Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[The Saab 9-3 that never was finally shows up]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/22/the-saab-9-3-that-never-was-finally-shows-up/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/22/the-saab-9-3-that-never-was-finally-shows-up/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/22/the-saab-9-3-that-never-was-finally-shows-up/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Saab 9-3 Phoenix platform design study - front three-quarter view

Looking back on the life and [slow and painful] death of Saab, it's impossible to not stop and think of what might have been with the quirky Swedish automaker. As it turns out, SaabsUnited has decided to shed some light on what the company's future might have looked like, including some images and information that include full-scale mockups of the 9-3 Phoenix, which you see above.

In its waning years, Saab's lead designer Jason Castriota was working feverishly to deliver new products that built on the heritage of the brand while doing so at a lower cost and in a shorter time period than previous models. In the end, though, it sounds like the earliest that we could have seen any of these plans come to fruition was 2014. In addition to hatchback and convertible 9-3 variants, Castriota also created the Sonnett - a sporty-looking 2+2 that never made it past the design study phase.

Regardless of whether you're a diehard fan of the brand or if you were just pulling for the underdog, you'll want to head on over to SaabsUnited to check out a little more of what the future could have held for Saab.

The Saab 9-3 that never was finally shows up originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Feb 2013 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2014 saab 9-39-3jason castriotaphoenixsaabsaab 9-3 phoenixsaab concept carsaab sonettsonettFri, 22 Feb 2013 13:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20473314/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/22/the-saab-9-3-that-never-was-finally-shows-up/20473314/article-detail.xml 20473314 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/saab-9-3-phoenix_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/saab-9-3-phoenix.jpg <![CDATA[Saab 9-3 production to start in China in 2013 [UPDATE]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/17/saab-9-3-production-to-start-in-china-in-2013/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/17/saab-9-3-production-to-start-in-china-in-2013/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/17/saab-9-3-production-to-start-in-china-in-2013/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Saab 9-3 ePower factory

We knew that National Electric Vehicle Sweden planned to restart production of the last-gen Saab 9-3 at some point in the future, we just didn't know exactly when, or exactly where. As it turns out, the answers to those questions are soon, and China.

Though NEVS had initially said it will build vehicles in Sweden before shipping them to China, the latest report from Autocar suggests that the cars will instead be built right in Quingdao starting later in 2013. That's right, this calendar year. Also on the docket is a followup electric version of the 9-3, which is slated to come to market in 2014 in an effort to satiate China's wish that there be half a million EVs silently filling its streets within the next two years.

NEVS wants to be part of the EV solution, but it's not going to be easy. Naturally, if these cars are to be built in China, a factory has to be located or built, tooling needs to be in place, workers need to be hired and trained and a lengthy trail of paperwork has to be signed off by the government before even the well-known gasoline-powered 9-3 can be a reality, let along the unknown quantity that is the 9-3 ePower.

In other words... Må kraften vara med dig, NEVS.

*UPDATE: We were contacted by the brains behind saabsunited.com, who claims production will indeed be in Trollhättan, Sweden, as previously reported. Cars will be exported to China until maximum capacity is reached, at which point, possibly by 2015, production in China will begin in earnest. This version of the story makes much more sense...

Saab 9-3 production to start in China in 2013 [UPDATE] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Jan 2013 09:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>9-39-3 ePowerchinanational electric vehicle swedennevsquingdaosaabThu, 17 Jan 2013 09:15:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20431425/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/17/saab-9-3-production-to-start-in-china-in-2013/20431425/article-detail.xml 20431425 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/saab-9-3-epower-factory_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/saab-9-3-epower-factory.jpg <![CDATA[Saab owner may speed up relaunch with gas-powered 9-3]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/21/saab-owner-may-speed-up-relaunch-with-gas-powered-2013-9-3/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/21/saab-owner-may-speed-up-relaunch-with-gas-powered-2013-9-3/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/21/saab-owner-may-speed-up-relaunch-with-gas-powered-2013-9-3/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Saab 9-3

National Electric Vehicle Sweden, the new owner of Saab, has good news for you if you happened to miss out on picking up a 9-3 before the company plummeted through bankruptcy. Automotive News Europe reports NEVS may offer a gasoline-powered 9-3 in 2013. That move would effectively step up the brand's re-launch plan by a full year. Originally, the company planned to introduce an electric vehicle in 2014, but NEVS is currently investigating ways to start production next summer using "a 9-3 with a traditional powertrain" in order to generate more cash for the electrification effort.

