Edmunds Inside line have recently secured some photographs of the latest version of the 2012 Saab 9-4x that is still under development for the past 3 years.

Photo Credit: Saab Automobile AB

The 2010 Saab 9-4x Crossover specifications have now been posted on GM’s website.

It looks like right now the colors available in this model come in the following, Switchblade Silver Metallic, Gold Mist Metallic, Imperial Blue Metallic, Black, Aqua Blue Metallic, Crystal Claret Tintcoat, Platinum Ice Tricoat, Ice White, Cyber Gray Metallic, Warm Mist Metallic.

For more details, please check out this adobe pdf document for the full details.

Air bags, dual-stage, frontal, driver and right front passenger with passenger sensing system, Thorax side-impact, seat mounted, driver and right front passenger, head curtain, side front and rear outboard seating positions
1 – Head curtain side air bags are designed to help reduce the risk of head and neck injuries to front and rear seat occupants on the near side of certain side-impact collisions. Always use safety belts and the correct child restraints for your child’s age and size. Even in vehicles equipped with air bags and the Passenger Sensing System, children are safer when properly secured in a rear seat. Never place a rear-facing infant restraint in the front seat of any vehicle equipped with an active frontal air bag. See the vehicle’s Owner’s Manual and child safety seat instructions for more safety information.
Air bag Passenger Sensing System, sensor indicator inflatable restraint, front passenger/child presence detector
1 – Always use safety belts and the correct child restraints for your child’s age and size. Even in vehicles equipped with air bags and the Passenger Sensing System, children are safer when properly secured in a rear seat. Never place a rear-facing infant restraint in the front seat of any vehicle equipped with an active frontal air bag. See the vehicle’s Owner’s Manual and child safety seat instructions for more safety information.
Climate control, dual-zone automatic
1 – May be upgraded to (CJ4) with (PCK) Rear Passenger Package.
Armrest, front center sliding fore/aft
Armrest, rear center with dual cup holders
Audio system, AM/FM/XM stereo, single disc CD and MP3 player, Bluetooth phone interface compatible, voice recognition, auxiliary jack, Radio Data System (RDS), rear seat audio controls and 7-speaker center point system
Audio system with navigation, AM/FM/XM stereo, single CD/DVD player, 40GB Hard Drive Device, MP3 playback, Grace notes, HDD-based navigation, rear-seat entertainment compatible, rear-seat audio controls, iPOD support with digital streaming, media transport protocol, Bluetooth phone interface compatible, voice recognition, auxiliary jack, USB and Bose 5.1 Surround Sound 10-speaker system

