I could not find this news item during my search in the forums so here it goes. I have a special place in my heart for SAABs since I was a kid in school
Saab is officially building cars again. Production of the 9-3 Sedan has kicked back off in Trollh?ttan, Sweden, and the first example is reportedly earmarked for the company's museum. Initial sales are targeted for China, although Swedish customers will also be able to buy new Saabs built in their country right away, too. It isn't immediately clear if the model will be available in the rest of Europe, let alone in North America.
The initial run of 9-3s will be powered by a 220-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder before an electric model joins the range next year. There are no Biopower or XWD all-wheel-drive models presently in production. And while the lion's share of the 2014 9-3 is a carryover from the pre-bankruptcy car, there are some changes, including a new anti-whiplash seat system and a "greater number of non-GM parts," reports SaabsUnited.
"I am very proud of the dedication and the focus that NEVS management and employees have demonstrated over the year that has passed since we became owners of the plant in Trollh?ttan, and who have made this possible. Swedish expertise along with Japanese technology around batteries and new lightweight materials and our Chinese group's focus on green technology is our strength for the future," said Kai Johan Jiang, the founder of Saab's parent company, National Electric Vehicle Sweden.
Sales of the new 9-3 will start in Sweden via NEVS' website on December 10. Prices for the manual-trans model start 279,000 Swedish Krona ($42,842), while the automatic starts at 289,000 ($44,377). That pricing is said to be roughly 10 percent less expensive than a similarly spec'd Griffin model cost in 2012.
Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2013/12/05/2014-saab-9-3-officially-relaunched/?ncid=edlinkusauto00000017&ts=1386286484
Official website: - National Electric Vehicle Sweden AB