnStar communications system.
"Through our Web site and dealer channels, we already received twice as many hand-raisers as for our previously best ever in that regard, our Saab icon, the 9-3 convertible," he said, referring to potential customers who have indicated an interest in the new SUV.
Spenchian said Saab will expand the 9-3 lineup with a new body style called the SportCombi. The SportCombi is based on the 2004 Sport Hatch concept car. The GM brand will also introduce a new 250-horsepower turbocharged V6 power plant across the entire 9-3 family, Spenchian confirmed.
Plans are also in the works for a "thoroughly revised 9-5," he said.
What this means to you: Business Week may be urging GM to dump Saab, but things seem to be cooking at the Swedish brand. There's really nowhere to go but up — or out of business.
The 9-7X goes on sale later this spring.
In an April speech titled "The State of Saab," Spenchian said 5,000 people have signed up for a pre-sell offer on the 9-7X that includes three years of free XM Radio and the OnStar communications system.
"Through our Web site and dealer channels, we already received twice as many hand-raisers as for our previously best ever in that regard, our Saab icon, the 9-3 convertible," he said, referring to potential customers who have indicated an interest in the new SUV.
Spenchian said Saab will expand the 9-3 lineup with a new body style called the SportCombi. The SportCombi is based on the 2004 Sport Hatch concept car. The GM brand will also introduce a new 250-horsepower turbocharged V6 power plant across the entire 9-3 family, Spenchian confirmed.
Plans are also in the works for a "thoroughly revised 9-5," he said.
What this means to you: Business Week may be urging GM to dump Saab, but things seem to be cooking at the Swedish brand. There's really nowhere to go but up — or out of business.
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