1 – Includes (UVC) rear view camera system.
Audio system feature, 7-speaker system
XM Radio, XM Radio includes 3 trial months of service. XM turns your world on with commercial-free music channels from Rock to Jazz, Country to Classical, Latin Pop to Hip Hop, and virtually everything in between, all in amazing digital sound. Turn on your favorite Sports with every Major League Baseball game from Opening Day until the World Series, NHL Hockey, the PGA TOUR and college football and basketball. Plus XM brings you the biggest names in news and talk, outrageous comedy, award-winning family programming — wherever you go from coast to coast. Exclusive live concerts, Oprah and Friends, Radio Disney, and so much more. Find what turns you on
1 – Available only in the 48 contiguous United States. Required $12.95 monthly subscription sold separately after 3 trial months. Visit gm.xmradio.com for more details.
Child seat restraint system
Cargo management, rear storage area, U-rail cargo system
Console, front floor with floor shifter, integral armrest storage compartment and cup holders
Console, overhead with sunroof switch (if equipped), Universal Home Remote (if equipped) and Ultrasonic Front and Rear Parking Assist indicator (if equipped)
Console, rear floor with rear-seat audio controls and rear-seat HVAC controls
Cruise control
Cupholders, 2 front in center console and 2 rear in center armrest with 1 bottle holder in each door
Defogger, rear-window electric with front and side window outlets for the driver and right-front passenger
Door locks, power programmable with power lockout protection
Door locks, power operated rear child security
Driver Information Center, monitors various systems, monochrome display
Floor mats, carpeted front and rear
Fuel gauge, analog
Glovebox, 2-tier, cooled and illuminated
Head restraints, active, front with 2-way up/down adjustment
Instrumentation, analog, with speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge, oil pressure gauge, engine water temperature gauge, primary PRNDL and Driver Information Center
Keyless start button
LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Top tethers for CHildren), for child safety seats
Lighting, ‘Night Panel’ function
Lighting, interior with theatre dimming, center-mounted dome, rear cargo area, dual front map lights, ambient lighting on integrated center stack, door pull cups, center console area and center console cupholders
Lighting accent, LED spotlights with lighting pipes includes lit door sill plates
1 – Included and only available with (PCM) Technology Package.
Memory Package, recalls 2 driver “presets” for power driver seat, outside rearview mirrors, driver personalization and power adjustable pedals (if equipped)
1 – Included and only available with (PCP) Power Package.
Mirror, inside PRISM, includes OnStar controls
Mirror, inside rearview, auto-dimming, includes OnStar controls
1 – Included and only available with (PCP) Power Package.
OnStar, 1-year of Directions and Connections plan. Includes the innovative easy to use Turn-by-Turn Navigation services which provide voice-guided directions (where available). Also includes Automatic Crash Notification, Automatic Notification of Air Bag Deployment, Stolen Vehicle Location Assistance, a link to all Emergency Services, Roadside Assistance, Remote Door Unlock, OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics, Hands-Free Calling, AccidentAssist, Remote Horn and Lights, Information and Convenience Services, and Driving Directions
1 – OnStar services require vehicle electrical system (including battery), wireless service and GPS satellite signals to be available and operating for features to function properly. OnStar acts as a link to existing emergency service providers. Stolen Vehicle Location Assistance and Remote Door Unlock success varies with conditions. OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics available on most 2004 MY and newer GM vehicles. Diagnostic capability varies by model. Turn-by-Turn Navigation requires ABS and is not available in certain areas. Visit onstar.com or call 1-888-466-7827 for system limitations and details. For a list of vehicles with Automatic Crash Notification visit onstar.com.
Bluetooth for phone, personal cell phone connectivity to vehicle audio system and HMI (Human Machine Interface)
Pedals, power-adjustable
1 – Included and only available with (PCP) Power Package.
Power outlets, 3 auxiliary with covers, 12-volt, includes 1 front, 1 rear seat, 1 rear cargo area
Premium Package, includes leather-appointed seats (KA1) heated driver and front passenger seats, (KU1)/(KU3) ventilated driver and front passenger seats, (AG2) power passenger seat (AL2) power lumbar passenger seat (ATH) E-Z Key passive entry system, (UG1) Universal Home Remote, (UEC) automatic air circulator/sensor, (ASV) humidity sensor and (CEC) Rainsense intermittent wipers
Remote Keyless Entry
Remote vehicle starter system, includes Remote Keyless Entry
1 – Included and only available with (PCY) Cold Weather Package.
Rearview camera system, integrated into rearview mirror
1 – Required with (UYS) navigation audio system.
Safety belts, 3-point, driver and right-front passenger
Safety belts, 3-point, rear, all seating positions
Seats, front Sport bucket, 8-way power driver
Seats, driver-side power lumbar
Seat adjuster front, driver and front passenger with thigh support
1 – Included with leather-appointed seats.
Seat, ventilated driver
Seat, ventilated passenger
Seat, rear pass-through
Seat, driver memory, seat adjuster only
Seat, rear, 60/40 split-folding with recline
Seat trim, Leatherette
Steering column, manual rake wheel and telescopic
Steering wheel, leather-wrapped, 3-spoke
Steering wheel, sport, 3-spoke leather-wrapped, includes tap-up/tap-down
Steering wheel controls, includes calling controls for Bluetooth
Theft-deterrent system, PASS-Key III+
Theft-deterrent alarm system
Tire Pressure Monitor
1 – Does not monitor spare.
Trim, interior stitching Charcoal Gray
Visors, driver and front passenger illuminated vanity mirrors
Windows, power with Express-Down on all 4 doors
Antenna, roof-mounted hex band
Bumper, front rolled steel with pedestrian protection
Bumper, rear with step pad
Daytime Running Lamps
Fog lamps, front, integral in front fascia
Front and rear parking assist, audible and visual
1 – Included and only available with (PCM) Technology Package.
Glass, Solar-Ray acoustic laminated windshield
Glass, Solar-Ray tinted, tempered front windows
Headlamps, halogen, Tungstun windshield activated with flash-to-pass
Headlamps, Xenon, High-Intensity Discharge (HID), windshield wiper-activated with Adaptive Forward Lighting System, headlamp washers, headlamp leveling and night-time flash-to-pass feature
1 – Included and only available with (PCM) Technology Package.
Headlamp washer system
Liftgate, manual
Liftgate, power
1 – Included and only available with (PCP) Power Package.
Mirrors, outside heated power-adjustable, body-color, remote control, electric, manual-folding
Mirrors, outside heated, power-adjustable, power-folding and driver-side and passenger, remote control, auto-dimming, body-color
Roof rails, Chrome, longitudinal
1 – Requires (ANY) Cargo management. Cross Bars available as SPO accessory.
Sill plates, front and rear doors
Technology Package, includes (UD5) front and rear parking assist, (TT6) Xenon, High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps, (U70) enhanced driver information center display and (TSQ) uplevel interior ambient lighting
Tire inflation kit, includes towing eye, screw driver and sealant compressor
Tires, P235/65R18 H-rated all-season, blackwall
Tires, P235/55R20 H-rated all-season, blackwall
Wheels, 4 – 18″ x 8″ (45.7 cm x 20.3 cm) painted cast aluminum
Wheels, 4 – 18″ x 8″ (45.7 cm x 20.3 cm) premium painted aluminum sport
Wipers, front intermittent
Wiper, rear intermittent with washer
Wipers, Rainsense, intermittent
Alternator, 150 amps
Battery, maintenance free with rundown protection
Brake, parking, electric
Brakes, 4-wheel antilock, 4-wheel disc
Brakes, active control
Chassis continuously variable real time damping, RTD with 3-settings for handling, (normal, sport and advanced)
Differential, limited slip, electronically controlled
Drivetrain, front-wheel drive
Drivetrain, all-wheel drive, includes differential, limited slip
Engine, 3.0L DOHC, V6 VVT Spark Ignition Direct Injection (SIDI), (250 hp [tbd kW @ 7000 rpm, 214 lb-ft [290 N-m] @ 5600)
Engine, 2.8L DOHC, V6 SFI TURBO HD
Exhaust, single
Exhaust, dual with premium tips
1 – Included and only available with (LF1) 3.0L DOHC V6 VVT Spark Ignition Direct Injection (SIDI) engine.
GVWR, 2,480 lbs. (1125 kg)
GVWR, 2,520 lbs. (1143 kg)
GVWR, 2,580 lbs. (1170 kg)
Rear axle, 3.39 ratio
Rear axle, 3.75 ratio
StabiliTrak, stability enhancement system
Steering, premium, rack-and-pinion, hydraulic, non-variable assist
Steering system, power, variable effort
Suspension, standard
Suspension, Sport continuously variable real time dampening
Traction control. electronic all-speed brake and engine control
Trailering provisions, 3500 lbs. (1588 kg)
Transmission, front-wheel drive, with tap-up/tap down (on shifter), performance shifting and manual up/manual down
Transmission, all-wheel drive, with tap-up/tap down (on shifter), performance shifting and manual up/manual down
Transmission, 6-speed automatic, all-wheel drive

