[Perian]

Source: Special Automotive News Email Alert

John Revill - Automotive News Europe - November 21, 2008


Saab will remain in the North American market despite a sharp drop in sales so far this year. "The Saab brand is very attractive to U.S. consumers," said Managing Director Jan-Ake Jonsson. "There are no plans to pull out at all."

Jonsson reaffirmed Saab's commitment to the US market, despite a sales drop there of 31 percent to 19,318 units in the first 10 months.

Sales in Canada were down 20 percent to 1,593 units during the period.

"We have been in North America for 50 years, we have a very solid footprint and a large car park there." Jonsson told Automotive News Europe.

Sales in the U.S. had fallen because Saab was no longer chasing sales volumes at any cost, Jonsson said.

Despite falling sales, Saab is profitable in the U.S., Jonsson said.

He said: "The U.S. is a very important part of our strategy."