Saab's U.S. Boss Talks About the Future and How the Brand will Tackle the Perception that the Brand is Dead

Automotive News recently had a chance to sit down with the COO of Saab North America, Mike Colleran, and discuss the future of Saab. perception

One of the first questions posed was the extent of damage to Saab's brand image during the past year and a half and how the Swedish automaker plans to improve its image in the near future.

"It is difficult to understand the complete depth of that damage. Certainly the brand did suffer" said Colleran. "I think there are a number of consumers who have the perception that Saab is gone."

Read more »

New 2010 Saab 9-5 Configurator Goes Online

Saab has opened up the doors to customizing its new 9-5 with a configurator, albeit a bit of a teaser version. With only colors and wheels available to choose from at the moment, there's only so much fun to be had.

As soon as the full configurator gets online, buyers will be able to get a better look at how they're going to justify a $50,000+ Saab. With a model that looks as funky and feels as Swedish as this, I can't wait.

Read more »

China-Made Saab 9-5 by BAW: First Photos and Video

Earlier today, we showed you a bevy of pictures of the Beijing Automotive Works' (BAW) Saab 9-3-based C60 mid-size sedan. Now we have the first photos of the Chinese firm's reworked Saab 9-5, the C71 saloon, as well as a video showing both cars as they were being transferred to BAW's Beijing Motor Show stand.

As with the smaller C60, the most notable differences between the C71 and its Saab stablemate concern the styling of the front and rear ends.

As a reminder, in late 2009, BAW's parent company BAIC brought the design rights for the previous generation Saab 9-5 and certain 9-3 models along with some powertrain technology and tooling equipment from GM for about $200 million.

Read more »

BAW's Chinese Saab 9-5 Clone Teased in Beijing Auto Show Poster

At the end of 2009, Saab, in an effort to recoup some dough back when it was a part of GM, sold BAIC (Beijing Automotive Industry Holdings Co. Ltd.) the rights to use some old models/designs. Basically, BAIC will be able to use older 9-3 and 9-5 models' designs and their respective tech.

Thanks to that deal, BAIC sub-brand Beijing Auto Works (BAW) will be debuting at least one Saab-ish model this year at the Beijing Auto Show.

Read more »