.

.November 05, 2003
.
This Week:

• Ford Racing's New 5.0-Liter "Cammer" V-8 Crate Engine Offers High Horsepower And Easy Installation

• Hybrid Vehicles are One of Many DaimlerChrysler Solutions For Future Environmental and Fuel-Consumption Needs

• New potentials developed with lightweight construction

• BMW Group Sets October Sales Record With 15% Sales Increase

• Nissan Displays An Array of Performance Vehicles at 2003 SEMA Show

• GM Chairman & CEO Rick Wagoner Named Chairman Of IBLAC

• New GTO Leads Pontiac's Performance Renaissance

• smart Morphs From Single Car To Range Of Models

• Saab Cars USA on track for best year ever

• Land Rover Showcases Its Brand's DNA - The Defender 110

© 1998 - 2003 Copyright & 
Disclaimer
Automotive Intelligence,
www.autointell.com
All Rights Reserved .
For questions please contact
editor@autointell.com  

.
Saab Cars USA on track for best year ever
 

October new car sales are up 82 percent versus last year. Year-to-date sales growth is up to 26 percent over 2002. Norcross, GA - October proved to be yet another month of increased sales for Saab Cars USA. New car sales tallied in at 3,349 vehicles, up 82 percent over 1,844 units last year. This brought year-to-date sales to 40,808, a 26 percent increase over 2002. The Swedish manufacturer surpassed 40,000 units in the U.S. on Friday morning - the first time Saab has reached this number in 16 years. "The sales network is maintaining the strong momentum - as we have asked them to," said Ed Peper, Vice President of Sales for Saab Cars USA.

Saab's MVP for 2003 has been the 9-3 Sport Sedan. This all-new product went on sale in mid-October 2002. At that time, Saab executives forecast that the Sport Sedan would double the sales volume of its predecessor, the 9-3 hatchback and coupe models. And that is precisely what it has done.

Comparing model year 2002 9-3 hardtops with model year 2003 9-3 Sport Sedans, here's how the numbers fall out: 10,884 9-3 hardtops versus 24,077 9-3 Sport Sedans, a 121 percent increase.

"Our 9-3 Sport Sedan is the fuel behind the Saab Cars USA sales this year," said Debra Kelly-Ennis, President of Saab Cars USA. "The popularity of our new Sport Sedan positively affects sales of other models as well. Consumers are visiting our showrooms in higher volumes, and seeing more Saabs on the road next to them."

The Saab Certified Pre-owned program continued its positive contribution to the overall sales performance. October sales reached 878 vehicles, a 109 percent increase over last year. Year-to-date Saab CPO sales are at 8,059 vehicles, an 89 percent improvement over 2002.

(Nov. 4, 2003)