Saab 9-3 Back in Production

Jo Borras
by Jo Borras

After years of rumors and speculations of the will they/won’t they variety, a brand-new Saab 9-3 has – finally! – managed to roll down the assembly line! Don’t be fooled by the fact that this new Saab looks just like the 2009 models the company was building when it was spun off from GM’s bankruptcy, however. This car features all-new components designed by Saab engineers and manufactured in Trollhättan, Sweden.

Saab, now owned by the National Electric Vehicle Sweden company, promised its new cars would reach production in 18 months. That was in September of 2012, so they’re about 6 month ahead of schedule. That on-track message puts NEVS-owned Saab in a decidedly different league than faux car-makers like Detroit Electric and Elio Motors, who’ve spent more time justifying delays than they have building cars. Don’t take my word for that, though, check out the well-appointed assembly line and experienced Saab assembly workers in the photo gallery, below, and start getting excited.

Saab’s back, baby! All we need now is a new Saab 900 revival and we’ll really be in business!


Sources | Photos: Saabs United, via WorldCarFans; Originally posted to Gas 2.

Jo Borras
Jo Borras

I've been in and around the auto industry since 1997, and have written for a number of well-known outlets like Cleantechnica, the Truth About Cars, Popular Mechanics, and more. You can also find me talking EVs with Matt Teske and Chris DeMorro on the Electrify Expo Podcast, writing about Swedish cars on my Volvo fan site, or chasing my kids around Oak Park.

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  • RHD RHD on Sep 20, 2013

    The guy who eventually buys this thing will eventually go to the local auto parts store and ask for a set of spark plugs and an air filter for a 2013 SAAB... and will get the funniest look from the parts guy... My AutoZone story: I went to my local AutoZone and asked the lady behind the counter for a part for my '93 Miata. Her response (this is entirely true!) was: "What's a Miata?"

    • See 1 previous
    • WozTheWise WozTheWise on Sep 20, 2013

      Your first mistake was going to AutoZone.

  • Dave-the-rave Dave-the-rave on Sep 20, 2013

    Second mistake was going to McDonald's.

  • Corey Lewis Corey Lewis on Sep 24, 2013

    I feel like many parallels can now be drawn between Saab and Lada. Lol.

    • See 3 previous
    • Corey Lewis Corey Lewis on Sep 24, 2013

      @NoGoYo That's correct, it is. Have you driven one? And by the way I meant the old Soviet one, not THIS: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Chevrolet_Niva_Silver.jpg

  • NoGoYo NoGoYo on Sep 27, 2013

    @Corey: No, but the Niva did end up in my "The World's Worst Cars" book...so clearly it had some major flaw compared to other similar vehicles.

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