Photo Credits: Saab Automobile Belgium

The Saab Automobile importer in Belgium has been kind enough to e-mail Saab History some excellent photographs of the Saab Automobile traveling roadshow that is traveling throughout Belgium. This roadshow, completely organized by Saab Belgium has recently started at their headquarters and it will continue to some other dealerships in the area following this event.

On the car carrier, there was what she indicated, a 9-3x, 9-4x BioPower Concept and many Saab 9-3 convertibles on display for people to look at and get excited about.

I wonder if there will be a road show in the United States as well at some point, this is a very good idea.

A thank you to Sofie for providing the photographs and the following information to Saab History!

The roadshow is still going on in Belgium!

Yesterday evening, 6 of our 33 dealers invited their guests at our headoffices, where we exposed the 9-3X, the 9-4X Concept and several 9-3 Convertibles. People were offered a glass of champagne and a walking diner.

We had a great attendance!

(The other dealers invite their guests at their own dealership, on other days)

That’s me in black and my colleague Myrth in purple on pic 414

Photo Credit: Saab Automobile AB / Saab 9-4x BioPower Concept Shown

As of today, we now know as indicated on the official court documents, that the Saab 9-4x Crossover, will continue to be produced in Mexico, and not relocated back to Sweden for production sometime next year as a 2011 model.

We also now know that this vehicle will be ready after it’s sister, the Cadillac SRX, because the SRX has now come to market first with Jalopnik which has given one of the first test drives.

Reutersindicates that this temporary shutdown is in anticipation to the slowdown for demand for their existing capacity.

Here’s hoping that production is uninterrupted when the Saab 9-4x is launched in the next year.

Photo Credits: Auto Bild

An internal satellite (IDL) video conference took place yesterday at Saab dealerships. In the video conference it was confirmed that the next generation Saab 9-5 and 9-4x vehicles that are 90% complete, will be shelved until financing comes.

It’s clear that General Motors are now positioning themselves to “hold future products hostage” from Saab Automobile AB unless Saab’s Board of Management and the Swedish Government meet the financial demands of GM.

Here was the original letter to dealerships below:

February 17, 2009

To: All Premium Channel Dealers

Tonight, GM will submit an updated viability plan to the U.S. Treasury as part of the long-term loan agreement. It discusses in detail a significantrestructuring of the company and demonstrates our detailed plan for long-term success as a global enterprise.

As you well know, we have been engaged throughout the last few months in a strategic review for both the HUMMER and Saab brands. While those reviewsare not yet complete, the viability plan covers a wide range of business decisions, including actions associated with HUMMER and Saab that will be of great interest to you.

To that end, I’d like to invite you to participate in an IDL on Wednesday, February 18 (EST). Steve Hill, Steve Shannon, Jim Taylor and I will discuss the highlights of the viability plan as it relates to the Premium Channel. Cadillac dealers are more than welcome to attend, but we will focus specifically on news regarding HUMMER and Saab. Please reference the details outlined below to view the broadcast:

Course Name: Premium February Update

I appreciate your support and participation as we work through this extraordinarily challenging time. You have my commitment that I will share information as soon it is available to do so; in the meantime, please do not hesitate to call me or any member of my team as we work together to serve our customers and get through this difficult period.

Mark McNabb

NA Vice President

Premium Channel

Photo Credit: Auto Bild

The Saab 9-4x is now almost fully revealed, with the grille and entire front face almost totally exposed as you see in the photo above.

We also know that in terms of the interior of this car that we’ve recently seen, the majority of you, according to the ongoing poll, still believe that the 9-4x BioPower concept interior is better than what was shown earlier.

Here’s hoping that the final production comes with a better interior, and that the XWD system and 4-cylinder turbocharged engine and TTiD engine also come with this car as originally indicated.

Lastly, there is a rumor that this car might be launched this year, but that’s just a rumor for now, what do you think?

Photo Credit: Motor Authority

The Saab 9-4x interior was spotted yet again with Motor Authority, this time Saab changed the steering wheel to one of an Opel, to confuse us, well it’s not working given that it was within the shell.

The interior is completely different than what we saw on the 9-4x BioPower concept in terms of first look appearance. I think that this interior, needs to be more two-tone for contrast, and I also think that the “clear zone” needs to be represented here like the concept car. What are your opinions?

Did you like the interior of the 9-4x BioPower conceptas shown in the video at 8 minutes 30 seconds, or the production version of the 9-4x as shown above?

Photo Credits: Bil Norge

Although we’ve already seen the final production photo of the Saab 9-4x, it has shown up yet again, in what must be it’s double-digit spy shot appearance.

This time, TS has found the photos which originated on Norway Car.

If you look closely, you can basically see all of the details because the camo is pretty much non-existent. So at this stage, what is the point of camoflage since it’s already been exposed? One detail I liked was the use of proper directional snow tires, which is no surprise, but it was nice to see!

