More Saab products coming, Muller says

Saab's new Dutch owner, Spyker Cars NV, intends to spin additional models off its new Phoenix platform after it yields a redesigned Saab 9-3.

Saab dealers will receive the latest 9-3 in 2012, Spyker founder and Saab Automobile AB Chairman Victor Muller said Thursday at the CAR Management Briefing Seminars in Traverse City, Mich.

The dealers, who have been starved for product as former owner General Motors attempted to sell or liquidate the brand, also will obtain a Cadillac-based 9-4X crossover when it goes into production in April 2011 in Mexico.

Muller led the purchase of Saab earlier this year and quickly ramped up the automaker's plants to begin U.S. deliveries of a new 9-5 in recent weeks. The 9-5 was already in the pipeline as a platform developed by GM.

“Spyker's only contribution to the new 9-5 is the fact that it still exists,” Muller quipped, referring to his moves to save the Saab brand.

“There had been no cars delivered to U.S. dealers since February 2009,” he said.

Muller said the 9-3's Phoenix platform began as a GM platform for the 9-3. But Saab is now overhauling the platform and making design changes to the car.

By Lindsay Chappell- Automotive News