Saab is hoping to entice English Professors loyal fans of the brand and Saab owners to return to the fold by providing them with an unspecified “loyalty bonus” for Saab owners who purchase an all-new 9-5.

In an effort to convince Saab to move ahead with plans to build a new small car, a Facebook group calling itself Saab91 Support Group, has released some compelling renderings that are sure to spark discussion.

In what is no doubt a bid to prove the viability of the Saab brand and the stability of its new ownership, Spyker Cars has announced the completion of its purchase of Saab from GM ahead of schedule. The final $24 million payment is due in two weeks time, but Spyker chose to complete the deal early.

In a statement, Spyker also said the funds came from “internal sources” and that no addition debt was taken on in order to complete the deal.

Spyker can now begin the process of returning Saab to profitability, a move that is expected to include expansion into new markets as well as the introduction of new models like the new 9-5, the 9-4X and eventually an all-new 9-3 and the much-discussed 9-2 mini car, that will reportedly run off the current generation MINI platform, using engines from BMW.

In addition, Spyker will sell its Dutch exotic cars at Saab dealerships internationally.

Official press release after the jump:

Saab is about ready to launch its second model since leaving General Motors, the 9-4X, and new spy photos of the crossover doesn’t leave much to the imagination. Caught by the folks at AutoExpress, the 9-4X looks much as we suspected.

The next-generation Saab 9-3 (rebadged the 93) will arrive in late 2012, marking the return of the 900’s classic hatchback style in a bid to compete with the Audi A3. According to a recent report by AutoCar, Saab is also planning to develop both a sedan and a convertible version of the car, which will ride on the Swedish automaker’s all-new Phoenix Architecture. Those same underpinnings will also form the basis of the next-generation 9-5.

If you’re hoping to pick up a new Saab 9-5 and you’re not already on a waiting list, you’ll probably have to keep hoping. This year Saab will deliver just 500 of its new 9-5 luxury sedans to dealers in the U.S. That means that each dealership will only get a handful of cars before the 2011 models arrive this Fall. And with the car originally announced back at the Frankfurt Auto Show last September, dealers have had a long time to build up waiting lists from the notoriously loyal Saab customers.

Saab‘s proposed 92 small premium model could ride on a BMW platform say recent reports. According to Swedish outlet Dagens Industri BMW and Saab are holding talks on sharing both platforms and engines.

Saab will decide within the next 100 days if it will move ahead with plans to introduce a small premium 92 model to compete with vehicles like the MINI Cooper, Audi A1, BMW 1 Series and Mercedes B Class.

Saab/Spyker CEO Victor Muller has confirmed that select Saab dealerships will sell exotic models from the Dutch sports car maker. In an interview with Bloomberg, Muller commented that Spyker will look to expand its dealership network (made mostly of exotic car dealerships like Bentley) from 35 to 60 this year. The plan is to then increase that number to 90 Spyker dealerships worldwide by the end of 2011.

Rumors have floated around about Saab‘s planned 9-2 MINI competitor, but now company CEO Victor Muller has confirmed the Swedish automaker is in talks with other manufacturers about the project. Muller told Bloomberg that Saab is looking to work with another automaker over technology to develop a new small car platform for the 9-2.

With an eye on emerging markets, as well as the growing small premium segment, Saab execs have made it clear that an entry level model designed to take on the Aud A1 and BMW 1 Series is on their radar. Now comes word that a small premium Saab, likely named the 9-1, could arrive sooner than expected thanks to platform sharing with another automaker.

After having never turned a profit under General Motors, Saab is looking to break even next year. According to company CEO Jan Ake Jonsson, the automaker is in good shape now thanks to loans and cash obtained by selling the rights to the old 9-5 model to China’s Beijing Auto. According to Jonsson, the turn-around is expected to occur in the second half of 2011 and Saab intends to hit the break-even point with sales of just 80,000 to 85,000 units – down considerably from the 98,000 units it sold in 2008.

After unceremoniously pulling out of the Canadian market, Saab is preparing a return to Canada for 2011, as it attempts to pull off an unprecedented resurrection of its entire brand. While Saab was under the auspicies of GM (and partnered with other perrenial losers like Saturn and Isuzu) in Canada, this time the now Dutch-owned auto maker will be backed by importer International Fleet Sales, which was responsbile for bringing the Saab 9-7x to Europe and the Middle East.

