1/04

Saab sets records in all areas of business

- All-time record new car sales of 47,914 units up 27 percent over 2002.
- All-time record certified pre-owned sales of 9,580 up 124 percent.
- All-time record parts & accessories sales up 10 percent over 2002. Norcross, GA - Saab Cars USA's December new car sales of 3,506 represent a 28 percent increase over 2002 and helped complete a history-making year for Saab in the U.S. market.

v Calendar year 2003 new car sales reached 47,914 units, a 27 percent increase over last year's 37,805, and surpassed Saab's previous best year of 47,414 units set back in 1986. This is Saab's highest annual sales result in its 47-year history in the U.S. market.

"Our retail network and our own Saab Cars USA team worked exceptionally hard all year long to achieve this historic sales result for Saab," said Debra Kelly-Ennis, President of Saab Cars USA. "This strong sales result is particularly gratifying considering we've achieved this growth in our business without yet entering new products into new segments. We've done it with our two-car lineup, relying heavily on the tremendous success of the new Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan and Convertible."

Recently, Saab has shown two new vehicles; the 2005 Saab 9-2X and the 2005 Saab 9-7X, that will soon broaden its product portfolio beyond the two-car lineup Saab has had since 1986. "As we begin to launch new products in new segments, starting with the 9-2X in the summer of 2004, we'll continue to set new records for Saab in the U.S., Saab's most important global market," added Kelly-Ennis.

Saab's tremendous momentum in the U.S. can be found in all areas of its business. Saab Certified Pre-Owned Sales for December were up 83 percent over 2002, with 757 sales. This brought Saab's 2003 CPO sales total to 9,580 - 124 percent growth versus last year.

Saab also achieved a new high water mark for parts & accessories sales in the U.S. in 2003 with sales up a full 10 percent over 2002.

9/03

Norcross, GA - Saab's 'Real-Life Safety' philosophy helped earn the 2003 Saab 9 3 Sport Sedan a 'Best Pick' designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. In the most recent series of 40-mph frontal offset crash tests, IIHS tested seven new or redesigned vehicles, including the 2003 Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan. The Saab was one of five vehicles that earned the Institute's 'Best Pick' honor in this round of testing. The crashworthiness test evaluates vehicles on three primary elements:

* Ability of the structural cage to protect the occupant compartment
* Risk of occupant injury
* How well occupant movement is controlled by the vehicle's restraint system

The Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan received the highest possible rating of "good" in all three categories.

"We are pleased with the findings of the most recent IIHS test," said Debra Kelly-Ennis, President of Saab Cars USA, Inc. "In this test, the car's various safety systems performed exactly as designed, and the occupant compartment maintained its integrity to help reduce the risk of injury."

Among the Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan's standard safety features are adaptive, dual-stage front airbags, side-impact airbags engineered into the front seats, seat belts featuring crash pre-tensioners and load limiters, and Saab's 'second generation' Saab Active Head Restraint (SAHR 2). In the event of a rear-end collision, the SAHR system is designed to limit the head movement of the occupant during the impact, helping to reduce the risk of whiplash injuries.

In addition to the seat-mounted side-impact airbags, the Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan also features side-curtain airbags that deploy from the ceiling, offering protection to front and rear occupants. The side-curtain airbags are activated in side impacts and also in severe frontal impacts, when stage 2 activation of the front airbags is deployed. The side-curtain airbags remain inflated for up to three seconds in order to help prevent a passenger's head from striking the side windows, roof pillars or exterior objects during the course of an impact sequence. This added protection is especially effective during an offset frontal crash, as the IIHS test duplicates, when the vehicle rotates after the collision.

Saab's 9-5 model has also been highly rated by IIHS. The 2002 Saab 9-5 sedan earned a 'Best Pick' honor following an IIHS offset front crash test in 2002. The 9-5 earned a top 'good' rating for each of the Institute's criteria in the crash test.

9/03

Saab Cars USA drives into model year 2004 with strong August sales

Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan sales continue upward, lifting year-to-date sales up 17% over last year

Norcross, GA - August proved to be yet another strong month for the Swedish manufacturer in the U.S. Sales for the month came in at 4,209 vehicles, up three percent over 2002. For the year, Saab sales in the U.S. reached 33,085 vehicles, a 17 percent increase over last year's 28,390 for the first eight months of the year.

The car behind the sales story for Saab in 2003 is the all-new 9-3 Sport Sedan. Saab sold 2,287 of the award-winning sedan in August, a whopping 253 percent volume increase over the preceding 9-3 hardtop in August 2002. Year-to-date, the Sport Sedan is outselling the old model 9-3 hardtop by 92 percent.