Here’s still hoping that the 9-4x comes delivered with nothing larger than a “right-sized” 4-cylinder Turbo engine, with a diesel variant for ALL markets, oh and this was supposed to be the halo car for E-85 in North America. We’ll see if this car comes delivered as promised.

My wife who speaks Norwegian read the piece, tells me that there is nothing new here to report aside from the photographs.

The winter season of 2008/2009 is clearly all about the Saab “Spy” Photos!

Photo Credit: Saab Automobile AB / Official Production Photograph

I have recently become aware that the Saab 9-4x has been rumored to be either shelved completely or will be relocated to Sweden for production, according to Autoblog and Edmunds, respectively. I have intentionally posted the production photos that were shown, both outside and inside, just so we realize that although the spy photos are great, we’ve already seen the final versions.

To put these rumors to rest, an insider has reported that the Saab 9-4x development will be maintaining course and speed for the United States market. It will still be produced at the Ramos Arizpe factory in Mexico as the production prototypes we’ve seen recently, were built there! Furthermore, there should be no reason to end this product made for the U.S. market, with the benefit of the dollar exchange due to where it is built. It will be delayed however, to debut next year 2010, as a 2011 model year.

Last but not least, I want to second a mention made in defence of the Saab Automobile brand by GM Premium brand’s Saab Communications chief, Jan-Willem Vester towards Autoblog’s aforementioned statements.

Responding to whether Saab might “just slowly slide off into oblivion,” Vester says:

The word ‘oblivion’ is certainly not in Saab’s vocabulary anytime soon, especially since the Swedish government has proven be to be very supportive of the brand as one of its best known products around the world and a main source of jobs for the region.

This is encouraging to hear from JWV, because as he also knows, it’s all about the new era of independence from General Motors and both the Swedish Government and the European Investment bank have indicated secured funding for the Saab Automobile brand’s future.

Photo Credits: Auto Motor & Sport

Although we’ve already seen the final production photo of the Saab 9-4x, there has been another sighting of it somewhere in Sweden as of late and Sweden’s Auto Motor & Sport have picked it up.

These photos are quite good even though there have been plenty of spy photographs taken over the past 3 months of the Saab 9-4x already.

What is even more interesting this time around is that we finally get to see the interior of the Saab 9-4x, which looks quite close to the Saab 9-4x BioPower concept we saw last January at the Detroit International Auto Show.

I am still hoping that like it was mentioned, this will be a 300hp 2.0 liter turbo rightsized engine powering this new product.

Without that funding, those projects will not be able to get off the ground as long as Saab continues to be with General Motors later this year.

However, with funding now becoming available from both the Swedish Government and the European Investment Bank, will Saab Automobile actually launch these projects even though they were delayed due to GM’s choice to launch products from their “core” brands first? (ie. Opel Insignia, Buick/ Saab 9-5, Cadillac SRX / Saab 9-4x)

Saab will getting new products on the market requires help from the Swedish state.

This vehicle uses the Saab branded and haldex engineered XWD system that Saab’s 9-3 first debuted in 2008, which was expected to then be debuted in the 9-4x, but GM decided to delay it favor of rolling out the Caddy SRX blingmobile crossover instead.

GM never ceases to disappoint us Saab Automobile owners and enthusiasts, especially with the momentum they started at last year’s auto show with the Saab 9-4x BioPower concept, then a year later delaying the Saab 9-4x so that they could launch the Cadillac version of the same platform. Another par forthe course from the folks at General Motors.

I guess this move comes as no surprise since as their leadership has indicated in their last press conference, “GM will be focusing on their four core brands: Chevy, Buick, GMC & Cadillac.

A new owner for Saab Automobile can’t come soon enough.

Photo Credit: Global Motors

The Saab 9-4x crossover that was supposed to be debuting 4th quarter of 2009 that is now delayed until sometime in 2010 was recently seen in Michigan by Global Motors & Left Lane News

Clearly this “sighting” must have been staged given that there were numerous automobile companies present and were able to get a number of photos of this car driving, even the driver took the courtesy to exclude him or herself from the shot!

What I wonder is, why are they still testing this car if it’s supposed to be delayed like another year from now? If it’s on the road now, what the heck is remaining so that it can be available at Saab dealerships? I mean, we’ve already seen the released production version photo of the 9-4x anyways, so if it is complete, what’s the hold up here, seriously?

It’s here in Michigan, United States and I know a handful of dealerships right now that would like to just sell what you’ve got now as that would add some additional variety in their lineup. Today, the lineup consists of a 9-7x that has ceased production with limited quantities left, this is the last year of the 9-5, and that the 9-3 Sport Sedan, 9-3 Convertible & 9-3 Sport Combi are basically the only remaining “new” products to sell.

Here are some more elaborate details on existing as well as future product rollouts as briefly announced this past friday at the GM Press Conference.

Future Products:

Next Generation Saab 9-5

The Next Generation Saab 9-5 (saw pic, its ugly) is pushed back 3 months (until 1qtr 2010)

Saab 9-4x

The 9-4x is pushed back 12 months (until 4th qtr 2010).

Saab 9-3x

No Word Yet on the 9-3x.

———–

Existing Products:

Saab 9-5 (1998-2009)

The Saab 9-5 Griffin Edition will be the only 9-5 available for 2009

Saab 9-7x (2006-2009)

There are 260 9-7x units available in GM inventory worldwide.