See, the new 9-5 Aero is one hot piece of Swedish luxury sedan, with just enough Born From Jets / Northern Europe detailing to make us forget most of it is from General Motors. Saab has updated its website with a new configurator that not only lets you play around with color and wheel options (no trim options just yet) — but lets you watch a whack of cool design videos featuring a smartly-dressed man.

Mere months after escaping a seemingly certain death at the hands of General Motors, Saab is back, under the ownership of Dutch supercar outfit Spyker, and taking aim at rival European luxury sedans with their new 9-5 sedan.

Brad and Jennifer. Ben and J.Lo. OnStar and General Motors. It’s always sad when a power couple breaks up and goes their separate ways. But it looks like OnStar is going to keep custody of a mutual friend.

With all the success the MINI brand has had since it was reborn in recent years, Audi has now accepted the challenge by producing the A1. But the sub-compact premium segment looks to get more crowded in the future as Spyker CEO Victor Muller has said he’s examining the possibility of building a small Saab model to take on the MINI Cooper.

General Motors has just announced that the sale of its Swedish Saab unit to Dutch exotic car maker Spyker has been completed. The new company, called Saab Spyker Automobiles, will now begin a new era for Saab, saving thousands of jobs in Sweden and at dealerships in the United States.

Saab Spyker will begin to sell its new 9-5 model in North America this spring, likely in both a 220-hp and 300-hp form. Saab also has plans to begin production of the 9-4X crossover, based on the same platform as the Cadillac SRX, in the near future. A new 9-3 model is scheduled to come to market in 2012.

Official release after the jump:

The sale of Saab to Spyker was delayed due to suspicions that one of the Dutch exotic car maker’s major shareholders had ties to the Russian mafia. According to a recent report by Swedish newspaper Dagens Industri, the Swedish security force Sapo investigated former Spyker shareholder Alexander Antonov and determined that there was “strong suspicion” of ties to organized crime.

With Saab having just been saved by Dutch automaker Spyker, the new Saab Spyker Automobiles company has confirmed that it will deliver a new 9-3 model to market in 2012. The current 9-3 has been in production since 2002, meaning that by the time the third-generation of Saab’s volume seller arrives, the current model will be 10 years old.

With Saab enthusiasts rejoicing about their beloved company cheating death, the Swedish automaker’s new owner Spyker Cars, is hoping those very same folks will put their money where their mouth is – literally.

General Motors has just announced it has reached an agreement to sell its loss-making Saab division to Dutch exotic car maker Spyker Cars NV. Saab and Spyker will form a new company, Saab Spyker Automobiles and the deal is expected to be finalized in February pending approval by several regulatory bodies and the Swedish government.

“Today’s announcement is great news for Saab employees, dealers and suppliers, great news for millions of Saab customers and fans worldwide, and great news for GM,” said John Smith, GM VP for corporate planning and alliances.“General Motors, Spyker Cars, and the Swedish government worked very hard and creatively for a deal that would secure a sustainable future for this unique and iconic brand, and we’re all happy for the positive outcome.”

The new Saab Spyker Automobiles company is expected to move forward with a plan to bring Saab more up-market, selling fewer vehicles but at higher (and more profitable) pricepoints. No indication has been given as to when Saab will re-start production, with enthusiasts eagerly anticipating the new 9-5 model (above), which dealers have already taken orders for.

Official release after the jump:

Spyker Cars is expected to announced later today that a deal has been reached to purchase Swedish automaker Saab from General Motors. According to Automotive News, a person close to the ongoing talks between GM and Dutch exotic car maker Spyker has leaked the information.

What’s Swedish automaker Saab worth? According to some reports, just $1.

It’s been said several times before, but GM Chairman and CEO Ed Whitacre today told reporters that the company is shutting down its Swedish Saab unit. “We’re closing down Saab,” he said. “We’re winding it down.”

The future of Saab just became a little more certain today. Or did it?

General Motors has released in a statement that it has hired on AlixPartners to oversea the wind-down of its loss-making Saab unit. In other words, GM is planning to close the doors on the Swedish automaker, sending the company into liquidation and the employees to the soup kitchen.