"The 9-3 Sport Sedan is doing for us exactly what we had hoped and predicted," said Ed Peper, VP of Sales for Saab Cars USA. "We're seeing younger buyers coming from other brands visiting our showrooms to purchase the Sport Sedan."

Another success story at Saab can be found in the Certified Pre-Owned Program. August sales totaled 1,180 vehicles - breaking the 1,000 mark for the first time in the program's history. This volume marked a 163 percent increase over last August, and brought year-to-date sales to 6,297, a 142 percent increase over 2002.

8/03

Saab Cars USA sales continue record-setting pace

With July sales up 17% and year-to-date sales up 19%, Saab continues to have its best ever year in its 47-year history in the U.S. market

Norcross, GA - The newest product offering from Saab Automobile continues to push U.S. sales higher. Saab Cars USA reported sales of 4,402 vehicles in July, a 17 percent increase over last year. The Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan volume was up an impressive 289 percent over 9-3 hatchback sales in July 2002; 2,215 vehicles versus 569. For the first four months of having the full range of 9-3 Sport Sedans, April through July, sales are up 138 percent over the predecessor 9-3 hatchbacks; 9,201 vehicles versus 3,861.

"We know that the 9-3 Sport Sedan is a great vehicle," said Debra Kelly-Ennis, President of Saab Cars USA. "But the proof is now in the fact that consumers are choosing the 9-3 over other premium European competitors such as Audi and BMW."

Year-to-date growth remains strong for Saab Cars USA. The third best July of the company's history brought 2003 sales to 28,876 vehicles, compared to 24,318 last year, an 18.7 percent increase.

Other highlights for the Swedish manufacturer include a record month for Certified Pre-Owned vehicles. Consumers purchased 997 pre-owned Saabs, a 165 percent increase over July 2002. This represents 23 percent of total monthly volume, a figure in-line with other entry luxury group CPO programs. Year-to-date Saab CPO sales are up 138 percent to 5,133 vehicles.

8/03

Beating all of its European competitors, and scoring well above the industry average, Saab scores its highest ever CSI ranking in 2003, a 17-point improvement over the previous study.

Norcross, GA - Saab improved its ranking to seventh overall in the 2003 JD Power Customer Service Index (CSI) with a rating of 892, up from eighth place in 2002 and tenth in 2001. The industry average improved from 843 to 851 and the luxury make average moved up from 871 to 880.

The 2003 J.D. Power CSI study focuses on experiences with the dealer service department during the first three years of vehicle ownership. The 2003 study includes 37 automotive brands, and is based upon the responses of nearly 106,000 new-vehicle owners and lessees.

Saab's score of 892 exceeded both the industry average and the luxury average and jumped 17 points over last year's score of 875. Among the European automakers, Saab ranked first, ahead of BMW (10th overall at 873) and Mercedes-Benz and Volvo (a 3-way tie with Jaguar for 11th at 868). Audi placed 20th with a score of 852.

Saab Cars USA continues setting sales records with best May ever

Sales increased 17.5% over last year to 4,702 vehicles - making it the best May in the company's history

Norcross, GA - Driven by strong sales of the Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan, Saab Cars USA set another sales record, reporting its best May ever with sales of 4,702 vehicles. That number marks a 17.5 percent increase over May 2002, and brings year-to-date sales to 20,554, up 24 percent over last year.

"The momentum continues to roll for us in 2003," said Ed Peper, VP of Sales for Saab Cars USA. "We're seeing increases in all areas of our business - Certified Pre-Owned, Parts and Accessories, as well as retail sales."

Saab's first foray into the compact sport sedan segment, the all-new 2003 9-3 Sport Sedan, is leading the sales push for the Swedish manufacturer. In May, Saab Cars USA sold 2,288 Sport Sedans, a 105 percent increase over 2002 9-3 hardtops last May. Year-to-date, the 9-3 Sport Sedan has outpaced its predecessor by 64 percent, with a volume of 11,255 vehicles versus 6,844. This five-month period includes only two sales months where the full range of Sport Sedans was available. The 210-hp variants went on sale in early April to complement the 175-hp Linear model.

Saab Certified Pre-Owned hit a high water mark in May as well. The program had its best sales month ever, with 913 vehicles - a 125 percent increase over 2002. The banner month brought year-to-date sales to 3,212, a 153 percent increase over last year's 1,268.

Parts and Accessories sales were up 11 percent for the month and 10.5 percent year-to-date.

