by Brian Byrne. Saab believes that the SportCombi wagon version of the 9-3 unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show could eventually generate 60 percent of sales of the nameplate.
According to the brand's managing director, Jan-Ake Jonsson, the 9-3 is the model with the most short-term potential to boost volume for the GM-owned carmaker. Saab recently lost out to Opel in a bid to become the producer of the next-generation 9-3 and Opel Vectra, scheduled towards the end of the current decade.
The Swedish factory will build 'speciality' cars, including the production version of the Caddilac BLS concept for Europe, which is based on the 9-3 architecture.
Meanwhile, following a postponement of a decision on a replacement for the 9-5 large Saab, the model will get a facelift in the autumn.
