TROLLHÄTTAN, Sweden — Saab-Spyker chief Victor Muller says he would like the company to build a what he calls a 92, a compact, premium model drawing inspiration from the original 93, "though not a retro design," he stresses.
The car would be positioned "somewhere north of the Mini" and would need a technical partner for Saab to be able to bring it to market. For this reason, it is not part of the business plan intended to return Saab to profitability by 2016.
However, Muller and Saab CEO Jan-Ake Jonsson say they have been surprised by the level of interest shown by other manufacturers in selling Saab hardware and technology. Jonsson is also hoping to sell Saab expertise, including its experience with turbos, transmissions and gasoline engines.
Muller also says that the next-generation 9-3 is more than two years into development, "with basic engineering done, with two years in which to add more Saab DNA," before launch. That will have allowed Spyker to get the fully engineered new 9-5, the 9-4X, the 9-3, and a re-equipped factory "for the price of a wind tunnel."
Inside Line says: Sun seems to be rising anew over the Saab brand name. — Richard Bremner, Correspondent
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minibro77 says:
11:58 AM, 03/03/2010
Hey guys. Why don't you tap on the shoulder of your Swedish neighbors? I'm sure Volvo wouldn't mind another taker for the Ford C Global platform for a car of this kind. It would bring further economies of scale for you. You also could take advantage of the platform underpinning the Chevy Cruze/Opel Astra since these cars already are able to be fitted using your current engine lineup.
smihal says:
08:35 AM, 03/03/2010
"The new car won't have a retro design"...Thank God.