4/03

SAAB CARS USA SETS FIRST-QUARTER SALES RECORD

Sales of 10,885 cars is the best first quarter in Saab's 47-year U.S. history

Norcross, GA - Thanks to three consecutively strong sales months, Saab Cars USA reported sales of 10,885 cars in the first quarter - the company's best first-quarter sales results in its 47-year history, and a 19 percent increase over January-March, 2002 (9,138 cars). Saab's previous best first-quarter in the U.S. was in 1987, when the company sold 10,630 cars in the first-quarter, on its way to selling more than 44,000 cars for the year.

"It's been an excellent first quarter for Saab despite the difficult challenges that we and other automakers are facing," said Debra Kelly-Ennis, President, Saab Cars USA. "In particular, reaction to the new Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan has been absolutely fantastic, as it is out-selling its predecessor by more than 31 percent.

"And now that we've launched the uplevel 210-horsepower 9-3 Sport Sedan variants, we are very confident that we'll keep the momentum rolling and grow sales even further."

In March 2003, Saab sold 4,736 cars. The new Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan continued to set the sales pace with a volume of 2,680 units retailed. Saab also sold 958 9-5 Sedans in March, which provided a 14 percent first-quarter increase of this model over 2002 (2,204 units vs. 1,930). Additionally, Saab retailed 308 9-5 SportWagons and 761 9-3 Convertibles in March. On Tuesday, April 15, Saab will reveal its all-new 2004 9-3 Convertible at the New York Auto Show.

Not to be outdone, Saab's Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) Program also continued its record-setting year, selling 703 cars in March, which bests its previous record month of 500 cars in January 2003. For the first quarter, Saab CPO sales are up 172 percent over 2002 (1,644 units vs. 604).

The U.S. is the Sweden-based car manufacturer's largest market. Saab Cars USA, Inc. is the importer of Saab 9-5 and 9-3 automobiles for Saab Automobile AB and is headquartered in Norcross, Georgia, near Atlanta. For more information, visit www.saabusa.com.

2/03

Saab Cars USA kicks off the year with sales up 62% over last year

Norcross, GA - Saab Cars USA reported total retail sales of 2,551 vehicles, up 62 percent over the 1,575 units in January 2002. The new Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan set the sales pace with a volume of 1,427 units, exceeding 9-3 hardtop sales last January by 80 percent.

The Saab 9-5 Sedan and SportWagon sales outpaced previous year numbers by a combined 42 percent. Increases across the entire product line produced the second-best January in 15 years for Saab Cars USA.

"What an exciting start to what will certainly prove to be an exciting year for Saab Cars USA," said Ed Peper, Saab Cars USA's recently named VP of Sales.

New Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan sales levels double those achieved by its predecessor

Norcross, GA - Saab Cars USA closed out 2002 with its all-new Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan pacing its sales volume. The award-winning sedan replaced the 9-3 5-door and coupe body styles starting in model year 2003.

"We are pleased with the volumes we are seeing for the all-new 9-3 Sport Sedan," said Debra Kelly-Ennis, President and COO of Saab Cars USA, Inc. "Our dealer network has moved more than double the volume of the new sedan versus the previous model hard-top 9-3's for the first two full months of sales Ð and that's exactly what we intended this product to do for us."

The Saab 9-3 Linear Sport Sedan went on sale in the U.S. market in late October 2002. This entry-level variant will be followed in the spring by the 210-hp Arc and Vector models. Sales of the Linear model alone for November and December were 2,246 units versus 1,114 for the same period last year for all trim levels of both the 9-3 5-door and coupe.

Overall, Saab Cars USA sold 2,743 units in December, bringing the year-end total to 37,805, a one percent increase over 2001.

9-3 Sports Sedan Sales Off to a Strong Start

12/02

Sales of the all-new 2003 Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan off to a strong start

Norcross, GA - Saab Cars USA reported sales of 1,023 all-new 9-3 Sport Sedans for November, the first full month of sales for the Swedish automaker's newest model. This volume more than doubles the quantity of old 9-3 hardtops, three- and five-door hatchbacks combined, retailed in November 2001.

"The new Sport Sedan is reinvigorating Saab in the marketplace," said Richard O'Kelley, Vice President of Sales for Saab Cars USA. Ê"We're seeing more dealer traffic, more test drives, higher consideration, and increased overall brand awareness.

"The transition from hatchback to sedan has broadened the target audience for the Saab 9-3. ÊThroughout the launch of the new 9-3 Sport Sedan we've said that we expect to double our 9-3 hardtop sales volume and we're already beginning to do that."

For total November sales, Saab Cars USA retailed 2,772 units, a 6.5 percent increase over last November.

