Owner Eyes Relaunching Saab Next Year

Saab Automobile's new owner is considering a switch in strategy that would bring the brand back to the market next year with a gasoline-powered version of the existing 9-3 compact car.

The original plan was to relaunch with an electric version of that model in 2014.

National Electric Vehicle Sweden AB, the Chinese-Japanese consortium bought Saab in June, insists the EV debut is still on schedule. But the company says launching a conventionally powered car first would bring in cash sooner and revive consumer awareness of Saab before EV's debut.

NEVS says the change in plans hinges on enlisting the participation of brand's former suppliers.

Saab sales which peaked at 133,000 units in 2006 plunged to 10,000 units in 2010 and sputtered to 12 units in 2011 as owner Spyker Cars NV struggled to finance the business. Production ended in March 2011 and Spyker filed for bankruptcy last December.