NEVS purchased Saab earlier this year with the intent of resurrecting the brand with a fully electric product portfolio. The new EVs would theoretically ride on the Saab Phoenix platform and be manufactured at the automaker's plant in Trollhattan, Sweden. The report of a resurrected gasoline model came courtesy of Mikael Oestlund, a company spokesperson familiar with the company's workings.

Saab owner may speed up relaunch with gas-powered 9-3 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Nov 2012 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>9-3national electric vehicle swedennevssaabWed, 21 Nov 2012 13:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20384654/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/21/saab-owner-may-speed-up-relaunch-with-gas-powered-2013-9-3/20384654/article-detail.xml 20384654 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/saab-9-3-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/saab-9-3-628.jpg <![CDATA[NEVS mulling electric Saab 9-3 convertible, looking for engine partners, too]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/14/nevs-mulling-electric-saab-9-3-convertible-looking-for-engine-p/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/14/nevs-mulling-electric-saab-9-3-convertible-looking-for-engine-p/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/14/nevs-mulling-electric-saab-9-3-convertible-looking-for-engine-p/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Do you believe in reincarnation? Like how we hope that, maybe, all of our hard work as auto writers will result in an eventual return as a swarm of beautiful butterflies. If you are a Saab fan, the equivalent could be this bit of news: The 9-3 Convertible may rise again, as an electric vehicle.

Word comes from the Dutch version of Autoweek that Chinese entity National Electric Vehicle Sweden (NEVS) has indicated that it will bring an electric version of the 9-3 Convertible to market in the next 18 months. The EV droptop would first debut in the Chinese market, but could expand, as could the lineup to other 9-3 variants, such as the sedan and SportCombi. A NEVS spokesperson has stated, "NEVS basically no doors holds." We're not sure if that's the spokesperson or the translation from the Dutch report, but you get the gist.

NEVS also indicated that conventionally powered versions of the 9-3 could be produced as well. The internal combustion engines could be the originally intended General Motors engines. Regardless of powerplant, we would be very eager to see Saab return, potentially as an EV to boot!

NEVS mulling electric Saab 9-3 convertible, looking for engine partners, too originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Nov 2012 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>9-39-3 convertiblenational electric vehicle swedennevssaabsaab 9-3 convertibleWed, 14 Nov 2012 13:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20378935/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/11/14/nevs-mulling-electric-saab-9-3-convertible-looking-for-engine-p/20378935/article-detail.xml 20378935 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/saab-9-3-convertible-independence-edition-0-1352838990_thumbnail.jpeg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/11/saab-9-3-convertible-independence-edition-0-1352838990.jpeg <![CDATA[NEVS completes Saab purchase, earns right to brand name but not griffin badge]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/03/nevs-completes-saab-purchase-earns-right-to-brand-name-but-not/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/03/nevs-completes-saab-purchase-earns-right-to-brand-name-but-not/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/03/nevs-completes-saab-purchase-earns-right-to-brand-name-but-not/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Saab griffin emblem

According to the Associated Press, a Hong Kong-based concern is close to building new Saab models. After some delays, National Electric Vehicle Sweden (NEVS) has completed the purchase of bankrupt Swedish automaker Saab.

NEVS says it plans to debut an electric vehicle in about 18 months. When the car comes to market, it will wear the Saab name, but not the marque's well-known griffin logo. Reuters reports that the company will produce EVs based on the Saab 9-3 platform, with intentions to sell these vehicles primarily in the Chinese market. Due to the continued use of the distinctive griffin head logo by commercial truckmaker Scania and the Saab aerospace group, NEVS was only granted access to the Saab name, not its emblem.

At the moment, it is unclear if the 9-3 architecture to which NEVS is referring is that of the now-defunct model or the new Phoenix architecture whose rights were recently purchased by Chinese automaker Youngman from previous Saab owner Spyker.

NEVS completes Saab purchase, earns right to brand name but not griffin badge originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 Sep 2012 14:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>9-3griffinnational electric vehicle swedennevssaabsaab dealsaab evspykerMon, 03 Sep 2012 14:12:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20315173/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/09/03/nevs-completes-saab-purchase-earns-right-to-brand-name-but-not/20315173/article-detail.xml 20315173 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/saab-logo-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/09/saab-logo-628.jpg <![CDATA[BMW suing Saab Automobile Parts for $3.2M]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/24/bmw-suing-saab-automobile-parts-for-3-2m/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/24/bmw-suing-saab-automobile-parts-for-3-2m/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/24/bmw-suing-saab-automobile-parts-for-3-2m/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Saab 9-3 Convertible Independence Edition - front three-quarter view

Saab might be all but dead, but that's not stopping automakers that were once involved with the Swedish brand from attempting to reclaim losses. According to a Fox Business report, BMW has filed a 2.6 million Euro suit ($3.2 million USD) with a Swedish district court against Saab Automobile Parts for deliveries that went unpaid.