Saab Cars USA, Inc. is the importer of Saab 9-5 and 9-3 automobiles for Saab Automobile AB and is headquartered in Norcross, GA, near Atlanta. For more information, see www.saabusa.com.

Troubled Saab fights back with bland sport sedan

BY MATT NAUMAN
KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS

http://www.auto.com/reviews/pmx12095_20021202.htm

Saab is in trouble, and its answer, here in the United States, is the new 9-3 sport sedan.

I'm not sure it'll be enough.

Automotive News reported recently that two General Motors executives have been installed to put together an emergency turnaround plan for the Swedish automaker, which is expected to lose $504 million this year. Saab is owned by GM.

The company now says it hopes to sell 200,000 vehicles a year worldwide by 2005, down from the 250,000 previously predicted. This year, it'll sell 125,000 cars, down from its 140,000 forecast. U.S. Saab sales, 32,290 so far in 2002 and far behind its rivals, remain a disappointment.

The company has dropped plans for made-in-Scandinavia brand centers in major U.S. cities, including one in San Francisco.

Into this turbulent atmosphere comes the new 9-3 sedan. When your company sells only two products -- the more expensive 9-5 series is the other -- a new version always is important. This time, it's crucial to Saab's future.

Available now, the new 9-3 comes in one body style, a four-door sedan. Gone is the quirky hatchback styling, replaced by a bland European look that doesn't turn heads. Only the unusual paint color of our test car -- a milky blue that Saab calls dolphin gray -- got any comment from onlookers.

What buyers won't find, for now, are all-wheel-drive or wagon versions of the new 9-3. They're coming, but not now. All of its rivals -- BMW, Mercedes, Volvo and Audi -- offer all-wheel drive sedans and wagons. Gone, too, is a high-performance Viggen version, as was available in the previous-generation 9-3. And while the popular 9-3 convertible remains in the Saab lineup, it's a carry-over from 2002.

Even worse, what's available until early next year is the most timid configuration of the new 9-3. Called Linear -- Saab says its trim-level designations connect its cars to an architectural mindset -- it comes with a turbo-charged, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes only 175 horsepower. That's comparable to the performance of the five- or six-cylinder engines found in comparably priced European sedans, Saab says, but I think many American buyers prefer the familiarity of a V-6.

Early next year, Arc and Vector versions of the 9-3 sedan with 210-horsepower four-cylinder engines, six-speed manual transmissions and 300-watt stereos arrive. Perhaps, at that point, Saab's near-future will be more secure.

What's here now is a pleasant enough ride. Indeed, on a long road trip from Fremont to Las Vegas, the new 9-3 proved a comfortable companion with a solid ride, plenty of power for those never-ending stretches of I-5 and I-15 and a fine stereo.

The Linear comes with some luxury touches -- leather seats, a trip computer, that stereo -- and a nice complement of safety features, from stability-control and traction-control systems, front and rear side-curtain air bags and a year's worth of OnStar's Safe&Sound telematics package.

Tired of being known for its hatchbacks, and realizing that Americans mostly hate them, Saab stylists went for a less distinctive body shape. The four-door sedan is nicely proportioned, but it isn't visually exciting from any angle.

On the inside, the muted color scheme and busy control panel are subtle to the point of innocuous. I like the round, easy-to-read instruments, but a simple task such as changing a radio station proved much more difficult than it needed to be.

(Yes, in perhaps the only nod to its formerly quirky reputation, Saab retains its key-slot-behind-the-shifter ignition.)

The 9-3 is the first car to come to the United States based on GM's new Epsilon platform. In the near future, it'll serve as the basis for the next Chevy Malibu, Pontiac Grand Am and other models. GM says it's a flexible platform that'll allow the automaker to equip American cars with a more European driving feel. My experience with the new 9-3 says that's true.

With a $25,900 base price -- destination charge is $625 -- the 9-3 Linear is the cheapest Saab sold in America. Saab notes that the 9-3 is cheaper than the BMW 325i sedan, the Mercedes-Benz C240 sedan and the Volvo S60 2.4 sedan, while the Audi A4 1.8T is about $1,000 cheaper.

The Arc and Vector versions of the 9-3 sedan coming next year will sell for $29,995 and $32,495. Prices for the 9-5 sedans and wagons range from $33,995 to $39,350.

Somewhere between the Japanese luxury cars, which have made tremendous strides in recent years to distance themselves from images of gussied-up Accords and Camrys, and the European luxury marques, all of which sell strongly based on quality, safety and image, there might be room for Saab.

But, considering its tiny slice of the market, its financial troubles and the lack of a breakout design, feature or technology with the new 9-3, it seems a daunting prospect.

December 3, 2002