With New Lease on Life, Saab Lowers Prices and Drives Forward

Just over a month ago, Tonic wrote of the Saab auto brand having only narrowly averted a one-way trip into automotive history. Following the financial unraveling of its former parent company General Motors that forced brand shedding and restructuring, an eleventh hour deal between GM and Dutch boutique sports car manufacturer Spyker kept the brand alive.

Under fresh leadership, Saab is wasting no time in its effort to seize its second lease on life in the radically altered yet still rapidly changing auto industry.

As reported by USA Today, Saab hopes to entice prospective buyers to take a fresh look at the brand by completely revising the pricing structure on its 9-3 series. Compared with the 2009 line-up, pricing for the 2010 showroom offerings by Saab will come in at between 4 and 12 percent less.

And very much in line with the green and lean trends we recently described as being in full view at this year's Geneva Motor Show, Saab also may soon move forward with a new small vehicle. Nitrobahn.com reports that no production schedule has been announced for the concept first presented in 2008 as the 9-X BioHybrid, but the small, alternate powertrain vehicle would represent a clear statement that the revived brand intends to stay relevant and competitive in a changing industry.

Photo by El monty via Wikimedia Commons.