Saab is hoping a raft of new models due for launch in the next two years will help to turn its fortunes around.
The Swedish car maker claims it has seen a remarkable turnaround in the past three months and is now ready to develop its business plan for further growth.
The 9-5 is the first model of the new line-up and and Saab says it will be a key component in the road to success. It can be ordered now and is priced from £26,495 for the Vector SE 160PS 2.0-litre TiD.
The 9-5 will be followed by a crossover in April next year, badged 9-4X, and then Saab will make an all-new 9-3 due in 2012. There are also plans to enter the small premium sector. Sources from Saab have confirmed that there is a vehicle of this size under development and this could be called a 9-2.
Jan Ake Jonsson said: 'For Saab to be successful we must get our customers back. We believe we can do this by taking the brand back to its roots and making it special again. We will also stay true to our Swedish values of turbo technology, safety and environmental commitments in line with producing smaller engines.'
By September, Saab will run its own operation in terms of sales independent of GM. By 2012 Saab aims to produce 120,000 vehicles a year and it revealed that it has a plan for electric vehicles. These should include hybrids and full electric vehicles but the Swedish company did not put a timeframe on this.
Victor Muller CEO Spyker Cars and Chairman of the Saab Automotive Board said: 'Spyker bought Saab in a perfect storm. When Saab came on the market, we (Spyker) jumped at the chance. Spyker will not run Saab, Jan Ake will run Saab and Spyker will provide the business skills. Saab lost creativitiy and its uniqueness under the ownership of GM but we will bring the Saab-ishness back.'
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