Saab Cars USA Reports That April Best Month Ever

NORCROSS, Ga. May 1, 2003; Reuters reported that Saab achieved its best month ever in the Swedish manufacturer's largest global market, reporting a volume of 4,967 units in April, beating last year by 45 percent. The monthly sales record stood at 4,908 since 1986. A strong April followed Saab Cars USA's best first quarter ever, and brought year-to-date sales up to 15,852 vehicles, up 26 percent over 2002.

"Our entire organization is motivated by the strong sales we're seeing this year," said Ed Peper, VP of Sales for Saab Cars USA. "We know we have fantastic products, and consumers are choosing Saab and backing up our claims."

The all-new 2003 Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan is behind much of the sales success so far this year. The turbo-charged 210-hp variant of the Sport Sedan was introduced in late March and has quickly shown its sales power. Saab sold 2,768 9-3 Sport Sedans in April versus 1,009 9-3 hardtops last April, an increase of 174 percent. Year-to-date, the Sport Sedan is besting 2002 9-3 hardtop sales by 57 percent.

Saab Certified Pre-Owned reported a record April, with sales of 662 vehicles, up 90 percent over last year. Over 95 percent of Saab dealers are now enrolled in the Saab CPO program.

"We are proving to the marketplace that Saab is on the move," said Debra Kelly-Ennis, President and COO of Saab Cars USA. "We will continue our growth with new products such as the recently announced Saab 9-2 and the new 2004 Saab 9-3 Convertible. Next week Saab will launch a new ad campaign in the U.S. that will capture the spirit and essence of our brand and our products."

Saab Cars USA, Inc. is the importer of Saab 9-5 and 9-3 automobiles for Saab Automobile AB and is headquartered in Norcross, Georgia, near Atlanta. For more information, see www.saabusa.com.