In 2012, Saab Automobile AB signed an agreement BMW that would see the German automaker deliver four-cylinder gas engines for its 9-3 range.

The suit also asserts that Saab ordered a large number of spare parts, and no payments were made to BMW. At the time, Saab was far from liquid, and filed for bankruptcy in December of last year.

Though Saab was left with assets that totaled $500 million, the Swedish automaker's debts amounted to $2 billion, a part of which include the unpaid BMW deliveries.

According to the report, Lennart Stahl, CEO of Saab Automobile Parts AB has said "Our lawyers will now go through the lawsuit carefully and see if anything new has been added before we decide hat to do." This only adds to the fallout from the Saab closure. Recently, Saab's owner, Spyker filed suit with General Motors for $3 billion, claiming that the U.S. automaker, through its leadership, played a large part in bankrupting the brand.

BMW suing Saab Automobile Parts for $3.2M originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Aug 2012 18:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4-cylinder9-3bailoutbmwchapter 11engineinline 4saab 9-3Fri, 24 Aug 2012 18:41:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20308408/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/08/24/bmw-suing-saab-automobile-parts-for-3-2m/20308408/article-detail.xml 20308408 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/saab-93_thumbnail.jpeg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/saab-93.jpeg <![CDATA[NEV deal to buy Saab delayed]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/03/nev-deal-to-buy-saab-delayed/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/03/nev-deal-to-buy-saab-delayed/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/03/nev-deal-to-buy-saab-delayed/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Saab griffin emblem

Remember a month and a half ago when we told you that Saab will "soldier on?" Well, we should have written "stand at attention."

According to SaabsUnited, the deal for National Electric Vehicle Sweden to buy the remaining Saab assets didn't close on schedule. In fact, it's been delayed by "a month, perhaps more." NEVS also seems to have indicated that it's not going to be answering any more questions about the deal until it's completed.

NEVS is supposedly planning on building electric cars based on the design that would have been the next-generation 9-3. The company itself is a partnership between a Chinese energy company and a Japanese investment group.

NEV deal to buy Saab delayed originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Aug 2012 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>9-3national electric vehicle swedennevssaabsaab 9-3saab bankruptcysaab saleFri, 03 Aug 2012 13:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20292725/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/08/03/nev-deal-to-buy-saab-delayed/20292725/article-detail.xml 20292725 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/saab-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/saab-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Last 900 Saabs heading to auction]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/22/last-900-saabs-heading-to-auction/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/22/last-900-saabs-heading-to-auction/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/22/last-900-saabs-heading-to-auction/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Saab shipment

If you've been wanting to get your hands on one last new Saab but missed out on the great Saab sell-off when Saab Cars North America declared bankruptcy, well, your ship has now come in.

Actually, it came in last year - but hundreds of new Saabs got waylaid at ports in California and New Jersey because of the bankruptcy, according to SaabWorld.net. Those cars are now slated for auction, some 900 of them, which will be available for dealers, exporters and rental car companies to bid on beginning next week. Eventually, 300 of these cars should make their way to Saab dealers, where they're expected to be sold off at 30- to 50-percent discounts. The other 600 will either be exported or used as rentals, according to the report, so "the price of Saabs will not be severely depressed."

Besides the new cars, some 67 company cars, including some interesting stuff like a 1960 Saab Quantum IV and a 1970 Sonnett III, will also be auctioned off, according to the report. Of the new cars, just over half are 9-5 models, some 400 are 9-3 sedans, another 60 are 9-3 wagons, and about a dozen are convertibles. According to the report, 28 are actually 9-4X crossovers, which is more than 10 percent of Saab's total 2011 sales for that model.

