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Saab Announces Worldwide Sales Increase Of 18%

22 January 1999

Saab Announces Worldwide Sales Increase Of 18%

    U.S. sales best since 1989, record sales increases in European markets

    NORCROSS, Ga., Jan. 21 -- Saab Cars USA, Inc., the U.S.
importer and distributor of Saab 9-3 and 9-5 automobiles, announced a 1998
sales total of 30,757 cars, the Swedish automaker's highest U.S. sales volume
since 1989. Saab enjoyed its fifth consecutive annual sales increase in the
U.S. with an 8.1% increase over 1997. Sales during the second half of 1998,
when the company's new Saab 9-3 and 9-5 model line reached retailers, were up
23% over the second half of 1997. December sales of 3,542 units were the
importer's best since 1986 -- Saab's highest sales year ever.
    Worldwide, Saab sales successes were also plentiful. Global sales
increased by 18% to 118,581 cars (versus 100,275 in 1997). A full year of Saab
9-3 and Saab 9-5 deliveries, a strengthened dealer networks in key European
markets, and the debut of Saab's first turbo diesel engine, all contributed to
double-digit growth. Strong increases were posted in all of Saab's major
Western European markets, including France (+51%), Germany (+41%), Italy
(40+), Sweden (+15%), and the UK (+15%). Saab enjoyed the highest percentage
growth of any automotive marque in Western Europe.
    "We are very pleased with our 1998 results," said Joel Manby, Saab Cars
USA, Inc. president and CEO. "Nearly half of our U.S. dealers reported a 20%
increase in sales over 1997, and sales per dealer have increased to 140 units
per store -- up drastically from 85 per store just over two years ago. Our
emphasis on building a dedicated and customer-focused U.S. retail network is
starting to pay off." Manby also pointed out that the company's new Saab 9-5
played a large role in the year's sales success. Saab sold 7,774 four-cylinder
engine equipped Saab 9-5s during the last half of the year, versus 5,402 Saab
9000 models -- the 9-5's predecessor--during the entire year in 1997.
     Manby expects another strong year of growth for 1999. "With the debut of
our award-winning Saab 9-5 Wagon in April, the launch of an all-new high-
performance 9-3 variant in May, and some additional great Saab 9-5 news this
fall, we fully expect to maintain our momentum."