A redesigned version of Saab's flagship 9-5 sedan has been rumored for at least three years, but has been delayed by shifting plans at parent General Motors. Now it's ready, but General Motors is finalizing plans to sell Saab. The new 9-5 already missed a scheduled world premiere at the March 2008 Geneva Auto Salon in Switzerland. Instead, the 2010 Saab 9-5 has been pushed back to a late-2009 unveiling at the Frankfurt Auto Show. But after all this time, what are a few more months?
The new 9-5 has been slow to gel because GM has had a tough time figuring out exactly what to do with its Swedish branch since taking full control of Saab's car division some years ago. GM bought Saab to have a premium European brand in the stable, the same rationale that led Ford Motor Company to acquire Volvo. But Saab continues losing money, and GM can't afford that. The problem has been deciding what new products are needed to boost Saab sales and how to integrate those into a global product plan without diluting the qualities so beloved by Saab's small but loyal fan base. Hopefully Saab's new owners will have better luck.
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