Just about 100 more Saabs will roll off the line after the Swedish automaker decided to send some employees back to finish incomplete units still standing in the factory.

The company was plagued with financial problems after changing hands from GM to Spyker Cars and ultimately Swedish Automobile. That forced them to shut down despite attempted rescue investments by Chinese companies, Zhejiang Youngman Lotus Automobile Co. and Pang Da Automobile Trade Co. Unfortunately for Saab, GM, which manufactured the 9-4x crossover, said the move would unfairly share their technology in key markets and subsequently blocked it.

For now, new Saabs can still be seen on the road, and the company’s North American operation is trying to find a way to honor existing warranties, but the brand will soon be little more than an automotive relic.

[Source: Saabs United Via AutoBlog]

An article in Automotive News proposed that the Saab 9-4X crossover may be the world’s rarest new vehicle on sale. Although Saab had planned to sell between 15,000 and 20,000 examples globally this year (with half of sales conducted in the United States), a mere 194 have been sold through October in the United States.

While ultra-low volume cars like the Lexus LFA may sell in the double digits for a given model year, the 9-4X is a mainstream vehicle, built at a General Motors facility in Mexico and based on the Cadillac SRX crossover. Given Saab’s recent financial roller coaster, it’s no surprise that production and supply woes would be present. But the notion of a Saab being one of the rarest vehicles on sale, is highly ironic. For years, nobody wanted Saab products. Now it would be tough to find one even if you wanted one.

[Source: Automotive News]

General Motors has announced that it will cut ties with Saab over its pending sale to two Chinese automakers. The threat has some very real consequences with GM stating it would cease manufacturing of the 9-4X crossover for Saab, as well as stop delivery of the parts it currently supplies the Swedish automaker with.

“Although General Motors is open to the continued supply of powertrains and other components to Saab under appropriate terms and conditions, G.M. will not agree to the continuation of the existing technology licenses or the continued supply of 9-4X vehicles to Saab following the proposed change in ownership as it would not be in the best interests of G.M. shareholders,” said Jim Cain, a General Motors spokesman in an interview with Reuters.

GM owned Saab until last year, selling it to Dutch exotic car maker Spyker, remaining connected despite the changed ownership. Money problems have plagued Saab since, bringing it to the brink of bankruptcy over the summer. A series of deals meant to save the company fell through, until current owner Swedish Automobile decided to sell Saab to Zhejiang Youngman Lotus Automobile and Pang Da Automobile Trade.

Therein lies the problem for GM, which objects to supplying its technology to Chinese companies and potentially threatening its sales in China and other markets. Monday’s announcement represents a hardened position compared to their Friday announcement suggesting the sale would be difficult to back.

Don’t forget that there haven’t been any final decisions made yet, Swedish Automobile said they will discuss the sale with G.M. before moving forward.

“I expect this to happen tomorrow. There are always alternatives but we only have limited time,” the chief executive of Swedish Automobile, Victor R. Muller, told Reuters in a text message.

[Source: The New York Times]

Congrats go out to the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, the winner of the 2012 Motor Trend SUV of the Year.

The Evoque was up against some stiff competition this year. Other contenders up for the award included  BMW X3, Dodge Durango, Dodge Journey, Ford Explorer, Jeep Wrangler, Mercedes-Benz M-Class, MINI Countryman, Saab 9-4x and Volkswagen Touareg.

According to Motor Trend, the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque passed each of its six criteria for the distinction (Advancement In Design, Engineering Excellence, Efficiency, Safety, Value and Performance Of Intended Function) with flying colors.

Based on the Land Rover LR2, the Evoque is an evolutionary leap over its predecessor, says Motor Trend. Even though it shares a platform with the LR2, the Evoque performs considerably better in every way. “The Evoque is meant to appeal to the buyer who ranks style, content, and fuel efficiency above approach and departure angles,” says Motor Trend.

Just a few of Evoque’s perks that wowed the judges included its Terrain Response handling and AWD system, its stylish design, roomy cargo area, emission reduction, improved fuel economy and impressive value (it has a price tag of $43,995 – not too shabby when you see all the great features it comes with).

Discuss this story at RREvoqueForum.com

Saab’s attempt at selling off assets to a Russian financial magnate Vladimir Antonov has stalled after the European Investment Bank told the Swedish auto maker to essentially find a new partner within a set time frame.

The EIB and other parties have expressed concerns regarding Antonov’s reported Russian mafia connections. All parties involved are understandably reluctant to elaborate on specifics, but Saab parent company Spyker said in a statement that “Saab Automobile is working with all parties involved on a solution to complete the sale of the property and will have further talks with the EIB today,” Spyker said.

Saab has borrowed $400 million from the EIB, but a cash crunch has also seen the company owe its supplier $49 million, leading to parts supply disruptions and a mere trickle of cars built due to the disputes. Saab has also been courting Chinese auto makers for a variety of deals, but said that it has nothing to do with Volvo, Saab’s fellow Swedish auto maker, currently owned by a Chinese corporation.

They still build the 9-3? You betcha, bucko, and they still like the 9-3 enough to give it a few more last hurrahs. But as fans of the original 900 know, all good things must come to an end – and when the replacement for the 9-3 is launched, it will draw much of its development from Saab’s PhoeniX concept.

The next-generation 9-3 is expected to drop soon, in 2012, riding on a newly re-engineered platform that will be flexible enough to be shared with future models. Saab is already planning to use it for the second-generation 9-4X crossover, even while the current 9-4X is just going into production, as well as the next 9-5. And just as likely, the PhoeniX concept will indicate the direction of technology and styling for these future Saabs.

“I think this is an excellent solution for us as a small manufacturer,” said Jan Ake Jonsson, CEO of Saab. “We will be able to get as much as we can get out of one architecture. It will give us the ability to build all of our cars in one plant so you can reduce your investment in the plant.”

Like the concept car, the platform is internally dubbed “Phoenix,” after the mythical car company that escaped near death in the clutches of a multi-brand conglomerate and arose from the ashes of bankruptcy restructuring through a last-minute buyout from the Dutch.

[Source: Automotive News]

Saab employees will get a day off on February 23rd to celebrate the company’s independence from GM and its resurgence as an automaker.

Slated to die during GM’s bankruptcy proceedings, the Swedish vehicle manufacturer was rescued by Dutch boutique sports car maker Spyker, and is set to launch an all-new product line over the coming years. Saab has already released an all-new 9-5 sedan and a 9-4x crossover.

The festivities will take place at Saab’s Trollhattan, Sweden facilities and include live music, presentations, awards, product displays and desserts. Saab President Jan Ake Jonsson said that the February 23rd celebrations will become an annual event.

[Source: LeftLane News]

Saab has officially begun production of the 9-4x crossover at their Mexican assembly plant. While the 9-4x was due to hit the market some time ago, financial troubles at GM halted production.

The first 9-4x , an Ice Pearl metallic Aero model, was fitted with a 2.8L turbo V6, and will be used as a media car before being shipped off to Saab’s museum. Sales begin in May in the United States, with European sales following in the summer.

[Source: LeftLane News]

Saab is planning to show off four new models at the Geneva Auto Show, including an all-new hatchback concept that will help put the company back to its five-door (or three-door) roots.

The four-car range will feature the 9-5 SportCombi wagon, which was previously teased and will debut at Geneva. There will be the 2012 9-4x crossover, which will go on sale in May. The aging 9-3 range will get some special editions to keep the momentum going. And perhaps more importantly, the concept car will feature a hatchback and styling by newly-minted Saab Design director Jason Castriota.

This vehicle will no doubt be the rumored 9-2 or 9-1 that will be powered by the current turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engines found in the MINI Cooper.

For a company that, one year ago, was nearly swallowed into the bankruptcy abyss of GM bureaucracy, to come back and debut a concept car in such a short amount of time is great news for brand loyalists and the automaker’s future.

[Sources: Saab, Autoblog]

The Saab 9-4x will come to America starting at a base price of $34,205 when it hits American dealers sometime in 2011. The $34k entry point will get you a front drive 9-4x with GM’s 3.0L direct injection V6.

Moving up the ladder, the $38,075 Premium is laden with more opulent features and Saab‘s renowned XWD all-wheel drive system. For the princely sum of $48,835, the 9-4x Aero can be had with a 2.8L turbocharged V6 making 300 horsepower and 295 lb-ft.

The 9-4x is priced within a few hundred dollars of its sibling, the Cadillac SRX. We expect that the two cars won’t be too different when it comes to the driving experience, so it’s mostly going to come down to how image conscious you are.

[Source: Saab via Autoblog]