Some news, via ‘otwin’ in comments, about the little-mentioned activities of Saab in Luxembourg!!

What a great image:

Does the white one look smaller to you, too?

It seems Saab of Luxembourg have a special happening on Convertibles just as Europe gets into the swing of Spring. I’d say it represents some decent value, too.

Below is my ham-fisted translation, but it was worth it just to post that photo.

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At Saab, we are privileged by innovation. Turbo technology and safety equipment are a case in point. And that shows through on all levels of the Saab 9-3 Convertible.

Thanks to its innovating solutions, you appreciate every moment spent at the wheel. You shouldn’t be surprised if the Convertible becomes your preferred car.

Saab presents the Saab Convertible in White & Black.

The 1.8 turbo producing 150hp is being offered at a price of €28.560, prices Net (TVAC), where the normal price is €32.710. This special offer Convertible is only available in white and black and has quite a complete level of standard equipment already:

BODY AND EXTERNAL STYLING
body colored spoilers
aluminum wheels – 16″ to 10 branches (ALUMINUM 43)

PERFORMANCE
1.8t engine (150 hp)
5-speed manual
Electronic Stability Program (ESP®)
‘Saab Re-Axs’
Traction Control System (TCS)

COCKPIT AND INTERIOR STYLING
sport seats in Parchment or Slate Grey
Dashboard in gray
Flying anthracite leather (LSW)

AUDIO AND COMMUNICATION
Saab Infotainment w/steering wheel controls – 70W/4HP with reader CD (E1-S1)

COMFORT
electric driven hood
automatic dual-zone climatisation
emergency lighting ‘ Follow-me-home’ function
Filtered air
heated external mirrors
adjustable Wheel in height and depth

PRACTICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Cases with flexible volume (CargoSet TM)
Night Panel function
Mini spare wheel
‘Profiler’ for individual settings

SAFETY AND PROTECTION
and passenger ‘ intelligents’ in 2 side Airbags phases with before (head and thorax) active Head-rests (SAHR 2), on the seats before Arch of safety in the event of reversal of the car (Dynacage TM) Fasteners ISOFIX for seats child with the Ignition key back electronic to remote control Cornering Brake Control Device of immobilization and double locking adjustable Headlights of the interior (automatic adjustment for the cars equipped with Xenon)Répartiteur headlights of electronic braking (EBD) Seats front with safety belts integrated automatic Tensioners of safety belts before and back

The White and Black offer is valid until stock runs out.

This is a press release out from GM Europe today. There’s very little in it directly involving Saab, but I guess it paints part of the bigger picture.

And it’s from Dudenhofen. My new favourite place.

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General Motors Europe focusing on small and compact models

Natural gas and ethanol as low-emission alternatives
Ongoing growth opportunities in Central and Eastern Europe

Dudenhofen. General Motors Europe continues its upward trend by focusing on fuel-saving small and compact cars. Following GME’s 227 million dollar profit in 2006 − the first since 1999 − GM Europe President Carl-Peter Forster is not troubled by the current discussion about energy efficiency and lower emissions. In fact, he sees it more as a plus-point for the Opel, Chevrolet, Saab and Cadillac brands. “The fact that more car buyers are taking the environmental compatibility and energy balance of their cars into consideration is a good thing for us,” says Forster. At the same time, he called for a closer cooperation between auto producers, the oil industry and politicians so that solutions to climate protection can be found. Forster: “The consumer must be able to afford environmental technology. This is the only way to put it on a broad and effective basis”.

The volume brand Opel in particular has taken on a leading role: the new Corsa made a record start with 300,000 units ordered since its launch half a year ago and, thanks to the growing popularity of the extremely economical new 1.3-liter diesel engine (4,6 liters consumption, 119 g CO2/km) carbon dioxide emissions across the whole model line are reduced. Within the Corsa range, more than 90 percent of all cars sold in Germany are below the level of 140 g CO2/km. The entire Astra vehicle range has been revised and fitted with new, even more economical engines. In addition, Opel will launch a completely new generation of the small Agila van next year, which will also boast top values in consumption and CO2 emissions.

“Regardless of whether it’s natural gas in the Opel Zafira, ethanol in the Saab 9-5 and 9-3 BioPower or the first economical diesel engines in Cadillac models – our brands already have the right solutions to the challenges of the future,” emphasized Forster at a press conference at the Dudenhofen Test Center near Frankfurt. GME will pursue this strategy aggressively and confidently, and has invited German Green Party leader Renate Künast to visit the Rüsselsheim Development Center and the fuel cell development laboratory in Mainz-Kastel in April.

Looking to future development in Europe, Forster underlined an ever-increasing division in the markets. While the aim in Western Europe’s mostly saturated markets is to improve the entry level segment with attractive, well-equipped vehicles, Central and Eastern Europe’s markets offer considerable opportunities for growth. Starting late 2007, the Sedan version of the Opel Astra will be built in Gliwice, Poland. GME expects this additional model will continue to increase Opel sales in the region.

GME’s top growth performer in Eastern European countries is the affordable entry-level brand Chevrolet. Therefore GM has decided to increasingly shift production from Korea to Europe. Forster said that instead of the 25,000 units originally planned, GME now wants to produce around 70,000 vehicles per year as of 2008 at the new plant in St. Petersburg, Russia.