Saab Hopes to Rise from Its Own Ashes

2011 is likely to be the year when Saab will come back in the auto business with much better sales than in the previous years. At least, this is what the Swedish executives hope for the next 10 months of the year, predicting sales of 15,000 to 20,000 vehicles in the United States.

Saab executives told dealers during a NADA meeting that sales this year are expected to grow significantly over last year's figures, when the company sold only 5,445 units, down 37 percent from 2009.

According to a report by Autonews, Saab has informed dealers that the new 9-3 sedan will go on sale sometimes in late 2011 or in early 2012, followed by some other models in the next few years. A total of 16 vehicles comprising Saab's lineup for the US could hit the market in the near feature, including hatchback model that could be based on the 9-3 platform.

In the meantime, Saab eagerly awaits the 2011 Geneva Auto Show when the company will introduce the 6-5 SportCombi for the European market. It will go on sale this fall and is supposed to arrive in the United States as well sometimes in the near future.

"The launch of the 9-5 SportCombi is a much-awaited next step in the roll-out of our new product offensive," said Saab Automobile CEO Jan Ake Jonsson. "It will take Saab back into the large wagon segment where we have established a strong presence in many key markets with our previous offering."

autoevolution will be attending the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, so stay tuned for some real up close and personal shots of the vehicles, as well as for first-hand details of the motorized contraptions presented at the event.