Saab 9-3

The Saab 9-3 Convertible, Sport Sedan & Sport Combi will need to carry the brand in addition to the 9-3x until 2010.

However, in contrast to this official announcement, I received an unofficial announcement yesterday from Eric Geers, Director of Global Communications at Saab Automobile AB in Sweden, that the Saab 9-3X (Cross-Combi) as I am calling it, not to be confused with the 9-3X Concept back in 2002 is still on schedule.

11.6.2008

Eric Geers
Director of Global Communications
Saab Automobile AB
Trollhättan, Sweden

If we’re lucky, it now appears that the only vehicle that will be launched in 2009, may be the Saab 9-3X Cross-Combi as a continuation of the Cross-Wheel Drive (XWD) programs that are now ramping up globally.

The question is, will Saab Automobile AB and associated dealerships be able to survive with just a single model launch in the 9-3 range in 2009 along with an aging 9-3 Sport Sedan, SportCombi & Convertible model alongside the final production years of the 9-5, 9-7x?

I leave you with their press release from the conference today, only mentioning the 9-4x in the release in comparison to mentioning both the 9-5 and 9-4x in the press conference.

GM Announces $5 billion in Additional Liquidity Enhancement Initiatives

* Operating actions announced July 15 remain on track, targeted at $10 billion in cash improvements through 2009
* Asset sales of $2-4 billion in process, including Hummer, ACDelco and Strasbourg facilities
* Additional actions targeted at further improving liquidity by $5 billion by end of 2009
o 2009 capital spending reduced by $2.5 billion; key product and technology programs on track
o Additional GMNA structural cost reductions of $1.5 billion
o Further working capital improvements of $500 million
o Further salaried employment cost reductions of $500 million
* Engaging the U.S. government to aid the domestic auto industry

DETROIT – General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM) today announced it is taking further actions to improve liquidity and reduce structural cost in response to deteriorating global economic conditions, tight credit market conditions and a rapid retraction of sales in the auto industry.

“Volatility in the world’s financial markets, tightening of consumer and business credit and historically-low consumer confidence has created a very challenging environment ,” said Rick Wagoner, GM chairman and chief executive officer. “Given the current lack of credit availability we must take further difficult ‘self-help’ actions .”

Over the past several years, GM has been taking major actions to restructure its business and position it for long-term growth, making dramatic reductions in structural cost, revitalizing its product portfolio with award-winning vehicles, growing aggressively in emerging markets around the world and making demonstrable strides in advanced technology leadership (link to release).

As part of its ongoing restructuring, on July 15, 2008 GM outlined a number of initiatives aimed at improving liquidity by an estimated $15 billion through 2009. Those initiatives included internal operating actions within the company’s control that are estimated at $10 billion, asset sales estimated at $2-4 billion and capital market activities targeted at $2-3 billion (link to release).

To date, the $10 billion in internal operating actions have either been completed or are on track for full execution by the end of 2009.

GM’s assets currently being assessed for potential sale include the Hummer vehicle business and brand and its ACDelco all-makes aftermarket parts business, which has distribution channels in more than 100 countries. GM is also evaluating strategic options for its technical and manufacturing center in Strasbourg, France. GM is also analyzing other potential asset sales.

Despite the seizing up of the credit markets, GM completed some capital market transactions (link to release) in September to improve the company’s liquidity by $500 million by year-end 2009. While GM has unencumbered assets of more than $20 billion that it could potentially use as collateral for a secured debt offering, the U.S. credit markets remain inaccessible, and the contagion effect on other financial markets around the world provides limited alternatives. Accordingly, t he timing of the $2-3 billion of capital market financing GM initially targeted remains uncertain.

In light of the further deterioration in the U.S. auto market and continued turmoil in the global financial markets, GM is making downward revisions to its liquidity planning assumptions. For planning purposes, GM is assuming U.S. light industry sales volumes of 11.7 million units in 2009, and 12.7 million units in 2010. GM is also revising its average oil price estimates to range between $60-80 per barrel in 2009, and $100-$120 per barrel in 2010.

In addition to its previously announced liquidity and capacity actions, GM is taking further actions to improve liquidity by an incremental $5 billion by the end of 2009.

GM is reducing its capital spending for the calendar year 2009 from approximately $7.2 billion to $4.8 billion. The reductions will be achieved by retiming select vehicle programs in North America and Europe by three to 12 months, and deferring capacity expansion projects. Every automaker is having to adjust portfolios and spending plans to some degree, due to the rapidly changing business conditions and increasing challenging regulatory requirements. Lengthening product lifecycles is a common response to these pressures.

Although the timing of several vehicle programs will be revised, key product and technology programs remain on track. GM has a robust pipeline of competitive new vehicles over the next two years. In GM’s largest markets, U.S., China and Europe, 22 new vehicles will be launched in 2009, and 19 in 2010. In the U.S. alone, GM will launch 15 new vehicles through year-end 2010, 14 of which will be fuel-efficient cars or crossovers, including the Cadillac CTS wagon and SRX crossover, Chevrolet Camaro Coupe and Equinox crossover in 2009, and Saab 9-4x crossover, Chevrolet Cruze small car in 2010. Spending levels for the extended range electric Chevrolet Volt and other fuel-economy improvement initiatives to meet increasingly aggressive global fuel economy standards have been increased.

GM is also taking steps to reduce structural cost by an additional $1.5 billion. Actions being employed to achieve the savings include further reductions in sales promotion spending, further reductions in support of dealer network activities and channel consolidations, and further revisions to production scheduling reflective of depressed industry conditions. In response to declining demand, GM will re-rate operations at a number of operations in North America to scale back production, beginning in the first quarter of 2009.

GM also expects to make further reductions in engineering expense due to the aforementioned delays in capital spending. In addition, various types of discretionary spending, such as travel, use of consulting resources, and non-scheduled overtime for hourly and salaried employees, will also be restricted.

A number of working capital improvements, totaling approximately $500 million, are also being taken, including additional inventory reductions, with an emphasis on further cuts in components, buffer stocks and finished goods.

Measures are also being taken to further reduce salaried employment costs in the U.S. and Canada. The cost reduction target has been increased to approximately 30 percent, up from approximately 20 percent as announced on July 15. The reductions will be achieved with further contract and salaried headcount reductions by the recent over-achievement of the salaried window retirement goal, mutual separation programs, and if necessary, involuntary separations. Employment cash cost savings will also be achieved in Western Europe in 2009 as part of its necessary, broad-based labor cost reduction initiatives.

Salaried employees will not receive enhanced variable pay (incentive compensation) in 2009 for the 2008 performance period. GM had previously announced there would be no discretionary cash bonuses for 2008 for the company’s executive employees.

In addition, GM suspended the company match for the stock savings (401k) plan in the U.S., effective November 1, 2008, and matching contributions for tuition assistance and other reimbursement programs are being suspended effective January 1, 2009.

Even if GM implements the planned operating actions that are substantially within its control, GM’s estimated liquidity during the remainder of 2008 will approach the minimum amount necessary to operate its business. Looking into the first two quarters of 2009, even with its planned actions, the company’s estimated liquidity will fall significantly short of that amount unless economic and automotive industry conditions significantly improve, it receives substantial proceeds from asset sales, takes more aggressive working capital initiatives, gains access to capital markets and other private sources of funding, receives government funding under one or more current or future programs, or some combination of the foregoing. The success of GM’s plans necessarily depends on other factors, including global economic conditions and the level of automotive sales, particularly in the United States and Western Europe.

Further detail on the additional liquidity actions and GM’s current liquidity position and outlook will be disclosed in a Form 8-K filing with the Securities and Exchange (SEC) later today.

GM has taken a host of aggressive “self help” actions to improve its business, but additional support from the U.S. government to aid the auto industry during this industry downturn is essential. The company has engaged in discussions with various U.S. federal government agencies and Congressional leaders about the important role that the domestic automotive industry plays in the U.S. economy, and the need for immediate government funding support given the economic and credit crisis and its impact on the industry, including consumers, dealers, suppliers and manufacturers. Many in the government have acknowledged the important role of the industry in the national economy and the discussions are ongoing; and at this point, their outcome cannot be predicated with certainty.

“These tough actions, though very difficult to make, demonstrate our commitment and determination to weather this economic downturn and emerge a stronger and more competitive company,” said Wagoner. “We remain focused on retaining our focus on product excellence and our commitment to advanced propulsion technology leadership and returning the business to profitability despite the current market conditions.”

Finally, GM has recently explored the possibility of a strategic acquisition that it believed would generate significant cost reduction synergies and substantially strengthen GM’s financial position in the medium and long term, while being neutral or modestly positive to cash flow even in the near term. While the acquisition could potentially have provided significant benefits, the company has concluded that it is more important at the present time to focus on its immediate liquidity challenges and, accordingly, considerations of such a transaction as a near-term priority have been set aside.

# # #

Forward Looking Statements
In these and following presentations and in related comments by General Motors management, we will use words like “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “objective,” “plan,” “goal,” “project,” “outlook,” “targets,” and similar expressions to identify forward looking statements that represent our current judgments about possible future events. We believe these judgments are reasonable, but actual results may differ materially due to a variety of important factors.

Among other items, such factors include: our ability to maintain adequate liquidity and financing sources and an appropriate level of debt; continued economic instability or poor economic conditions in the U.S. and global markets, including the credit markets, or changes in economic conditions, commodity prices, housing prices, currency exchange rates or political stability in the markets in which we operate; our ability to realize production efficiencies, to reduce costs and implement capital expenditures at levels and times planned by management; market acceptance of our products including cars and crossovers; shortages of and price increases for fuel; the ability of our customers, dealers, distributors and suppliers to obtain adequate financing on acceptable terms to continue their business relationships with us; significant changes in the competitive environment, including as a result of industry consolidation, and the effect of competition on our markets, including on our pricing policies or use of incentives; changes in the existing, or the adoption of new laws, regulations, policies or other activities of governments, agencies and similar organizations where such actions may affect the production, licensing, distribution or sale of our products, the cost thereof or applicable tax rates; the effectiveness of recent or future actions by the U.S. federal government, including the $25 billion loan program for automobile manufacturers and suppliers and recently enacted legislation relating to mortgage assets; costs and risks associated with litigation; the final results of investigations and inquiries by the SEC; changes in accounting principles, or their application or interpretation, and our ability to make estimates and the assumptions underlying the estimates, including the estimates for the Delphi pension benefit guarantees, which could result in an effect on earnings; negotiations and bankruptcy court actions with respect to obligations owed to us by Delphi Corporation, a key supplier and our obligations to Delphi; negotiations with respect to our obligations under the benefit guarantees to Delphi employees and our ability to recover any indemnity claims against Delphi; labor strikes or work stoppages at our facilities or our key suppliers such as Delphi or financial difficulties at our key suppliers such as Delphi; additional credit rating downgrades and the effects thereof; changes in relations with unions and employees/retirees and the legal interpretations of the agreements with those unions with regard to employees/retirees, including the negotiation of new collective bargaining agreements with unions representing our employees in the United States other than the UAW; possible downgrades for GMAC or ResCap by rating agencies; GMAC’s ability to maintain adequate financing sources; developments in the residential mortgage market, especially the nonprime sector; and changes in the competitive markets in which GMAC operates, including increased competition in the automotive financing, mortgage and/or insurance markets or generally in the markets for securitizations or asset sales.

GM’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly report on Form 10-Q provide information about these factors, which we may revise or supplement in future reports to the SEC on Form 10-Q or 8-K.

CONTACT(S):
Reneé Rashid-Merem
313-665-3128 (office)
313-701-8560 (cell)
renee.rashid-merem@gm.com

Randy Arickx
313-667-0006 (office)
313-268-7070 (cell)
randy.c.arickx@gm.com

He has given me permission to publish his response here for us to see. While I thank him for his response, I am concerned about what he wrote in last sentence about “hoping to show some of the new products next year”. It appears to be implied that there is a chance that these new products (ie. 9-4x, 9-5 NG, and 9-3XC) won’t be shown next year, which is scary to think.

Well, there are always important meetings taking place but nothing that would stand out. Perhaps your source was referring to the GM Quarterly broadcast that is planned for tomorrow, but thats a global one that we will view here in Sweden.

Other than that we continue to focus on what we have ahead of us in terms of products and we hope to be able to show some of it next year!

Eric Geers
Director of Global Communications
Saab Automobile AB
Trollhättan, Sweden

Photo Credit: Teknikens World

The Saab 9-4x is apparently going to be delayed according to Left Lane News as of late.

This model was originally supposed to be launched in the fall of 2009, but they are telling us that it will be more like 12-months later than that due to part availability in the manufacturing process?

It will be interesting how this pans out if true, because this was the next product model that was supposed to be provided to dealerships.

Sources: Saab 9-4x delayed as much as a year

Earlier today we reported that GM might have made the choice to delay most new vehicle launches in order to stem the flow of money rushing out of GM’s coffers. A few more tips are now coming in that appear to back that idea up.

We’ve been told that, in the last few days, suppliers working on Saab’s 9-4x crossover vehicle were instructed not to ship any more parts to GM facilities. Production was scheduled to commence in the fall of 2009 at GM’s Ramos Arizpe plant in Mexico. Apparently the Saab is now delayed as much as 12 months for the U.S market.

Codenamed GMT168, the 2010 Saab 9-4x was set to be sharing GM’s TE chassis with the new 2010 Cadillac SRX (GMT166). For now, we hear the Caddy is still a go and will start rolling down the line in May of 2009 at Ramos Arizpe

Words by Chris Doane.

Source: Left Lane News

Photo Credit: Teknikens World

The production version of the Saab 9-4x crossover has been seen by Sweden’s a href=”http://www.teknikensvarld.se/bilspionen/nyheter/080929-saab-9-4x-94x-2009/index.xml” target=”_blank”>Teknikens World recently and they were all over it with lots of photos.

If you click on the link to their writeup, you will see that it looks quite close to the concept car, touted the 9-4x BioPower Concept that debuted in Detroit this past January, but what is more interesting is the sunroof on the thing. I am still expecting this to be delivered as illustrated with none other than a 4-cylinder turbocharged Saab engine, so that best be the case once it comes to market next fall.

I am gathering that production for prototypes has commenced at the GM plant in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico now that we’re seeing a lot more of these prototypes driving around lately?

The production version of the Saab 9-4x to be built in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico is now depicted on Saab Chile’s importer’s website as though one can purchase it new today.

All of the specifications such as 2.0 liter Turbo and weighing in at 3174lbs, harnessing 400 Newton meters of torque, getting 25mpg and 37mpg highway is quite impressive, but with a pricetag off $66,000 USD, according to the website, it sounds a bit steep!

I have yet to see any mention of E-85 capability with this engine as it was indicated back in Detroit that it would be the halo vehicle for E-85 in North America, so let’s hope that this still holds true.

What’s even more interesting is that this photo looks more like the Saab 9-4x BioPower concept car than the Saab 9-4x production vehicle shown back on July 16th, 2008.

Update: Saab Chile has now deleted the specifications page I indicated earlier this morning, so please read these specs here:
The specifications are below, but for more information, please visit the Saab 9-4x page on Saab Chile’s website.

< /tr>

Photo Credit: carpix autos

The Saab 9-4x Prototype has been sighted yet again, following the two sightings at the Nurburgring in Germany.

I think it’s obvious that the Saab 9-4x prototype in this instance, is not complete, when we take into consideration the obviously incomplete head and tail light setups that look nothing like the production photograph General Motors CEO, Rick Wagoneer has recently shown us back on July 16th, 2008.

I still hope as indicated, that’s a 4-cylinder turbocharged engine they are testing in this prototype as I fully expect to see a turbocharged Saab engine in the production version due next year.

Although things have been tough for them sales wise over the past few years, they will finally begin to see some strong new product introductions by the fall of 2009, but is it too late?

I want to begin with the idea of the Saab 9-1 / Saab 9-X BioHybrid because as Steve Shannon pointed out at the Saturday night dinner at the recent 2008 Saab Owners Convention, it was the first concept evidently built on a “compact premium” platform, so it can be produced as-is and is not a one-off like the prior concept cars, so why the delays and uncertainty? The need is certainly there so just build it!

