Saab Is Back in the Game

Since GM emerged from bankruptcy last year, the future of its Swedish brand - Saab - has been bleak until recently. Dutch automaker Spyker Cars bought Saab last month from GM, after the deal with the Koenigsegg Group AB fizzled.

For the first two months of this year, Saab racked-up less than 100 new-vehicle sales, as compared to 712  sales during the same time period in 2008. So after such a dismal start to the year, the automaker is back in the game again, cranking up its assembly plants and gearing up for the upcoming release of the all-new 9-5, which is featured above, this summer.

In an effort to jump-start sales, Saab is lowering prices for its 2010 9-3s by 4 to 12 percent. The base model 2010 9-3 sport sedan starts at $29,725, including delivery, compared with $31,135 for the 2009 version. The base price for the 9-3 SportCombi wagon fell to $31,155 from $32,565 in the 2009 model year.

The 9-3 convertible has a 2010 base price of $40,815, compared with $42,905 as a 2009 model. The new 9-3X crossover starts at $37,800.

Along with providing 2010s, Saab is offering current owners or lessees $1,000 off a new 2009 or 2010. The deal comes on top of incentives launched in late February that range from $4,000 to $8,000 off 2008 and 2009 models.

Hopefully, this announcement will drive up the resale value of  the Saab brand, since there is stability again.