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Saab Announces Annual Sales Increase

8 January 1998

Saab Announces Best Annual U.S. Sales Since 1989

    NORCROSS, Ga., Jan. 8 -- Saab Cars USA, Inc., the U.S.
importer and distributor of Saab 900 and 9000 automobiles, announced a 1997
sales total of 28,453 cars, the Swedish automaker's highest since 1989.  Saab
recorded its fourth consecutive annual sales increase in the U.S. in 1997, as
it posted a small increase over 1996 sales.  Since 1993, Saab sales have
jumped by 52 percent.
    "We are pleased to record another strong year of Saab 900 and 9000 sales,
even prior to the debut of an entirely new Saab model line-up," said Joel
Manby, Saab Cars USA, Inc. president and CEO.  "Our new models -- the 1999
Saab 9-5 and Saab 9-3, just introduced at the North American International
Auto Show in Detroit -- will surely spark even stronger growth for 1998 when
they go on sale this spring."
    The award-winning Saab 900 line -- available in three-door, five-door or
Convertible body styles -- continued to lead Saab's strong sales momentum in
1997.  The combination of safety, performance and practicality drove the five-
door Saab 900 S and SE to become the fastest-moving models during 1997, with
12,458 retailed -- 43.8 percent of total Saab sales.  The popular 900
Convertible models were also particularly strong sellers, accounting for
26.6 percent of total Saab sales, up an impressive 11.7 percent over 1996.
Overall, Saab 900 sales in 1997 increased by 2.3 percent over 1996, accounting
for 23,048 cars sold.
    Saab's large-car entries, the venerable 9000 series, totaled 5,405 sales.
Now in its final model year, the limited production 1998 Saab 9000 CSE will
soon be replaced by the all-new 1999 Saab 9-5 premium performance sedan.

SOURCE  Saab Cars USA, Inc.