But hold on… GM also announced, in the same statement, that it has received several proposals by companies looking to purchase Saab and that it is, “continuing to evaluate these proposals.”

Yesterday GM delayed a board meeting that was to decide the fate of Saab, with rumors that it had given until today to get clear proposals from the two main interested parties: Dutch exotic car maker Spyker and and a newly interested party, Genni Capital.

Recent reports have tied Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone to the Genni Capital bid.

GM has been trying to off-load Saab since it emerged from bankruptcy, with previous efforts, including a sale to Swedish supercar maker Koenigsegg, having fallen through.

Official GM press release after the jump:

General Motors has reportedly delayed a board meeting that was to decide the fate of its loss-making Saab unit today, as a new bidder has emerged onto the scene. GM had already postponed Saab’s fate by dropping a self-imposed December 31st deadline in favor of a January 7th one. Now it is giving Spyker, as well as the new bidder, Genii Capital, one more day.

Later this week General Motors is expected to pronounce on the fate of its loss-making Swedish unit, with a potential purchase by Dutch exotic car maker Spyker still a possibility. In an interview with AOL Autos, Spyker CEO Victor Muller discussed many of his plans to rejuvenate Saab, as well as another plan to sell his company’s high-priced exotics through Saab dealerships.

With General Motors announcing recently that it would drop Saab’s December 31st deadline and continue to search for a capable buyer for the Swedish brand, enthusiasts of the Swedish brand are banding together in an effort to save Saab.

There are almost too many stories and rumors about Swedish automaker Saab to keep up with, as the latest reports suggest not one but two Dutch billionaires are involved in a new deal that would see Spyker purchase the loss-making division from General Motors.

Those digging the grave for Saab might want to put their shovels down after Spyker Cars has submitted a new proposal to purchase the Swedish automaker from General Motors. On Friday GM announced that a deal could not be reached and said it would begin an orderly wind down for Saab.

General Motors has announced it will close down Saab after discussions to sell the brand fell through.

“Despite the best efforts of all involved, it has become very clear that the due diligence required to complete this complex transaction could not be executed in a reasonable time,” said Nick Reilly, president of GM Europe. “In order to maintain operations, Saab needed a quick resolution.”

GM had been in discussions to sell Saab to Spyker Cars but was unable to resolve some issues with the Dutch manufacturer. Last month, Koenigsegg also had interest in acquiring Saab before backing out.

Reilly says Saab will continue to honor warranties and provide service and parts to current owners.

Beijing Automotive Industry Holdings’ purchase of some Saab property, notably 9-3 and 9-5 powertrain technology, is not expected to be impacted by today’s annoucement.

Official release after the jump:

Dutch exotic car maker Spyker is likely to become the new owner of Swedish automaker Saab after GM Chairman and CEO Ed Whitacre confirmed there are no other bidders. Earlier this week GM reached a deal with Beijing Auto to sell off old Saab assets so the Chinese company could produce previous generation Saab models in its home market.

General Motors has reached an agreement to sell off part of its struggling Saab division to China’s Beijing Auto (BAIC). The deal would see BAIC take control of Saab’s rights assets and tooling assets of the past 9-5 and 9-3 models in order to build those vehicles in China.

Dutch exotic car maker Spyker is likely the favored candidate in the resumed bidding for GM’s Saab division. Saab went back on the open market just a few weeks ago when a group led by Swedish supercar maker Koenigsegg retracted its offer.

The Swedish government is putting the pressure on General Motors, saying that it must make a decision this week on the sale of Saab if the deal is to go through by the end of the year. “They must at least have chosen one of the interested parties this week, otherwise it will be tough to complete a deal,” said Swedish Enterprise Ministry secretary Joran Hagglund in an interview published in the country’s daily newspaper, Svenska Dagbladet.

Yesterday’s positive news for the Saab faithful has once again been met with the grim reality of the Swedish automaker’s situation. Just 24 hours ago news emerged that China’s Beijing Auto (which supported the Koengisegg-led purchase of Saab) had secured $2.93 billion in loans from the Chinese government – which would presumably be used to purchase the European automaker in its entirety.