Last 900 Saabs heading to auction originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Jun 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>9-39-4x9-5saabsaab auctionsaab bankruptcysaab cars north americaFri, 22 Jun 2012 18:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20264248/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/06/22/last-900-saabs-heading-to-auction/20264248/article-detail.xml 20264248 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/saab-shipping_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/saab-shipping.jpg <![CDATA[Saab to hire 200 engineers, might build gas cars with Mahindra]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/14/saab-to-hire-200-engineers-might-build-gas-cars-with-mahindra/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/14/saab-to-hire-200-engineers-might-build-gas-cars-with-mahindra/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/14/saab-to-hire-200-engineers-might-build-gas-cars-with-mahindra/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



The brand formerly known as Saab is still intent on teaching The Little Engine That Could a few ticks about persistence. We say "formerly known" because it turns out that National Electric Vehicle Swedent (NEVS), the Sino-Japanese investment consortium that just bought the majority of Saab's assets, minus Saab Automobile Parts AB, may not actually own the rights to the Saab brand name. According to a report in Di.se via Saabs United, NEVS will need to negotiate with Scania and the Swedish aerospace and defense group, Saab AB, for the right to name its forthcoming electric car the Saab 9-3.

NEVS is hiring 200 engineers now to work on its electric car program, and reports are that it will hire more as it gets closer to the 2014 launch. It will be based on the current (read: ancient) 9-3, and we hope NEVS is succeeds in getting the naming rights, because the NEVS 9-3 just doesn't have the same ring. NEVS will likely target China as the model's main market.

However, it's rumors of their second negotiating ploy that we're really rooting for: to work with Mahinda & Mahindra, the Indian company once in the running for Saab's assets, develop a petrol-powered 9-3 on the next-generation Phoenix platform, based on Jason Castriota's design.

NEVS is also said to be planning new models "based on Japanese technology," yet with just under $1 billion U.S. committed to the electric program, the Di.se report says NEVS wants to have other products to generate revenue. A conventionally powered gasoline-engined car could be the answer. There only connection between Saab AB and Mahindra appears to be that India is one of Saab's largest markets and Mahindra is Indian. Separately, Mahindra could develop the car and provide small, "low carbon output" engines. It's tenuous, which characterizes just about everything that happens with Saab these days, but perhaps NEVS sees it as enough of a lure for everyone involved to make it worth the attempt.

The amount of speculation here makes the chances of a Phoenix-based 9-3 too thin to even call slim, but we won't bet against it, if only because one was quite far along in development under the company's previous owners. And besides, we'd really like to see it happen.

Saab to hire 200 engineers, might build gas cars with Mahindra originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Jun 2012 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>9-3mahindranational electric vehiclenational electric vehicle swedennevssaabsaab 9-3Thu, 14 Jun 2012 16:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20258695/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/06/14/saab-to-hire-200-engineers-might-build-gas-cars-with-mahindra/20258695/article-detail.xml 20258695 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/next-saab-9-3-ii_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/next-saab-9-3-ii.jpg <![CDATA[Saab Lives! Sold to Chinese-Japanese consortium NEVS]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/13/saab-lives-sold-to-chinese-japanese-consortium-nevs/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/13/saab-lives-sold-to-chinese-japanese-consortium-nevs/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/06/13/saab-lives-sold-to-chinese-japanese-consortium-nevs/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Saab sign at Swedish headquarters

Despite all odds, Saab will soldier on. The Detroit News reports National Electric Vehicle Sweden AB has agreed to purchase a majority of the bankrupt automaker. The consortium is owned by Hong Kong-based National Modern Energy Holdings Ltd. and the Japanese investment group Sun Investment LLC, and that the two created NEVS just to purchase Saab. The group is currently led by a former Volvo Trucks executive. The purchase takes over the $1.9 billion in Saab debt. Both the bankruptcy administrators and NEVS agreed not to disclose the sale price for the company.

Interestingly enough, the sale does not include Saab Automobile Parts AB. Instead, the Swedish National Debt office has announced it intends to take over the parts business.

Meanwhile, Automotive News Europe reports the first vehicle from the newly-rescued Swedish automaker will be an electric car. Based on the next 9-3, the EV will bow in 2014, though there are few details available beyond the projected launch date. According to SaabsUnited, NEVS only purchased the rights to the next-gen 9-3, not the rest of the (now ostensibly completely dead) Saab lineup that included the 9-5 sedan and 9-4X crossover.

Saab hasn't built a single car since 2011. The automaker filed for bankruptcy in December after all production stopped in March of the same year. According to Automotive News, Saab hasn't been profitable in nearly 20 years, though that figure has been the subject of dispute by its previous owners, who held that former parent General Motors used the brand as a channel to offload debts and development costs.

