Victor Muller and Jan Åke Jonsson talk to CAR magazine about the future of Saab

Now that the sale of Saab to Spyker has been completed, its new bosses have been able to think carefully about the brand’s next steps, and they told the British publication CAR about them in an interview. The models set to arrive between 2010 and 2012 are already known to everyone: the new 9-5 and its estate version this year, the 9-4X crossover due in 2011 to be built in Mexico, and in 2012 the new generation of the 9-3 will appear. However, the plans of Victor Muller and Jan Åke Jonsson go further in order to restore the brand’s profitability and identity in its new independent era.

Among Saab’s main goals is to increase production capacity while cutting costs to get out of the red, and the launch of new models is essential. Jonsson states that they estimate they can lower the number of units that must be manufactured to be profitable to between 80,000 and 85,000, so if they reach a production of nearly 120,000 by 2012, the mission could be considered accomplished.

Another priority for Saab will be to seek a new partner that provides long-term technology, since, although the sales agreement agreed with General Motors meant the North American giant would keep supporting it in that area, it is important to plan what will happen when that relationship ends. Nevertheless, Victor Muller claims that thanks to the new independence, they will be able to choose the partner that best suits Saab’s needs, and since offers are not lacking (in the last year and a half they have received requests from both large organisations and small companies), this gives them great confidence.

As for the somewhat more optimistic plans, among them is the famous supposed city car that would sit below the 9-3. Victor Muller confesses that it is among his wishes, but not among Saab’s realistic decisions for now. He calls it the 92, when many called it the 9-1, and states that it would be in the A segment. He also denies that it will compete directly with the Mini from BMW, but says it would have the characteristic traits of a modern Saab.

The one that no longer has a possible future is the Aero X concept that was once among the candidates to expand the range of the manufacturer. Victor Muller asserts that it is not feasible with profitability as the first mission. Finally, both Muller and Jonsson confirm that Saab’s engineers are already working on hybrid technologies for upcoming models, because they are aware that they are indispensable in the current climate of the automotive industry.

Source | CAR Magazine