Saab, Subaru to partner on second vehicle for U.S., Canadian markets

<p>Saab Automobile AB and the Japanese maker of Subaru vehicles will collaborate on development of a new crossover vehicle for the U.S. and Canadian markets, their second such partnership, the two companies said Thursday.</p><p>Saab, a unit of General Motors Corp., and Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. already have partnered on the Saab 9-2X premium small car that went on sale recently in the United States and Canada. The 9-2X is built on the same platform as the Subaru Impreza.</p><p>The new crossover will be built at FHI's U.S. manufacturing facility in Lafayette, Ind., where Fuji currently builds the Legacy sedan and wagon, Outback sedan and wagon and Baja light truck.</p><p>Saab said no date had been set for the start of production, although it is expected to be at least a year away.</p><p>GM, the world's largest automaker, took a 20 percent stake in FHI four years ago, one of several global partnerships GM has with other automakers. GM bought a 50 percent stake in Saab in 1990 and acquired the remaining 50 percent in 2000.</p><p>"We continue to see a working relationship between FHI and Saab as a very natural fit," said Bob Lutz, GM's vice chairman for product development. "It makes sense for FHI and Saab to work together early in the development process to deliver their own distinct interpretations of a sporty and versatile crossover product."</p><p>Crossovers, which typically are car-based utility vehicles with smoother rides than traditional SUVs, are one of the industry's fastest-growing categories. A key to working with Subaru is that it allows Saab to get vehicles to the U.S. market more quickly than if it were to develop and build them on its own.</p><p>The Swedish company, which has posted an annual profit only twice since GM acquired a stake, is in the midst of an aggressive product expansion in the United States, where it offers three models _ the 9-2x, 9-3 sedan and bigger 9-5.</p><p>At the New York International Auto Show in April, Saab introduced the 9-7X midsize sport utility vehicle, which is scheduled to go on sale next year. Initially, the 9-7X is expected to be produced specifically for the United States and Canadian markets.</p><p>Through June, Saab's U.S. sales were off 21 percent from the year-ago period, according to Autodata Corp.</p><p>In May, the carmaker said it was moving its U.S. headquarters from outside Atlanta to Detroit, placing it in the same location as parent GM.</p><p>In afternoon trading on the New York Stock Exchange, GM shares were off 4 cents to $44.18.</p><p>___</p><p>On the Net:</p><p>HASH(0x28656b4)</p><p>HASH(0x286575c)</p>