General Motors Plans New Saab Sport Utility Vehicle Model, Possibly in Time for 2008 Model Year

STOCKHOLM, Sweden March 4, 2005; the AP reported that General Motors Corp. said Friday it will build on Saab's reputation for luxury and add a sport utility vehicle, possibly in time for the 2008 model year.

Carl-Peter Forster, president of GM Europe, said a four-wheel drive version would be developed, as well as continued production of Saab's 9-3 and 9-5 models.

"We really have to go after the growing segments," he said at a news conference at Saab Automobile AB in Trollhaettan, where Saab is based. "The fact that GM is basically only half represented in the premium segment is not something which we would like to continue."

He said that GM, the world's largest automaker, has an overall market share globally of 15 percent, but its premium share was only 8 percent.

"That should show that we have substantial room to improve with the Saab brand," he added.