Saab Predicts 20,000 in Swedish Sales for 1997

01/06/97

Reuters reports that Saab Opel Sweden has estimated that its sales in 1997 will reach nearly 20,000 in Sweden compared to the 15,617 vehicles it sold in its domestic market in 1996.

Saab spokesperson Torsten Aman linked the predicted hike in sales to new legislation about company cars: "the uncertainty over company cars has been lifted. Now companies are putting in orders."

Aman continued, "we think that the total Swedish market will increase to about 200,000 cars this year and we estimate to have about 10 percent of that market."

Aman said customer interest will also prove an important element of the increase: "the order books promise a strong first quarter of 1997 for sales in Sweden."

Saab reported that 1996 ended with a bang, with Saab registrations jumping 21 percent in December, compared to an overall market rise of 14 percent. The company expects the good news to spill over into the new year. Bjarne Egstrand, managing director for Saab Opel Sweden, said, "we have cause to count on a good start of 1997 - not least as later in the year we will add our third model series."

December sales of the Saab 900 rose 63 percent to 1,033 cars while sales of the Saab 9000 fell by seven percent to 860 cars.

Saab's Swedish sales fell 15 percent overall in calendar year 1996. The calendar year sales of the Saab 900 slipped 11 percent to 7,909, while sales of the Saab 9000 dropped 19 percent to 7,708.

Paul Dever -- The Auto Channel