Taxa Auto 2012

Showing posts with label Saab 9-3. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

China’s Pang Da Places a New €15 Million Order for Saab Vehicles

Chinese distributor Pang Da Automobile is pumping more cash into Spyker NV's ailing Swedish unit Saab by placing a new order for 630 vehicles valued at €15 million or US$21.5 million. This latest order comes after an earlier one last week for 1,300 cars worth €30 million (US$43.2 million) and is part of a broader deal in which Pang Da agreed to buy a 24 percent stake in Saab’s parent company Spyker for €65 million (US$93.5 million).

The Swedish automaker said that as with the first order, Pang Da will pay the additional €15 million order up front with the funds expected to be received by the end of this week. Delivery of the vehicles ordered by Pang Da will start in the fall of this year.

Saab Returns from the Dead…Again, Restarts Production at its Trollhättan Factory

Saab is back in the business of making cars again -at least for now- almost two months after production came to a halt on April 6 when the company’s suppliers stopped deliveries of parts in protest over unpaid bills. The Swedish company was able to restart production after receiving €30 million (US$42.8 million) in advance on a deal it has signed with Chinese car distributor Pang Da Automobile.

The China company’s CEO, Mr. Pang Qinghua, visited the Trollhättan factory today together with CEO and Chairman of Saab Automobile, Victor Muller, and witnessed the first vehicle to roll off the assembly line. Saab said around 100 cars were built today but plans to “increase the daily production rate in the coming weeks in parallel with the full re-establishment of the supply chain”.

What Lies Ahead in Saab’s Future?

Saab is in trouble. With mounting debts and limited capital investment, the Swedish company is a prime candidate to go the way of the dinosaurs. The troubled automaker has not built a single vehicle since the 1st of April, and a much touted deal with China’s Hawtai Motor Group has fallen through. They did however sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with another Chinese company called Pang Da Automobile Trade Co. Ltd, earlier this week, but we will have to wait and see if the deal goes through.

In light of this, I’ve thought up four plausible (though unlikely) scenarios for Saab. These range from the hugely cynical all the way to the brazenly optimistic. After all, isn’t it better than Saab has some future rather than no future at all? Without further ado, here are your options:

2012 Saab 9-3 Griffin: Facelift Model Receives Subtle Styling and Engine Upgrades

Aside from the limited-run 9-3 Convertible Independence Edition, Saab also announced today a mild facelift across the 9-3 range, which gets refreshed exterior and interior styling plus the introduction of gasoline direct injection on the 2.0-liter engines. The updated range will carry the 9-3 Griffin moniker and it is basically a last edition before a new generation takes over in 2012.

Changes apply to all models (Sport Sedan, SportCombi, Convertible and 9-3X) and include new front bumpers, a new "ice block" finish for the headlights and the Griffin badge added to the front fenders. On the inside, the dashboard, seat upholstery and decor have received a fresh look. The 9-3 Griffin models will be offered in two specs, standard and Aero.

Technical updates involve the addition of new 2.0-liter gasoline engines with direct injection technology, variable valve timing and twin scroll turbocharging. The 2.0-liter engine is available with 163 or 220 horsepower, and can be combined with Saab’s XWD all-wheel-drive system.

The petrol units join the 1.9-liter turbo diesel engines that produce 130, 160 or 180 horsepower. Six-speed transmissions become standard across the 9-3 Griffin range.

Saab claims that combined fuel consumption and CO2 emissions have dropped by 4 percent across the entire range. For example, the 9-3 SportCombi fitted with the 1.9-liter TTid engine has an average fuel consumption of 4,5 liters/100 km (52.2 mpg) with 119 g/km of CO2 emissions.

By Dan Mihalascu

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SAAB 9-3 Convertible Independence Edition Officially Revealed

Saab has built a limited edition of its 9-3 Convertible to celebrate the first anniversary of its independence, or to put it more realistically, the completion of the sale from General Motors to Spyker Cars. Called the Independence Edition, only 366 examples of the car will be produced, one for each day during the first year and one extra for the start of a second year.

The newcomer in Saab's range is based on the 9-3 Convertible Griffin Aero specification adding a unique, Amber Orange metallic paint and 18-inch alloy wheels with a two-tone satin chrome and black finish. In the interior, the special edition model is distinguished by the orange trimmed beige sports leather seats and glovebox, carbon fiber trim, a unique turbo boost gauge and orange stitched sports leather steering wheel and carpet mats with grey piping.

Depending on the market, the powertrain choices for the 9-3 Convertible Independence Edition include a 180HP, 1.9-liter turbo diesel, a 220HP, 2.0-liter gasoline turbo with direct injection, and a Biopower version able to run on any combination of gasoline or E85 fuel. All three powerplants are available with six-speed automatic or manual transmissions.

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