Saab Achieves All-Time UK Sales Record In 2004
Published: 15th January 2005
Saab maintained its status as the fastest growing premium car brand in the UK market in 2004 by achieving an all-time sales record in the UK of 20,294 cars; the highest in the Swedish premium marque’s history since British sales began in October 1960.
Saab UK sales for December closed at 1,505 cars, 52 per cent higher than the same month in 2003, resulting in a full year-on-year sales growth of 39 per cent, ensuring Saab maintained its status as the fastest growing premium brand in the UK car market. Sales of Approved Used Saabs also reached record levels.
All models in the Saab range enjoyed significant gains in customer demand. The popular 9-3 Sport Saloon, for example, ended 2004 28 per cent up on the previous year, with orders for the recent low emission, performance 1.9 TiD engines outstripping supply. During 2004 the Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon achieved the top rating in What Car? magazine’s annual car security test, in addition to becoming the first ever car to be awarded a ‘’double best pick’ in the American IIHS crash test study.
The stylish 9-3 Convertible frequently topped the monthly UK premium soft-top sales charts in 2004, and sold over 5,000 examples during the year. The 9-3 also became the first ever soft-top Convertible to receive the maximum 5-Star EuroNCAP safety rating, making Saab the only manufacturer in the UK car market to offer a full range of 5-Star EuroNCAP models.
The established Saab 9-5 range gained yet more friends in 2004, with sales up an impressive 14 per cent, to 5,265 examples. The entry 2.2 TiD Automatic proved to be especially popular, and the 9-5 Aero remained Britain’s best selling performance premium saloon. In 2004 the Saab 9-5 was once again commended as the safest car on Swedish roads by Swedish insurance authority Folksham, and in the USA it topped the Highway Loss Data Institute safety study once more.
Other Saab achievements in 2004 included the successful introduction of the 9-2X in the North American markets, and the continuation of Saab’s pioneering lead in safety technology with the announcement of the anti-drink/drive Saab Alco-key, and very recently, the Saab Driver Distraction concept, which monitors a driver’s eye and head movements to prevent driver fatigue causing accidents.
Saab Great Britain Managing Director Jonathan Nash said today: "Saab’s record UK sales is further proof that British new car buyers are becoming increasingly discerning. Saab’s compelling cocktail of premium quality and value is appealing to a growing number of British consumers and fleet operators. Allied to this, Saab’s proven class-leading safety, distinctive Scandinavian style, and unique aircraft engineering heritage make a new Saab an increasingly tempting proposition."
Saab 9-3
Our Saab 9-3 Guide lists the full specification of the current UK 9-3 range, including car prices, fuel consumption, dimensions and other vital data.
Price Range: £18,925 - £32,600
Body Style:
Fuel:
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Models in the range: 22
We have road tested the Saab 9-3, to read our in-depth car reviews:
Saab 9-3 Review - Oct 2005
Saab 9-3 Review - Mar 2005
Saab 9-3 Review - Jul 2007
Our Car Buyer’s Guide covers all of the UK’s major new cars and includes CO2 ratings and car insurance groups. Data updated on the 21st Sep 2008
