Year/place: 1990-2000, Trollhättan and ... (Formed in 1990 when Saab-Scania sold 50% of its car division to General Motors.)
On 15 March 1990 the GM Group and Saab-Scania AB started a 50-50 joint venture, named Saab Automobile AB. The joint venture should conduct Saab’s automobile business, which is to develop, manufacture and market Saab cars worldwide.
Saab 9000 CS was introduced in 1991, with a new set of improvements. Among others the strongest side impact protection in a car this far.
Saabs first 6-cylinder engine was introduced with the new 900-model in 1993.
50 years producing cars
In 1997 Saab celebrated its 50 first years as a car producer. During the year a number of 900 and 9000 model versions was presented, with various bodies and engines, including two Jubileum versions. Among the new ones were the 900 Talladega model (named after the race track in Alabama, U.S.A., where six Saab 900 set 40 speed records in october 1986). And the most powerful Saab built, the 9000 Aero with a 225 hp engine giving it a top speed of 240 km/h.
Also in 1997, in February, the new Saab 9-5 was presented. The 9-5 4-door Sedan had also some firsts on the planet: Saab Active Head Restraints, giving better protection to the people in the car in case of certain accidents often resulting in whiplash injuries on the neck, and ventilated seats.
If I haven't counted wrong, more than 40 Saab versions were for sale in 1997, many of them introduced during the year.
More Saabs
In 1998 Saab 9-3 came to the market, with the first turbo diesel engine in a car. It is told that Saab 9-3 have some 1.100 parameters further improved compared to the previous Saab model.
118.581 Saabs were sold in 1998.
In 1999 Saabs first estate wagon, since Saab 95 went out of the program in 1979, was introduced. The Saab 9-5 Wagon, as I see it, combines the car production skills of Saab with the cargo transporting skills of Scania. With load-securing rails, sliding load floor, and roof rails it offers excellent load-carrying capacity in a comfortable car.
Also in 1999 Saab 9-3 Viggen came, with a 2,3 litre 225hp engine. The fastest Saab car in mass production. (Yes, this Saab Viggen is a car.)
More GM
On 10 January 2000 the GM Group announced that they intended to use the option to buy the 50% of Saab Automobile AB that was owned by Investor AB (who acquired Saab-Scania in 1991). The takeover was planned to take place by the end of January.
The Saab car story continues on Saab / GM.
2007-03-06. www.konditori100.se. Text/pictures: Arne Granfoss ©. Prod: AG Informice