Saab Lives! Sold to Chinese-Japanese consortium NEVS originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Jun 2012 10:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>9-3national electric vehicle swedennational modern energy holdingsnevnevssaabsaab 9-3saab purchasesaab savedsun investmentWed, 13 Jun 2012 10:26:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20257590/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/06/13/saab-lives-sold-to-chinese-japanese-consortium-nevs/20257590/article-detail.xml 20257590 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/saab-hq-sign_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/06/saab-hq-sign.jpg <![CDATA[Saab victorious in inaugural Swedish Touring Car race]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/16/saab-victorious-in-inaugural-swedish-touring-car-race/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/16/saab-victorious-in-inaugural-swedish-touring-car-race/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/16/saab-victorious-in-inaugural-swedish-touring-car-race/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Linus Ohlsson's Saab 9-3 Touring Car in motion

The sequel to Frankenstein is being written in Swedish, by Saab. The ostensibly former car company could teach the good doctor about life after death, having earned itself more good news by winning the inaugural race of the Swedish Touring Car series. Team Tidö's black 9-3 racer was on pole and carried that lead all the way to the checkered flag. Driving it was Linus Ohlsson, whose past triumphs include taking third in the 2011 Porsche Carrera Cup Scandinavia series.

Just to be clear, all the cars in the series are silhouette racers, with Saab, Volvo, BMW and Citroën bodies placed over a spec chassis. Still, it was the body with the Griffin badge that beat the rest, and we all know Saab's faithful could use something to cheer about these days. Scroll down for a video recap of the race; it's in Swedish, so hit the CC button for English subtitles if you need 'em.

Continue reading Saab victorious in inaugural Swedish Touring Car race

Saab victorious in inaugural Swedish Touring Car race originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 May 2012 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 saab 9-39-3linus ohlssonsaabsaab racecarsaab racingswedish touring carteam tidotouring carttavideoWed, 16 May 2012 09:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20238332/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/16/saab-victorious-in-inaugural-swedish-touring-car-race/20238332/article-detail.xml 20238332 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/saabwinstta_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/saabwinstta.jpg <![CDATA[Saab fans save the last 9-3]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/10/saab-fans-save-the-last-9-3/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/10/saab-fans-save-the-last-9-3/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/10/saab-fans-save-the-last-9-3/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Last Saab produced

Congratulations are in order: Saabs United has raised enough money to buy the last Saab 9-3, what is likely to be the last Saab of any sort ever produced. The group will be installing the car in the Saab Cars Museum on a permanent loan, as well as donating the additional money it raised during its fund drive.

Forgive us for being just a bit cynical here, but it's really a shame this particular car is so mundane. It's a Saab 9-3 Aero Griffin, a run-of-the-mill sedan that's a direct descendant of the 2003 model year 9-3. Based on the global General Motors Epsilon platform that also spawned the similarly extinct Pontiac G6, the 9-3 is arguably the car that killed Saab - or at least failed to save it - as GM was never able to sell enough of them or derive enough profit from the ones it managed to move in the U.S. to make a go of the brand.

We're sure all Saab enthusiasts agree that the marque certainly deserved better treatment than it got from Detroit, and when we look back in fond remembrance on Saab, there are any number of models that will come to mind before we think of the final 9-3. Most of them are included in our historical Saab gallery.

Saab fans save the last 9-3 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 May 2012 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 saab 9-39-39-3 griffinfinal saabgmlast saabsaabsaab museumsaabs unitedsaabsunitedThu, 10 May 2012 11:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20234577/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/10/saab-fans-save-the-last-9-3/20234577/article-detail.xml 20234577 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/final-saab_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/final-saab.jpg <![CDATA[Saab devotees rally to save last 9-3]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/02/saab-devotees-rally-to-save-last-9-3/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/02/saab-devotees-rally-to-save-last-9-3/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/02/saab-devotees-rally-to-save-last-9-3/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

2012 Saab 9-3 Griffin sedan - white - front three-quarter view

The folks over at Saabs United have been a fixture on the Swedish automobile scene for some time now, cementing themselves as the hub for all manner of Saab news and gossip as the fight to keep the brand alive has ebbed and flowed over the past couple of years. So significant was SU's bond with the automaker that its principle, Steven Wade, had the ear of buyer Victor Muller throughout the General Motors extrication process, and eventually Wade went to work for Saab itself, leaving others to run the website.

With Saab having slipped into bankruptcy and the company's Trollhättan plant idled, Saabs United now finds itself at the center of a new fight - an effort to preserve the final 9-3 - possibly the final Saab ever. An Arctic White Griffin sedan, the 9-3 exists in a state of partial build but is scheduled for final assembly at the end of this month. The car is part of a special batch of about 50 partially finished cars and a cache of spares that Trollhättan dealership group ANA purchased from Saab's bankruptcy estate, and it will be for sale. Saabs United has taken it upon itself to rally the faithful in an attempt to purchase the car for donation to the Saab Cars Museum, which was itself only recently saved.

It seems only fitting that the 9-3 Griffin would join other final examples of various models in Saab's history at the Museum, but even then, the car's fate might not be entirely secure. According to SU, "A number of cars at the museum from the history of Saab that was written in the last two years are NOT secured. They are either borrowed to the museum or are still missing."

As of this writing, the funding effort is well on its way, with Saabs United faithful and various clubs and investors having raised over 15,000 Euros (around $19,750 USD), with a goal of 28,500 Euros ($37,500) within the next 18 days. If the total amount needed is not reached, fundraiser proceeds will still go to the Saab museum, and if extra money is raised, it'll be donated, too. If you're interested in learning more or making a donation, click here.

Saab devotees rally to save last 9-3 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 May 2012 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 saab 9-39-39-3 griffinsaabsaab 9-3saabs unitedsaabsunitedWed, 02 May 2012 15:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20229269/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/02/saab-devotees-rally-to-save-last-9-3/20229269/article-detail.xml 20229269 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/saab-9-3-griffin-white_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/saab-9-3-griffin-white.jpg <![CDATA[Hundreds of new Saab models spotted rotting at New Jersey port]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/29/hundreds-of-new-saab-models-spotted-rotting-at-new-jersey-port/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/29/hundreds-of-new-saab-models-spotted-rotting-at-new-jersey-port/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/29/hundreds-of-new-saab-models-spotted-rotting-at-new-jersey-port/#commentsFiled under:



One of the postscripts of the travails of Saab Cars North America (SCNA) is this, a couple hundred 9-3 and 9-5 sedans left to the unkindness of coastal winds at a New Jersey port facility. According to the poster at Found Our Own Road, there are 900 cars in this Asphodel Meadows awaiting the resolution of the company's fate.

Last we heard, SCNA is still fighting the involuntary bankruptcy filed in Delaware by its dealers and is trying to get the case moved to Michigan. Prior to that, SCNA had been trying to avoid the proceeding altogether in case a bidder was able to acquire the entire company.

While we wait to find out about that, you can head over to Found Our Own Road to see the rest of the photos of a Saab future that almost was.

Hundreds of new Saab models spotted rotting at New Jersey port originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>9-39-5new jerseysaabsaab cars north americascnaThu, 29 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20203590/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/03/29/hundreds-of-new-saab-models-spotted-rotting-at-new-jersey-port/20203590/article-detail.xml 20203590 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/saabgraveyard_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/saabgraveyard.jpg <![CDATA[Watch and hear Flash Engineering's awesome new Saab 9-3 touring car]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/23/watch-and-hear-flash-engineerings-awesome-new-saab-9-3-touring/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/23/watch-and-hear-flash-engineerings-awesome-new-saab-9-3-touring/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/23/watch-and-hear-flash-engineerings-awesome-new-saab-9-3-touring/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Saab 9-3 touring car

The Saab brand may be meeting its demise, but that doesn't mean that its cars won't live on for years to come. And we aren't just talking about its passenger cars, either. Take, for instance, the Saab 9-3 TTA touring car we showed you last week. The racer, constructed by Flash Engineering and Team Tidö, is currently preparing to do battle in the Swedish Racing Elite League, with entries from Volvo, BMW and Citroën clearly in its sights.

Recently, the widebody 9-3 TTA completed its first round of testing in France, with Swiss driver Fabian Thuner piloting the car around the country's Alés track. After a few more tweaks, the car will then be sent to Sweden where it will undergo official testing in Karlskoga and Anderstorp, driven by the actual TTA drivers who will pilot the car during the Swedish Racing Elite League competition.

For now, click past the jump to see (and hear!) this seriously awesome 9-3 racecar for yourself. We'll definitely be keeping our eyes on this one.

Continue reading Watch and hear Flash Engineering's awesome new Saab 9-3 touring car

Watch and hear Flash Engineering's awesome new Saab 9-3 touring car originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Mar 2012 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 saab 9-39-3flash engineeringsaabsaab racecarsaab racingswedish touring carteam tidotouring carttavideoFri, 23 Mar 2012 19:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20200025/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/03/23/watch-and-hear-flash-engineerings-awesome-new-saab-9-3-touring/20200025/article-detail.xml 20200025 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/saabvideo628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/saabvideo628.jpg <![CDATA[Saab 9-3 to live on in Swedish Touring Car racing]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/14/saab-9-3-to-live-on-in-swedish-touring-car-racing/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/14/saab-9-3-to-live-on-in-swedish-touring-car-racing/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/14/saab-9-3-to-live-on-in-swedish-touring-car-racing/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Saab 9-3 TTA by Flash Engineering

Saab is dead. Long live Saab?