At the LA Auto Show, Swedish automaker Saab had on display for the first time on U.S. soil, its new 9-5 sedan, which was touted by many to be the struggling automaker’s savior. The only problem is, with Saab current instability, this baby might just be stillborn. Recently the leading candidate to buy Saab, Swedish supercar maker Koenigsegg, pulled out of the deal, putting not just the car’s future, but the entire automaker’s future in jeopardy.

Frederick “Fritz” Henderson has resigned as General Motors chief executive officer.

Swedish supercar maker Koenigsegg has canceled its plans to buy the struggling Saab brand from General Motors, leaving the future of the brand in jeopardy.

With Saab’s sales for 2009 down 62 percent so far, you wouldn’t expect the Swedish automaker’s biggest problem to be a car shortage. But that’s exactly what dealers are facing, after the General Motors brand cut production earlier this year in an effort to cut costs.

Beijing Auto, the Chinese automaker that has offered to invest in the Koenigsegg-led purchase of Saab from General Motors, has confirmed that in return it will build the current (or previous) generation Saab 9-5 in China. In exchange for its involvement in supporting the deal, Beijing Auto (BAIC) will get all of Saab’s now discontinued 1998-2009 first-generation 9-5 tooling equipment. With the equipment, the Chinese automaker is expected to continue producing the old 9-5 for many years to come.

According to a report in Swedish business daily Dagens Industri (translated by the folks at SaabsUnited), Koenigsegg, the company’s prospective buyer, wants to take the company more up-market while selling fewer vehicles. This would presumably mean higher profit margins, but the proposed plan doesn’t seem to account for the Swedish automaker to turn a profit until at least 2017.

Saab has secured a $610 million loan from the European Investment Bank after the Swedish government said it would stand behind the loan.

A company in turmoil with a less than certain future, Saab is hedging its bets on the all-new 2011 9-5 luxury sedan, which launched today at the Frankfurt Auto Show.

According to a recent report in the U.K.’s AutoCar, Saab is planning a hybrid version of the upcoming 9-5. The system will use a small 1.4-liter turbocharged gasoline engine, which will be assisted by an electric motor. Sounding similar to the setup found in the Honda Insight, this will not be a two-mode hybrid and will not be able to operate exclusively on electric power. Instead the electric motor’s immediate torque will be used to help the small gasoline engine which will then take over at highway speeds.

Koenigsegg’s bid to purchase GM’s Swedish Saab brand was contingent on the company securing additional funding, either through external investment or through loans. With the Swedish government not overly excited about bailing out Saab and after rejecting attempts by Volvo to secure assistance, Keonigsegg has looked to the private sector and overseas for an interested party.

Koenigsegg Group AB has now announced it has found just that in Chinese automaker Beijing Automotive Industry Holdings.

The deal has yet to be finalized and no monetary amount has been given, but Koenigsegg did say that Beijing Auto will be a minority non-controlling shareholder.

In return Saab will not only get much-needed funding but also access to the massive Chinese marketplace.

“This is an important step on the road to a new SAAB Automobile. We have a solid business plan, an important partnership and we are now in a position to go ahead without any governmental financing,” said Christian von Koenigsegg, CEO of Koenigsegg Group AB.

Official release after the jump:

Saab has just released a selection of new photos, as well as a new information on its upcoming next-generation 9-5 flagship. The Swedish automaker has also confirmed that the new model will debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show next month.

General Motors has signed an agreement to sell off its Swedish Saab unit to the Koenigsegg Group. Led by supercar maker Koenigsegg, the group includes several additional investors. The deal will see the Koenigsegg Group take a 100 percent stake in Saab.

After a considerable amount of secrecy surrounding the next generation Saab 9-5, it seems as though the cat is finally out of the bag. Two German publications (Autobild and Autozeitung) have published what appear to be official Saab press photos of the 2011 9-5.

Today the sun rose on a New General Motors, a move which will also see the sun set on a lot of people’s careers. GM emerged from bankruptcy protection at 6:30 a.m. Eastern Time with news of a serious corporate restructuring plan that will take effect over the next few months.

