by Brian Byrne. Saab is to introduce eight new models over the next eight years, including an SUV based on the Subaru B9, which will be introduced to Europe in 2007.
To be called the 9-6, it will not have a diesel engine, which is likely to limit its sales. But a decision has now been made to revive plans for a successor to the 9-5 large car, ending a 'hold' on such development for the last three years.
A facelift to the current 9-5 will be presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, to provide continuity until the new car arrives after 2008.
But the new car, as well as the next generation 9-3, won't be built in Sweden, following a decision earlier in the year that all future GM models based on the Epsilon platform will be manufactured at the Opel plant in Russelsheim. The Opel Vectra is built on Epsilon, and the current model's replacement will be built alongside the two Saab models.
Some recent speculation quoted from within Saab suggests that the brand expects to reach 250,000 units a year in the forseeable future. Last year, the GM-owned subsidiary built close to 128,000 cars.