Well, at least in the Swedish Racing Elite League. Says Jan "Flash" Nilsson, driver and Managing Director of Flash Engineering, "I have longed for 40 years to see the fight between Saab and Volvo on the race tracks. It becomes reality this summer and my biggest dream is to get all Saab fans to the TTA races to cheer us on."

In addition to the Volvo Polestar S60 TTA sedan, the Saab 9-3 fielded by Flash Engineering and Team Tidö will go up against efforts from BMW and Citroën. And, intriguingly, the team will have the support of what's left of the Saab company in Sweden - Flash will be sponsored in part by Saab Parts, the organization created to handle Saab repairs now that the automaker is in receivership, along with the Saab Dealer Organization.

Check out the complete press release below, which is chock full of historically significant Saab cars and drivers, along with the high-res gallery of the racing Saab 9-3 above.

Continue reading Saab 9-3 to live on in Swedish Touring Car racing

Saab 9-3 to live on in Swedish Touring Car racing originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Mar 2012 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>9-39-3 ttaflash engineeringflash racingjan nilssonsaabsaab 9-3swedish elite racing leagueswedish touring car championshipttaWed, 14 Mar 2012 15:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20193279/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/03/14/saab-9-3-to-live-on-in-swedish-touring-car-racing/20193279/article-detail.xml 20193279 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/saab-9-3-tta_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/saab-9-3-tta.jpg <![CDATA[Saab USA still looking for ways to honor warranties]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/21/saab-usa-still-looking-for-ways-to-honor-warranties/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/21/saab-usa-still-looking-for-ways-to-honor-warranties/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/21/saab-usa-still-looking-for-ways-to-honor-warranties/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Saab emblem in snow

As previously reported, Saab has announced that it is ceasing all warranty coverage on its vehicles in North America in the wake of its official bankruptcy in its home country of Sweden. That's bad news for anyone who's purchased a vehicle from Saab here in the States expecting to receive a few years of warranty coverage, but Saab Cars USA CEO Tim Colbeck is hoping to offer a solution. Speaking to The Detroit Bureau, he said:

"We're committed to develop a way to handle warranties for all owners of 2010 and 2011 Saab models. [The goal is to] reinstate (warranty coverage) as quickly as we can."

That's all well and good, but there's currently no plan to actually make it happen. While both Saab Cars USA and Saab Parts, the company that provides spare parts for Saab vehicles, are both still in business, Colbeck says that his company cannot reimburse dealers for warranty work at this time. That means either the dealer or the customer will be stuck holding the bill.

In one bit of good news for some Saab owners, General Motors has announced that it will step up to the plate and provide warranty service for any vehicles built while it owned the Swedish marque. According to Consumer Reports, that means Saab 9-3, 9-5 and 9-7X models built before January 1, 2010, should be under warranty from GM until those warranties expire.

Saab USA still looking for ways to honor warranties originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Dec 2011 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>9-39-59-7xsaabsaab bankruptcysaab cars usasaab partssaab warrantiessaab warrantyWed, 21 Dec 2011 18:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20133263/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/21/saab-usa-still-looking-for-ways-to-honor-warranties/20133263/article-detail.xml 20133263 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/saab-snow_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/saab-snow.jpg <![CDATA[Autoblog Podcast #254]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/01/autoblog-podcast-254/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/01/autoblog-podcast-254/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/01/autoblog-podcast-254/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Ford and Consumer Reports, Honda Civic refresh, Toyota FT-86 details, Saab's latest sale and new 9-3 rumors

autoblog podcast

Episode #254 of the Autoblog Podcast is here, with Chris, Dan and Autoblog Executive Editor Chris Paukert crewing the show this week. Topics include Ford and its response to criticism about its PowerShift transmission and MyFordTouch. We also cover the Toyota FT-86 now that specs have been leaked, rumors of an accelerated refresh program for the much-criticized 2012 Honda Civic and the latest in the ongoing saga of Saab. Your questions and comments power the end of the 'cast, and for those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. We've embedded our Q&A module after the jump for you to scroll through and follow along, too. Thanks for listening!