The Saab 9-3 Sedan never really hit the BMW 3 Series-shaped target the way its masters at General Motors had promised. Despite a rakish design and powerful engines, the 9-3 is always let down by its iffy cabin quality and enormous torque steer. And Saab had a hard time explaining why its sport sedans were only offered in front-wheel drive versus the rear- or all-wheel drive competition.

General Motors has officially announced it has reached a tentative deal to sell its Swedish Saab brand to a group of companies lead by Swedish supercar-maker Koenigsegg.

The deal will see the Koenigsegg group receive $600 million in funding from the European Investment Bank, which has been guaranteed by the Swedish government.

GM will provide Saab with platform and powertrain technology for an undisclosed period of time, while Saab is set to begin production of the next generation 9-5 in the near future at its plant in Trollhättan, Sweden.

“The proposed agreement will enable us to maximize the brand’s potential through an exciting new product line-up with a distinctly Swedish character.  Today’s announcement is great news for Saab’s current and future customers, dealers, suppliers and employees around the globe, said Jan Ake Jonsson, Managing Director of Saab.

“This is yet another significant step in the reinvention of GM and its European operations,” said GM Europe President, Carl-Peter Forster.  “Saab is a highly respected automotive brand with great potential. Closing this deal represents the best chance for Saab to emerge a stronger company.  Koenigsegg Group’s unique combination of innovation, entrepreneurial spirit and financial strength, combined with Koenigsegg’s proven ability to create world-class Swedish performance cars in a highly efficient manner, made it the right choice for Saab as well as for General Motors.”

Koenigsegg’s acquisition of Saab is expected to be completed by the third-quarter of this year.

Official:

General Motors has made the surprising decision to sell its Saab brand to Swedish supercar maker Koenigsegg. The move comes as such a shock because the two other final bidders were wealthy and mainstream American entities: the Wyoming investment group Merbanco and U.S. billionaire Ira Rennert’s Renco Group.

It seems like there is a new update in the Saab and Saturn sell-off every day… so why stop now. Yesterday we reported that the list of Saab buyers was down to three and now that list has been shortened to just two suitors.

With news of a tentative deal to sell off Hummer coming yesterday, GM still hasn’t made any decisions about its Saturn or Saab brands – but apparently it has plenty of offers to entertain.

In a surprising move, a potential buyer for Saab has been found from the company’s home country. Nope… note Swedish automaker Volvo, but Swedish supercar maker Koenigsegg.

General Motors will cut 1,124 dealerships loose by October of 2010. The struggling automaker on the verge of bankruptcy sent letters out to the dealerships last week as it searches for ways to reduce it’s current dealer network of 5,969 to just 3,600.

Apparently General Motors CEO Fritz Henderson thinks the upcoming Saab 9-5 is so good, he doesn’t want to sell the Swedish automaker. In an interview in Sweden’s Expressen magazine he declares that he’d rather see Saab fail in bankruptcy court than sell off the brand.

After Saab’s request for “reorganization” was approved by a Swedish court today, the carmaker has announced that it will look to restructure itself as an independent entity.

This move is the first step in a process that would allow Saab to restructure itself and renegotiate terms with creditors. This, after Saab said it estimates a loss of $340 million last year and expects a similar loss for 2009.

“We explored and will continue to explore all available options for funding and/or selling Saab,” said Managing Director Jan-Ake Jonsson. “It was determined a formal reorganization would be the best way to create a truly independent entity that is ready for investment.”

The move comes after General Motors announced in its viability plan submitted to the U.S. Treasury that it would not cover further losses at Saab, but that it would assist financially in the reorganization process. A request to the Swedish government, asking it to take over Saab was also rejected.

General Motors has put forth a “substantial” amount of money to help Saab and has asked the Swedish government for loan guarantees of $600 million to keep Saab afloat. GM has also agreed to help with development and tooling costs of the new 9-5,94x and 9-3x which are scheduled for launch in the next 18 months.

Saab has also applied for 500 million euros from the European Investment Bank and is looking for private investors.

The independent Saab would be centralized in Sweden with design, engineering and manufacturing all taking place in that country.

Saab, which currently employs 4,000 people in Sweden, was sold, in part, to General Motors in 1990, with GM taking full control in 2000. Since the purchase the Swedish automaker has only turned a profit once.

[Source: AutoNews]

Official Saab Release After the jump: