Saab

Since the first Saab 92 was released in 1949, Saab Automobile has been known for innovation, particularly in areas of green technology, vehicle safety and turbocharging. Originally part of the Swedish Aeroplane Company, Saab’s automobile division was established in 1944 as its parent company searched for new markets in which to expand. The first two decades of production saw the appearance of Saab 92, 93 and 95, as well as the company’s first true performance vehicle, the Saab 94. In the 1960s, demand for a larger model prompted the release of the Saab 99 – Saab’s first turbocharged vehicle and a significant influence on the brand’s styling for the next 20 years. In 1989, General Motors purchased a significant stake in Saab, and initiated the release of the “new generation” Saab 900 in 1994. Sales of this model helped to revive the fading brand, and in 1995 Saab recorded a profit for the first time in seven years. General Motors took complete control in the company in 2000, marking the period of new management with models including the Saab 9-3, the 9-5 and the 9-7X. Originating from various sporting triumphs, Saab’s reputation for endurance was strengthened in 2006, when a Wisconsin man famously donated his Saab 900 SPG to the Wisconsin Automotive Museum. The car had recorded an astonishing 1,611,573 km on its original engine, which was verified by Saab engineers. Recently, the future of Saab seemed very uncertain as General Motors’ fortunes faded, and the brand looked set to disappear as GM struggled to find a buyer. In early 2010, the eleventh-hour sale of Saab to Dutch manufacturer Spyker was announced, along with plans for a new Saab 9-3, to be released in 2012.