Year/place: 2000 -, Trollhättan and ... (Formed in early 2000 when General Motors bought the remaining 50% of Saab Automobile AB.)
GM and Saab
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.
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. The takeover was planned to take place by the end of January.
Saab - Cars made in Sweden?
Shall I continue to write about the Saab car production, now that all of it is owned by General Motors?
Yes, I will. In the early 2000 most of the construction and production went on as earlier, largely in Sweden. Later the future will show how much the Saab cars will be "Cars made in Sweden".
2000 - a new millenium
In 1999 Saab built almost 128.000 cars. Engines were made in Södertälje, transmissions in Göteborg and most of the rest in Trollhättan. The 9-3 Convertible was assembled at Valmet Automotive in Uusikaupunki, Finland.
In 2000 GM sold around 8,6 million cars and trucks, 15,1% of the world market. They were sold under the brand names Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Holden, Hummer, Oldsmobile, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn and Vauxhall. GM had major alliances with Fiat Auto SpA, Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd., Isuzu Motors Ltd. and Suzuki Motor Corp. GM also had strong technical cooperations with Honda Motor Co. and Toyota Motor Corp., and vehicle ventures with Renault SA and Toyota.
Would Saab be able to keep on producing Saab cars, or would Saab just become a variation of standardized global platforms - and lose their Saab touch?
One announced change was the number of models and the intervals between them. A commitment was made to introduce one new vehicle or concept each year for five years. It would be the most comprehensive product development programme in Saab's history.
Less exhausts and more safety
In late February 2000 Saab presented a new engine concept - Saab Variable Compression (SVC). The purpose with the SVC is to cut fuel consumption radically (up to 30%) without getting lower performance, which also results in lower exhaust volumes. The prototype 5-cylinder 1,6 litre 225hp engine, delivering 305 Nm of torque, has a variable compression. The top of the engine can be inclined to achieve optimum compression, based on continually registred data over current needs. Smaller cylinder displacement and generous overboost adds positive effects like greater torque, higher power output and a lighter engine.
Both the 9-3 and the 9-5 were awarded four stars in the EuroNCAP collision test. They also were awarded the highest marks in the new side collision test. Saab 9-5 is the safest car ever tested, according to EuroNCAP.
In the Swedish insurance company Folksams safety study of cars on the Swedish market, Saab 900/9-3 is the only car in its class to achieve the 'Gold group' - the top that are 50 percent safer than the average car. The Gold group included Saab 9000. (Saab 9-5 were too young to be in the statistics.)
At the end of the summer the new corporate symbol was taken to use. Similar to the Saab-Scania symbol, but 'modified' and without the word Scania.
Versions and Variations
Basically there were '4 times 2' Saab models: 9-3, 9-3 Convertible, 9-5 and 9-5 Wagon. All of them were also sold as Aero versions for drivers who wanted higher performance.
Of these there were variations, besides the optional alternatives of engines et cetera. One of them was presented in 2001, the Saab 9-3 SE Design Edition Convertible. A limited series produced for customers wanting an even more distinctive convertible. Among the differences were a titanium grey dashboard, charcoal grey leather upholstery with blue inlays, door trim and carpets matching the seat upholstery, and matt-chrome door handles.
Among the press releases from Saab, during the spring they told that Alf Persson was the most expensive of their over 10.000 employees. During 12 years he had cost Saab more than half a billion kronor (SEK 500.000.000) - besides salary and oncosts. What he had done? Working as the Work Supervisor at the Saab Crash Test Laboratory. (A bit odd but pleasant press release, I think. Nice done.)
Summer approached with sunshine and some warming fugures. In the premium segment in Europe Saab had more than 50% of the market for convertibles, and every third person wanting to buy a convertible opted for a Saab 9-3 Convertible.
In the early summer Saab also released a new form of car leasing in Sweden, named Saab Variations. Sign the 3 year leasing contract for Aero models, and be free to change car up to twice a year. (I wonder where they parked all convertibles during the Swedish winter...)
Another special version built by Saab Automobile AB in Trollhättan during 2001 was an emergency command car for the West Götaland Region of Sweden, capable of fast communication with all rescue units when major accidents and disasters occur. Among the communication systems are VHF band radio, GSM and NMT 450 mobile telephony, portable radio and GPS navigation with a screen that also can be used as a TV. The car can also be integrated into wireless networks, communicating with ambulances on the scene of a disaster. When airfreighted it can use external power supply.
