Saab Automobile, 64, of Trollhättan, died Monday.
It was born to the late Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget, June 10, 1947, in Trollhättan, Sweden. Saab graduated from Project 92 in 1949 and completed its first Sonett in the 1950s. It married the late General Motors in 1990, and they lived together in Detroit, Mi., before separating in 2010. Saab briefly partnered to form Swedish Automobile NV (née Spyker Cars NV) before the two parties amicably parted ways. It succumbed to financial hardship and complications from product starvation.
Saab was a maker of cars and, later, sport-utility and crossover vehicles until it retired earlier this year. During its time in the U.S., Saab began traveling abroad; this led it to the business of importing and reselling Japanese goods. Once back in its native Sweden, Saab continued its Asian travels, this time venturing to China for outreach programs. Ailing health and visa troubles from its previous marriage ultimately kept it from pursuing all of the travel it had planned.
Saab was very fond of the number 9 and anything remotely to do with air travel.
Saab is survived by nearly 3000 unsold children: 9-3 and 9-5 of Trollhättan, Sweden; and 9-4X (SRX) of Ramos Arizpe, Mexico. It also is survived by a worldwide dealership and distribution network.
Saab will be cremated following a formal receivership ceremony.
In lieu of flowers, the company is requesting that donations be made out to the 3600 employees soon to be out of work.
A selection of Saab Automobile’s accomplishments can be seen below.
Ursaab – The name says it all. This was the original, prototypical Saab automobile. It was built by a group of aircraft engineers—and it kind of showed.
Saab 92 – This somewhat-odd little car was an obvious evolution of the original prototype. Series production began in 1949. The somewhat-odd name refers to the project having followed that of the Saab 91 Safir, a two-seat prop plane.
Saab Sonett – Designed first as a two-seat roadster—of which six were made—the Sonett was a purpose-built race car. The name was later brought back for a production-ready roadster and then a series of coupes.
Saab 99 – Saab’s first entirely new car since the 92. It was also the first Saab to place the ignition switch between the front seats, something that endured even with badge-engineered Chevys, Subarus, Opels, and Cadillacs that followed years later. The 99 used a Ricardo-designed and Triumph-built 1.7-liter four-cylinder engine.
Saab 900 Turbo – The 900 replaced the 92/93/95/96 family in 1980. A Turbo model, one of the brand’s most iconic offerings, arrived two years later.
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