Geneva Auto Show Press Kit

[SaabKen]

What SAAB is saying over there:

http://www.gmeurope.com/geneva2005/p...hLights_en.pdf


"DETROIT -- Saab's new 9-3 SportCombi five-door wagon is aimed more at Europe than at the United States.

Almost 30 percent of Saab's overall sales are in the United States, but the Swedish company plans to sell only 2,500 to 4,000 units of the SportCombi here per year. That's less than 20 percent of the expected global SportCombi production of about 21,000 units.

The SportCombi, which will be unveiled at the Geneva auto show, will arrive in U.S. showrooms this fall.

In Europe, Saab needs the SportCombi to be one of its volume players. The SportCombi, which is patterned closely on last year's Sport Hatch concept car, is being counted on to draw traditional Saab buyers as well as new customers.

"We're trying to keep things a little conservative," Sean McNamara, manager of product planning and market research for Saab Cars USA Inc., says of the U.S. sales target.

Saab says that in the United States, the SportCombi will start with a 210-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The high-performance Aero version will feature a new 2.8-liter turbocharged V-6 that makes 250 hp. The engine will be available in the 2006 9-3 Aero sport sedan and 9-3 Aero convertible.

Prices have not been announced. But Saab says the SportCombi will start at under $30,000."