Saab Euro Sales (By Model) : 2000-2015

The first Saab car was released in 1949 by Saab AB, an aerospace company. That was the 92, an aerodynamic shaped car as you would expect from a brand run by an aircraft company. We all know that Saab is no more but while it was around, Europe and North America were its main markets.

GM took a 50% share of the company in 1989 and in the year 2000 decided to take the remaining percentage. The data below starts form that point. How did things go under GM's control?

2000-04. Two models were the staple of the company, a medium sized 900 that became the 9-3 and the larger 9000 / 9-5. Both sold reasonably well through this period, with its home market Sweden taking a third of European sales. However, a range of just two cars is too limited in today's world.

Model / Year	2004	2003	2002	2001	2000
9-3 / 900	52,378	44,177	37,462	40,159	44,317
9-5 / 9000	28,743	29,885	35,179	34,179	35,511
Others	37	36	29	31	30
Total	81,158	74,098	72,670	74,369	79,858

2005-09. To widen the range, the 9-7 SUV was introduced and sold in some European markets but in minimal numbers. A 9-2 model (Subaru Impreza) was sold in North America. Neither were successful and GM decided to rid itself of Saab. The sales figures for the 9-7 from 2008 to 2020 are estimates on my part.

Model / Year	2009	2008	2007	2006	2005
9-3	21,385	52,135	64,343	63,160	58,400
9-5	5,097	12,576	19,234	26,066	23,144
9-7	70	135	244	513	2
Others	77	6	5	16	18
Total	26,559	64,852	83,826	89,755	81,564

2010-14. A Netherlands based company (Spyker) bought Saab but about a year later financial problems brought production to a halt. Efforts since to revive the brand in Europe have come to nothing. The NEVs brand was used briefly.

Model / Year	2014	2013	2012	2011	2010
9-3	272	78	1,109	10,137	15,793
9-5		45	319	3,244	5,605
9-7					60
Others	0	23	0	0	5
Total	272	146	1,428	13,381	21,463

2015. Just 137 NEVs were sold. Looking back on the company, I'm not sure why GM bought Saab and what it expected from the brand. Saab needed plenty of money to expand its range and also ensure it retained its unique character. Badge-engineering models is cost effective but needs to be done carefully. It was not handled well at all.

I would be interested in what others have to add to this subject. Please leave a comment below.

Picture source: Netcarshow.

For others in the series, please click on the brand name below.

Alfa Romeo - DR Motors - Fiat Part 1 - Honda - Hyundai Part 1 - Infiniti - Kia -
Lancia - Land Rover - Mazda - Mitsubishi - Nissan - Opel/Vauxhall -
Peugeot Part 1 - Renault Part 1 - Subaru - SEAT

Hyundai Euro (Model) Sales : 2000-2019 (Part 2)

The iX35 SUV taking on the twisty stuff

If you recall, sales were stagnant until a spurt in 2009 took the share to 2.4%. So how did things progress from the previous decade. Would the impetus from '09 be maintained? Well, it went very well as we shall see.

2010-14. Things quickly moved to 3.5% by 2012. The iX35 (Tucson) was selling very well as was the i20 (Getz replacement). From that point sales were over the 400,000 point but Hyundai's share was now leveling off. Climbing up from here would be a challenge...

	Model / Year	2014	2013	2012	2011	2010
	iX35	93,501	88,573	87,250	71,785	51,443
	i20/Getz	83,499	81,231	74,644	68,564	65,263
	i30	81,522	98,637	95,499	98,577	111,155
	i10	80,977	61,419	66,507	72,199	89,171
	ix20	37,454	39,910	44,526	46,466	3,958
	i40/Sonata	25,043	29,651	35,184	9,158	1,722
	Santa Fe	13,437	10,559	10,940	13,291	13,311
	Elantra	1,131	1,415	2,008	875
	H-1	935	1,191	2,946	2,714	2,557
	Veloster	810	2,884	6,231	3,007
	Genesis	258		972	1,637	120
	iX55			728	1,305	1,624
	Matrix					2,212
	Accent					1,800
	Coupe					225
	Others	39	364	119	543	191
	Total	418,606	415,834	427,554	390,121	344,752
	% Europe	3.3	3.4	3.5	2.9	2.6

2015-19. ...and so it proved. Registrations soon moved over the half million units but share was increasingly difficult to make much headway with. The Kona has made a difference and without that model, things would have regressed. The Ioniq too has been doing well but with less volume than the former. Getting to 4% will be a tough ask but one the company will not be daunted by.

	Model / Year	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
	Tucson/iX35	139,879	139,594	153,122	161,636	120,358
	Kona	107,857	67,236	7,075
	i20	85,161	92,290	102,482	100,589	90,476
	i10	79,246	83,886	90,993	86,601	86,047
	i30	78,006	78,769	76,142	84,255	89,477
	Ioniq	31,984	31,920	22,030	4,006
	iX20	18,904	22,927	32,030	38,122	35,408
	Santa Fe	8,896	8,328	11,740	16,195	14,433
	i40	2,885	8,914	15,171	21,079	25,005
	i800	1,863	1,216	2,676	2,467	907
	Elantra	1,780	2,009	2,721	1,910	1,086
	H-1	622	464
	Nexo	336	89
	Starex	132
	Veloster			141	223	377
	Genesis				138	228
	Others	223	212	163	112	46
	Total	557,774	537,854	516,486	517,333	463,848
	% Europe	3.6	3.5	3.3	3.3	3.3

Picture source: Netcarshow.
For others in the series, please click on the brand name below.

Alfa Romeo - DR Motors - Fiat Part 1 - Honda - Hyundai Part 1 - Infiniti - Kia -
Lancia - Land Rover - Mazda - Mitsubishi - Nissan - Opel/Vauxhall -
Peugeot Part 1 - Renault Part 1 - Saab - SEAT - Subaru