Futuristic X cars
The Saab 9X high-performance concept car made its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in late summer 2001, as the first result of the commitment made in 2000. This 4-seated 2-door sports car with floormounted rear tailgate is also a coupe, roadster, wagon and pick-up truck. The coupe's glass roof panels can slide back (or be stowed behind the rear seats). A telescope-like tailgate can open an extra 20 centimetres giving you extra load space. It is also possible to drive the 9X with the tailgate down. A flexible concept that I like.
The Saab 9-3X, described as a 'cross-over coupe', was presented at the Detroit Motor Show in early 2002. This is Saabs first 'off-road' car, in the so called sub-SUV segment, but it has good road handling as usual Saabs. This 4-seater was built by Italian Bertone, on the General Motors mediumsized Epsilon chassis. The tailgate's upper glass panel lifts up above the roof, the lower section creates a loading ramp and the floor slides out automatically to make loading and unloading easier.
The 9-3X was presented with the first Saab Combustion Control (SCC) engine, called Ecopower 2, an aluminium 2,8 litre 280hp turbocharged V6. The SCC control system gives lower fuel consumption and exhaust emissions without resulting in lower engine performance. "By mixing a large proportion of exhaust gases into the combustion process, the fuel consumption can be reduced by up to 10 percent. Compared to today`s Saab engines with equivalent performance, this will almost halve the carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions, and will cut the nitrogen oxide emissions by 75 percent." Saabs new 5-speed semi-automatic unit leads the power to the tires with the help of several advanced grip control systems. A performance result is 0-100 km/h in 6,2 seconds and a limited top speed of 250 km/h.
With the network in the 9-3X a service centre can make diagnostics on distance, and you can download extra horsepowers and torque and still stay within your warranty. Your PDA and DV camera can be recharged while in their docking bases, and use the dashboard screen. (Thinking of security I hope this too is limited while driving, but to be able to see a photo of the crossroad where you shall turn right would be convenient now and then...)
More new ones
On 8 May 2002 the last 9-3 of the first generation was finished in the factory in Trollhättan, Sweden.
In September the all-new 9-3 Sport Saloon was released, and later the new 9-3 Convertible.
At the end of the summer 2003 the Saab 9-3 Sport-Hatch Concept car was shown. A 5-door 4-seater with a glass roof and a fastback shape similar to the 9-3X 'cross-over coupe'. It has recessed load fixing points on the roof to eliminate roof bars, and an integrated bike-carrying function. (This is a driveable concept car...)
At the end of August 2003 the 200.000th Saab Convertible was built.
How much Saab?
In the autumn of 2003 the new smaller Saab 9-2X came, based on the 10 year old Subaru Impreza. (A 'Saabaru'?). From the Subaru it inherits among others the chassis and the wellproven boxer engine, transmission and 4x4-system. Saab provides a new front and rear, and a Saab designed interior. The 5-door 9-2X is planned to be sold in the U.S.A. and Canada from July 2004 in two models - 9-2X Aero (227hp, 0-100 km/h in 6,5sec) and 9-2X Linear (165hp). It will be produced in Fuji Heavy Industries's facilities in Japan, where Subaru is produced. (General Motors owns 20% of Fuji.)
When it was clear that Saab made large economical losses, the owner General Motors took over more of the decisionmaking from Trollhättan. One aim is to produce cars that can be sold in larger quantities.
Saab 9-7X was announced in November 2003, a mid-sized SUV that will make its debut at the New York Auto Show in April 2004. The 9-7X will have standard all-wheel-drive, and will be sold initially in the U.S.A. and Canada with two engine choices. It will be built at GM’s Moraine Assembly plant, Ohio U.S.A., from spring 2005.
So far the commitment from 2000, to introduce one new vehicle or concept each year for five years, has already been exceeded. 9-X, 9-3X, 9-3 Sport Sedan, 9-3 Convertible, 9-3 Sport-Hatch, 9-2X and 9-7X from 2001. But, how much Saab are the new Saabs?
More to come. (?) (!)
It will be interesting to see Saabs future. How will the unique Saab feeling be in the new Saabs? How will Saab owners react when they shall by their next car, and the new Saabs aren't that much Saabs any longer? How will other car buyers react? Will Saabs economical situation get better?
(Sometime in the future I'll catch up with the history from 2004 and on...)
2007-03-06. www.konditori100.se. Text/pictures: Arne Granfoss ©. Prod: AG Informice