Suède
Saab
Saab takes its name from Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget, an aircraft manufacturer founded in 1937 in Trollhattan, Sweden. After the Second World War, the company sought to diversify its activities and entrusted a small team of aeronautical engineers with designing an automobile. The Ursaab prototype appeared in 1947, and production of the first series-built car, the Saab 92, began on December 12, 1949. Shaped by its aviation culture, the brand bet from the start on aerodynamics, safety and cold-climate durability. The 95, 96 and then 99 models built Saab's reputation; the company adopted front-wheel drive and, with the 99 Turbo of 1977 and then the 900 Turbo, popularized the use of the turbocharger on high-volume cars. The 900 (1978-1998) and the 9000 (1984-1998, developed on the Type Four platform shared with Fiat) became the pillars of the lineup. General Motors took a 50% stake in Saab Automobile in 1989-1990, then acquired the entire capital in 2000. Under GM, the 9-3 and 9-5 appeared, along with two models intended solely for the North American market: the 9-2X (derived from the Subaru Impreza, 2004-2007) and the 9-7X SUV (based on the GMT360 platform of the Chevrolet TrailBlazer, assembled in Moraine, Ohio, 2005-2009). Saab long maintained a dealer network in the United States and Canada, where the brand cultivated a distinctive and intellectual image. Weakened by the 2008 crisis, Saab was sold by GM to the Dutch company Spyker Cars in 2010. Lacking financing, and after GM blocked a rescue by Chinese investors, Saab Automobile filed for bankruptcy on December 19, 2011. The assets were bought in 2012 by National Electric Vehicle Sweden (NEVS), which never relaunched the automobile brand under the Saab name. The Saab name is, however, still carried by Saab AB, the Swedish aerospace and defense group, which is separate from the automaker.
Historique / disparueÉlectrique / hybrideCamion / utilitaireEuropéennes
History
History of Saab
Saab takes its name from Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget, an aircraft manufacturer founded in 1937 in Trollhattan, Sweden. After the Second World War, the company sought to diversify its activities and entrusted a small team of aeronautical engineers with designing an automobile. The Ursaab prototype appeared in 1947, and production of the first series-built car, the Saab 92, began on December 12, 1949. Shaped by its aviation culture, the brand bet from the start on aerodynamics, safety and cold-climate durability. The 95, 96 and then 99 models built Saab's reputation; the company adopted front-wheel drive and, with the 99 Turbo of 1977 and then the 900 Turbo, popularized the use of the turbocharger on high-volume cars. The 900 (1978-1998) and the 9000 (1984-1998, developed on the Type Four platform shared with Fiat) became the pillars of the lineup. General Motors took a 50% stake in Saab Automobile in 1989-1990, then acquired the entire capital in 2000. Under GM, the 9-3 and 9-5 appeared, along with two models intended solely for the North American market: the 9-2X (derived from the Subaru Impreza, 2004-2007) and the 9-7X SUV (based on the GMT360 platform of the Chevrolet TrailBlazer, assembled in Moraine, Ohio, 2005-2009). Saab long maintained a dealer network in the United States and Canada, where the brand cultivated a distinctive and intellectual image. Weakened by the 2008 crisis, Saab was sold by GM to the Dutch company Spyker Cars in 2010. Lacking financing, and after GM blocked a rescue by Chinese investors, Saab Automobile filed for bankruptcy on December 19, 2011. The assets were bought in 2012 by National Electric Vehicle Sweden (NEVS), which never relaunched the automobile brand under the Saab name. The Saab name is, however, still carried by Saab AB, the Swedish aerospace and defense group, which is separate from the automaker.
Public founding or origin of Saab.
Technologies
Technologies, innovations and platforms
Saab's technical identity rests on turbocharging, which the brand democratized starting in the late 1970s. Its turbocharged four-cylinder engines favored torque available at low rpm and good everyday flexibility over peak power, with attention paid to fuel economy. Saab was also a safety pioneer: headlamp wipers, a wraparound windshield inherited from aviation, a reinforced cabin, active head restraints (SAHR) and structures designed for impact; the first-generation 9-3 was one of the first cars to earn a five-star EuroNCAP rating. Under GM, the models adopted shared platforms (GM2900 and then Epsilon for the 9-3), which brought Saab closer to the group's standards. The brand never saw series-production electrification before its disappearance.
Brand image
Identity, reputation, strengths and weaknesses
Positioning
A distinctive Swedish brand with an unconventional character, a pioneer of the turbocharger and of automotive safety, now defunct but still a cult favorite among enthusiasts.
Reputation
Saab enjoys an unconventional brand image, prized for its character, its comfort in cold climates and its safety. Reliability is considered adequate for its era, but aging models present well-known watch points: turbo wear, oil leaks, electrical troubles and cooling-system issues. Resale value remains modest compared with German rivals, a consequence of the brand's shutdown in 2011 and the scarcity of certain parts. In return, Saab benefits from a loyal and active community of enthusiasts who value the analog driving experience, the accessible mechanicals and the customization potential of the older turbo models.
Strengths
Distinctive character and strong personality, an embraced aeronautical heritage, a pioneer of the high-volume turbo and of several safety advances. Very good behavior in cold climates and long-distance comfort, with ergonomic cabins. Accessible mechanicals appreciated by a committed community of enthusiasts, which makes maintenance and customization of older models easier.
Points to watch
A brand defunct since 2011: no new models, no official network, and parts supply that is sometimes difficult for certain references. Modest resale value and known reliability points on older examples (turbo, oil leaks, electronics, cooling). The later models, which shared GM platforms, sometimes lost part of the in-house identity.
Models
Saab models
Current or active models by market
Production and compatibility
Plants, tires and wheels
Production
The historic heart of Saab production was in Trollhattan, Sweden, where most models were assembled, including the 900, 9000, 9-3 and 9-5. Part of the production was also carried out in Finland (the Valmet plant in Uusikaupunki) for certain convertibles. In North America, two models intended for the local market were produced on site under General Motors: the 9-7X SUV was assembled at the GM plant in Moraine, Ohio, on the GMT360 platform, and the 9-2X was derived from the Subaru Impreza built in Japan. No Saab automobile production takes place today: the Trollhattan assets were taken over after the 2011 bankruptcy.
Tires and wheels
On the most common modern Saabs in Quebec (9-3, 9-5), the bolt pattern is generally 5x110 mm, a standard shared with several GM/Opel models of the era, which broadens wheel options. Original diameters range mainly from 15 to 17 inches, with 16 or 17 inches common on the Aero versions due to larger brakes; the aftermarket also offers larger fitments. Always verify the compatible center bore and offset (ET). In Quebec, dedicated winter tires are mandatory and essential for these front-wheel-drive sedans; a second set of smaller wheels for winter is an economical and practical solution.