Secondly, we have the Saab 9-3 XC or Cross-Combi, produced in Trollhättan, Sweden, that has been rumored to be debuting this fall as a direct competitor to the Audi Quattro, Volvo XC and Subaru Forrester. The interesting piece about this segment is that Saab should have had this back in 2002, but the project was halted due to GM at the time, stopping all product development in order to reel in costs.

The Saab 9-4x, the successor to the 9-7x, will be coming by the fall of 2009, produced in Mexico for the North American market as a cross-over as we’ve seen in the recent production photograph, very close to the concept vehicle shown in January this year, however that’s all we know at this point. I was specifically told at the 9-4x BioPower concept car’s launch in Detroit, that it will come with a turbocharged 4-cylinder and be touted as the halo vehicle for E-85 in North America. Although there’s been much speculation in the media of this vehicle coming in with a non turbo larger engine, I am optimistic that what I was told couldn’t be anything other than the truth and that we’ll see a 4-cylinder turbocharged crossover when it debuts. If anything other than that is actually produced, what’s the point, really?

Lastly, we have the new 9-5, shown as a rough design sketch also at the 2008 Saab Owners Convention, it also appears to be debuting just after the Saab 9-4x. It should be interesting to see what becomes of this launch because as old as the current 9-5 is, (10 years), this model to be produced at a GM Europe factory in Germany, must deliver as sales for the current 9-5 are totally flat. I worry that the idea of a larger premium sedan for Saab is another pointless exercise at this time as they should be focusing on smaller vehicles, which brings me to my last point.

There Saab Automobile is, with three out of four products set for launch by the fourth quarter of next year. So here’s the question, as Saab has traditionally been a company all about small “rightsized” vehicles, why wouldn’t the smaller premium compact segment be introduced prior to the 9-3 XC, 9-4X and New 9-5?

If GM is committed to seeing the Saab Automobile brand succeed, why not introduce a vehicle that is actually in demand? I question the need for more gas guzzling large vehicles such as crossovers and premium sedans.

I am also deeply concerned that these three vehicles although nice, won’t significantly contribute to turning the sales around for Saab Automobile as the 600 pound gorilla in the corner of the room (a small premium “rightsized” hatchback) would.

Having read this, what are your thoughts? I have included a poll below to see what you think Saab should focus on first, so let’s see what the results show over time.

Update: As of Saturday, September 6th, I am seeing the following votes:

I would like to ask those who have voted for the new 9-5, why did you choose this? Was it because you believe Saab really needs a new 9-5, or that you may own a 9-5 and would like to see and/or own the new version?

The first photo of the Saab 9-4x production model has just been made available thanks to the folks at Edmunds.

Apparently those who were fortunate to be present at the General Motors Press Conference on Tuesday, July 15th, were shown some up and coming products including a blurry photo of the production version of the Saab 9-4x that has been getting some serious testing as of late.

Even though this photograph is slightly blurred, you can really see what’s going on here in terms of exterior design. I personally like the look, and hope to see this “crossover” come in with no larger than the promised 4-cylinder turbocharged engine that was referenced at the 2008 North American International Auto Show this past January in Detroit that I attended.

The Saab 9-4x is tentatively set to be available as a model year 2010 to be available in the fall of 2009.

Here is the bit from Jalopnik

In the now-infamous press conference from General Motors this morning, Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner not only spelled out GM’s strategy to save itself from impending doom, but also revealed pretty much every upcoming GM vehicle that hadn’t already been shown to the public. This includes the first photos of the 2011 Chevy Cruze, 2010 Cadillac SRX, 2010 Saab 9-4X, and the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox. This comes in addition to official confirmation of the 2010 Buick LaCrosse, 2010 Cadillac CTS Coupe and 2010 Cadillac CTS Wagon. So basically, along with GM’s own downsizing, they’re also putting plenty of enterprising spy photographers out of business too.

Source: Jalopnik

Photo Credit: Car Advice

The Saab 9-4x pre-production prototype that was spotted at the Nurburgring a few weeks ago has been spotted again this time by Car Advice Europe somewhere around a downtown region in Germany.

I would strongly urge you to visit their website to see more of the photos including the interior.

Photo Credit: KGP Photography

The Saab 9-4x BioPower concept that I covered this past January while in Detroit for its global launch, has recently been spotted during development.

The 9-4x was spotted at the Nurburgring in Germany doing presumably some high speed testing as of late. Is it me or does anyone notice that the side mirrors have been modified since the concept car’s debut when it rolled onto the platform back in Detroit?

I seriously hope that this Saab 9-4x BioPower will be introduced with an engine no larger than a 4-cylinder “right sized” complete with turbocharger and is BioPower (ie. E-85) capable as originally indicated. As a skier as shown this past March in Vermont, I also hope that the Saab-Salomon integrated inside carrier will be also included in the final production model.

Here what the auto spies at Jalopnik had to say about it:

The 2010 Saab 9-4X was caught running round the Nurburgring today just like the big boys and while we’re pretty certain the Audi (both of them) is (are) a pinch quicker, the 9-4X is definitely more economical. Word on the street is the new 9-4X will not only be replacing the porky Oldsmobile Bravada Saab 9-7X, but will be doing it with some form of “biopower” like the original show car. The crossover of Trollhattan is expected to be on sale some time in 2009 for the 2010 model year, but that didn’t stop our KGP spies from spittin’ words about this one — which you can read after the break.

For more information on the Nurburgring, please visit this link.

Take a look at the complete writeup and to see more photos on their website.

I leave you will a poll after reading some of the comments on Jalopnik’s writeup: