Saab 9-1 Compact Model on the Horizon

Swedish Saab car manufacturer confirmed the information on the company’s intention to construct compact family model to challenge BMW 1-serie and Audi A3.

The Saab management director reported that new Saab model that would likely gain the name of Saab 9-1 will be manufactured at Trollhatten factory. New compact model is meant to replace 9-2X model which is produced on Subaru Impreza base for the US car market. But in contrast to the predecessor new Saab will be available for sale world scale.

It is also possible that new Saab will be constructed on Opel/Vauxhall Astra platform. Saab 9-1 sales will start far in 2009 as the earliest date.

Pure benefit of Swedish Saab AB car manufacturing concern in 2006 first quarter amounted to 45.9 million euros marking 90% increase to 2005 rate. While in 2005 Saab gained only 25 million euros of pure profit. In addition the Saab financial report informed that sales in the period given grew 13% to 462 million euros against 411 million in 2005.