Autoblog Podcast #254:
In the Autoblog Garage
2011 Infiniti QX56
2012 Chevrolet Sonic
2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque
2012 Toyota Camry


Hosts: Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Chris Paukert
Runtime: 01:09:21
Get the podcast
[UStream] Listen live on Mondays at 10PM Eastern at UStream
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Feedback
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com
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Review the show in iTunes and take our survey

Autoblog Podcast #254 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Nov 2011 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>9-3autoblog podcast 254camryconsumer reportsevoquefeaturedft-86ft86honda civicmyford touchpowershiftqxqx-57qx56saabsonictoyota ft-86Tue, 01 Nov 2011 16:15:00 ESTAutoblog Podcast #254Autoblog01:17:572011 Infiniti QX56, 2012 Chevrolet Sonic, 2012 Toyota Camry, 2013 Land Rover Evoque, autoblog podcast 254, featured, ford powershift consumer reports, honda civic, myfordtouch consumer reports, saab, saab 9-3, toyota ft-86 http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20095738/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/11/01/autoblog-podcast-254/20095738/article-detail.xml 20095738 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/podcastlivev2stamp_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/podcastlivev2stamp.jpg <![CDATA[Submit your questions for Autoblog Podcast #254 LIVE]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/31/submit-your-questions-for-autoblog-podcast-254-live/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/31/submit-your-questions-for-autoblog-podcast-254-live/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/31/submit-your-questions-for-autoblog-podcast-254-live/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Autoblog Podcast

We record Episode #254 of the Autoblog Podcast tonight, and you can drop us your questions via our Q&A module below. Check out our discussion topics or chime in to help determine what else the crew chats about this evening. Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes if you haven't already done so, and if you want to take it all in live, tune in to our UStream (audio only) channel at 10:00 PM Eastern tonight.

Discussion Topics for Autoblog Podcast Episode #254

[UStream] Interact LIVE at UStream - 10PM Eastern on Monday, October 11, 2011
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
[RSS] Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator

Submit your questions for Autoblog Podcast #254 LIVE originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Oct 2011 17:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>9-3autoblog podcast 254 topicscivicconsumer reportsfordft-86ft86hondahonda civicpang dasaabsaab 9-3toyota ft-86youngmanMon, 31 Oct 2011 17:11:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20095032/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/10/31/submit-your-questions-for-autoblog-podcast-254-live/20095032/article-detail.xml 20095032 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/podcastlivev2stamp_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/06/podcastlivev2stamp.jpg <![CDATA[Are you the next Saab 9-3?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/31/are-you-the-next-saab-9-3/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/31/are-you-the-next-saab-9-3/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/31/are-you-the-next-saab-9-3/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Next Saab 9-3 rendering

Assuming the Chinese government approves the sale of Saab to the Pang Da and Youngman companies (a very big "if," truth be told), the Swedish automaker could indeed have a bright future... in time. With the new 9-5 and 9-4X not in need of any dire updates just yet, it'd be smart for Saab to focus on reworking its biggest volume offering, the aged 9-3. And judging by this sketch found on Swedish site Svd.se, the next 9-3 (likely called "Ninety-Three") could be quite a rakish yet practical entry into the entry-level luxury segment. The image above is said to be taken from an internal planning document, and it depicts a handsome five-door shape, with Saab's characteristic cantilevered "hockey stick" greenhouse and turbine-shaped wheels.

We at Autoblog were very fond of the three- and five-door 9-3 bodystyles from the late 1990s and early 2000s (as well as the 99 and 900 model ranges that sired them), and with more automakers proving that dramatically sloped hatchbacks can have a place in the luxury segment (thanks, Audi A7 and Porsche Panamera), the rebirth of a proper liftback 9-3 could be a strong move for the beleaguered company. Even from this grainy image, we can see a lot of influence from the Phoenix concept that bowed in Geneva earlier this year, albeit without the showcar's flashier touches.

Still, who knows if this car will ever see the light of day based on Saab's current shaky situation. For now, we're crossing our fingers. Head over to Svd.se for the full story (and more photos).

Are you the next Saab 9-3? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Oct 2011 12:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2012 saab 9-32013 saab 9-39-393ninety-threesaabsaab 9-3saab 93saab ninety-threeswedish automobilevictor mullerMon, 31 Oct 2011 12:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20094748/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/10/31/are-you-the-next-saab-9-3/20094748/article-detail.xml 20094748 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/next-saab-9-3_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/next-saab-9-3.jpg -1 2