Edmunds Inside line indicates that the next generation Saab 9-3 is more than two years into development at this time, according to Victor Muller of Spyker Cars.

In addition to this vehicle, Muller indicates that he would also like to build a premium compact vehicle known as the 92.

This is all very good news for future product development at Saab.

TROLLHÄTTAN, Sweden — Saab-Spyker chief Victor Muller says he would like the company to build a what he calls a 92, a compact, premium model drawing inspiration from the original 93, “though not a retro design,” he stresses.

The car would be positioned “somewhere north of the Mini” and would need a technical partner for Saab to be able to bring it to market. For this reason, it is not part of the business plan intended to return Saab to profitability by 2016.

However, Muller and Saab CEO Jan-Ake Jonsson say they have been surprised by the level of interest shown by other manufacturers in selling Saab hardware and technology. Jonsson is also hoping to sell Saab expertise, including its experience with turbos, transmissions and gasoline engines.

Muller also says that the next-generation 9-3 is more than two years into development, “with basic engineering done, with two years in which to add more Saab DNA,” before launch. That will have allowed Spyker to get the fully engineered new 9-5, the 9-4X, the 9-3, and a re-equipped factory “for the price of a wind tunnel.”

Photo Credit: Saab History

As a follow-up to both my recent posting about Saab Automobile’s premium compact to be built by 2011, I have found a post back from June of last year stating that the next generation Saab 9-3 will be built in Trollhättan, Sweden.

I recall that this press release was posted in response to the media’s speculation that the NG 9-3 would be built in Germany, so to set the record straight, Saab Automobile AB issued this satisfying press release that I am reposting in order to keep us up to date.

2008-06-19

Trollhattan plant to build next generation Saab 9-3

General Motors has allocated production of the next generation Saab 9-3 to the Trollhattan plant in Sweden. This morning the Saab staff was informed by GM Europe President and Chairman of the Saab Board Carl-Peter Forster.

“This is obviously extremely positive news for our organization and the region and a clear signal of the confidence in our ability to deliver world class production quality and efficiency”, says Saab Automobile Managing Director Jan Åke Jonsson.

“Since we had been allocated production of the next generation global Compact Vehicles in April of 2007 it’s really good to know we can start focusing on building a range of next generation Saab 9-3 vehicles”.

To achieve leading competitiveness the Trollhattan plant has introduced the GM Global Manufaturing System GM-GMS with strict standards related to quality, involvement of the employees, continuous improvement and short lead time in the production process.

The plant currently has roughly 1700 employees.

CONTACT(S):

Eric Geers
Director Communications Saab Automobile AB
+46 (0) 520 85 110

Frank Klaas
General Director GME Corporate Communications & TV
+ 41 44 828 25 88

According to U.S. News, the next generation Saab 9-3 may be here in 2011, and it will be the first vehicle to be built using non-GM architecture based interestingly enough off of the Saab 9-X BioHybrid and Saab 9-X Air concept cars for the both the sedan and convertible models.

Since Saab Automobile AB in Trollhättan, Sweden already got the go ahead for production of this premium compact car in early 2007, it will be interesting to see if there are any prototypes on the road sometime next year.

I also understand that both of these vehicles will be hybrid models, with the convertible having some ingenius canopy roof system as well, so it will be interesting to see these models designed and built in their home market, I just hope they are not too late.

If this timeframe continues to hold true, it should be mentioned that Saab designers at the GM Design Center in Germany state that conceptual designs go from the digital drawing board to production in about 18-months time, which would put these models at about 2011. This marks another question, will the existing Saab design center in Sweden be able to do this as well, in the same time or less with all facilities right in the immediate Trollhättan region, once the transition to independence begins for Saab Automobile to depart from GM?

For all intents and purposes, this model lineup designation originally planned to be touted as the Saab 9-1, has been designated as the next generation Saab 9-3 (9-3 NG) here on Saab History for the time being according to all references as of late.

I am hopeful about this model as well, following the Saab 9-4x (2010), next generation Saab 9-5 (9/2009), and 9-3x Cross Combi (3/2009) models.

In the meantime, here’s a quote from U.S. news about this recent reference.

“The first Saab to be free of GM influence may well be the next 9-3. A redesign of that car was cancelled last year when Saab determined that it wouldn’t meet strict 2011 European emissions standards. They scrapped the effort and decided to start from scratch on a smaller 9-3 with a new design effort this year.”

“A return to domestic ownership and the ability to conduct its own R&D and design future products like the long overdue 9-3 replacement are exactly what the brand needs.”

U.S. News

Photo Credit: Saab History

This official press release just in from Saab Automobile Swede now makes it a fact that the next generation Saab 9-3 will be built in at the Saab factory in Trollhattan, Sweden.

For the record, this now negates the previous news about the next 9-3 to be built in Germany.

This is excellent news with the Saab model lineage continuing to be built in Sweden from here on out.

2008-06-19

Trollhattan plant to build next generation Saab 9-3

General Motors has allocated production of the next generation Saab 9-3 to the Trollhattan plant in Sweden. This morning the Saab staff was informed by GM Europe President and Chairman of the Saab Board Carl-Peter Forster.

“This is obviously extremely positive news for our organization and the region and a clear signal of the confidence in our ability to deliver world class production quality and efficiency”, says Saab Automobile Managing Director Jan Åke Jonsson.

“Since we had been allocated production of the next generation global Compact Vehicles in April of 2007 it’s really good to know we can start focusing on building a range of next generation Saab 9-3 vehicles”.

To achieve leading competitiveness the Trollhattan plant has introduced the GM Global Manufaturing System GM-GMS with strict standards related to quality, involvement of the employees, continuous improvement and short lead time in the production process.

The plant currently has roughly 1700 employees.

CONTACT(S):

Eric Geers
Director Communications Saab Automobile AB
+46 (0) 520 85 110

Frank Klaas
General Director GME Corporate Communications & TV
+ 41 44 828 25 88